As you drive into Memphis in your RV rental, the riverboats will greet you with steam whistles, and museums of all kinds beckon for exploration. The Botanic Garden will add a splash of color to your two days in Memphis.
Camping in your RV rental is a great way to explore Memphis because you’ll have your accommodations with you, and you can use the RV as your kitchen and patio as well. Family picnics around the fire ring at your campsite are a fun way to relax after a hard day’s adventuring, and taking in a movie with some popcorn is a good way to wind down for the evening. From luxurious camping with full hookups to boondocking in designated areas, you and your rented RV can find someplace to set up camp.
Search RV rentals in the Memphis area.
Preparing for Your Memphis RV Trip
Several dozen RV rentals are available within about 80 miles of Memphis, TN, and Class A motorhomes make the best choice for large groups or families, while Class B campervans are better for solo travelers or couples. Class C motorhomes are somewhere in between. There are nonmotorized RVs available, as well, and these include travel trailers, toy haulers, and fifth wheels. RVshare’s website is both user-friendly and comprehensive when it comes to finding RVs to rent, making it a fine choice to find your RV.
Here’s some information about renting an RV:
• Renting the RV
• Picking the Right RV Size
• What to Pack
• Parking Tips for Your RV
Be prepared to do your homework when picking a campground. Check out the amenities the campground provides to see if they match your desires. These amenities can include full restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, full hookups, and on-site convenience stores among others. In the Memphis area, the Graceland RV Park & Campground, Agricenter International RV Park, and Navy Lake RV Park are all excellent choices for renting your campsite.
Find other campground options in our comprehensive list of top-rated campgrounds in Memphis.
Day 1: In Elvis’s Shadow
Morning: The Graceland Experience
No trip to Memphis would be complete without a tour of Graceland, Elvis Presley’s home. The mansion and the 120 acres of grounds surrounding it open at 9 a.m., making it a perfect way to start your Memphis itinerary. For various prices, several VIP tours are available, as well, giving you the chance to experience the man and his music further.
Lunch: A Real Burger Challenge
Kooky Canuck isn’t just any burger restaurant. Not only do you have your pick from nine different regular-sized burgers, but you can also choose to tackle the Kookamonga Challenge. Counting the bun and toppings, it’s 7.5 pounds of burger goodness, and if you can eat it within 60 minutes, then you get it for free. There’s also the “Humonga Kookamonga,” which contains 12 pounds of ground beef and is designed for four people to take the same challenge!
Afternoon: The National Civil Rights Museum
At the National Civil Rights Museum, you can relive and experience the whole movement through interactive exhibits. The museum has a timed-entry policy, so when you buy a ticket, your entry time is set in stone. That means no waiting in lines or worrying about delays.
Setting Up Camp
Speaking of setting things up beforehand, it’s just good planning to reserve your campsite as far in advance as possible. That’ll simplify your arrival because not only will check-in be a breeze, but your hosts will guide you to your campsite. At your campsite, your next task will be to level your RV and make it safe, which you will accomplish with the leveling equipment that comes with the RV and wheel chocks. Another thing to check when you make your RV rental reservation is whether or not the owner provides delivery and/or setup service at your campsite.
Dinner: World-Famous Fried Chicken
Gus’s Fried Chicken has been featured on several foodie shows, including “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” All the trimmings are available, too, so you and the family can eat to your heart’s content for a reasonable price in a down-home setting.
Day 2: Further Memphis Adventures
Morning: An Array of Flowers
The Memphis Botanic Garden opens its doors at 9 a.m. You can explore 30 gardens of flowers and other small plants and also a Level 4 arboretum that features 180 different species of trees, including 19 kinds of oaks. There’s also a sculpture garden where you can relax before heading off to lunch.
Lunch: Breakfast for Lunch
Brother Juniper’s is open every day other than Monday. It closes at either 12:30 p.m. or 1 p.m., depending on the day, so be sure to plan your prior visit to the Botanic Garden accordingly. Omelets, burritos, and breakfast gyros are the house specialties
Afternoon: The Role of Soul
The Stax Museum, which is dedicated to soul music, closes at 5 p.m., so it’s a good early-afternoon place to visit. Experience the history of soul music, and dance the afternoon away on the “Express Yourself” dance floor. You can even get inspiration from the dancers on classic episodes of “Soul Train” that play on the edge of the floor.
Evening: A Riverboat Cruise
You can book a river cruise on a real Memphis showboat. These evening cruises provide both a barbecue dinner and live music and last approximately two hours. It’s a fine, family-friendly way to end your second day of adventures in Memphis.
Day 3 and Beyond in Memphis
Do you think that you could spend a few more days in and around Memphis? If you do, then have at it; there are activities galore for you to enjoy.
• Lightman Bridge Center: If you play bridge, then visit the Lightman Bridge Center which is right in central Memphis. It’s a fully sanctioned club that offers daily games at different times.
• Meeman-Shelby State Forest Park: Comprising more than 11,000 acres, Meeman-Shelby State Forest Park provides you with opportunities to canoe, hike, and bird-watch. Because many of the rivers and wetlands in western Tennessee have been drastically altered by various means, several rare and endangered species have relocated themselves and can be spotted in Meeman-Shelby State Forest Park.
Seasonal Activities
Every holiday season, the Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees takes place in Memphis. Holiday-themed displays of lights are a highlight.
Gonerfest is a punk-rock music festival that takes place every fall in Memphis. The 2024 Gonerfest features more than 30 bands, which will play in intimate settings around the city.
Indoor Activities
Visiting The Peabody Ducks is a fun way to pass part of a rainy afternoon in Memphis. The ducks march through the lobby to the fountain and have done so since the 1930s.
Another fun-filled rainy-day activity in Memphis is visiting the Edge Motor Museum, which is dedicated to sports cars from roughly 1910 until today. The museum closes fairly early in the afternoon, so it’s best to visit it in the morning.
Climb aboard your RV rental to experience a wondrous two-day trip to Memphis. Commune with Elvis, see the history of soul music, and cruise the Mississippi, returning each night to the comfort of your rented RV.
