Holly Whitfield

Welcome to Memphis, ‘Home of the Blues’, where the live music is great and the BBQ is (arguably) even better. Tennessee cities like Nashville are only getting more popular as destinations, and this historic southwestern Tennessee city has become well-loved for its fascinating history and thriving arts and culture scene. It helps that Memphis is the home of the legendary Sun Studio (where Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley both recorded albums), and the music has been flowing ever since. Simply stroll through Beale Street to get completely absorbed in the culture – jazz, blues and rock ‘n’ roll sing from every corner. From fascinating museums to vintage train rides, here are the best things to do in Memphis right now.  RECOMMENDED:🍗 The best restaurants in Memphis📍 The best things to do in Memphis🏨 The best hotels in Memphis🌆 Our ultimate guide to Tennessee

Barbecue is king in these parts, and we aren’t complaining. The best restaurants in Memphis predominantly focus on that magical marriage of meat and heat, with ribs, shoulders, dry-rub wings, smoked sausage, pork shoulders, and the rest everywhere in these parts. If you love barbecue food, you will love Memphis. We’re getting a little peckish just thinking about it, although by ‘a little peckish’, we mean ‘drooling over the keyboard here, watch out.’ That isn’t to say that Memphis is 100 percent BBQ. The city has become a magnet for talented chefs from across the country, and the Home of the Blues may be the home of the most exciting foodie scene in the US. The best things to do in Memphis focus on the city’s trailblazing musical history, but eating isn’t far behind. RECOMMENDED: The best BBQ restaurants in America