Memphis rewards a visit in almost any season, but the experience changes with the calendar. The music is year-round, while many outdoor attractions, river cruises and gardens follow seasonal schedules. This guide explains what each season offers and the fixed closures that catch visitors out.
Spring
For many travelers this is the sweet spot. Temperatures are mild, the gardens are in bloom and the outdoor attractions are at their best. The Dixon Gallery and Gardens is known for its tulips in spring, the Memphis Botanic Garden is at its most colorful, and Overton Park and Shelby Farms Park are ideal for walking and cycling. Tom Lee Park is also a lovely place to be as the weather warms. Expect festivals and busy weekends in downtown, so book hotels earlier.
Summer
Memphis summers are hot and humid, so plan outdoor sightseeing for early morning or early evening and spend the middle of the day in air-conditioned museums such as the Pink Palace, the Rock ’n’ Soul Museum or the Edge Motor Museum. The riverboat cruise runs daily in the warmer months, and the Memphis Botanic Garden stays open later in the day while daylight saving time is in effect, with its Live at the Garden concerts on the lawn. August brings Elvis Week around the anniversary of his death, which is the busiest time at Graceland and for hotels in the city, so book early or avoid it if you prefer quiet.
Fall
Fall is another excellent time, with milder temperatures returning and the music scene in full swing. The riverboat cruise shifts toward weekends in fall, and the NBA season begins, so a Grizzlies game at FedExForum becomes possible from fall. Walking tours, brewery tours and the Big River Crossing are pleasant in the cooler weather. Check seasonal hours for gardens and parks, because winter schedules start when the clocks go back.
Winter
Winter is the quietest season, and it is mild compared with northern cities, though evenings can be chilly. Indoor sights are the focus: Graceland, Sun Studio, Stax, the National Civil Rights Museum and the Orpheum tour all operate. In late November Graceland switches on Elvis’s Christmas lights and dresses the mansion for the holidays, which makes it one of the most atmospheric times to visit. The Grizzlies play through the winter, and hotel rates can be lower outside holiday weekends. Gardens and parks have shorter days, and the Guest House at Graceland pool is closed from early October to late May.
Weekly closings
The National Civil Rights Museum closes on Tuesdays on its regular schedule, the Blues Hall of Fame Museum closes on Mondays, and the Pink Palace Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, so it is also closed on Mondays. The Stax Museum has traditionally closed on Mondays, so confirm before you go. The TigerMan Karate Dojo keeps a limited weekend-style schedule, and the Memphis Botanic Garden closes earlier on concert days.
Holiday closings
Graceland, Sun Studio and the Rock ’n’ Soul Museum close on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, and the Memphis Botanic Garden also closes on New Year’s Day. Graceland closes early on Christmas Eve. If you travel around the holidays, plan Beale Street and outdoor options for those days and confirm hours for everything else.
Crowds and prices
Weekends are busiest everywhere, and the major sights are quietest on weekday mornings. Hotel prices rise around big events, Elvis Week and Grizzlies game nights, so compare dates before you book. Sun Studio tours are first come, first served, so arrive early in busy periods.
Matching the season to your interests
Music fans can come any time, because the clubs, Sun Studio and Stax run all year. Gardeners and walkers should aim for spring, families can use summer for indoor museums and the zoo, and sports fans need the October to April basketball season. Elvis devotees choose between August for the anniversary week and late November for the holiday lights.
Our pick
If you can choose, go in April, May or October for the best balance of weather and events. Go in late November for the Graceland holiday atmosphere, and in August only if Elvis Week is why you are coming.
