Travel Diary: 24 Hours in Memphis, Tennessee

Good morning! Since the United States recently celebrated the Constitution on September 17, I wanted to share my trip last year to Memphis, Tennessee, over a similar holiday (Independence Day on July 4).

Last year, my husband and I took the first of what I hope is many cross-country road trips. My husband and I had entered the lottery to hike Half Dome in California's Yosemite National Park (click here for my Yosemite travel diary), and when we learned that we'd received a spot on July 11, we decided to take two weeks to drive from our home in Virginia to California; spend a few days exploring the park; and drive home. And Tennessee was our first stop on the trip!

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On the way to California, we stopped in Nashville (Tennessee); Memphis (Tennessee); Oklahoma City (Oklahoma); Santa Fe (New Mexico); and Las Vegas (Nevada), with a pit stop at the Hoover Dam (between Arizona and Nevada), before arriving at Yosemite. We hit a new city every day and aimed to drive no more than 8 hours per day. Usually we'd leave around sunrise so we'd arrive at the next destination in early afternoon and spend the afternoon and night exploring.

This was a pace that worked for us at the time but not one I'd necessarily recommend. We were okay being on the road every day because we wanted to see as many different cities as possible, but we're getting to the point where that trade-off is becoming less appealing.

On the drive home to Virginia, we stopped at the Grand Canyon and Four Corners, spent a night in Kansas, and stayed in Kentucky for a few days at a family member's house (so that we could finish the drive back to Virginia over a weekend).

It was an incredible two weeks and I only wish we'd had more time to stay longer in the cities we visited and to add even more cities to the itinerary.


Sunglasses: Ray-Ban (affiliate link) | Tank: Amazon (affiliate link)

thoughts on memphis:

All I really knew about Memphis beforehand was that it was famous for its music scene and barbecue. But we wanted to spend our Independence Day somewhere historic, so after learning about the National Civil Rights Museum, we decided on Memphis (even though it was only 3ish hours from Nashville). Learning more about America's history and the civil rights movement seemed like an appropriate way to honor Independence Day... and the National Civil Rights Museum was an extremely powerful experience. 

It was built around the former Lorraine Hotel, which is where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated. As I wrote on my personal Instagram account, I learned so much more about America's history, including how and where my own knowledge was lacking. For example, I either didn't learn or didn't remember where Dr. King was assassinated -- or why he was even in Memphis at the time.

The museum also put into sharp focus that black Americans and abolitionists were among the first people to truly embrace and dedicate themselves to the ideals in the Declaration and the Constitution. It was inspiring to remember that although some Americans do not always live up to our country's founding ideals, people in generation after generation of Americans are guided by those ideals to fulfill them and to right past wrongs. And I was captivated by the power and strength of faith and grace. 

Another thing I really appreciated was the opportunity to learn more about strong women in American history. Some of the women I learned about at the museum include Maria Stewart; Elizabeth Freeman; sisters Emily and Mary Edmonson; Charlotte Hawkins Brown; Dr. Anna Julia Cooper; Septima Clark; Jo Ann Robinson; Clara Luper; Claudette Colvin; Diane Nash; Ella Baker; and Irene Morgan; as well as Juliette Morgan and Janie Forsyth.

We spent nearly 4 hours at the museum and certainly could have spent more. I would recommend it to every single American. If you're going to Memphis and you only have time to do one thing, I would choose the National Civil Rights Museum.

Before and after the museum, we walked Beale Street. FYI: Like Vegas and New Orleans, Beale Street is exempt from open container laws, so you can grab a drink to go as you explore.

Because we snacked a lot as we explored (ice cream, frozen drinks, etc), and many of the restaurants had long waits, we ended up grabbing dinner at Tin Roof because we could eat outside and listen to live music.

It's hard to believe, but we didn't even have time to visit Graceland, the mansion once owned by Elvis Presley that has since been turned into a museum.

itinerary:

  • Walked along Beale Street
  • Lunch at Blue City Cafe
  • Walked to the National Civil Rights Museum
  • Returned to Beale Street to listen to live music
  • Grabbed dinner at Tin Roof
  • Drinks at King & Union Bar Grocery

things to do:

eat and drink:

  • Gibson's Donuts
  • Tamp & Tap
  • Muggin Coffee House
  • Eggxactly Breakfast & Deli
  • Egg King Cafe
  • Dr. Bean’s Coffee and Tea 
  • Arcade Restaurant
  • Blues City Cafe
  • Gus' Fried Chicken
  • Central BBQ
  • Cozy Corner
  • Rendezvous
  • Railgarten
  • Curfew
  • Beck & Call rooftop
  • Barware
  • Slider Inn
  • Flying Saucer
  • Blind Bear
  • Sage Memphis
  • Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies
  • Cupcake Cutie
photo diary:

Beale Street welcome sign

After lunch we walked to the National Civil Rights Museum, which is located at the former Lorraine Hotel, where Dr. King was assassinated

It's hard to put into words the experience at the Museum... because nothing seems significant enough. And I took many photos, but it almost doesn't feel appropriate to share them as if this were just another tourist attraction... because it seems to cheapen what is a solemn memorial and history.

If I had to choose, the two words I would use to describe my own feelings are "loss" and "optimism." 

There is an almost overwhelming sense of loss at the Museum. Not just the loss our country experienced when a leader like Dr. King was murdered, but also the loss of potential by so many Americans who were refused the opportunity to pursue their hopes and dreams, whose rights weren't recognized. You can't help but wonder, what might they have accomplished if they'd been given the chance? Who might they have become?

When coupled with a sentiment like "loss," "optimism" might seem like a strange word... but the museum was also inspiring. Because our country produces people like Dr. King. Because every generation of Americans is inspired by the idea of life, liberty, and justice for all. Because we never stop striving to live up to these lofty ideals and to advance "a more perfect Union." Living up to these ideals is something every generation has to commit to.

Give yourself at least several hours at the National Civil Rights Museum to take it all in.

After the Museum, we walked back to Beale Street, first stopping to find the statue of Elvis Presley.

Sunglasses: Kate Spade (old but similar here and here, affiliate links) | Tank: Amazon (affiliate link) | Shorts: BLANK NYC | Boots: Cavender's (similar here) | Purse: Tory Burch (old but similar here and here, affiliate links) | Bandana: Amazon (affiliate link)

Ida B. Wells is up there as one of the most fearless, remarkable women in American history. She was born into slavery, received her freedom, and became an investigative journalist, civil rights activist, and suffragist. This Ida B. Wells marker is off Beale Street and Rufus Thomas Blvd -- a statue was apparently unveiled just a few weeks after our visit!



I've started to really love graphic tees and tank tops. I shared a few other USA-themed things I love at the end of the post!


If I remember correctly, this was the Black Widow... which I ordered partially because it sounded good and partially because the movie was just about to come out!

Walking Beale Street at night

If you've visited Nashville, New Orleans, or Austin, Memphis definitely has a taste of all 3 -- but it also has its own unique vibe and history. I'm really glad we decided to make a stop here on our trip... and I'm even more glad we were able to spend Independence Day here, thinking about what it actually means to believe that all men are created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

Even if you're not a barbecue fan like me (which makes my husband so sad), Memphis is a city well worth visiting. And if you're visiting Tennessee any time soon, I recommend watching the Ken Burns Country Music documentary miniseries in advance. We watched it after our trips to Nashville and Memphis, but I think watching in advance would have made our experiences in these cities even more powerful.

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