The Stax Museum of American Soul Music is the joyful counterpart to Sun Studio, and for many music lovers it is the best museum in Memphis. It stands on McLemore Avenue in the South Memphis neighborhood known as Soulsville USA, on the site of the old movie theater that Stax Records turned into a studio in the late 1950s. Stax became one of the great soul labels, a racially integrated company in a segregated city, and the records cut here by Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Booker T. and the M.G.’s, Isaac Hayes, the Staple Singers and many more defined the sound of Southern soul. The museum rebuilds the theater facade and tells the story through stage costumes, instruments, gold records and listening stations, with a recreation of the studio and a moving section on the label’s place in the civil rights era. Highlights include Isaac Hayes’s gleaming custom Cadillac and a dance floor where you can try your best moves. This page links to the Tiqets entry ticket, rated 4.9 from 66 reviews.
How to visit: the museum is at 926 East McLemore Avenue, about ten minutes by car south of downtown, so drive, take a rideshare or join a music bus tour that stops here. Opening hours are 10:00 to 17:00, with last admission at 16:00. The museum’s own schedule has long been Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Mondays, while the Tiqets listing shows it open daily, so check the current days before planning a Monday visit. It is closed on Thanksgiving and around Christmas and New Year. The Tiqets ticket is a standard entry ticket shown on your phone.
What to expect: begin with the short introductory film, which sets the scene beautifully, then work through the galleries at your own pace. The museum is part of the Soulsville Foundation, which also runs the Stax Music Academy next door, so you may hear students rehearsing.
Making the most of it: allow two hours, more if you love the music, and leave time for the listening stations and the dance floor. Combine it with the National Civil Rights Museum for a day that ties music and history together.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided museum of costumes, instruments, records and film on the site of the Stax Records studio, starting with an introductory movie.
Best time
A weekday morning, when you can linger at the listening stations without a crowd.
How long
About two hours, or longer for soul fans.
Tips
Check whether it is open on Mondays before you go, and plan transport because it is a short drive from downtown.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Soul and R&B fans, music lovers who have already done Sun Studio and anyone interested in Black history in Memphis.
- Families
- The dance floor and the shiny Cadillac win over kids, and the music is irresistible.
- Couples
- Try the dance floor together and listen to the classics side by side.
- Pair with
- The National Civil Rights Museum, or a music bus tour that stops in Soulsville.
- Time needed
- Two hours.
Good questions
What are the Stax Museum hours?+
It opens from 10:00 to 17:00, with last admission at 16:00. The museum’s own schedule has been Tuesday to Sunday, so check before planning a Monday visit.
Where is the Stax Museum?+
It is at 926 East McLemore Avenue in Soulsville, about ten minutes by car south of downtown. Driving, a rideshare or a music bus tour are the easiest ways to get there.
Which artists recorded at Stax?+
Stax was home to Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Booker T. and the M.G.’s, Isaac Hayes, the Staple Singers and many others. Their costumes, instruments and records fill the galleries.
How long should I spend at the Stax Museum?+
Plan on about two hours, starting with the introductory film. Soul fans often stay longer at the listening stations.
Can I book Stax tickets online?+
Yes, the Tiqets entry ticket can be booked online and shown on your phone. It is a standard admission ticket for the museum.
