Memphis in November

Memphis, resting on the Mississippi River, is the largest city in the state of Tennessee and is absolutely a must-visit. Situated in the southwestern portion of the state with a population totaling more than 600,000, Memphis is a cultural center for music, food and art.

Memphis is extremely hot in the summertime, and the humidity can make one feel even hotter. Those who have trouble tolerating high heat and humidity may wish to avoid visiting during July or August. As such, November might be the best month to visit, as the hot summer temperatures have receded and the cold weather has yet to set in.

The city is famous for the influential strains of blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll music that originated there. Memphis was the home of Elvis Presley, and the city doesn’t shy away from that designation, as the rock ‘n’ roll legend’s mansion Graceland is by far the most popular tourist attraction in the city.

Make sure to check out Beale Street in downtown Memphis, which many people call the “Home of the Blues.” The street has dozens of bars and clubs, most of which feature live music. At night the street is closed to vehicles and one can drink on the street. Some bars even feature “drinks-to-go” windows from which to purchase alcoholic beverages to go!

November is a great time to visit the city, as there are plenty of things to see beyond the typical tourist trail. The annual Indie Memphis Film Festival, Nov. 3–10, is a great week of amazing panels, awards and tons of films. The University of Memphis basketball season starts in November as well, and should be exciting as the university always fields a competitive team.

Memphis is a classic American city, complete with diverse culture, music, food and art. November is the perfect time to go, as the city is devoid of the typical tourist crowd and, as such, it’s much easier to get the full Memphis “experience.”