Is Broad Avenue Arts District safe?
Memphis, Tennessee · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Broad Avenue Arts District as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Broad Avenue Arts District
“Go with care. Broad Avenue Arts District is a lively, creative commercial strip during daytime and early evening hours, but it borders higher-crime residential and light-industrial pockets in greater Binghampton. Stick to well-lit commercial areas, keep valuables out of parked vehicles, and avoid wandering into side streets late at night.”
Memphis continues to combat elevated rates of motor vehicle theft and car break-ins, which occasionally target patrons parked along the Broad Avenue dining corridor.
About the area
Broad Avenue Arts District is a revitalized historic commercial strip in Memphis known for vibrant street art, independent artisan shops, craft breweries, and trendy dining. Originally an industrial rail corridor, it has evolved into a prominent creative hub with active community events and neighborhood murals.
- Arts & Culture Hub
- Hipster & Creative
- Boutique Shopping
- Industrial Revival
Walking and biking in Broad Avenue Arts District
Walk score: 68/100 · Bike score: 76/100
The neighborhood is the hub of the Hampline, a protected two-way cycle track that connects Overton Park directly to the Shelby Farms Greenline, and Explore Bike Share stations are located within the district.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Active business association and frequent community events create strong foot traffic during peak hours
- Commercial strip features significant private investment and adaptive reuse of historic properties
- Direct infrastructure access via the Hampline multi-use trail connecting to the citywide greenway system
Cons
- Surrounding Binghampton census tracts experience elevated poverty rates exceeding 30%
- Elevated citywide and local rates of property crime, particularly opportunistic vehicle break-ins
- Safety drops noticeably outside the immediate 3-block commercial corridor after dark
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal along the immediate commercial blocks of Broad Avenue, though individuals experiencing homelessness and occasional panhandling may be observed near the Summer Avenue and rail corridors.
What Broad Avenue Arts District is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and pleasant with coffee shop patrons and morning cyclists utilizing the Hampline trail.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Lively and welcoming as retail shops, galleries, and casual lunch spots draw steady daytime foot traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Active and generally comfortable around crowded restaurants and taprooms, though basic situational awareness is recommended.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and isolated once businesses close, with increased risks for opportunistic property crime and trespassing.
Transit, parking and getting around
Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) serves the area via Bus Route 53 (Summer Ave) and Route 34 (Central Ave), both within a short walk of the district; there is no rail or BRT service in this corridor.
Free angled and parallel street parking is readily available along Broad Avenue and adjacent cross streets, with occasional dedicated private lots for specific businesses.
Things to do in Broad Avenue Arts District
- Explore the large-scale outdoor public murals and the historic water tower art installations along Broad Avenue
- Shop for local handmade pottery, jewelry, and prints at independent artisan boutiques
- Sample locally brewed craft beers and artisan ciders in open-air taprooms
Local favorites
- Wiseacre Brewing Co. (Broad Ave Taproom) · Brewery · 4.7★ (1250)Pioneering Memphis craft brewery offering creative draft pours, patio seating, and community events.
- The Liquor Store · Diner / Cocktail Bar · 4.5★ (1100)Cheery, retro diner serving creative all-day breakfast, Latin-infused comfort food, and craft cocktails.
- City & State · Coffee Shop & Boutique · 4.7★ (460)Specialty coffee bar paired with a curated retail shop featuring artisan home goods and apparel.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.
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