Tours in Memphis
Tours of Memphis allow you to experience the area’s rich history of music and flavours. Explore the Mississippi River with a cruise, visit the museums and recording studios dedicated to some of music’s biggest names and enjoy the relaxed culture in the many bars and restaurants peppered throughout the city. Book a bespoke luxury Memphis tour with the help of our Destination Specialists or make one of our suggested itineraries your own.
Our Gone with the Wind Tour allows you to experience the charm of the USA’s south; from thriving cities to beautiful parks and landscapes. Immerse yourself in the history and culture of the area, stopping in Memphis in between Natchez and Nashville. In Memphis you can enjoy a tour of famous Sun Records, visit lively Beale Street at the heart of the city and enjoy the clubs, bars and restaurants which tempt visitors with their blend of smells and music. Discover the history of the cotton trade along Front Street, which was at the heart of the city’s economy.
Experience the wide open roads and many musical legends of the USA’s south on our Rhythms of the South Self Drive. In Memphis you can soak up the sounds of the Blue’s Capital, learn about the historic events which took place here and watch up and coming artists in the many bars on Beale Street. Visit Graceland, Elvis Presley’s home and try some delicious barbeque dishes throughout your stay. If you’re interested in the romance of the Deep South’s culture, our Romantic Trails Of The South Tour is ideal. Enjoy an escorted tour with an expert local guide who will take you on a city tour of Memphis. Take in the wide Mississippi River, relax to the blues along Beale Street and learn the history of the Cotton Trade.
American Queen River Cruise - New Orleans to Memphis
Guide Price £4,499 pp
Sit back, relax and unwind as you voyage up the iconic Mississippi River. Climb aboard the luxurious American Queen River Cruise, the world’s largest river boat, and discover a wealth of fascinating, rich history along the way, while admiring the...
Adventure holidays
Rhythms of the South Self Drive
Guide Price £2,599 pp
Hit the road on a Rhythms of the South self drive tour and explore Georgia, Tennessee , Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. Spend 14 days discovering the cities that changed the world’s musical landscape and awakened the civil...
USA road trips
Bluegrass and Bourbon Trail
Guide Price £1,999 pp
Our Bluegrass and Bourbon Trail self drive takes you on a rich and authentic journey through a timeless celebration of deep southern style. Combine the freedom of moving at your own pace with the expertise of our Destination Specialists; below...
Multi centre holidays
American Rhythms
Guide Price £1,999 pp
Music and magic collide on this incredible 11-day tour of the American south, which stops at some of the world’s most legendary musical - and historical – landmarks. Our American Rhythms self drive will appeal to music lovers and history...
Cultural holidays
American Queen River Cruise - Memphis to New Orleans
Guide Price £4,399 pp
Immerse yourself in the essence of America’s Deep South as you journey down the Mississippi aboard the luxurious American Queen paddle steamer. Sit back, relax and unwind as you enjoy award winning cuisine, beautiful staterooms, outstanding Broadway style entertainment and...
Cultural holidays
Rock 'n' Roll, Rockets and Elvis
Guide Price £2,599 pp
The rich musical heritage of the United States traces the dots between blues, jazz, country and rock ‘n’ roll, all of which first emerged across a handful of Southern states in the first half of the 20 th century. This...
Cultural holidays
A Southern Story - Sounds And Specialities
Guide Price £3,399 pp
Discover the vibrant cities of the USA’s Deep South on this unique eight day small group adventure. This fantastic tour focuses on offering you a wonderful mix of culinary, historic and musical activities and best of all you will have...
Escorted tours
The Heartland's Beat
Guide Price £2,499 pp
There are not many countries in this world where you are able to spend 12 nights driving through five states learning about the history of the country while enjoying the vast difference in music between the states. The Heartland’s Beat...
USA road trips
American South Escorted Tour
Guide Price £2,699 pp
Vibrant and full of southern charm, America’s Deep South is something that has to be experienced. Journey through 6 states, each as intriguing as the last, with cities besides the sea, mouth-watering cuisine, endless history and places that have inspired...
Escorted tours
Expert Tips
Clive
Content Editor
“Families should take the time to visit Mud Island’s Greenbelt Park. Far and away from the bustle of Beale Street, it’s a beautiful place to walk or cycle along.”
Nick
Senior Destination Manager
“Variety is the spice of life – make sure you try a few of the traditional barbecue restaurants. There are hundreds to choose from and each has their own unique blend of spices and secret recipes. No two are the same.”
Martyn
Destination Manager
“The Fire Museum of Memphis is a unique and interesting alternative to the many music museums. You’ll learn about how America’s fire services used to operate, see how far they’ve progressed, and hear inspirational first-hand accounts of heroism during the September 11 terrorist attacks.”
Frequently Asked Questions
While an easy city to navigate by walking, Memphis also runs a comprehensive public bus and trolley network called MATA that runs across the whole of the city. Journeys cost $1, or you can purchase an all-day pass for $3. There are several places to rent bicycles across the city, with Explore Bike Share offering GPS-equipped bikes for either an hour, or the full day. When finished, you can simply park up at the nearest station.
The best times to visit Memphis are April to May, or October to November. The summer months bring temperatures averaging 32°C. In winter temperatures can drop to -1°C.
Memphis is known for its love of barbecue. A haven for meat-lovers, visitors can bite into Memphis-style barbecue ribs, prepared either dry and seasoned with salt and herbs, or wet, glazed with a thick hot sauce. Smoky pulled pork is a local favourite, and can be served alongside nachos or in a sandwich. The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is held here every May, and is officially recognised as the world’s largest pork barbecue contest by the Guinness Book of World Records.
As the Mississippi River runs through Memphis, so does rock ‘n’ roll and the blues. A city embedded with a deep passion for music and barbecue cuisine, the bright lights of Beale Street and its many blues bars call out to music-lovers the world over.
Why you'll love Memphis...
• Listening to rousing blues solos as you wander down historic Beale Street
• Sampling succulent barbecued ribs from one of over 100 barbecue speciality restaurants
• Appreciating the trials and tribulations of black Americans at the National Civil Rights Museum
• Touring Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley
• Enjoying the scenery at the Mud Island Greenbelt Park
• Gliding down the Mississippi River on a elegant paddle steamer
• Sipping cocktails as you catch a thrilling live performance at a blues bar
• Discovering the pioneers of soul music at the Stax Museum
• Catching a baseball game at the AutoZone Park
• Touring world-renowned studios, including Sun Studio and Ardent
Did you know?
• Martin Luther King was shot in Memphis. To commemorate his life and work there’s a museum which has preserved the hotel as it was when he was killed.
• The city is named after the Egyptian town of Memphis, located along the River Nile.
• Memphis is named in over 400 songs, which is more than any other city in the world.
