Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Stax Museum of American Soul Music
4.5
Speciality MuseumsEducational sites
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, is a 17,000 square-foot museum offering interactive exhibits, videos, vintage musical instruments used to create the Stax sound, stage costumes, photographs, records, and approximately 3,000 other items of memorabilia that tell the unique story, from beginning to present, of American soul music, particularly that of Stax Records and the Memphis Sound.Artists highlighted include Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, the Staple Singers, the Bar-Kays, Booker T. & the MGs, Johnnie Taylor, Little Milton, Sam & Dave, Eddie Floyd, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Ike & Tina Turner, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and hundreds of others. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have special safety precautions in place, such as mandatory mask-wearing for all employees and guests, social distancing, no large groups, and, for now, cashless transactions only.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Libby T
    Keller, Texas199 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Magic was created in this small space!
    This is a fabulous museum that showcases the talented musicians that came together, white and black, o create magic at a time when Black Americans had little opportunity to improve their lives. The owners of Stax, along with talented people like Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. And the MGs created songs that I grew up hearing. Lots to see, but worth every minute.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 24 April 2023
  • DBM
    Deer Park, Illinois22 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Don't Miss
    The museum experience starts with a short film. It gives you a good overview of Stax and its place in history -- very inspiring. The museum exhibits were well executed and spoke to many iconic moments and people.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 25 April 2023
  • LM1959
    9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must for music lovers!
    If you love music of any kind you will love a visit to the Stax Museum. If you are interested in the history of soul music you will love it even more. Absolutely fascinating from start to finish. I especially loved seeing some of the stage costumes. Don't miss it!
    Visited January 2023
    Written 3 May 2023
  • Darin M
    Las Vegas, Nevada8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing Experience
    This was an amazing experience and I believe a "must see" when visiting Memphis. From the opening video, you really get a sense of the key role Stax played in American music. The displays were wonderfully done and so informative. Without a doubt it was the highlight of our trip.
    Visited May 2023
    Written 4 May 2023
  • Bernard L. Fontaine, Jr.
    Monroe, New Jersey1,406 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Most Memorable Experience of Soul Music
    This is a must stop to understand the history of soul music, which is a blend of country, gospel and blues all blended together. So many artists worked to make Stax records a wonderful record label. The vibrant history was overwhelming from the church’s in the Deep South to the Bible Belt. This is a must stop in Memphis,
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 2 June 2023
  • McTWaid
    Appleton, Wisconsin197 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Music and History
    Glad we found this museum. So much interesting background for soul, Gospel, R&B music that paralleled historical events. Interesting how the record label STAX developed and provided equal opportunities for songwriters and musicians. So many talented and famous singers, song writers and band members. Plan on about 1 1/2 hours. Well worth it. Parking in the back. Small gift shop.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 13 June 2023
  • Shelia O
    Chicago, Illinois9 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Please go! Great time and it supports the community
    Great museum! So much history! Music was great! Exhibits were wonderful. Such a sweet history of how people of different races and backgrounds worked together. The blessing is the preservation of the memorabilia and allowing others to see it.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 8 July 2023
  • blakeshuskermom... M
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must must stop!
    The Stax museum was absolutely incredible. Take the time to pause and read to really feel it and experience it. Great service, very well kept, incredible souvenirs, great film to start off the tour. Must stop in Memphis.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 July 2023
  • cbritt22017
    Olive Branch, Mississippi17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth your time to breathe Soul history!
    I appreciated the video at the beginning as it sat the stage for the history shared. It’s not a huge museum but so much packed in. The tour culminates in the recording room where the magic happened. Well worth the small adult fee to experience and listen to the golden age of soul especially in a nice air conditioned space out of the heat of Memphis in July.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 16 July 2023
  • Nick P
    Staten Island, New York388 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Music pilgrimage site
    I went in, not knowing what to expect. Enjoyed learning how the combination of gospel, country, and blues music brought soul music to popularity. There were no racial barriers there when creating music. Powerful. The film in the beginning is excellent, then give yourself at least 90 minutes through the displays.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 29 July 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles2,193 reviews
Excellent
1,510
Very good
545
Average
111
Poor
22
Terrible
5

fred m
Frankfort, KY12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Solo
I was blown away by this museum! It was well put together. I was familiar with Stax records but I had no idea of the history and the part it played in the music industry. The self-guided Started with a great video about the Stax story. If you are a fan of music you must visit this museum. This visit left a strong lasting impression.
Written 12 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Beth S
Memphis, TN8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Friends
Highly recommend this slice of MEMPHIS history. Starts off with a 17 minute film that talks about what MEMPHIS was like before Martin Luther King was killed here. There's costumes, records, time to dance, and you actually can go into the studio where these amazing wonderful hits were created. Great merch, too!
Written 31 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

archie_leach65
Milwaukee, WI9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
What a wonderful place. The visit starts with a brief film giving an overview of Stax Records' extraordinary history. Has there ever been a business with such a stratospheric rise to the top and a similarly dizzying fall? In that short time, Stax made an indelible mark on America's music, and on America's soul. It's a wonderful story in many ways, a sad one in others.

The museum is filled with amazing artifacts, images, video clips, etc. And the texts tell the story clearly and in great detail. Memphis is worth a visit as a place rich in history, and if you visit Memphis, definitely put this museum high on your list of experiences.
Written 27 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Janiece G
Durham, NC17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
So much history and well-detailed information on history of this key record label and its artists. Arriving to the park I g lot and hearing hits on the speaker sets the mood for what you are there for. Great intro video to set the stage ( no pun intended)..lol. Give yourself at least 2+ hours to go through and take it all in- displays, fact cards, videos, moving through time ..
Written 21 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cher K
Vancouver, Canada9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
Very informative and helpful in understanding the history of rock and soul music in Memphis and the recording industry here.
Written 10 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jennifera399
Reading, Pennsylvania, United States174 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
Reasonable, affordable, and informative. This museum gives a broad history of a variety of musicians, and you can see Issac Hayes Cadillac. Gift Shop is reasonable with a selection of music that may not be found in other parts of the country.
Written 3 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Master of Funk
United Kingdom106 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Solo
I’m a bit of a soul man (if I do say so myself) so visiting Stax for me was a long time coming.
Having studied the history of soul music, nothing prepared me for the mind blowing experience I encountered at Stax. To delve more into what went on in the 60s and to understand the impact that MLK’s death had on the city’s music scene gave me a greater appreciation for the history of Stax.
I’m thankful that this museum exists today because it allows us to step back into history to reflect on where we have been. 10/10 experience if you love soul music and black history.
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stevedanna
La Mesa, CA15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
My wife and I would strongly recommend visiting this special museum on sacred musical ground. We absolutely loved it. It’s not just about Stax or soul music. It’s about music and culture. The displays and information are wonderful. We liked it much more than Graceland. Plan on being there for a while if you really want to take it in.
Written 8 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PHILIP R
47 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
On our second day in Memphis our first stop was taking in the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Again, this is a place easy to get to by bus, but a very long walk from the Downtown area.
A self guided tour about the history of Stax and it's many artists, including Otis Redding, Booker T and the Mgs, William Bell, Rufus Thomas and countless others. Even if you're not really into soul music this place is definitely worth a visit.

Written 6 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Carol
London, UK5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
Really well planned exhibit, we enjoyed the film and all the rooms. Learnt a lot about the early music makers.. great shop too
Written 5 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Stax Museum of American Soul Music - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Stax Museum of American Soul Music