The Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll and Home of the Blues greets river cruisers at a modern floating dock right at the foot of Beale Street — where legendary music, soul-deep barbecue, and powerful history converge on the Mississippi.
Ships tie up directly at Beale Street Landing's floating dock, which rises and falls with the Mississippi River — a short ramp walk brings you to street level.
💡 Pro move: Beale Street charges a $5 security fee on Friday/Saturday nights and restricts entry to 21+ after dark — plan accordingly if your ship overnights.
All river cruise ships dock directly at Beale Street Landing's modern floating pier on the Memphis riverfront.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| American Cruise Lines | Beale Street Landing, 251 Riverside Dr📍 | Docked |
| Viking River Cruises (Viking Mississippi) | Beale Street Landing, 251 Riverside Dr📍 | Docked |
| Other Mississippi river cruise lines | Beale Street Landing, 251 Riverside Dr📍 | Docked |
Memphis rewards curious cruisers with a compact downtown walkable core and iconic out-of-town landmarks just 10-15 minutes away.
Tour the King's mansion, custom-decorated jungle den and TV room, his twin-engine jet, and the vast automobile museum. The most iconic stop in Memphis, located 10 miles south of the port.
Find Graceland tours →One of America's most powerful museums, built around the preserved Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. Immersive exhibits trace the movement from slavery to the present.
Find Civil Rights Museum tours →Step inside the tiny studio where Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Howlin' Wolf made their first recordings. Guided tours by passionate music historians run continuously.
Find Sun Studio tours →Three blocks of flashing neon, blues clubs, and the Brass Note Walk of Fame — America's most iconic music street. Walk it yourself or join a guided blues history tour.
Find Beale Street tours →Memphis dry-rub ribs are a food world unto themselves. Hit Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous (basement alley off Monroe Ave) and Central BBQ for a head-to-head taste test of the city's legendary smoke pits.
Find Memphis food tours →The original site of Stax Records, celebrating Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & the MGs, and the golden age of American soul. Located in the Soulsville USA neighborhood.
Find Stax Museum tours →Downtown Memphis is eminently walkable from Beale Street Landing, with most major sights within a mile.
Walk up the landing ramp to Tom Lee Park, stroll along the newly revitalized riverfront greenway, then head up to Beale Street's neon-lit blocks and the Brass Note Walk of Fame.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →From Beale Street head south on Main Street past the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum (Beale & 3rd), continue to the Lorraine Motel/National Civil Rights Museum for one of the most moving museum experiences in America.
Climate normals for Memphis, Tennessee, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 49°F / 9°C | 33°F / 1°C | 9 | 7:08 AM | 5:11 PM |
| Feb | 53°F / 12°C | 36°F / 2°C | 11 | 6:46 AM | 5:42 PM |
| Mar | 63°F / 17°C | 44°F / 7°C | 14 | 7:10 AM | 7:07 PM |
| Apr | 70°F / 21°C | 51°F / 11°C | 11 | 6:27 AM | 7:32 PM |
| May | 80°F / 27°C | 62°F / 17°C | 12 | 5:56 AM | 7:57 PM |
| Jun | 87°F / 31°C | 70°F / 21°C | 10 | 5:45 AM | 8:16 PM |
| Jul | 90°F / 32°C | 74°F / 23°C | 12 | 5:57 AM | 8:14 PM |
| Aug | 88°F / 31°C | 72°F / 22°C | 12 | 6:20 AM | 7:48 PM |
| Sep | 85°F / 29°C | 67°F / 19°C | 6 | 6:43 AM | 7:06 PM |
| Oct | 74°F / 23°C | 56°F / 13°C | 8 | 7:06 AM | 6:24 PM |
| Nov | 61°F / 16°C | 43°F / 6°C | 8 | 6:35 AM | 4:53 PM |
| Dec | 54°F / 12°C | 39°F / 4°C | 11 | 7:01 AM | 4:49 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
The riverfront terminal is right at the edge of downtown. A cab to Beale Street or any central attraction is a short, inexpensive ride.
Both Uber and Lyft are active in Memphis and pick up near the terminal. Convenient for point-to-point trips anywhere in the city.
Downtown Memphis is very walkable from the river. Beale Street, the Civil Rights Museum, and Mud Island are all within easy walking distance.
Memphis's historic electric trolley runs along Main Street and the riverfront, connecting downtown attractions at minimal cost.
Upcoming cruises that call at Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.