Memphis, Tennessee – Is it safe?

Memphis, Tennessee has gotten a bad wrap the last couple years with super high crime and murder rates. The FBI Director even called it the murder capital of the US. It’s not without merit. This once thriving city where Elvis lived, where Blues and Rock’n’Roll originated, where railroad stops created a bustling and thriving city, where huge cultural impacts to the Civil Rights movement like Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination occurred, is now just a shell of its former glory. This city seems to be dying while the suburban areas are growing. The downtown is practically ghost-like. I know things like Beale Street bring on the partiers but it also brings on the crime as they know at a certain point, you’re an easier target. Everyone we spoke with warned us about going to Memphis but with some tips and safety procedures, we found certain parts of Memphis to be really nice that we would recommend and other parts we would recommend skipping.  

Memphis Is it safe? – Safety Tips

Some safety tips that helped us navigate Memphis, Tennessee. Don’t leave anything in your car. This sounds overly cautious but seriously, if you have a cell phone charging cord, put it in the glove box. If you have a suitcase in sight, cover it up with a dark jacket or blanket. There is no need to make your car look enticing. A local business owner even told us that groups of 5-6 cars will roll up on a hotel parking lot, overwhelm the security guard and smash car windows. It feels like no place is safe so even with all the precautions, it could still happen. Be smart about where you go and when. The bars of Beale Street may sound like a good time but you are setting yourself up as a target. Elvis’s residence Graceland is located in a bad neighborhood. If you visit, park in their lots and come before dark. 

Memphis Is it safe? Yes – Places We Recommend 

I absolutely love botanical gardens and we’ve been to them all over the world. Honestly, the Memphis Botanical Gardens are top 1 or 2 in my book. They are absolutely incredible. It’s only $12 for a ticket and with so many different types of gardens and plants, it’s stunning. They’ve laid it out really well so walking around is a joyful experience. Don’t miss the whimsical My Big Backyard for creative and fun displays of gardens with everyday things like beds, cars, and even a refrigerator. They even have a summer concert series with some big name artists. If you’re looking for a free activity, just across the street is the Dixon Gallery & Gardens. This former Georgian style house built in 1942 turned into an art museum is free for everyone to enjoy. The galleries are small but they have a few works of art by Claude Monet and Henri Matisse. It’s quite impressive. The grounds around the house are stunning as well. Take a walk around to feel the grandeur of it all. 

No trip to Memphis is complete without a stop at the National Civil Rights Museum. We were really impressed with how the museum was laid out, starting with early slavery and ending in the room where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel. It’s really moving and powerful to learn so much about our country’s history. And we found it impactful to see the room he was in and the balcony where he was shot. It’s emotional for sure but worth your time. 

While you’re in the area, walk just across the street to Central BBQ for some delicious soul food. We tried the appetizer sampler which was a great way to try the pulled pork sandwich, the smoked turkey nachos, the famous Memphis chicken wings with the award winning Honey Gold sauce, and a smoked sausage. We really enjoyed it all. 

Looking for more delicious food choices? Head over to Overton Square,  Cooper-Young, and Crosstown Concourse. 

Cooper-Young is a hip, artsy neighborhood. Take a stroll down Cooper Street and stop at Soul Fish Cafe for fried catfish or Maciel’s Tortas & tacos for delicious Mexican food. Check out their schedule for a list of events and festivals held in the neighborhood. 

Overton Square on Madison Ave is a street full of delicious restaurants including BABALU for inventive Southern-influenced tacos and tapas (try their braised short rib over grits), Petals of a Peony for authentic Chinese food, and Saltwater Crab for delicious seafood. While you’re here, stop in some of the adorable shops to support local businesses including The Wren’s Nest. 

Crosstown Concourse is a recent development of an old Sear-Roebuck warehouse built in 1927 that has been converted into new retail, restaurants, coworking space, live music, art district, and office spaces. It’s really well done and so funky. You’ll see photographers working on the craft, coders writing code on their computers at the coffee shops, and NGOs and nonprofits helping to improve their communities all in one space. We even saw an outdoor workout class. This place has some great restaurants and dessert shops so check it out. Don’t miss the art gallery on the second floor. 

Speaking of old things, don’t miss the Duck March everyday at 11am and 5pm (get there 30 minutes early to get a spot) at The Peabody Hotel downtown. This grand hotel has been serving distinguished guests since 1869. The ducks are a funny story. In 1930, a tipsy general manager thought it would be fun to place some of his live duck decoys used for hunting in the fountain. He forgot them overnight but in the morning, guests loved them so much that it became a tradition that lives on today! 

While you’re in the area, you gotta make a stop at the pyramid shaped Bass Pro Shop. Don’t worry, you can’t miss it, it’s the only gigantic pyramid around. Originally opened as a sporting arena, this building now houses the Bass Pro Shop and Big Cypress Lodge Hotel. I know what you are thinking but yes it’s worth a quick stop. They have live fish in the ponds throughout the stores and even a pond of alligators. There is even a shooting range, bowling alley, aquarium and an elevator that will take you to an observation deck at the top of the pyramid. 

Memphis Is it safe? No – Places We Recommend Skipping 

Graceland, Elvis Presley’s former residence, is now a museum you can tour. Not only is he buried there, but a lot of his family including Lisa Marie Presley are buried there. You can explore the mansion, walk the gardens, tour the aircraft he used to travel from show to show, and there is an entertainment complex including outfits he wore and personal family mementos. Why do we recommend skipping this? First, it’s wildly overpriced. Basic entry is almost $100 and that doesn’t include everything. All inclusive tickets are upwards of $250. So unless you are a superfan or need to see the place for some reason, it’s a pass for us. The second reason is that Graceland is located in South Memphis which today is a very unsafe neighborhood. Graceland has its own gated parking lot so it’s up to you if you decide to go. 

Downtown Memphis – while we didn’t feel unsafe walking around downtown, it felt very sad. It felt like a shell of its former glory. Many storefronts were abandoned, there were very few people patronizing the businesses, and a lot of empty streets. We noticed that businesses that were open had signs that they were closed at least 2-3 days a week which makes recommending them hard because they were all closed on different days. The energy could be different if you are coming for a specific music show, sports game, or event downtown. 

Beale Street – is a big pass for us. We did walk down the street but it’s a combination of dirty bars, greasy spoon restaurants, and trinkety stores. A. Schwabs is touted as a historic general store that has been around since 1876 but we found that it only sells cheap things like trinkets, magnets, and souvenirs now. Finally, if you are going to go out on Beale Street at night, be careful. This is a hotbed for crime as they know most people come here to drink and late at night you’re making yourself a target. Just be careful. 

Really anywhere late at night – I know it sounds crazy but we were warned by many locals to not go out once it got dark. We were fine staying in so this didn’t bother us but watch yourself, your belongings, and your car when you go out at night. 

So all in all, we had a decent experience in Memphis. We enjoyed the food and botanical gardens. Unfortunately we were constantly worried about our car windows getting smashed. They didn’t but the fear of it was enough to spoil the trip. I wouldn’t say Memphis is at the top of our list of US cities to visit but if you happen to be driving through, there are a few good spots to check out. Let us know if you make it to Memphis. Otherwise check out Nashville nearby.