Memphis Airport is only 15 minutes away from downtown! To get to the FreedomFest hotels from the airport, you can rent a car, take a cab (which costs about $30), or use Uber/Lyft.​

Getting around Downtown Memphis

Memphis Main Street Trolley

Memphis Main Street Trolley

Hop aboard an authentic, vintage trolley car and glide through historic Downtown Memphis for just $1. The Memphis Trolley makes stops near (and will take you past) notable destinations like:

Nightlife & dining

Walk a few blocks from your FreedomFest hotel room or take the trolley from the Renasant Convention Center to one of the most iconic streets in America. The “Home of the Blues” is three blocks of nightclubs, restaurants and shops in the heart of downtown Memphis, and a melting pot of delta blues, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, R&B and gospel. This National Historic Landmark district shares its rich history of legendary live music through the Rock ‘n Soul Museum and clubs where you can still hear who’s making music in Memphis today. With cold beer and hot music, Beale Street is one of the coolest places in Memphis.

Beale Street

Memphis Rock n Soul Museum

Downtown Memphis Restaurants

Downtown Memphis Restaurants

Eating in Memphis is an experience for the soul. The specialty may be barbecue — Memphis is home to more than 100 barbecue restaurants — but make no bones about it: Dining out (or taking out!) in Memphis doesn’t stop at ‘cue. They dish up soul food, fine dining, twists on Southern classics, authentic Italian and Mexican cuisine, burgers, wings, vegan fare and so much more. And their award-winning chefs and restaurateurs, brewers and distillers will welcome you with a dose of Southern hospitality every time.

UNIQUE TRADITIONS

Since 1940, five of the historic Peabody Hotel’s permanent residents have performed the “March of the Ducks” twice a day. At 11 am a red carpet is unfurled, the “King Cotton March” is played, and five mallard ducks ride a special elevator from their Royal Duck Palace on the roof to the hotel lobby, then waddle directly into the stately marble fountain. At 5 pm the procession is reversed. Enjoy a libation and experience the fanfare from a luxurious seat in the ornate lobby.

Peabody Ducks

Peabody Ducks

Rich History

National Civil Rights Museum

National Civil Rights Museum

At the place of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s death in 1968, the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel chronicles the American Civil Rights Movement with compelling presentations of iconic exhibits, oral histories of lesser-known civil rights foot soldiers, and visceral, in-the-moment experiences. Visitors will learn through emotionally charged, visually engaging, contemporary exhibit design that guides you through five centuries of history. 

Join the exclusive FreedomFest excursion on Sunday, July 16!

Often referred to as the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll, Sun Studio is a must-see for music aficionados. Former owner Sam Phillips helped launch many a music career, including that of Elvis, B.B. King, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash. On your guided tour, you’ll hear stories about the legendary musicians who recorded here, listen to unreleased tracks and see memorabilia from the studio’s heyday.

Join the exclusive FreedomFest excursion on Tuesday, July 11 or Sunday, July 16!

Sun Studio

Sun Studio

Graceland

Graceland

You’ve heard the music, now see the place Elvis called home. Explore the beautiful mansion, walk the gardens where he found peace, tour the aircraft that he traveled on from show to show, and encounter Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment complex for an unforgettable experience featuring legendary costumes, artifacts, and personal mementos from Elvis and his family.

Join the exclusive FreedomFest excursion on Tuesday, July 11 or Sunday, July 16!