Memphis Travelers: What Not to Do!
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit Memphis, Tennessee. While many travel blogs will tell you what to do in Memphis, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do when you visit Memphis.
Don’t Worry About Carrying Alcohol on Beale Street
In most US cities, if you’re leaving a bar to move on to the next, you are used to quickly drinking whatever is left of your drink. When you go out on Beale Street, you don’t have to worry about that! Beale Street is blocked off so you can carry your beer or drinks with you, as long as it is in plastic. Just make sure you stay within the barriers and don’t try to carry any glass containers around. Also, make sure you finish your drink before you enter a new bar; they don’t want you bringing alcohol into the bars, especially if it was purchased somewhere else.
Don’t Take Advantage of Street Performers
One of the coolest things you’ll see on Beale Street is the street performers. Don’t take a bunch of photos and videos of them if you aren’t going to tip them. They are out here to earn a buck, so make sure you have some cash on hand to give them a few bucks if you’ve enjoyed their performance.
(Hint: tipping your servers and bartenders well will ensure you get good service once it starts to get busy!)
Don’t Think the Best Memphis Tourist Attractions are Downtown
There are a ton of cool things to see in Memphis, but they’re not all centrally located. We always find it helpful to have a car when we visit Memphis, as some of our favorite Memphis tourist attractions are outside of the downtown area. Graceland and the Memphis Zoo are just two of our favorite places to visit in Memphis, and neither of them is downtown.
That said, when you are downtown, there’s a great trolley you can use to get around, provided you have the exact change for your ticket. There’s also a fun bike rental system where you can rent bikes from several stations around town.
Official Memphis Tourism website: www.memphistravel.com
Don’t Expect The Locals to Agree on BBQ
One of the best things to do in Memphis is to try the BBQ. But if you ask five locals their favorite BBQ spot, you’ll probably get five different answers. There are over 100 BBQ joints in Memphis, and everybody has their own favorite. Don’t worry about getting the locals to agree on one, just enjoy sampling them all! (Central BBQ was my personal favorite!)
Don’t Come to Memphis on a Diet
After a couple of meals out in Memphis, you may wonder where the veggies are. In Memphis, they consider mac-and-cheese to be the side veggie, so this is definitely not the place to stick to a strict diet. Take a few days off your diet and enjoy the local cuisine of Memphis.
Don’t Miss Graceland
You don’t have to be a huge Elvis fan to enjoy a day at Graceland. The ticket price may shock you at first, but it’s totally worth it because you get to see a ton of memorabilia and you get to tour the inside of his home, frozen in pure 70s glory. The costumes alone are worth the price of admission.
Don’t Miss the Memphis Zoo
We’ve been to a lot of zoos around the world, especially when our two boys are traveling with us. I can honestly say the Memphis Zoo is one of the best zoos in the country. They have really fun events throughout the year and a lot of really cool exhibits. You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy the Memphis Zoo.
Memphis Zoo Website: www.memphiszoo.org
Don’t Miss the Peabody Ducks
Another Memphis attraction that you might think is just for kids are the ducks at the Peabody Hotel. The ducks are marched out into the lobby every day at 11:00 and they hang out in the fountain until 5 pm when they are marched back up to their penthouse suite. They literally roll out a red carpet for the ducks every day, and it’s super fun to watch them. Just don’t try to feed the ducks or pet the ducks!
Ten Shocks for Memphis Travelers
Don’t Miss Bass Pro Shop at the Pyramid
It seems weird that everyone tells you to go to the Bass Pro Shop when you’re in Memphis, but once you see the building, you’ll know why. This isn’t any Bass Pro Shop. The Memphis Pyramid is a former basketball arena and is now home to the Bass Pro Shop, a hotel, and a restaurant. There’s a shooting range, a bowling alley, and even indoor waterways! However, don’t feel obligated to pay to see the view from the top; you can get an equally amazing view for free from the rooftop of the Peabody Hotel.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask the Locals for Recommendations
While you won’t get them to agree on the best BBQ, the locals are super friendly and helpful to tourists. If you want to know what to do in Memphis, ask a local! They love to share their recommendations and secret spots and you’ll quickly see why Southerners are often called out for their amazing hospitality.
Don’t Visit in Summer and Complain about the Weather
Memphis summers are hot and humid. There’s no way around it. My best recommendation is not to come in the summer, but if you do, know that you’ll be spending a lot of time indoors in the air conditioning. Just stay hydrated and try to stay out of the sun at the peak of the daytime. If you have a choice, May is the best time to visit Memphis. It will be warm, but not boiling, and they have some awesome festivals in May. (Just make sure you book your Memphis hotel in advance!)
Don’t Forget Your Travel Smarts
The same rules for traveling all over the world also apply in Memphis.
- Don’t leave valuables in a parked car
- Don’t wander alone at night or off the beaten path
- Don’t drink too much on Beale Street
- Don’t worry about beggars; politely decline and keep moving
- Always be aware of your surroundings
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Don’t let these “don’ts” keep you from planning a trip to Memphis. It’s such a great city, with culture, history, and amazing people and food! Want more tips for traveling through the Southern US? Check out some of our other blog posts: