Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about Memphis, Tennessee. We love to help travelers prepare for their vacations, and other than telling you the best things to do in Memphis TN, we also love to share the things that will surprise you about a new destination. So, today, we’re sharing the ten things that will shock you when you visit Memphis, Tennessee.
The Peabody Ducks
Don’t be surprised when the Peabody Ducks turn you into a five-year-old child again. You don’t have to stay at the Peabody Hotel if you want to see the famous Peabody Ducks, but you do want to get a good viewing spot early on. The ducks are marched from their penthouse suite down to the lobby each morning, where they spend the day lounging in a fountain before repeating their march again that evening. It’s pretty funny how even the most serious adults get so excited to see the ducks. They are truly Memphis celebrities.
Beale Street Memphis
Beale Street is the heart of live music in Memphis. It’s lined with bars, and relaxed liquor laws mean you can get alcoholic drinks to go and walk up and down the street. This is shocking to most people because it’s pretty rare in the United States. There are only a handful of cities where you can have an open container of alcohol outside of a drinking establishment. New Orleans and Savannah, Georgia are two other cities that allow this. You might not be able to bring drinks from one place into another, but you don’t have to rush and finish a drink when you leave a place. This does apply only to certain areas of Beale Street, so stay inside the barriers with your drinks.
Summer Weather in Memphis
There are some fun summer festivals, but the heat and humidity in Memphis in the summer is insane. If you visit Memphis in June, July, or August, prepare to be sweating a lot! The humidity is oppressive, so even once the sun goes down, it barely cools off. The best time to visit Memphis is in spring or fall when the weather is warm but still tolerable.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Memphis
Graceland
You can’t visit Memphis without visiting Graceland. You can take several different tours of Graceland, the home built by Elvis Presley. It’s been meticulously maintained in 1970s shag carpet glory. They’ve recently expanded the grounds with one of the newest museums in Memphis, and you can also tour his airplanes. Graceland is just one part of the extensive musical history around Memphis. (The price of entry might also shock you. Tours start at $41 and go up from there, depending on what you want to see at Graceland.)
National Civil Rights Museum
One of the most moving experiences you can have in Memphis is to visit the National Civil Rights Museum. The museum is located in the Lorraine Hotel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. It’s one of the best museums in Memphis and the entire United States. They do an excellent job presenting the Civil Rights movement in terms of American history. It’s incredibly moving and a must-see museum in Memphis. This is your must see Museum in Memphis.
Friendly Locals
We are always pleasantly surprised by how friendly the locals in Memphis are. Memphis presents Southern hospitality at its finest. If you need help, just ask a local. They’ll answer your question and probably ten other questions you didn’t know you had! Of course, you have to ask any local their favorite Memphis BBQ joint, and be prepared to have ten different answers!
Food in Memphis
Of course, you know you’re going to have some good BBQ in Memphis. But it’s still shocking how good ALL of the food is. The side dishes, the desserts, the hot chicken, the local brews, and even the donuts are to DIE for. No matter how long I’m in Memphis, I never get sick of the food!
Five Things You Have to Eat in Memphis
The Pyramid
If you fly into Memphis, you might be shocked to see a giant glass pyramid sitting on the banks of the Mississippi River. Originally built as a basketball arena for the Memphis Grizzlies, the building is now a giant Bass Pro Shops and one of the most popular Memphis attractions. Inside, you can fish, check out the shooting range, or take the elevator up to the observation deck and restaurant on the top floor. There’s even a hotel in the building. It’s not just a Bass Pro Shop; you have to see it to believe it!
Street Beggars
Memphis is a popular city for tourists, and the climate is pretty warm year-round. This combination leads to a lot of homeless people and a lot of beggars in the street. They really tend to congregate around Beale Street, especially as it gets later in the evening. Don’t worry too much about them, but just know that they’re there, and you will be asked for money several times as you walk around downtown.
Memphis Crime Rate
It’s not a secret that Memphis has a fairly high crime rate compared to other US cities. It’s largely concentrated in a few areas of town, but there are definitely parts of Memphis you should avoid if you are a tourist. The downtown area, especially around Beale Street, is very busy and heavily patrolled. However, common travel sense should prevail, which means you shouldn’t walk around alone at night, or stray far from the busy tourist areas. Don’t leave valuables in plain sight in your vehicle, don’t flash money around.
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I have visited Memphis many times and think it’s a great city for all kinds of travelers! Hopefully, these “shocks” will help you prepare for your Memphis vacation. Want more tips for traveling in the South? Check out some of our other blog posts!