Liberty Bowl Guide: Things To Do In Memphis

Liberty Bowl Guide: Things To Do In Memphis

Are you a Cyclones fan coming to Memphis for the 2023 AutoZone Liberty Bowl? Welcome!

This post has you covered for info about the game. Consider it a cheat sheet for making the most of your stay in our fair city! Memphis fans, you know the deal but we still encourage you to get out and be a little touristy too.

We are happy to have you in town!

Also check out the New Year's Eve Events and What's Open In Memphis On New Year's Day guides.

Need restaurant recommendations? Check out the Memphis Cheat Sheet and scroll down to the bottom for a list.

Photo credit: Andrea Zucker / Memphis Tourism

The Game

The AutoZone Liberty Bowl game between Iowa State and Memphis is on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. CST at the Liberty Bowl. Memphis' legendary The Bar-Kays will perform at halftime.

For Game Day shuttle services, stadium parking lots, and off-site parking info, click here. You can use ride-sharing apps like Uber or Lyft, or call a cab at 901-577-7777 to make your way to the Liberty Bowl. Most lodging options are 10-20 minutes from the Stadium on a regular day.

If you want more detailed info, click here.

As for lodging, there are lots of hotels in downtown Memphis and East Memphis and plenty of Airbnbs across town, including midtown which is close to the Stadium. Here's a good guide on what hotels we have.

Downtown hotels will be within walking distance (or a short trolley ride) from things to do and about five miles to the Stadium. If you stay in East Memphis, you'll need transportation to get to nearby things to do and will be about seven to ten miles from the Stadium.

Before The Game

Don't miss the AutoZone Liberty Bowl parade down Beale Street! The parade kicks off at 2 p.m. on December 28. Details here. After the parade, make your way over to Handy Park on Beale for the Bash on Beale Pep Rally.

Memphis BBQ

Things To Do In Memphis

Can I really narrow it down to five things? Watch me try. For a much more detailed version of this cheat sheet, including tips and tricks and a list of places to eat, please click here.

1. Get A Dose Of Memphis Music History

Check out Graceland, Sun Studio, the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, or the Stax Museum

2. Eat BBQ.

Everyone has a different opinion on where's the best. A few faves: The Rendezvous Central BBQThe Bar-B-Q Shop, Tops BBQ, Payne’s BBQ, or Cozy Corner BBQ. 

3.  Do the Tourist Things.

View the bridge and sunset at the Mississippi River Garden. Walk across Big River Crossing, and see the Mighty Lights at night. Ride Explore Bike Share bike, or visit our brand new Tom Lee Park along the Mississippi River.

4. Attractions and Tours. 

Check out the top-ranked Memphis Zoo, the National Civil Rights Museum, a Memphis Grizzlies game (there's a home game on NYE. Dec. 31), Crosstown Concourse,  Shelby Farms Park, the Dixon Gallery & Gardens and the Memphis Botanic Gardens.

You have lots of great options for tours of Memphis: check out the list here.


Andrea Zucker Photography / Memphis Tourism

5. Wild Card.

This one depends on your interests! Ride the elevator at the Bass Pro Pyramid, hear live music at our many venues, drink local beer, try some Tennessee Whiskey at Old Dominick Distillery, or take the kids to the Children's Museum or Museum of Science and History (the Pink Palace). Kids will also love the new Amuse Adventure Museum, a state-of-the-art social gaming facility with 35+ games and over 100 levels of fun. Here's a great list of teen-friendly ideas.

Memphis is a very affordable place. Here's 50 ideas of free things to do too.

6. Where's the Busch Light?

As an Iowa native myself, I know all about the beverage of choice. While Busch Light isn't a Southern staple, there are a few bars that always carry it: Silky O'Sullivan's, Tin Roof, Alfred's, and Jerry Lawler's on Beale.


Hope you have a blast! Have any questions? Email us at [email protected].

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Jacky

Take a tour at Old Dominick Distillery or a walking history tour with Back Beats. Don't forget to tip your guides generously! They were hit hard with the shutdowns in town.

December 17, 2021 2:07pm
Barbara Willden
This is such a great idea for people coming into Memphis who are not familiar with what to see, visit, where to hang out, etc. Glad to see Big River Crossing mentioned as the walk across sells Memphis and that marvelous River which is Memphis’s greatest asset
December 26, 2021 11:02am