Mississippi River Cruise From Memphis
Blues, soul, rock and roll and the civil rights story on the Tennessee bluffs.
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A Mississippi river cruise from Memphis starts on the bluffs of Tennessee’s largest river city, or ends there after a week coming up from Louisiana. Memphis grew as a cotton and river port, and its music shaped the 20th century: the blues on Beale Street, Elvis and early rock and roll at Sun Studio, and soul at Stax.
The riverfront has parks and walking paths along the bluff, and the Hernando de Soto Bridge lights up at night. The Pyramid, a short walk north, is a landmark of the skyline.
Music and History in Memphis
Beale Street is the place for live blues in the evening. Sun Studio offers tours of the small room where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and others first recorded, and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music stands on the site of the famous studio.
The National Civil Rights Museum is built around the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. It is one of the most powerful museums in the country; allow several hours.
Getting There and Staying Over
Memphis International Airport (MEM) is a short drive from downtown. If your cruise ends here, consider an extra night to see the city rather than rushing to the airport; Memphis hotels on RoomsCheap lists riverfront and downtown options. If your cruise begins here, a night before protects you against delays.
For a full overview of every stop between here and the Gulf, see our itinerary page.
Memphis Food and the Riverfront
Memphis is a barbecue town, best known for dry-rub ribs and pulled pork, and many visitors make a point of trying two or three places. Downtown, the riverfront parks along the bluff give views of the bridges and the river traffic, and Mud Island River Park is home to a walkable scale model of the lower Mississippi. A walk from Beale Street to the river takes only a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cruises start or end in Memphis?
Both. Lower Mississippi voyages run in either direction between New Orleans and Memphis, and Viking also uses Memphis for itineraries on the Ohio and Cumberland rivers.
Is Graceland near the river?
No, it is in the Whitehaven area south of downtown, a drive of roughly 15 to 20 minutes. Many cruise packages offer it as a tour.
How much time do I need in Memphis?
A day covers Beale Street and one or two museums. Two days lets you add Graceland, Sun Studio and Stax without rushing.
Plan a Cruise From Memphis
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare Memphis departures and send free quotes, with a hotel night if you want one.
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