Memphis International Airport features Delta flights
Memphis Transportation
Memphis International Airport (MEM) is a 3-terminal airport with a modest number of daily passenger flights to domestic destinations, Canada and Mexico. As the shipping hub of FedEx, MEM is one of the world’s largest cargo airports. After many improvements over the last 60 years, MEM Airport includes an expanded collection of shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Car Rentals include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, and National brands at MEM Airport. For the scenic route into Downtown, exit Airways Blvd north to I-240 west, keep straight as the freeway name changes to I-55 and bends northward. At US 61 Intersection exit, take Riverside Drive. Downtown is 9 miles north of the airport and takes 15-20 minutes to get there. You’ll see bluffs on your right as you approach downtown. Taxis: Hail a Checker Cab (901-577-7700) or Yellow Cab (800-796-7750) at the lower level of the Main Terminal. A ride from MEM Airport to Downtown costs about $25.
A single Amtrak route running each way stops at Memphis Central Station located at 545 South Main Street. The once-daily passenger train features bedroom suites, roomettes, in-room dining service, and a cafe car following this route:
City of New Orleans: Chicago-Carbondale-Memphis-Jackson-New Orleans
Memphis Trolleys are vintage streetcars that serve riverfront, downtown and Madison Avenue attractions via:
Main Street Line – travels north-south on Main Street
Riverfront Line – travels north-south on the Riverfront + Main Street
Madison Line – travels east-west on Madison Avenue
Memphis Trolley on Main Street
These restored vintage trolleys are full of character and courteous drivers. They run daily every 10 minutes on each block of Main Street and several locations along Riverside Drive and they connect at their northern and southern ends. MATA TROLLEY MAP
Single fares are cheap. All-day passes are available. Days & Hours are Mon-Thu 6a-midnight, Fri 6a-1a, Sat 9:30a-1a, and Sun 10a-6p. The Trolley runs every 10 minutes and connects with the Mud Island Tram.
Main Street Trolley rides the 4-mile long route at a leisurely pace from the top of Downtown next to the Pyramid and Pinch District, by the convention center, near Peabody Place, the Orpheum Theatre, Beale Street, near the Civil Rights Museum, and Memphis Central Station. The trolley then loops west and north to proceed along the riverfront, where you will want to visit the bluffs River Park and Mud Island.
PHONE: 901-274-6282
Mud Island Tram
Get great views of the Mississippi River and Memphis skyline by taking an overhead monorail tram from the western edge of downtown to Mud Island River Park; traveling at 7 mph, each cabin carries up to 180 passengers over the 1/3 mile trip; price for the round-trip ride is bundled with admission to the Mississippi River Museum and a Guided Riverwalk Tour.
DAYS & HOURS: reservations required
ADDRESS: 125 North Front Street, Memphis
PHONE: 800-507-6507 or 901-576-7241
WEBSITE: http://www.mudisland.com
Mud Island Tram over Riverside Drive with Memphis Pyramid in the background
Heritage Tours
This group Offers cultural and historical group tours of Memphis. Tour highlights include National Civil Rights Museum, Slavehaven, Beale Street Historic District, Old South, Civil War, and Antebellum homes, Slave Market District, Cotton Row, Ida B. Wells Memorial. Tour options include “Roots Tour of Henning, Tennessee” and “Beale Street Nightlife.”
DAYS & HOURS: reservations required
ADDRESS: arranged by reservation
PHONE: 901-527-3427
Unique Tours
Tour options include “In Search of Rock and Soul”, “Music and Deep South”, and “Heritage”; customized group tours are available.
DAYS & HOURS: reservations required
ADDRESS: arranged by reservation
PHONE: 901-527-8876
Mississippi Blues Trail
A website that locates and summarizes Mississippi’s seminal role in developing Blues music and artists; the northernmost point on the trail is where Highway 61 meets Beale Street in front of the Rock n’ Soul Museum – its historic marker was dedicated by none other than Blues Legend, B.B. King
WEBSITE: http://www.msbluestrail.org
Memphis Freeway Network is designed to get you to the edges of Downtown, mostly from the Tennessee side. There are few surprises about the network, which fits the average in terms of freeway upkeep and that Sam Cooper Blvd, a freeway spur from I-240, was never connected to I-40 downtown. Consequently, east-west boulevards such as Union Ave and Poplar Ave are as busy as freeways during commute hours. Hernanado De Soto Bridge is the best way to reach Arkansas to the west.
Parking downtown is fine, except during major events. Like any major city, use secured parking lots like Peabody Place whenever possible and check ID badges of parking lot attendants before handing over money or keys, even around Beale Street.
