Memphis On A Budget: Blues, BBQ and Elvis

Discover the Blues and BBQ of Memphis without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

A trip to Memphis, United States on a limited budget can still be a fun and fulfilling experience. Start by exploring the city's many free attractions, such as the Memphis Zoo and Beale Street Historic District. To save money on meals, try local food trucks or grab a BBQ sandwich from a roadside stand. Finally, consider staying in a budget hotel or hostel to stretch your dollars further.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Blues and BBQ

  • Check into the Comfort Inn Downtown Memphis, a cozy and budget-friendly hotel near Beale Street
  • Get your blues fix at the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, where you can learn about the city's famed music scene
  • Take a stroll down Beale Street, the heart of Memphis' blues district, and catch a live show at one of the many venues
  • Fill up on some of the best BBQ around at Rendezvous, a local institution renowned for their dry-rub ribs
  • End the night with a drink at the Peabody Hotel, where you can watch the famous ducks march through the lobby
Day 2

History and Elvis

  • Start the day with breakfast at the Arcade Restaurant, a retro diner that's been serving up classic dishes since 1919
  • Visit the National Civil Rights Museum, located at the site of the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated
  • See where the King lived at Graceland, Elvis Presley's mansion-turned-museum filled with memorabilia and artifacts
  • Take a walk through the Memphis Botanic Garden, which features beautiful gardens and a Japanese Zen garden
  • End the day with a meal at The Beauty Shop, a funky restaurant housed in a former salon complete with retro decor and amazing food.

Length of stay

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Type of trip

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How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Memphis by plane is to fly into Memphis International Airport. There are multiple airlines that offer direct flights to Memphis from major cities within the United States.

Car

If you are driving to Memphis, the main highway routes to follow are I-40, I-55, and I-240. Memphis is easily accessible by car and there are multiple public parking options available within the city.

Train

Although there is no direct train to Memphis, you can take Amtrak train to New Orleans and then take a connecting Greyhound bus to Memphis.

Boat

The Mississippi River connects Memphis to various cities along its route, however, traveling to Memphis by boat is not a common mode of transportation. The river is mainly used for cargo transportation.

Bus

Greyhound offers daily bus services to Memphis from various cities within the United States. The main bus station in Memphis is located on Airways Blvd.

Destination

Memphis

Welcome to the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, the home of the blues, and the land of some seriously delicious barbecue. Get ready to have a hunka hunka good time in this musical mecca.

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Number of days

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Type of trip

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Memphis On A Budget: Blues, BBQ and Elvis

A trip to Memphis, United States on a limited budget can still be a fun and fulfilling experience. Start by exploring the city's many free attractions, such as the Memphis Zoo and Beale Street Historic District. To save money on meals, try local food trucks or grab a BBQ sandwich from a roadside stand. Finally, consider staying in a budget hotel or hostel to stretch your dollars further.