What to do and see in Downtown, Tennessee (TN): The Best Sights & Landmarks

April 9, 2022 Randal Brittian

Memphis is a pilgrimage for those wanting to visit the birthplace of the blues, of soul and of rock 'n' roll. On Beale Street, W.C. Handy put down on paper the first written blues music. Elvis, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash all recorded at the historic Sun Records, which is now a museum. Graceland, the second most-visited home in America, welcomes visitors from around the world who yearn for a peek into the life of "the King." Beyond the music, Tennessee's largest city also offers much more. It has more sunny days each year than Miami, and combines southern tradition and hospitality with modern amenities. You'll enjoy great dining (be sure to sample the barbecued ribs), art galleries and exciting nightlife.
Restaurants in Memphis

1. National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel

450 Mulberry St, Memphis, TN 38103-4214 +1 901-521-9699 [email protected] http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org
Excellent
82%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 8,750 reviews

National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel

At the place of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'S death in 1968 in Memphis, TN, the National Civil Rights Museum is a renowned educational and cultural institution. The Museum chronicles the American Civil Rights Movement with compelling presentations of iconic exhibits, oral histories of lesser-known civil rights foot soldiers, and visceral, in-the-moment experiences. Visitors will learn through emotionally charged, multi-user, multi-touch interactives, and a visually engaging, contemporary exhibit design that guides you through five centuries of history. Bring the whole family.

Reviewed By annmarieduffy - New York City, United States

National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorrainne Motel. Chilling seeing this famous site as we turned the corner to enter. Site of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. etched in our memories. Amazing exhibitions, chronologically bringing you through-the Slave trade, many hero’s including educators & pastors, the Civil War, 13, 14 & 15 Constitutional Ammendments , Jim Crow, Rosa Parks, with both her bus & the burnt out bus of the Freedom riders & of course MLK & his speech’s, the hotel room to Obama’s election. It finished with all the Civil Rights hero’s throughout the world & then award winning Civil Rights workers including many different fields such as Gore for the environment, Marlo Thomas for St Judes children’s hospital, Jimmy Carter, Anwar Sadat, Gorbachev & of course Mandela. One of my biggest shock was that 5 million Africans were captured & enslaved in Brazil & another 5 million brought to the Caribbean. 388,000 were brought to North America & 9,000 to Europe. Now looking at the Slave Trade Database 10.7 million survived of the 12.5 million people transported. Horrific history.

2. St. Peter Catholic Church

190 Adams Ave At the Corner of Third and Adams St in Downtown Memphis, Memphis, TN 38103-1922 +1 901-527-8282 [email protected] http://www.stpeterchurch.org/
Excellent
81%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 21 reviews

St. Peter Catholic Church

3. The Orpheum Theatre

203 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103-3905 +1 901-525-3000 [email protected] http://www.orpheum-memphis.com
Excellent
71%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 712 reviews

The Orpheum Theatre

Beautiful theater holds musical and stage performances.

Reviewed By 454leem

We were in Memphis to see the Beach Boys. We had not been to the Orpheum in many years. It is a beautiful building and has been updated and well kept. Long ago the rows were so close together that it was difficult to even get down them, but that problem has been fixed. Great sound system, good drinks, friendly people, and close to several hotels. Many folks simply walked to the show and back to their hotel We would go to another show there!!

4. Fire Museum of Memphis

118 Adams Ave, Memphis, TN 38103-2012 +1 901-636-5650 [email protected] http://www.firemuseum.com
Excellent
58%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 188 reviews

Fire Museum of Memphis

Memphis' Hottest Attraction!!! America’s premier interactive fire museum is in the legendary Fire Engine House No. 1 in downtown Memphis. Step back in time to a turn-of-the-century firehouse. Fight the flames of a burning skyscraper from a snorkel basket simulator. Take a look at the horse-drawn era of firefighting from the horse’s perspective! Test your ability to find an escape route to survive a fire. Feel the heat of the FEDEX Fire Room. Learn about the most devastating fires in the history of Memphis. Discover the proud history of Memphis’ first African-American firefighters. And many more hot attractions!

Reviewed By ronp227 - Boca Raton, United States

For all ages especially for children, Fire safety learning at its best The hands on fire simulation is very impressive and a must stop for all fire house enthusiasts.

5. Slave Haven / Burkle Estate Museum

826 N 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38107-2302 +1 901-527-3427 http://www.slavehavenundergroundrailroadmuseum.org/
Excellent
68%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 689 reviews

Slave Haven / Burkle Estate Museum

Visitors can tour the tunnels used by runaway slaves who stopped at this plantation, one of the stations of the Underground Railroad.

Reviewed By 24Long

Fascinating and heartrending story of a German immigrant businessman who offered his home and possibly his livelihood to provide a haven for runaway slaves during the run-up to the Civil War. Both guides, Greg and Asia, shared stories covering the slave trade, Memphis’ slave markets, how the Underground Railroad worked, to the system Mr.Burkle used to get runaways safely to Cairo, IL and beyond. Fascinating look at mid-18th century life in Memphis. Please create a pamphlet about the history this house represents. This story needs to be heard.

6. St. Mary's Catholic Church

155 Market Ave, Memphis, TN 38105-3513 +1 901-522-9420
Excellent
85%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 39 reviews

St. Mary's Catholic Church

Reviewed By BettyS1785

Open the doors of St.Mary's and one encounters the presence of God. As a child growing up my daily/weekly attendance was at Holy Names, but, Christmas we would walk to attend St.Mary's midnight Mass. Wow! I love this church and the memories of LOVE that I have encountered there. Our wedding was held there and our walk down to my beloved Grotto to say our first Marriage prayer together bound us for 61 1/2 years. Although we moved from Memphis in 1971 every trip back home would not be complete until we attended Mass at St. Mary's. I truly wish all could experience the beauty of this small church....walk around inside and devour it's beauty, you will not be disappointed.

7. Riverbluff Walkway

Riverside Drive, Memphis, TN 38103
Excellent
44%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 55 reviews

Riverbluff Walkway

8. FedExForum

191 Beale St Ohio, Memphis, TN 38103-3715 +1 901-205-2640 [email protected] http://fedex.forummemphis.com/index.php
Excellent
58%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 580 reviews

FedExForum

Reviewed By wasmith59 - Collierville, United States

We have been to lots of events at the FedEx Forum: Grizzlies basketball games, University of Memphis basketball games, Michael Buble' concert, Foo Fighters concert, The Eagles concert, Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert... You should pay a bit more to get close to the floor. The upper seats are REALLY high.

9. St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral

672 Poplar Ave # 92, Memphis, TN 38105-4512 +1 901-527-3361
Excellent
50%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
17%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 6 reviews

St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral

10. Magevney House

198 Adams Ave, Memphis, TN 38103-1922 +1 901-526-4464
Excellent
17%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
33%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 6 reviews

Magevney House

This stately house held the first Catholic mass in the city and is now newly restored to its 1850s grandeur.

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