If you are looking for a bit of culture, Memphis is the place to find it. The Mid-South area boasts numerous musuems that specialize in fine arts, history, art, and more. Here you will find a comprehensive listing of these museums to better help you plan your next trip. Remember that admission fees are subject to change. Always verify this information before your visit.
The Civil Rights Museum is housed in the former Lorraine Motel, the site where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968. Today, the museum’s exhibits illustrate chapters of the fight for civil rights in the United States. These exhibits include photographs, newspaper accounts, and three dimensional scenes depicting such civil rights events as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and the Lunch Counter Sit-Ins. Admission to the museum is $12 for adults, $8.50 for children 4-17, and free for children 3 and under.
The Ornamental Metal Museum is located in and on the grounds of Memphis' old Marine Hospital. Today, the Metal Museum is the only institution of its kind in the nation, dedicated solely to the conservation and advancement of fine metalwork. Its exhibits include metal sculpture, jewelry, a working blacksmith shop, and a sculpture garden that overlooks the Mississippi River. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children 5-18, and free for children under 5.
The Pink Palace is one of the largest museums of its kind in the southeastern United States. It is housed in a building that was originally designed to be the home of Piggly-Wiggly founder Clarence Saunders. Its large collection of permanent exhibits help visitors to explore Memphis' natural and cultural history, while its vast variety of touring exhibits give guests an intriguing and well-rounded visit. Additionally, the museum is home to the Sharpe Planetarium and the Crew Training International IMAX Theater . Admission to the museum only is $8.25 for adults, $7.75 for seniors, and $5.75 for kids 3-12.
Unbeknownst to many, the Rock n Soul is actually a Smithsonian Museum. Located on Beale Street, the exhibits guide visitors on a trip through the history of Memphis music. The audio tour offers 300 minutes of information, more than 100 songs, and takes visitors through seven galleries featuring 3 audio visual programs, more than 30 instruments, 40 costumes, and more. Admission to the museum is $10 for adults and $7 for kids 5-17.
The former Burkle estate, tucked away in downtown Memphis, was once a station on the Underground Railroad. Today, the museum paints a realistic and disturbing picture of slavery in the south. In addition to trap doors and secret rooms in the Burkle home, visitors to the museum will see other related artifacts. Admission to the museum is $6 for adults and $4 for students.
This museum is located at the original site of Stax Records, a studio that recorded such names as Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, and many more. The museum takes visitors on a tour of the studio’s rich history illustrated through exhibits, videos, stage costumes, photographs, instruments, and other memorabilia. Admission to the museum is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors (62+), $7 for children 9-12, and free for children 8 and under.
