For one day in Memphis from West Memphis, build your plan around two downtown museums: the National Civil Rights Museum and the Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art. Their hours and ticket rules shape a museum-focused outing, with enough time to explore the National Civil Rights Museum before adding a second stop.
- First stop: National Civil Rights Museum, at 450 Mulberry Street in downtown Memphis.
- Typical visit: Allow 1.5–2 hours at the National Civil Rights Museum.
- Second stop: Belz Museum, at 119 S. Main Street in the Pembroke Square Building.
- Planning note: The Belz Museum requires advanced reservations; the National Civil Rights Museum sells timed tickets online.
West Memphis is the starting point for this day trip, and rooms at this West Memphis motel make it possible to begin and end the outing there.
Before setting out from West Memphis
Plan around the museums’ opening days and admission rules before you leave West Memphis. The National Civil Rights Museum is closed on Tuesdays, while the Belz Museum opens Wednesday through Sunday.
The National Civil Rights Museum is in the South Main District at 450 Mulberry Street, Memphis, TN 38103. It offers free parking for museum guests; to reach its visitor lot, turn north on Mulberry Street from G.E.
Patterson Avenue. The museum permits exhibition photography without flash, but video on campus or inside exhibits requires prior authorization. Animals are not allowed except service animals.
Belz Museum sits at 119 S. Main Street, Concourse Level, in the Pembroke Square Building at Gayoso Avenue and South Main Street. It is accessible from the Main Street Trolley line and within walking distance of Beale Street. Parking is available along Peabody Place, and the Tower Garage at 110 Peabody Place Avenue is identified as the closest garage.
Check the official site before you go for current hours, ticket availability and holiday adjustments. The National Civil Rights Museum traditionally closes on New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Belz Museum requires advanced reservations; group rates and discounts are available by calling 901-523-2787.
A museum-focused morning
Start at the National Civil Rights Museum and allow 1.5–2 hours for its exhibits. Its galleries cover five centuries of history, from resistance during slavery through the Civil War and Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and later civil rights events.
Artifacts, films, oral histories, interactive media and listening posts shape the visit. Regular hours are 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Sunday, and the museum is closed Tuesday. Last admission is at 5:00 p.m.; the museum advises guests to check in 15 minutes early for timed tickets. Walk-up admission depends on availability.
Admission is $25 for adults, $22 for children ages 5–17, and $23 for seniors 65 and older and college students.
The museum estimates that a typical visit takes 1.5–2 hours, and says guests who begin within the final hour may have a condensed experience. Avoid leaving this stop until late in the day if you want time for the full visit.
The National Civil Rights Museum visiting guide covers the museum’s hours, tickets and visit details.
Riverfront time in the afternoon
The Belz Museum gives the afternoon a second downtown museum stop, with a collection spanning Asian art, Judaica, Russian lacquer boxes, contemporary glass, Italian mosaics, mineral specimens and scholar’s rocks.
Its three permanent galleries are the Main Gallery with Judaic Section, the Tusk Gallery and the Imperial Retreat Gallery. The museum opened in 1998 and has 14,000 square feet of exhibition space with nearly 1,000 objects.
Belz hours are 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and noon–5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The last ticket is sold one hour before closing. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for students, and free for children under 5. As reservations are required, arrange admission before making this your afternoon stop.
For an outdoor riverfront stop, Tom Lee Park is another Memphis place named in this itinerary, but no visit details are included here. The Tom Lee Park visitor guide focuses on a visit to the Memphis riverfront park.
An evening at The Orpheum
The Orpheum is a possible evening stop to add to a Memphis day, but show times and ticket information depend on the performance. Check the theatre’s details when planning your evening rather than assuming a show is available.
The Orpheum guide to shows, tickets and getting there covers the theatre visit.
FAQs
How long should you allow for the National Civil Rights Museum?
The museum estimates a typical visit at 1.5–2 hours. It warns that starting within the final hour may mean a condensed experience.
Does the National Civil Rights Museum have timed tickets?
Timed tickets are sold online, while walk-up admission depends on availability. The museum asks guests to check in 15 minutes early.
Do you need a reservation for the Belz Museum?
Yes. The Belz Museum requires advanced reservations, and its last ticket is sold one hour before closing.
When is the Belz Museum open?
Its hours are 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and noon–5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.