The National Civil Rights Museum was established in 1991 at the former Lorraine Motel on Mulberry Street, in the South Main District of downtown Memphis — a building the Tennessee Historical Commission has designated a historic site. The museum describes its mission as sharing the culture and lessons of the American Civil Rights Movement, through interactive exhibits, historic collections, speakers and events; a 2013–2014 renovation added more than 40 films, oral histories and interactive media. It lists permanent galleries, changing galleries and museum collections, says a typical visit runs an hour and a half to two hours, and warns that its exhibitions hold sensitive material some younger visitors may find troubling.
Admission is $25* for adults, $23* for seniors 65 and over and for college students, and $22* for ages 5 to 17. Timed tickets are sold online only, with check-in 15 minutes before the chosen slot; walk-up entry depends on availability. The museum opens 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on Tuesdays. Photography is allowed in the exhibitions without flash, and video needs prior authorisation.
*Fees subject to change, please check civilrightsmuseum.org for updated information.
Been here a while
Long-standing places to eat near National Civil Rights Museum, in the town named beside each rather than at the stop itself. All were still trading when we last checked. Names link to their sources.
- 1919The Arcade RestaurantMemphis, TNCalled Memphis's oldest cafe; Elvis Presley was a regular and has a designated booth
Lakes nearby
1 lake we have checked near National Civil Rights Museum. These are the ones from our research that we could check against an official page — not every lake there is.
Sardis Lake
- Fishingyes
- Boatingyes
- SwimmingSwimming areas; day-use pass needed
- CampingCorps camping; reserve on recreation.gov
- EntryDay-use passes for boat ramps and swimming areas via recreation.gov
Run by US Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District
*Check before you go. Every lake here links to the official page we checked it against. Each states a price we read off that page on the date we checked. Fees, seasons, water levels, algal advisories and ramp closures change without notice and belong to the agency that runs the water. A blank is something we did not confirm, not something the lake lacks. Never assume a lifeguard. Whether a beach is staffed turns on the season, the day, and which agency runs that particular beach — two beaches on one lake can differ. If that matters to your family, confirm it with the agency before you set out.
Nearest Airports
Straight-line distance from National Civil Rights Museum, not drive time.
- Frederick W. Smith International (MEM) — 8 miles
- Millington-Memphis (NQA) — 19 miles
- Arkansas International (BYH) — 58 miles
Live Conditions
Wildlife Spotted Nearby
We checked fees, opening hours and reservations on 2026-10-15. These change without notice — confirm with civilrightsmuseum.org the week you travel.
Sources — 4 claims, 4 checked against the source
| Claim | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|
| The museum states it was "Established in 1991", is "located at the former Lorraine Motel", that the motel is "designated an historic site by the Tennessee Historical Commission", and gives its mission as sharing "the culture and lessons from the American Civil Rights Movement" through "interactive exhibits, historic collections, dynamic speakers and special events"; its 2013–2014 renovation added "more than 40 new films, oral histories and interactive media" (checked 2026-10-15) | National Civil Rights Museum — About | Checked |
| The visit page lists admission as Adult $25, Senior 65+ $23, College Student $23, and $22 for the ages 5-17 tier (checked 2026-10-15) | National Civil Rights Museum — Visit (admission) | Checked monitored · 2026-10-15 |
| The visit page lists Monday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Tuesday closed, and Wednesday through Sunday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, at 450 Mulberry Street, Memphis, TN 38103 in the South Main District (checked 2026-10-15) | National Civil Rights Museum — Visit (hours) | Checked monitored · 2026-10-15 |
| The visit page states "Timed tickets sold online only. No refunds. Check-in 15 minutes early", that walk-up ticketing is "based on availability, or standby basis", that "A typical museum visit takes 1.5 to 2 hours", that photography is permitted with "NO FLASH", that video requires prior authorisation, and that "The museum contains sensitive materials that may be frightening or troubling" to younger visitors (checked 2026-10-15) | National Civil Rights Museum — Visit (tickets and conduct) | Checked monitored · 2026-10-15 |