Memphis by Amtrak: A Powerful Stop on the City of New Orleans Route
Memphis Was More Powerful Than We Expected
Some trips are planned around transportation, hotels, restaurants, and a few attractions.
Then some trips end up giving you more than you expected.
Memphis was one stop on our Amtrak City of New Orleans journey from Chicago to New Orleans, but it became one of the most meaningful parts of the trip. We arrived by train, checked into a hotel with character, walked through places filled with music and history, and left with a deeper understanding of why Memphis is not a city you should pass through.
As someone who loves travel, I believe a good trip should include more than photos and food. It should give you something to remember, something to think about, and something worth planning for.
Arriving in Memphis by Train
We arrived in Memphis after taking Amtrak from Chicago on the City of New Orleans route. From the moment we pulled into the station and saw the bridge, it felt like we were entering a city with a deep story to tell.
Our hotel was the Curio Central Station Hotel, which turned out to be a great fit for this part of the trip. The design had character, the views were beautiful, and the entire space felt connected to the train experience. The speakers, the style, the lobby, the bar area, and the restaurant all made it feel like more than a place to sleep.
It gave us a comfortable home base for exploring downtown Memphis without feeling disconnected from the purpose of the trip.
A Stop That Started With Reflection
One of our first stops was Hustle and Dough for breakfast, but before we got there, we came across the Composition of Affirmations.
That moment stayed with me.
There was a mural of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and visitors could write affirmations on it. It was simple, but it created space to pause. Before rushing into sightseeing, it gave us a moment to reflect on intention and what it means to leave encouragement behind.
That became a theme for Memphis. The city kept inviting us to slow down and pay attention.
Rock, Soul, and the History Behind the Music
The Rock and Soul Museum gave us more than I expected.
It was not just about music. It was about American history, Black history, culture, struggle, creativity, and the way lived experiences shaped the sound of Memphis. The museum’s exhibition, originally developed by the Smithsonian Institution, tells the story of musical pioneers who crossed racial and socioeconomic barriers to create music that influenced the world.
We learned more about Beale Street and its history. We saw how segregation showed up in everyday spaces, including separate entrances for Black and white patrons. We also saw artifacts connected to artists like B.B. King and other performers who helped define the music culture Memphis is known for.
That was one of the strongest lessons from this stop. You cannot separate the culture from the history.
Dr. King, Memory, and the Weight of Place
We also visited Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Reflection Park. It was quiet, but powerful.
The statue, the references to Dr. King’s words, and the recognition of Dr. Ernest C. Withers added another layer to the experience. Withers’ photographs helped document Dr. King’s work and the broader civil rights movement, and seeing that history in Memphis made it feel connected.
We also stopped near Army Park, where the 1866 Memphis Massacre is acknowledged. That kind of history can be difficult to sit with, but it matters. Some places remind us that racial violence and injustice were not isolated moments. They were part of a larger history that still deserves to be remembered honestly.
The National Civil Rights Museum Was the Most Powerful Stop
The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel was one of the most powerful parts of the trip.
The museum preserves the legacy of the civil rights movement through education and exhibitions. Walking through it was immersive and emotional.
The bus exhibit was especially difficult. Even when you know the history, stepping into a physical recreation of that experience is different. Sitting there, hearing the words, and imagining what people endured makes the history feel much less distant.
The exhibit connected to Dr. King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” was another unforgettable moment. Hearing those words while standing in that space created a different kind of connection.
Then we moved through the “I Am a Man” exhibit tied to the Memphis sanitation strike. The museum’s renovation highlights the presence of “I Am a Man” signs and the garbage truck connected to the sanitation strike exhibit. Seeing that display brought the workers’ fight for dignity into focus.
The most sobering moment was seeing the Lorraine Motel balcony and rooms 306 and 307. That is one of those places where history feels close. You are not just reading about what happened. You are standing in the space where it happened.
It was heartbreaking, reflective, and deeply moving.
Memphis Also Gave Us Food, Music, and Joy
Memphis was not only heavy. It also gave us good food, music, and culture.
We visited Hustle and Dough and Brother Juniper’s. We made our way toward Beale Street and stopped at B.B. King’s restaurant to experience more of the blues atmosphere. We also had Central BBQ, which is one of those Memphis food stops people always talk about.
That balance is part of what made Memphis stand out. The city holds joy, creativity, music, food, pain, resistance, and legacy all at once.
Budgeting for a Meaningful Trip
This is where travel and financial planning connect.
A trip like this does not have to be only about luxury. It can be about value. It can be about choosing experiences that matter to you and building a budget around them before you go.
For this kind of trip, I would plan around:
Train fare
Hotel stay
Museum admission
Local transportation
Meals and snacks
Tours or guided experiences
Souvenirs or books
A small cushion for unexpected costs
As a financial counselor, I often remind people that intentional spending is not about saying no to everything. It is about deciding what deserves a yes.
That is especially true with travel. If history, food, family memories, or cultural experiences matter to you, build those into the plan before the money starts moving.
Plan Your Memphis Tours and Experiences
Why Memphis Should Be More Than a Stopover
Memphis was supposed to be one stop on the way to New Orleans.
It became much more than that.
It was a learning moment. It was a cultural moment. It was a reminder that history still lives in the places we visit. If you are taking the Amtrak City of New Orleans route, I would encourage you to spend real time in Memphis.
Do not just pass through.
See the history. Listen to the music. Eat the food. Visit the museums. Give yourself time to understand why this city matters.
Annette’s Travel and Financial Planning Perspective
As someone who loves travel and works as a financial counselor, I believe a meaningful trip should be planned thoughtfully. The goal is not to spend without thinking. The goal is to spend in ways that support the memories, lessons, and experiences you actually value.
Annette has shared travel-budgeting insights in national outlets, including GOBankingRates, where she discussed building a summer budget that covers travel, hotels, events, and food before a trip.
Planning a trip and trying to make the numbers work? Harris Financial Coaching can help you build a travel budget that supports the memories without creating financial stress.
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