The list of reasons to book a trip to Memphis is already extensive, from soulful music attractions and cool hotels to a vibrant nightlife and some of the world’s best BBQ. With a fresh wave of new hotels, reimagined tourist attractions, and a packed sporting calendar, the Home of Blues, Soul & Rock’n’Roll firmly deserves a spot on Aussie travellers’ must-visit lists for 2026.
New Hotels in Memphis
Hotel Pontotoc – Former brothel and bathhouse turned luxury boutique hotel
One of the most interesting hotels in Memphis has reopened after an extensive renovation of its 119-year-old building. Hotel Pontotoc has previously served as a brothel, a Turkish bath house, a community hub for the Greek population in the 1920s, and a temporary home for artists and performers from nearby theatres. Located in downtown Memphis, guests will have easy access to some of the key attractions of the city of Blues, Soul and Rock’n’Roll, including the Blues Hall of Fame Museum and the National Civil Rights Museum. The on-site bar, The Dame, offers guests a sophisticated setting with expertly crafted cocktails, intimate ambience and unparalleled service.
Canopy by Hilton Memphis Downtown Beale Street – Close to the action
Sporting fans have the opportunity to explore the Canopy by Hilton Memphis Downtown Beale Street, located just across from the AutoZone Park, home to the Memphis Redbirds Baseball team. Another short walk from the hotel lies the FedEx Forum, where guests can watch the home games of the Memphis Grizzlies NBA team. Guests can enjoy pre-game crafted cocktails and classic tavern-style food at the award-winning hotel restaurant Curfew, before venturing out for an eventful night in Memphis.
Aloft Hotel Downtown – Where Style Meets Southern Soul
Marriott’s collection of modern boutique hotels opened an Aloft Hotel in Downtown Memphis in 2025. The hotel uses tech-savvy robotic bellhops and mobile room keys to provide guests with a seamless stay. Guests can sip & spin at the WXYZ bar with specialty cocktails, snack-attack menu and tunes ranging from acoustic sets to DJ mashups. This hotel is great for visitors who want to explore all that Memphis has to offer, but don’t want to venture too far, as key spots along Beale Street are available within walking distance from the hotel.
Sport Tourism – Events to check out while in Memphis
Sports fans have plenty of reasons to put Memphis on their 2026 travel list, with the city hosting a vibrant lineup of games, tournaments and high-energy matchups throughout the year.
The sporting year starts with the Liberty Bowl on the 2nd of January in Memphis, one of college football’s most iconic postseason games, followed by a season of Memphis Redbirds baseball at AutoZone Park. For the first time in nearly 20 years, professional arena football returns to Liberty Park in Memphis in mid-2026. The yet-to-be-named franchise will play its home games at the Memphis Sports & Events Centre. Golf fans can also visit the Bluff City in mid-August as the return of the FedEx St Jude Championship begins. To round out an eventful year, the local NBA team, the Memphis Grizzlies, play its home games at the FedEx Forum from October 2026 to April 2027.
But the fun doesn’t stop at the Tennessee state line, as 2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for sporting events across the United States, giving Aussie travellers the perfect excuse to explore not just Memphis but multiple cities on an unforgettable trip.
Travellers can easily pair their Memphis sporting experience with events elsewhere in the U.S., including key tournaments such as the World Cup in soccer, major league baseball, NASCAR races, and golf championships, among others. With fast domestic flights, easy road trip routes, and well-connected hubs, it’s simple to turn a visit to Memphis into a wider sports-themed adventure, whether it’s catching a game in Dallas after a road trip from Memphis, or continuing on to New York, Chicago or Los Angeles for even bigger stadium moments.
New Attractions and Tours in Memphis
Memphis Mojo Tour – the nation’s only music tour
With such a rich musical history, there are multiple museums and attractions throughout Memphis that are must-sees for every visitor, but travellers with limited time in the city can explore some of these key spots in just 90 minutes. This sing-along music tour is a first-of-its-kind in the U.S. and is led by professional Beale Street musicians who take visitors to key spots around the city that brought Memphis’ famed musical heritage to life. It’s a fun and new way to discover the music-related landmarks that make the home of Blues, Soul & Rock ‘n’ Roll so special.
Memphis Art Museum – new museum opening
The $180 million, 6-year-long renovation and relocation of the Memphis Art Museum is in its final stages and is slated to open in December 2026. The current Brooks Museum of Art in Overton Park can host four exhibitions at a time, while the new museum can host at least 15. The museum has been designed to display BMoA’s extensive collection of more than 9,000 artworks spanning 5,000 years of art and culture. As it will now be located within walking distance of a range of other key attractions in Memphis, such as the National Civil Rights Museum and the Orpheum Theatre, the new museum will become a must-visit while exploring Downtown Memphis.
The National Civil Rights Museum is expanding
One of the most crucial parts of U.S. history is on display at the National Civil Rights Museum, where guests can delve deeper into how Memphis played an important role in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. The Legacy Building, which once served as the Lorraine Motel’s opposite façade, where the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King took place, is currently being renovated and is slated to open in Spring 2026. The new exhibition will usher visitors into an immersive journey through the unfinished business of civil rights, where they can explore the structural inequalities Dr King warned of and how those injustices still shape American life today.
The Memphis Flyway – A new way to experience the Mississippi River
Connecting Memphis to the rest of the American South is the mighty Mississippi River, and in 2026, travellers will have the opportunity to experience it like never before. The city is set to unveil the Memphis Flyway, a first-of-its-kind observation deck and nature experience that transforms a once-overlooked stretch of the riverfront into a stunning gateway to the river’s wildlife, ecology and impressive views. Located at the southern end of the recently revitalised Tom Lee Park, the Flyway is poised to become a must-see spot for tourists keen to explore the Mississippi River and the diverse animals that call it home.
Events to keep in mind for 2026:
January: International Blues Challenge
January: Elvis Presley’s Birthday Celebration
April – September: Bike Night on Beale (Wednesday nights)
May: Riverbeat Music Festival
August: FedEx St Jude Championship
August: Elvis Week
October: Memphis Music Month
October: Mempho Music Festival
December: St Jude Memphis Marathon
