Downtown

South Main

What’s old is new again in South Main, a vibrant neighborhood where warehouses have transformed into restaurants, shops offer vintage finds alongside the latest fashion trends and museums tell stories of why Memphis history still influences American culture today. South Main is where you’ll find the National Civil Rights Museum and the Blues Hall of Fame Museum.

South Main only takes up one square mile near Downtown Memphis, but the neighborhood and arts district packs a lot of fun and excitement into a small footprint. Located one block south of Beale Street, the district is home to buzzworthy eateries and cocktail hot spots such as Catherine & Mary’s, WKND Hang Suite, Good Fortune and BedRock.

At the National Civil Rights Museum, exhibitions showcase the important moments and luminaries who defined the American Civil Rights Movement. Located at the former Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968, the museum chronicles the movement’s history through photographs, interactive displays and more. And each year, the museum holds special events, lectures and programs to address the impact of the era on culture today.

At the Blues Hall of Fame Museum, galleries showcase rare photographs, artifacts and other musical memorabilia including Muddy Water’s Stella acoustic guitar and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s signature stage “kimono”. Touchscreen displays allow visitors to listen to music and watch videos showcasing Hall of Fame inductees.

See other Downtown neighborhoods

Also in Downtown:

Harbor Town

Pinch District

Harbor Town

Pinch District

How big is Memphis?

It’s a tight-knit community and things are more accessible here than they are in bigger cities.

Mondira Kundu

Member

East Memphis

Is Memphis a nice place to live?

We’re growing and expanding all the time, but we still have a small-town feel.

Alex Switzer

Sous Chef Manager

Sherwood Forest

What is there to do in Memphis?

I love music and the free concerts at Overton Park; when I’m there, I feel a sense of belonging—families hanging out together and kids running around.

Chenchen Sun

Project Coordinator

Germantown

What can my kids get involved with after-school and on weekends?

There are lots of different options for extracurricular activities. Both of my kids played tennis just a few minutes from my house.

Mondira Kundu

Member

East Memphis

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