Are you making 2022 travel plans? Move Memphis to the top of your list! This Southern city will feed your body, mind, and soul with its numerous musical, historical, and culinary attractions. Here are a few carefully curated suggestions for planning your ultimate experience in this magical city on the mighty Mississippi River.
Establish Your Home Base at a History-Making Hotel
Choosing a centrally-located hotel will help you maximize every minute of your Memphis vacation. Located just 15-minutes from Memphis International Airport, the newly-built Hyatt Centric Beale Street is not only situated in the heart of downtown Memphis, it is the first and only hotel to be located on world-famous Beale Street. The hotel's 227 guest rooms, including 12 suites, feature large windows offering panoramic views of the Memphis skyline or the Mississippi River. Incorporating original images and materials from its iconic Ironworks neighbor, this hotel also features several nods to the city's music culture in its decor. Enjoy weekend brunch or dinner at CIMAS, the hotel's Latin American-inspired eatery, or sip on a cocktail in the CIMAS Lobby Lounge. If relaxation is on your agenda, slip on your swimsuit and head outside to downtown Memphis' only resort-style pool, featuring poolside dining, an expansive sun deck, private poolside cabanas, and an outdoor stage with regular entertainment.
Pack Your Days and Nights with Adventures and Attractions
Take a few steps out your front door to stroll down one of the most famous musical streets in America. Beale Street consists of just three bustling blocks, but features dozens of nightclubs, restaurants, and retail shops. Don't miss the beer-loving goats at Silky O' Sullivans! Head over to Sun Studio, where you can take a guided tour, view unique memorabilia, listen to recording session outtakes, and learn about the studio's musical legends such Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, B.B King, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Another absolute must when visiting Memphis is a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum. Located at the former Lorraine Motel, the site of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1968 assassination, the National Civil Rights Museum stands as a beacon of education and inspiration.
Drink and Dine Around the "Bluff City"
When you get hungry, Memphis has endless options for all your cravings: barbecue at Charlie Vergos Rendezvous, pizza and cinnamon rolls at Slim & Husky's, Lowcountry-inspired cooking at Sugar Grits, and Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken—where the name says it all! Adults, don't miss out on the tours and tastings at Old Dominick's Distillery and Grind City Brewery.
Return to the Rooftop
After your day's adventures, head to Beck & Call, your hotel's rooftop lounge, to enjoy expertly crafted cocktails, peruse an extensive whiskey selection, and snack on small plates. Relax around fire pits and take in unobstructed views of the nightly light show on the "M" Bridge while you reflect on your Memphis experience.
