We may not have castles, but we do have the home of the KING! Of course the number 1 tourist attraction in Memphis is the beloved home of Elvis Presley, the worlds number 1 selling solo artist of all time. Enough said. You can tour his home, see his private plane in which he named after his daughter, and the family burial plot to pay respects to Elvis and his family’s graves.

Another staple of Memphis tourism is the heart of music, the home of the blues, the famous BEALE STREET. Stroll down the famous music street to hear plenty of live blues and rock bands, stop in for a drink, or grab some BBQ. ***Note: As fun as Beale Street is, PLEASE use caution and be aware of your surroundings, especially at night, on Beale Street. It is known to not be the safest location, and we put our friend’s and family’s safety above all! ***

Have you ever thought, “hmm I really wish I could visit a pyramid without going all the way to Egypt and oh also maybe stock up on some hunting gear at the same time…”, then you’re in luck, because the 9th largest pyramid in the world is now a Bass Pro in downtown Memphis. And before you get the ick, we know… Memphians were appalled by this conversion too. However, this location is actually REALLY cool, where it looks like you’re fully immersed in the outdoors, there is a cafe, a hotel, an “underwater” bowling alley, and a bar. Not to mention, the tallest freestanding elevator in the country which leads up to a nice restaurant/bar at the top of the pyramid, with a lookout deck with a view of the city and the mighty Mississippi River. So come on down to visit the weirdest iconic building you might ever see, a redneck version of Egypt. (Jokes aside, it actually is pretty fun!)

Are you like me? Do you love cute ducks but hate the outdoors? Ever wondered if you could sit in the grandest lobby in Memphis with a nice cocktail in hand and see ducks at the same time..?? Well the Peabody is the place to be. With their famous duck walks, amazing ballrooms, and stunning lobby, (the Ritz or the Plaza of Memphis, as I call it), the Peabody Hotel is one of my favorite places in Memphis. At both 11am and 5pm, the ducks are moved from their penthouse rooftop home, down a red carpet to or from the large center fountain in the lobby of the Peabody. This is a fun thing to see, especially for kiddos, but I mean it’s fun even if you’re an adult, not gonna lie… This is a long standing tradition at the grand Peabody Hotel. Not only are there ducks living in luxury, but this hotel is amazing even just to walk through. The Peabody is a beautiful, classy, historic building with also a hotel lobby bar, gift shops, a large rooftop with a view, and a fine dining restaurant called Chez Philippe. Being only a block from our venue, I highly recommend at least a walk through of this lovely hotel! (You will see some of our engagement pictures on the photos tab of our website were taken at the Peabody)

Memphis is known for 3 things.. Crime, BBQ, and especially, MUSIC!! As Memphis is such an influential music city, Sun Studio is ranked as one of the most famous recording studios in the world. Considered to be the birthplace of Rock’n’Roll, Sun Studio recorded world renowned artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam Phillips, Conway Twitty, and more! Later, it was converted into a popular tourist spot for music lovers and even attracted visitors such as U2, Def Leppard, Ringo Starr, and more. This is definitely a cool historic spot for any music lover to come visit.

The Memphis Zoo is always a fun option for any spare time, especially if you’re bringing your kiddos to our Memphis wedding! It is ranked as the 4th best zoo in the country, with big and lovely animal exhibits ranging from Lions to even Wolves in Teton Trek.

A mournful, yet beautiful memorial is at the Lorraine Motel. You might know this as the infamous location of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.‘s assassination. The Civil Rights museum is centered around the Lorraine Motel and is an educational and memorializing tribute to Dr. King’s work. This museum is a great location to pay respects and remember one of the most influential leaders of the civil rights movement and the unionizing of all people in our great nation. Although Dr. King unfortunately passed here, we forever have a beautiful memorial to remind us of what it means to be United together as the people of our country.

For Broadway and music lovers alike, the Orpheum Theatre is a beautiful, historic performing arts center in downtown Memphis. Hosting Broadway touring shows, and orchestral concerts in such a grand and beautiful theatre, the Orpheum is definitely one of my favorite places in Memphis. You can schedule a tour or even stop in for a show if you find an event you are interested in online. You can maybe even catch a glimpse of Mary, the famous Orpheum ghost… ;)

If you know anything about lil ol’ spooky me (Josie), it’s that I will never leave a good ghost tour off of a things-to-do list. ;) These tours are not for everyone, but if you are like me and love some spooky vibes, this is a very informational tour that goes to some of the most haunted locations in Memphis. This includes some very interesting and historical locations to learn about, such as Ernestine and Hazel’s (featured in Travel Channel’s “Most Terrifying Places in America” - this ranks as one of the most haunted bars in the U.S. Once a church on the land that burnt down, to a drug store, to a salon, to a brothel, to a pub… yes, I know. Recipe for haunted), the Woodruff Fontaine House (featured on the Travel Channel’s tv show, Ghost Hunters), and the historic court square which homes a Native American burial mound.

The original Pink Palace Museum, also known as the Memphis Museum of Science & History, is a lovely and educational place to visit, especially if you have kiddos with you! Built by Clarence Saunders, founder of Piggly Wiggly grocery stores, for his wife, this grand mansion has a pink color due to the stones used, hence its original name. Converted later into a museum, you can find cool and educational info on science, space, nature, and history all in one. As a kid, I used to absolutely love this museum!