afternoon tea setup with tea pots and treats
Julian Harper

Plan Your Girls' Weekend Getaway in Memphis

Whether you're craving a day of ultimate relaxation at the spa, a night of cocktails and dancing, or an adventurous weekend exploring the outdoors, Memphis has it all. With its mix of vibrant nightlife, indulgent dining, and unique experiences, the Bluff City is the perfect destination for a girls’ getaway or bachelorette bash. Here’s how to plan an unforgettable trip with your best friends.

Elvis fans in front of the Graceland Mansion
Alex Shansky
group of girls post for photo on beale street
Alex Shansky
two women smile for photo at RiverBeat Music Festival
Craig Thompson
three women pose in front of sun studio for photo
Alex Shansky

Planning Tip: Before you dive into the weekend, consider which hotel is right for your friend group. Whether you want to stay within walking distance of Beale Street, check into a stylish boutique hotel, take advantage of luxurious amenities at "the South's Grand Hotel" or get a good deal, you'll find your perfect stay in Memphis.   

Brunch is a must on a girls’ trip, and Memphis has no shortage of fantastic spots to indulge.

  • The Beauty Shop in Cooper-Young is a must-visit for a brunch experience like no other. Once a 1960s beauty salon, where Priscilla Presley herself went, is now a retro-chic restaurant serves up delicious dishes like watermelon & wings and banana pancakes, all in an Instagram-worthy setting with the vintage hooded Belvedere hair-dryers. 
  • Just as The Beauty Shop is housed in a former beauty shop, and The Liquor Store, located in the Broad Avenue Arts District, is housed in what used to be a liquor store. The foodies in your group will appreciate this colorful diner-style restaurant that serves up Latin-infused cuisine and a delicious array of brunch cocktails. 
  • For upscale fare, head to Restaurant Iris in East Memphis. Raise a mimosa and toast to your girlfriends at this spectacular Sunday brunch over eggs creole or french toast foster. You can't go wrong with a visit to Libro at Laurelwood, a restaurant and bar housed in Novel bookstore.
  • Your girlfriends will love the vintage charm of Memphis' oldest restaurant, Arcade. It's an institution in the city and for Elvis fans. This was one of his favorite spots to grab a bite after all!
The Liquor Store / Ashley Renee
food platter at loflin yard
Craig Thompson
Hen House sitting room
Kim Thomas

From left to right: The Beauty Shop, The Liquor Store, Loflin Yard, and Hen House.

As the sun sets, it’s time to sip on handcrafted cocktails and enjoy the breathtaking views Memphis has to offer.

No girls’ trip is complete without a night of dancing!

What’s a party without dancing? Whether you’re in Memphis for a group weekend break, a girls-only getaway, or a combined bachelor-bachelorette party, the city has some of the best dance floors you’ll find anywhere. The entrance to Paula & Raiford’s Disco, a two-story nightclub Downtown, is lined with a red carpet, velvet rope, and pink neon and is an abolsute must. Imagine Donna Summers meets an ABBA wonderland. The venue features fog machines, disco balls and leather couches, and is covered with balloons, streamers and handprints. The dance music is an eclectic mix of old and new, and it’s the ideal spot to bring your friends and your boogie shoes.  

Take your dance party late into the evening at Tin Roof on Beale Street. Tin Roof offers live music every night of the week, including DJs at the Green Room. Tin Roof offers a full bar and restaurant so you can enjoy a wide-ranging menu of craft cocktails and bites in between songs. Make all of Beale Street your playground with blocks of nightclubs. Don't forget to visit the goats at Silky O'Sullivan's. Split a diver bucket with your girls–if you dare!

Looking for a spot with more of a club vibe? Hit ESCO Memphis, be sure to check out their gold-plated DJ booth crafted from a Mercedes-Benz, or WKND Hang Suite in Downtown Memphis. Turn up the energy at In Love Memphis, a stylish nightclub with a VIP atmosphere. 

Earnestine & Hazel’s Juke Joint, which has one of the best vintage jukeboxes of soul, blues and rock n’ roll this side of the Mississippi, is another great spot to get down on the dance floor. The bar is said to be one of the most haunted in the country, and employees and regulars say the jukebox sometimes plays of its own accord, and it has great taste. The bar also sometimes hosts live bands, and the dance floor can get pretty lively. Before you leave, treat yourself to one of the bar’s famous Soul Burgers – a favorite late-night treat for Memphis revelers. 

If your girl gang loves a little DIY fun, Memphis has plenty of ways to get crafty while making unforgettable memories.

For a fun, hands-on activity, head to Seize the Clay in East Memphis, where you and your girls can paint pottery or even take a pottery-making lesson. Their BYOB Adults-Only Wine and Cheese Night is perfect for a laid-back bachelorette party or a creative girls’ night out.

If you’re in the mood for something a little different, check out Five in One Social Club on Summer Avenue, where you can craft everything from sunprints and beeswax candles to nostalgic shrink-dink charms—because who doesn’t love a little DIY throwback? For floral lovers, visit Midtown Bramble for a flower pressing workshop or flower arranging session.

Over on Broad Avenue, Bead Couture is a must-visit for jewelry lovers, offering an incredible selection of beads and supplies along with workshops where you can design your own one-of-a-kind accessories. Whether you're making friendship bracelets or statement pieces, it’s the perfect way to bring home a little Memphis sparkle.

For the ultimate girls’ weekend in Memphis, indulge in some well-deserved relaxation, pampering and a sweet treat (or two!).

Unwind at Jasper Float Spa, where you can experience deep relaxation through infrared saunas and soothing massages—perfect for resetting your mind and body. For a luxe nail experience, Gloss Nail Bar at Crosstown Concourse offers top-tier manicures and pedicures in a chic, modern space, ideal for a little self-care with your besties. Stop at the nearby SriMu after for vegan cheeseboards.

If afternoon tea is your vibe, Enchanted Tea Lounge, also located near Crosstown Concourse, provides a whimsical, storybook-worthy experience with elegant teas, delicate finger sandwiches, and beautifully crafted sweets. Or, opt for the sophisticated setting of 17 Berkshire in Overton Square, where you can enjoy a classic afternoon tea service with scones, petit pastries, and perfectly brewed tea. Chez Philippe, an upscale American and French restaurant at The Peabody Hotel offers afternoon tea during the day too. After you finish up, head downstairs to the award-winning Feathers Spa for facials, massages and more.

There are no shortage of places for a sweet treat in Memphis. In downtown, visit Dinstuhl's Fine Candy Company for a chocolate fix, Margie's 901 for homemade ice cream, Zio Matto for authentic gelato, DVOUR Desserts for decedent cheesecake, Butteriffic for a taste of famed butter cookies, and Beale Sweets Sugar Shack for fudge. Want a sweet experience like no other? Book a dessert tasting at Wonky's Not So Famous Treats, an experience that will transport to your own chocolate factory. On Broad Ave., you can't miss a visit to one of Memphis' most acclaimed spots Muddy's Bake Shop. Their Prozac cupcake and pies are legendary. If your sweet tooth STILL isn't satisfied, hop down the street for boba or ice cream from  Sugar Ghost

afternoon tea setup with tea pots and treats
Julian Harper
blue storefront for Falling Into Place
Julian Harper
Multi-colored macaroons sit on a display shelf
Kim Thomas
Avenue WrappingAvenue Wrapping
Kim Thomas

From left to right: Enchanted Tea, Falling Into Place, 17 Berkshire, and Avenue Wrapping.

No girls’ weekend is complete without a little retail therapy.

If your idea of a girlfriend getaway centers on retail therapy, especially throwback and vintage style, you’re in luck. Check out Lansky 126 inside The Peabody Hotel, which has been dressing Memphians – including Elvis – since 1946. They’ll dress you like a rock star in vintage Memphis music tees, classic denim and leather jackets. 

On South Main, shop barware, home decor, clothing and a variety of locally made goods from Stock & Belle. Don't stop there. Feelin’ Memphis is the perfect stop for stylish Memphis-inspired apparel, gifts, and locally made goods.

Make your way to  yourself  Broad Avenue Arts District, which features an array of unique boutiques like Blue Suede Vintage to shop for vintage clothing, shoes and accessories. Bingham and Broad sells local art, jewelry, pottery and gifts. Mbabazi House of Style uses traditional African fabrics to create modern apparel, accessories and home decor. Falling Into Place offers handcrafted jewelry, botanicals, ceramics, original art, and leather goods. Be on the lookout for a variety of classes from local makers as well! Then, shop an eclectic mix of goods like stationary, woodworkings, accessories and clothing at modern general store City & State.

For a one-of-a-kind boutique shopping experience, head to Chickasaw Oaks for an indoor village a charming indoor shopping destination with Colonial storefronts. This hidden gem is home to a variety of local shops offering clothing, home décor, and specialty gifts, all within a picturesque, Southern-style setting. 

If you're looking for national brands with a touch of luxury, Saddle Creek in Germantown has a fantastic mix of high-end retailers, trendy boutiques, and well-known favorites like Anthropologie, Lululemon, and Free People. Whether you're hunting for vintage treasures, unique Memphis finds, or the latest fashion trends, there’s a perfect shopping spot waiting for you in Memphis!

About the Author

Hello! I'm Jalyn Souchek, the Director of Content for I Love Memphis Blog! I love calling the 901 home. When I'm not running the blog you can find me cheering on the Grizzlies, at a concert, exploring a new restaurant or kicking back at one of our breweries. I hope you'll love experiencing Memphis with me.

Build your perfect Memphis meal:

I love to eat so if I were to have only one meal left.. I’m going all out. I’d start with an app of Gumbo Fries from Blue City Cafe or Bayou Fries from Chef Tam, wings from Good Fortune or Central’s (honey gold and Jamaican Jerk), potato salad from Fat Larry’s, side of bbq spaghetti from Bar-B-Q Shop, and fried okra from Soul Fish. All paired with a Beale Street Brewing Space Age Sippin’.

Your most memorable Memphis moment:

College GameDay on Beale Street. That was an electric and perfect morning. I was still working in news then and was able to take it in up close and on the stage at some points. The fun and joy of everyone down there that morning is unbeatable.

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