There’s nothing like a road trip around Memphis, where you never really know what kind of adventure is waiting just around the bend.
From big city lights to hidden gems, this area is filled with places that tell powerful stories, fill the air with music, and serve up flavors you won’t forget.
One stop might take you deep into the past, while the next surrounds you with views that make you slow down and just take it all in.
Get ready and buckle up, because this road trip is going to reveal 10 amazing things to do around Memphis that you absolutely cannot miss!
1. Downtown Memphis
Downtown Memphis is the lively heart of the city, where history and music meet to create something unforgettable.
You can start on the world-famous Beale Street, packed with neon lights, live blues bands, and the smell of Southern barbecue filling the air.
Just a few blocks away, you’ll find the powerful National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lost his life.
From there, you can step into the roots of rock ’n’ roll at Sun Studio, the legendary spot where Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash recorded their early hits.
And of course, no trip is complete without stopping by The Peabody Hotel, where the famous ducks march daily through the lobby.
2. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
Just 25 minutes from the city, Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park offers a different kind of fun, trading neon lights for oak, cypress, and tupelo trees.
This massive park hugs the Mississippi River and is perfect for hiking, biking, fishing, or paddling through quiet lakes and wetlands.
While you’re out exploring, keep an eye out for wildlife like deer, owls, and even bald eagles soaring over the bluffs.
Spread across 12,539 acres and offering cabins and campgrounds, it’s the ideal spot to slow down and reconnect with nature.
3. Fort Pillow State Historic Park
If you’re craving history mixed with scenic views, Fort Pillow State Historic Park is the spot that brings both to life.
Perched high on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, this park preserves a Civil War battlefield with well-preserved fort earthworks.
You can step inside the museum to learn the stories of soldiers who fought here, then head outside to hike the beautiful trails.
It’s a place where you can feel the weight of history under your feet while soaking in some of the most gorgeous natural views in West Tennessee.
4. West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center / Tina Turner Museum
For a fun and fascinating dose of culture and music history, don’t miss the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center.
This place celebrates the rich heritage of the Tennessee Delta with exhibits on blues, cotton, and local legends that shaped its story.
One highlight is the Tina Turner Museum, housed in the actual one-room schoolhouse where the ‘Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll’ once studied before rising to fame.
It’s the kind of place where you’ll leave humming a tune, inspired by the talent and resilience that put this area on the map.
5. Davies Manor Historic Site
Shifting from music legends to early pioneer life, the Davies Manor Historic Site offers a glimpse into the oldest surviving log home in Shelby County.
Built around the 1830s, this beautifully preserved two-story cabin tells the story of frontier families who built their lives in the rugged Tennessee wilderness.
The grounds include heritage gardens, nature trails, and antique farming tools that show what daily life looked like nearly two centuries ago.
Walking through the manor feels like stepping back in time, letting you connect directly with the past.
6. Shelby Farms Park
A 15-minute drive from Davis Manor takes you to Shelby Farms Park, which is one of the largest urban parks in the U.S.
Spanning 4,500 acres, it’s a spot where you can hike and bike trails, ride horseback, or paddle across Hyde Lake.
You can also let the kids loose on the massive playground, stretch out in the wide-open fields, or try something new like the treetop zip lines.
It’s the perfect spot to recharge in nature without ever leaving the Memphis city limits.
7. Collierville
Located 25 minutes from Shelby Farms Park, Collierville brings a picture-perfect change of pace with its award-winning town square.
It’s often called one of the most beautiful main streets in America, thanks to its boutiques, cozy cafés, and historic brick buildings.
Throughout the year, this place comes alive with outdoor concerts, farmers’ markets, and festivals that bring the community together.
Whether you’re sipping coffee, browsing antiques, or enjoying the outdoor events, this town captures that timeless Southern charm you can’t help but love.
8. Graceland
Of course, no Memphis road trip would be without a stop at Graceland, Elvis Presley’s world-famous home.
This mansion-turned-museum takes you through Elvis’s life, from gold records and stage costumes to his iconic Jungle Room with its bold 70s style.
Step outside, and you’ll find Elvis’s car collection, private jets, and exhibits highlighting his incredible impact on music and pop culture.
Graceland is more than just a house, but a pilgrimage for fans everywhere to connect and feel the magic of the ‘King of Rock ’n’ Roll’.
9. C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa
Up next is the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa, which takes you deep into the history of Native American life along the Mississippi River.
This archaeological site preserves a Mississippian mound complex dating from roughly 1000 to 1550 CE, and the museum displays artifacts uncovered on-site.
You can walk the trails around the prehistoric mounds, explore replica houses, and even take part in hands-on programs that bring archaeology to life.
What you see here is a reminder that Memphis’s story stretches back long before blues and barbecue.
10. Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Wrapping things up on a high note, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music celebrates the sound that put Memphis on the global music map.
Built on the original Stax Records site, this place honors legends like Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, and Booker T. & the MG’s, who helped create the “Memphis Sound.”
Inside, you’ll find over 2,000 exhibits, including a reassembled country church that traces the gospel roots of soul and Isaac Hayes’s gold-plated Cadillac.
Every corner of the museum feels alive with music, making it impossible to leave without tapping your foot or humming along to a soul classic.
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