- What historic attractions can visitors explore in Memphis?
- Memphis is home to many historic attractions and parks, including the iconic Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion.
- Visitors can also access the free-admission meditation garden at Graceland during select times.
- Are there free museums in Memphis?
- Yes! Many area art and culture museums offer free admission daily or at select times throughout the month.
- Does Memphis host any cultural festivals?
- Absolutely! The city’s downtown district hosts a variety of music-focused cultural festivals throughout the year.
- What is the best way to get around Memphis on a budget?
- Visitors can use the city’s MATA public transit system, which provides affordable bus and trolley services to major attractions.
- Are all Memphis attractions free every day?
- Some attractions are free only on certain days, so it’s important to check ahead before planning a visit.
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1. The March of the Peabody Ducks
Watch ducks parade daily and enjoy this fun, family-friendly Memphis tradition.
The March of the Peabody Ducks is one of Memphis' most unique and iconic attractions, dating back to 1933 at the city's landmark downtown Peabody Hotel. The legend of the Peabody Ducks dates back to the early 1930s, when the hotel's general manager and a friend placed several live decoy ducks in the hotel's indoor fountain upon return from a hunting trip in Arkansas. The act expanded into a daily tradition, aided by circus trainer Bellman Edward Pembroke, who taught the ducks a now-famous march through the fountain. More than 80 years later, five North American mallards still parade through the hotel's fountain at 11:00am and 5:00pm daily, as part of public performances that can be viewed without hotel stay. Between shows, the ducks live within a $200,000 Royal Duck Palace located atop the hotel's rooftop.
118 S 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38103, Phone: 901-529-4000
2. Levitt Shell
Catch free live music and relax outdoors on an affordable weekend night.
Levitt Shell, originally known as the Overton Park Shell, is a famed open-air amphitheater within Memphis' Overton Park, best known as the site of the first paid concert by legendary popular music performer Elvis Presley in 1954, widely considered to be the first modern rock-and-roll concert. The bandshell was originally constructed in 1936 by the City of Memphis with assistance from the Works Progress Administration, designed by architect Max Furbringer to mimic similar bandshells in New York City and Chicago. Since its renovation and renaming in 2008, the shell has hosted more than 50 free concerts throughout the year, offered Thursdays through Saturdays during the spring and fall months. Free concert films are also showcased during the summer months at the amphitheater by the organization Indie Memphis.
1928 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, Phone: 901-272-2722
3. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
Explore diverse exhibits and admire masterpieces on a cultured spring outing.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is a free-admission art museum located within Memphis' Overton Park, home to the state's largest and oldest collection of world art. The museum was originally founded in 1916 and is housed within a Beaux Arts-style National Landmark building originally constructed in 1913 and expanded several times throughout the 20th century. 29 art galleries showcase a collection of over 10,000 works of art, with international pieces spanning from antiquity through the present day. Works include pieces of art from ancient Greece and Rome and works of modern and contemporary art from Europe, Africa, the Americas, and around the world. Major works on display include pieces by Renoir, Winslow Homer, Robert Henri, Childe Hassam, and Nancy Graves. The museum is open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays during the morning and afternoon hours.
1934 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38104, Phone: 901-544-6200
4. The Center for Southern Folklore
Discover local stories and see Southern art during an unusual cultural trip.
The Center for Southern Folklore is a Memphis cultural organization that was originally founded in 1972 by Judy Peiser and William Ferris to promote the arts and culture of the American South, with a focus on the region's folk, rockabilly, and country music heritage. The center is free and open to the public, hosting a significant audiovisual recording library and collection of historical photographs and artifacts. Photography and folk art exhibits are showcased at its Heritage Hall, which also hosts performances by regional Memphis musicians and dancers. Works by regional folk artists are sold at the center's Folklore Store, which also hosts live performances. Each year, the center hosts the annual Memphis Music and Heritage Festival over Labor Day, celebrating the arts and culture of the Delta region.
119 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103, Phone: 901-525-3655
5. Elmwood Cemetery
Walk among historic graves and learn Memphis history on a quiet fall afternoon.
Elmwood Cemetery is one of Memphis' most historic cemeteries, originally established in 1852 on 40 acres of land approximately two miles from the city's center. Since then, the cemetery has expanded to more than 80 acres, serving as the final resting place for more than 75,000 residents of the city, including some of its most notable politicians, artists, and civil rights leaders. Since 2002, the cemetery has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, serving as the city's oldest cemetery. The beautiful garden cemetery is home to large stands of gorgeous ancient trees and sweeping vistas, with monuments and mausoleums such as the Stokes Columbarium dotting its landscape. Other attractions throughout the cemetery include the NRHP-listed Morgan Bridge, the 1866 Phillips Cottage, and the Victorian Gothic-style Lord's Chapel, which may be rented for funerals and private special events.
824 S. Dudley Street, Memphis, TN 38104, Phone: 901-774-3212
6. Lichterman Nature Center
Explore forest trails and spot wildlife on an exciting kids-friendly adventure.
Lichterman Nature Center is a 65-acre arboretum and nature center in East Memphis, open to the public for free each Tuesday afternoon beginning at 1:00pm. The center offers a variety of indoor and outdoor exhibits, including interactive exhibits showcasing animal specimens and fur swatches. Exhibits on the surrounding area's natural habitats are showcased at the Backyard Wildlife Center, while nature-themed gifts and educational materials are sold at the center's nature store. Outside, a three-mile nature path traverses a wildlife observation area, showcasing native flora and fauna, including amphibian, reptile, and mammal species. Public special events are hosted at the center annually, including an Earthfest and a Discovery Days event.
5992 Quince Rd, Memphis, TN 38119
7. The Art Museum at the University of Memphis
Visit rotating exhibits and enjoy thought-provoking sights on a quick educational stop.
The Art Museum at the University of Memphis is the main art museum of the University of Memphis campus, originally opened to the public in 1981 as the University Gallery. Since 1994, the museum has showcased a permanent collection of art and artifacts spanning from antiquity to the present day, including ancient Egyptian works, traditional African art, and modern and contemporary pieces. The museum is open to the public Mondays through Saturdays during business hours, with the exception of times the university is closed to the public. Free admission is offered daily, with free guided tours of museum exhibits available for small groups with advance registration.
142 CFA Building, Memphis, TN 38152, Phone: 901-678-2224
8. Shelby Farms Park
Bike scenic trails and paddle on lakes during an easy summer outing.
Shelby Farms Park is one of the United States' largest urban parks, spanning more than 4,500 acres, over five times the size of New York City's famed Central Park. The park sits on land that formerly belonged to the Nashoba Commune, which was later used as a penal farm until its conversion into a recreational area in the 1970s. Today, it offers a chance to observe wildlife in its natural habitats, including a herd of over 45 bison that graze on 56 acres of pasture lands. Hiking and biking trails are offered throughout the park, including wildlife observation trails for watching deer, turtles, beavers, and birds. Two lakes at the park offer opportunities for boat rowing, with rental boats available to visitors. A 120-acre off-leash dog area is also provided for visitor use, along with an 18-hole disc golf course and a BMX racing track.
6903 Great View Drive North, Memphis, TN 38134, Phone: 901-222-7275
9. The Pink Palace Museum and Planetarium
See science exhibits and explore the stars on a fun family visit.
The Pink Palace Museum and Planetarium is the Mid-South's premiere family science and history museum, attracting more than 240,000 annual visitors of all ages. The museum, which is housed within the former mansion of Piggly Wiggly store founder and supermarket entrepreneur Clarence Saunders, is open to the public for free Tuesday afternoons beginning at 1:00pm. Permanent exhibits include a replica of the original Piggly Wiggly grocery store, a miniature circus attraction, and exhibits on Memphis' music scene, cotton industry, and civil rights movements. Collections of 15th-century indigenous pottery are also showcased, along with dinosaur fossils and taxidermies. The museum is affiliated with the Pink Palace Family of Museums, which also encompasses the Lichterman Nature Center and the Coon Creek Science Center.
3050 Central Ave, Memphis, TN 38111, Phone: 901-636-2362
10. A. Schwab General Store
Browse vintage goods and savor nostalgia on an affordable, unusual shopping trip.
A. Schwab General Store is historic Beale Street's only remaining original business, originally opened to the public in 1876 by Jewish immigrant Abraham Joseph Schwab. As the oldest operating store in the Mid-South, the family-owned store has become a major Memphis tourist attraction, spanning two floors and selling unique, quirky merchandise and home goods, including Memphis-area souvenirs and folk art items. Visitors can explore the second-floor Beale Street Museum for free, which houses artifacts connected to the historic thoroughfare and its role in blues music history. Other attractions at the store include a turn-of-the-century replica soda fountain and cafe area, which serves light sandwiches, Sweet Magnolia ice cream, and sodas crafted with homemade syrups.
163 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103, Phone: 901-523-9782
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. The March of the Peabody Ducks
- 2. Levitt Shell
- 3. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
- 4. The Center for Southern Folklore
- 5. Elmwood Cemetery
- 6. Lichterman Nature Center
- 7. The Art Museum at the University of Memphis
- 8. Shelby Farms Park
- 9. The Pink Palace Museum and Planetarium
- 10. A. Schwab General Store