Memphis Neighborhoods

Featured Neighborhoods in Memphis

1 Midtown

Just east of downtown, midtown has its own entertainment district, dining establishments and coffee houses near Overton Square. Beautiful Overton Park houses the Memphis Zoo and Aquarium. For a taste of artistic culture, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art offers a wide range of artistic treasures from antiquities to modern art. But Midtown shouldn’t be dismissed as sedate. It’s a hip enclave with cocktail bars, rock clubs and funky jukebox joints. It’s also home to famous record stores and recording studios such as local icon Goner Records. Enjoy live theater at Playhouse on the Square or the Circuit Theatre. Like downtown Memphis, Midtown is a musical enclave, but here indie rock sounds and hip hop are as likely to be heard as jazz and blues. [Photo courtesy of OvertonSquare.com]

2 Central Gardens

Central Gardens offers a delightful look at a wide variety of architectural styles, ranging from Colonial Revival to Tudor, American Craftsman to Mediterranean Revival. Visitors flock to explore the fascinating homes and buildings in the area, particularly in September, during the neighborhood’s renowned Central Gardens Home and Garden Tour, which draws thousands of visitors. The community lives up to its name as the home of Central Gardens arboretum, as well, where many of the 90 different species of trees are over 80 years old. Tour the tree-lined architectural beauty of the area and then settle in for a snack at one of the neighborhood’s quiet cafes. [Photo courtesy of centralgardens.org]

3 East Memphis

Home to the Clark Tower, the East Memphis skyline is most dominated by the college scene. Crichton College and the University of Memphis are both located here, and host concerts, sports and theater events on their campuses. Some of the largest hotels and shopping centers in the city were built in the area, too, including Oak Court Mall and Park Place Center. The Memphis Botanic Garden at Audubon Park offers trails and gardens exhibiting the flora of the region and the Pink Palace and Planetarium is the region’s premier science and historical museum. Children will enjoy the renowned Children’s Museum of Memphis. The lush Dixon Gallery and Gardens is this area. [Photo courtesy of University of Memphis]

4 South Memphis

Elvis is king in this part of Memphis. After all, the Graceland Mansion, regarded as the world’s most famous music mansion, is located here. Annually, the neighborhood hosts Elvis Week, where many thousands of fans converge to commemorate his passing in August. Self-guided tours lead visitors through the hallowed halls of Elvis’ beloved home and grounds throughout the year. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music is another spot to pay homage to Memphis’ musical roots. This attraction showcases more than 2,000 cultural artifacts, as well as musical and video exhibits.

5 Downtown

Located on the Mississippi River waterfront and stretching eastward, Downtown Memphis is home to Beale Street and numerous other attractions. Explore blues bars, jazz clubs and look for Elvis souvenirs or check out some classic Southern cooking at the numerous restaurants in this area. Free Weekend concerts are often held W. C. Handy Park, with its monument to great blues artist. The Memphis Rock and Soul Museum is also located here along with the historic Sun Studio, offering insight into the Memphis’ rich musical history. In May, check out the renowned Beale Street Music Festival. Downtown is also home to corporate offices and artists’ lofts, many with a river view.

6 Uptown

River views and trendy new restaurants characterize the funky and historic Pinch District in Uptown Memphis. Harbor Town, a planned mixed-use community with a bevy of local shops, cafes, restaurants, and parks is a densely walkable section of Uptown perched on a sandbar called Mud Island. Harbor Town features a marina, too, and all of Uptown can enjoy to view of boats sailing the river on pleasant afternoons. Both the Cook Convention Center and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts are also a part of Uptown Memphis. The world-class Cannon Center is the spot to hear the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, ballet, theatrical presentations, and concerts. [Photo courtesy of Harbortown Marina]

7 Germantown

Germantown is renowned for its horse shows, including a charity event that draws visitors from across the region every June. The famed Tennessee Shakespeare Co. is also located here, with modernized versions of the Bard’s plays and other dramatic classics taking place in gardens and historic sites, as well as on the conventional stage. Well-regarded local eateries offer plenty to nosh on before or after the theater, including soul food, Italian and new American cuisine. [Photo courtesy of The Commissary BBQ]