Where To Stay In Memphis: 5 Best Areas & Neighborhoods

Memphis hits you immediately with its unmistakable soul. It is the city where rock and roll found its legs and blues became a way of life. You might come for the legendary slow-smoked dry-rub barbecue, but picking the right neighborhood to crash in makes all the difference for your trip.

This place has a habit of dropping weird and wonderful surprises right in front of you. You could walk past the historic Lorraine Motel, grab a drink in a cool spot that used to be a notorious brothel, or end up watching a fancy parade of real ducks marching through a grand hotel lobby. The city even holds the Guinness-worthy title of being named dropped in more song lyrics than any other spot on the planet.

Beyond the glow of neon signs and the non-stop live music, every corner of town carries a completely different vibe.

Here is the breakdown on where you should set up camp depending on what you want to eat, hear, and see while you are in town.

In this travel guide:

Downtown

Best area for: central stay, entertainment, history

Let’s start central. Positioned right along the Mississippi River, Downtown Memphis has evolved from a historic 19th-century trade post into a lively center for entertainment and culture. It balances its working-city roots with a steady stream of travelers, making it both a hub for locals and a major destination for visitors.

Music runs through everything here. We always check out Beale Street to catch live blues pouring out of the clubs. Over at the Sun Studio, you can walk through the exact space where Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash recorded their early tracks.

For history, the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel offers a powerful, essential look into the American civil rights movement. You can also catch the famous duck march at The Peabody Hotel or catch a game at AutoZone Park.

The South Main Arts District gives the area a creative edge with its historic brick buildings, local galleries, and boutique shops.

When hunger hits, we head over to Central BBQ on Butler Avenue for dry-rub ribs and pulled pork. If you prefer an old-school diner vibe, grab breakfast at the historic Arcade Restaurant on South Main Street. Downtown Memphis packs massive cultural weight into a surprisingly walk-friendly space.

Best place to stay in Downtown Memphis

Hotel The Peabody. Address: 149 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103, United States of America.

Graceland

Best area for: history, tourists

Memphis is well-known to be the hometown of Elvis. More specifically, Graceland is the neighborhood that houses Elvis’s mansion.

Elvis bought the house in 1957, when he was just 22, and lived here until his death in 1977. Inside, you can see the famous Jungle Room, the living room, the pool room, and the Meditation Garden, where Elvis and members of his family are buried.

Across the street, Elvis Presley’s Memphis is basically an Elvis museum complex on steroids. There are cars, stage outfits, gold records, personal items, and his customized airplanes. The pink Cadillac is probably the star of the show. The complex covers more than 200,000 square feet, so give yourself plenty of time.

We also found plenty of places to eat without leaving the area. For lunch, Gladys’ Diner serves burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and Elvis’ famous peanut butter and banana sandwich. For something more Memphis-style, Vernon’s Smokehouse does ribs, brisket, and other Southern comfort food.

Graceland is touristy. No question. But it also feels like stepping straight into a very strange, very entertaining slice of Memphis history.

Best place to stay in Graceland

The Guest House at Graceland. Address: 3600 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, TN 38116, United States of America.

East Memphis

Best area for: families, life like a local

East Memphis does a great job of supplying visitors with a more authentic local experience. Staying here will keep you close to the action in Graceland and Downtown while keeping you in a residential area. If you are traveling with a family, this is a great spot to settle down for your trip.

This part of town really took off during the mid-20th century as the city expanded eastward. It stands as a bustling hub packed with tree-lined residential streets, high-end shopping centers, and major corporate offices.

The area has some of our favorite spots to spend an afternoon. We often check out the Dixon Gallery and Gardens to admire the Impressionist art and stroll through the stunning grounds. Right next door, the Memphis Botanic Garden offers gorgeous outdoor space to stretch your legs. Kids and families head straight to the Pink Palace Mansion at the Museum of Science & History, complete with a planetarium and a replica of the original Piggly Wiggly store.

When hunger hits, East Memphis has no shortage of incredible food. For a killer breakfast, we grab a booth at Brother Juniper’s. Their stuffed omelets and homemade biscuits are legendary around here. If we need a strong mid-day caffeine hit, City Silo serves up fantastic specialty drinks and fresh light bites. The neighborhood gives you a great mix of local culture, green space, and delicious meals without feeling overly packed with tourists.

Best place to stay in East Memphis

DoubleTree by Hilton Memphis. Address: 5069 Sanderlin Avenue, Memphis, TN 38117, United States of America.

Midtown

Best area for: culture, nightlife

If you like Downtown, but you want a quieter experience, Midtown should be on your list for places to stay. Downtown’s Beale Street leaks into the end of Midtown, so you get the tail end of the partying in part of Midtown. The other end of the neighborhood is fairly peaceful and quiet.

Overton Park is a big highlight. The 342-acre park dates back to 1901 and has trails, gardens, an old-growth forest and the Memphis Zoo. It’s also home to the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, which has a collection stretching from ancient art to modern works.

Music fans have another reason to stop here. The Overton Park Shell hosted Elvis Presley’s first professional performance in 1954. Today, the outdoor venue still puts on concerts.

Then there’s Overton Square. We found it a fun place to grab dinner, catch a show or settle in for a drink. The Cooper-Young area adds even more restaurants, record stores and nightlife. Midtown also includes Crosstown Concourse, a huge former Sears distribution center turned into a mixed-use creative space.

For breakfast, we’d head to Barksdale’s on Cooper Street. It’s casual, local and exactly the kind of spot that works after a night out. For dinner, Soul Fish Cafe is a solid Midtown choice for Southern-style seafood.

Best place to stay in Midtown

Holiday Inn Express Memphis. Address: 1180 Union Avenue, Midtown, Memphis, TN 38104, United States of America.

Cooper-Young

Best area for: hipster, nightlife, diversity

Let’s finish with Cooper-Young, one of the most eccentric and welcoming neighborhoods in Memphis. The area grew up as a 19th-century tramcar suburb around the intersection of Cooper Street and Young Avenue.

Now it functions as a lively mix of historic Craftsman bungalows, indie businesses, and creative arts.  The main attraction here is the sheer neighborhood vibe. You get a real sense of history just passing by Galloway House, where Johnny Cash recorded his early tracks in the basement back in 1951.

If you check out the neighborhood entry point, you can look up at the steel Cooper-Young Trestle sculpture spanning right over the street. Every fall, the streets fill up for the famous Cooper-Young Festival. It brings in huge crowds for local art, live music, and street food.

You can spent hours browsing vintage clothes, craft shops, and record stores around the main intersection. When it comes to dining, we always tell people to get a table at The Beauty Shop. It operates inside a vintage 1960s hair salon where Priscilla Presley used to get her hair done. They serve amazing eclectic lunches and dinner plates right under old-school hairdryer hoods.

Best place to stay in Cooper-Young

Holiday Inn Memphis University. Address: 3700 Central Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111, United States of America.

Where travel critics stay in Memphis

Want to know where travel critics from publishers like The New York Times, Frommer’s, Fodor’s and Lonely Planet stay in Memphis? Check out our overview of all recommended hotels, hostels and B&Bs in Memphis.

Budget

Hotel Napoleon.

“The 1902-vintage Winchester office building has recently been repurposed as the Hotel Napoleon Memphis with 58 crisp rooms. In addition to its pedestrian-friendly downtown location, the hotel houses a restaurant serving breakfast and dinner, and offers free coffee anytime in the lobby.” — New York Times.

Address: 179 Madison Avenue, Memphis, 38103, United States of America.

Mid-range

River Inn of Harbor Town.

“It’s been around since 2007, but River Inn still manages to fly under the radar, and in fact, many Memphians don’t even know it’s there. On the banks of the river, in the yuppie waterfront community of Harbor Town, this boutique hotel feels very European: it’s perfect for an anniversary or other romantic occasion.” — Frommer’s.

Address: 50 Harbor Town Square, Memphis, TN 38103, United States of America.

Luxury

Big Cypress Lodge.

“The Mississippi riverfront glass pyramid that last served as a basketball arena has been refashioned as an immersive Bass Pro Shop, complete with fish- and gator-filled ponds. Overlooking them and the indoor cypress swamp diorama is the rustic-themed, 103-room Big Cypress Lodge.” — New York Times.

Address: 1 Bass Pro Drive, Memphis, TN 38105, United States of America.

FAQ: Memphis hotel tips

Looking for the best budget, boutique, or luxury hotel in Memphis? Or maybe you’re a backpacker looking for an excellent hostel? Want to know which Memphis hotel serves a great breakfast? Here are the answers to all those and other questions about where to stay in Memphis.

Best time to visit Memphis

The best time to visit Memphis depends on your preferences and what you want to get out of your trip. If you’re all about that fantastic weather, then spring (April to June) and fall (September to November) are the most delightful times to visit.

During these months, the temperatures are mild, and the city is vibrant with life, making it the perfect time to discover all that Memphis has to offer. From the bustling Beale Street to the serene Mud Island River Park, there’s no shortage of things to do and see.

However, if you’re a die-hard music lover, then visiting Memphis during one of its iconic music festivals is an absolute must! The Beale Street Music Festival in May and the Memphis Music & Heritage Festival in September are two prime examples of the city’s rich musical legacy.

These events attract some of the biggest names in the industry and showcase the best local talent, making it an unforgettable experience for music enthusiasts.

If you’re a foodie or just love indulging in mouthwatering, smoky goodness, then you can’t miss the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest held in May. This prestigious event attracts grill masters from all over the world, offering you the chance to savor some of the most delicious barbecue you’ll ever taste!

Best things to do in Memphis

There are plenty of things to do in Memphis and surrounding areas, including day trips, attractions, museums, sightseeing tours and many other activities. Here’s our list of 3 things you should definitely do when you’re in Memphis:

Memphis: Big Mojo Sun Studio + Music History 3-Hour Bus Tour

Enjoy a guided tour of the world-famous Sun Studio as well as a crash-course in Memphis music history with a professional musician as your guide. Sing along as you visit music-related landmarks and all the places that make Memphis so special. Price: $58. More info.

Memphis Horseback Trail Ride Tour

You don’t have to retreat to the country to live your cowboy or cowgirl adventure: this 4,500 urban oasis is right in the middle of Memphis. Price: $65. More info.

Historic Memphis Guided Walking Tour

Learn about the history of this rowdy blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll river town, and visit many of the city’s top attractions—Beale Street and sections of the Mississippi River among them. Price: $25. More info.

More things to do in Memphis

Deciding where to stay in Memphis

As a closing note, let’s summarize this travel guide. We covered the best places to stay in Memphis so you can decide which part of town you want to stay in.

Top 5 places to stay in Memphis

• Downtown
• Midtown
• Cooper-Young
• East Memphis
• Graceland

As you have seen in this article, there are plenty of things to explore, and deciding where to stay in Memphis is important. Whether you stay in Downtown, Midtown, Cooper-Young, East Memphis or Graceland, all those neighborhoods are in good locations.

The atmosphere of the area, whether you travel for leisure or business, whether you travel with your family or friends, and proximity to the attractions you prefer to visit should probably be the deciding factors. Whatever your preference is, you’ll have a great time in Memphis.

Memphis overview

More Memphis tips

Take a look at our other guides about the best places to stay in Memphis:

Hotels in Memphis

Luxury hotels in Memphis

Cheap hotels in Memphis