Best Neighborhoods To Explore In Memphis On A City Break

Memphis is world-renowned for its music history and its diverse choice of restaurants, breweries and nightlife. However, a city break in this Tennessee city leaves little time to fully explore all of its wonders. The following are five of the top neighborhoods in Memphis to visit on a city break, after which you will want to return for a longer vacation.

Best neighborhoods to visit in Memphis on a city break

Visit Beale Street for live music

Beale Street in Memphis is the historic home of the blues and the brick-lined street has served as the city’s musical epicenter for many years. Meanwhile, the neighborhood has changed little over the decades, except that the once-segregated street welcomes everyone to its neon-lit strip of restaurants, juke joints, making it the nightlife capital of Memphis.

Moreover, Beale Street hosts professional basketball at its 18,000-seat FedExForum, where visitors can catch the NBA superstars. However, the favorite of this neighborhood is the Memphis Grizzlies. After the game, visitors are perfectly located for Beale Street’s two dozen bars and nightclubs including BB King’s Blues Club. Meanwhile, they can experience the best barbecue ribs in Blues Hall or Bluff City.

Soulsville, Memphis for music history

The South Memphis neighborhood of Soulsville hosts the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. This exciting neighborhood has long featured some of the best soul singers, including Isaac Hayes and Otis Redding. Moreover, fans can experience the music of Al Green, Bruno Mars, Buddy Guy, John Mayer, and Mavis Staples. Meanwhile, Aretha Franklin and Memphis Slim call Soulsville their home as they were born here.

Experience the best music at Stax, including live studio session concerts in the summer months. Meanwhile, fans of music history can also visit Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studio while in the area. Besides music, Soulsville also hosts Memphis Rox, an urban rock climbing gym, founded by Tom Shadyac, the director of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Moreover, visitors can head to The Absinthe Room, a hidden pool hall accessed by an unobtrusive stairway on the north side of the street.

A theater experience in Overton Square

Overton Square first became popular in the 1970s when artists like Billy Joel and bands like KISS first launched. The square has always been popular at one of the best party destinations in the US. At that time elaborate street parties closed the roads while revelers celebrated.

It is still possible for visitors to dance the night away here, but more attractions have been added to Overton Square. These days, the square is undergoing a second life as the dedicated theater district in Memphis. Here, theater lovers can enjoy visiting Ballet Memphis, TheatreWorks, Playhouse on the Square, Hattiloo Theater and Circuit Playhouse.

South Main Arts District for foodies

Just steps from Beale Street, the residential neighborhood dubbed South Main Arts District is the best for foodies to visit. Offering sunset views over the Mississippi River, this neighborhood hosts award-winning local restaurants such as The Gray Canary, The Majestic Grille, Catherine & Mary’s and more.

Meanwhile, visitors work off dinner by walking through the neighborhood to the historic Orpheum Theater. Moreover, they can bar hop in historic and often haunted bars like Earnestine & Hazel’s or The Green Beetle.

Broad Avenue Arts District for art lovers

This arts district is located on the edge of Midtown and is the perfect place for cyclists on Memphis’s remarkable network of bike paths during the day. However, for those in the mood to bar hop, the night reveals the hidden destinations to find the best pints.

Beer lovers will find that Hampline Brewing reveals brewing knowledge from Germany to Memphis. Meanwhile, Wiseacre Brewing Co., that opened its taproom in 2013 and is still serving the best.

Moreover, Broad Avenue also offers the best cocktails in the city, as well as many whiskey and bourbon selections. Another place to enjoy craft cocktails and delicious food, is The Liquor Store.

Experience a city break in Memphis this year – you will find many reasons to return to the city for a longer stay. Visit the official Memphis tourism website for more information.