19 Insanely Cool Issues To Do In Memphis with Youngsters…
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Memphis is a metropolis with a wealthy musical historical past and a tradition in contrast to wherever else in america.
Whereas most individuals comprehend it as the house of Elvis, the Blues and the birthplace of Rock and Roll, but it surely seems there are lots of issues to do in Memphis with youngsters moreover music!
We visited Memphis when our two daughters have been 9 and seven, they usually loved the sights simply as a lot as us adults.
The Memphis music scene is famous, however this metropolis is evolving and provides a lot extra, for younger and outdated.
We’re not a household who spends lots of time in museums or hangs round playgrounds all day – that’s to not say we don’t do museums, however they should be GOOD!
So in the event you’re planning a visit to Memphis, on this information we’ve shared what to do in Memphis that our youngsters loved as a lot as us large youngsters!
1. Go to the house of the King at Graceland, Memphis
You possibly can’t go to Memphis and never go to Graceland, even when you’ve got younger youngsters like us! Of all of the Memphis sights, the house of Elvis Presley is the most well-liked and it’s probably the most well-known home within the historical past of rock ‘n’ roll.
Our children have been simply as enthusiastic about visiting Graceland as we have been.
We peaked their curiosity for days main as much as our arrival, telling them tales of rising up watching Elvis motion pictures, and as soon as on the town virtually in all places you look there’s memorabilia of Elvis.
It’s wonderful that over 600,00zero folks go to Graceland every year to tour the house of somebody who died over 48 years in the past, however after all, this was no abnormal particular person.
From the second you enter this grand mansion you’re taken on a journey by means of the non-public lifetime of Elvis and what it will need to have been prefer to be the king of rock!
We did the Elvis Entourage VIP Tour, which included an audio tour with headsets and an iPad, and the children have been fascinated as we went from room to room.
Graceland might be not as large inside as one would anticipate, being the house of a rock star and all, but it surely’s actually fascinating. And his style in decor is attention-grabbing, I imply, who places shag pile carpet on their ceiling?
As for my favourite room, that will be the pool room!
It’s not solely the Graceland Mansion you get to tour, however there are a number of different buildings on the Customer Leisure Advanced.
You possibly can see his:
- automobile assortment
- iconic style developments
- non-public planes
- tales from his time within the army
- watch his motion pictures
- and rather more.
Significantly, you may actually stroll round for hours studying, watching and taking a look at all issues Elvis!
2. Do a Solar Studio Tour
The Solar Studio Guided Tour was improbable! Again within the 50’s, a person by the title of Sam Phillips began the Memphis Recording Studio that’s now referred to as Solar Studio, probably the most well-known recording studio on the earth and referred to as the birthplace of Rock and Roll.
It was right here that Elvis recorded his very first tune, and it was fascinating to study how he was found.
All of the greats have recorded right here – Johnny Money, Roy Orbison, Isaac Hayes, Jerry Lee Lewis, and trendy artists like Bob Dylan and U2.
We received to listen to tales about these greats and extra, how historical past was made and continues to be made.
On the finish of the tour, don’t miss out on taking a photograph holding the unique microphone used to file hit songs.
And don’t overlook to carry the children, 5-11 years have free admission.
Plan on being right here for 90-minutes to really benefit from the tour after which browse the cafe.
To proceed following the Elvis Presley path, it’s possible you’ll need to go to The Levitt Shell. It’s an open-air amphitheater positioned in Overton Park, Memphis, Tennessee. Elvis Presley gave his first paid live performance there on July 30, 1954
three. Go on a Mississippi River Cruise
Each time we go to a metropolis, if there’s a river or a harbor I all the time prefer to get out on it for a unique perspective of the vacation spot.
They don’t come a lot larger than the mighty Mississippi River – the third longest river on the earth and the longest within the U.S.
I loved this cruise with Memphis River Boats. It was a soothing 90-minutes stuffed with attention-grabbing commentary in regards to the historical past of Memphis and of previous and current Mississippi River life.
Each instructional and entertaining for our youngsters, and a chance to take some close-up photographs of the Memphis skyline and bridges as we cruised beneath them and loved the massive river crossing.
four. See the Well-known Peabody Geese at Peabody Resort
Once we have been instructed to go to the geese on the Peabody Resort, we weren’t certain what to anticipate. We weren’t anticipating to observe a parade of geese within the lodge foyer!
Seems, the Duck March is without doubt one of the high sights in Memphis, and folks have been lined up alongside the purple carpet (sure there’s a purple carpet main from the fountain to the elevator) to observe the geese. The entire foyer was packed and folks have been standing two deep across the railing of the second degree.
The Legend of the Peabody Memphis Geese began again within the 1930s, and continues to at the present time. Day by day, they go to the foyer fountain at 11:00am and 5:00pm, hop out of the fountain, stroll the purple carpet, step into the elevator, and experience to the rooftop. Wonderful!
The entire procession solely takes 20 seconds, however the “duck grasp” talks for about 20 minutes beforehand, considerably attention-grabbing and considerably dragging on.
The well-known Peabody Marching Geese have appeared on “The Tonight Present with Johnny Carson,” “The Oprah Winfrey Present” and in Folks journal and the Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit subject.
Don’t go too far out of your option to see this, however in the event you’re in downtown Memphis and searching for free issues to do, then test it out.
5. Take the children to The Youngsters’s Museum of Memphis
Caz and I prefer to take it in turns once we go to museums, so whereas she visited the Stax museum (extra on that later), I took the children to the Youngsters’s Museum of Memphis for 2 hours of play time.
This place is cool with interactive reveals and totally different rooms with actions for teenagers of various ages, inside and outdoors, together with a splash pad.
It’s open 7 days per week from 9:00am to five:00pm.
6. Go to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Caz snuck away to get a good larger dose of musical historical past and tradition on the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and determined it could have been an amazing place to carry the children.
It was all about studying about soul music in Memphis and is a vital a part of the Memphis and Nashville musical story.
Though segregation legal guidelines have been preserving folks aside in Memphis, music was bringing them collectively. Color by no means got here by means of the doorways at Stax Recording Studio.
Folks of each race have been making music collectively – uncooked, soulful, and edgy music. Stax Information proved that music is the language of our soul and transcends all borders and limitations.
Sadly the assassination of MLK modified all of that. The relationships between the races inside the Stax recording studio turned strained and slowly the corporate fell aside.
Stax was one thing in musical historical past that made a distinction.
I like to recommend spending a little bit of time on the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. There’s a lot to soak up by means of the shows of costumes, information, awards, a duplicate of Studio A and even a dance ground if you wish to categorical your soul groove whereas listening to the hits.
I cherished the intro video which fantastically confirmed the Stax, Soul and Memphis music story.
Stax produced hit information and songs by artists and musicians comparable to Carla Thomas, the Mar-Keys, Booker T. and The MGs, Rufus Thomas, William Bell and Otis Redding.
Not eager to see Soulsville, USA’s unimaginable historical past swallowed by blight, a gaggle of neighborhood leaders, philanthropists and former Stax staff shaped the Soulsville Basis to revitalize the realm, present mentoring and music-focused instructional alternatives for neighborhood youngsters, and open a museum to inform the Stax story.
It was opened in 2003 and though it isn’t within the authentic constructing,w which was demolished, it’s within the authentic location.
7. Take a look at the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum
I got here straight to the Memphis Rock n Soul Museum after Stax, and I used to be quick on time so raced by means of it. Most of the tales I had heard already on the Solar Studio tour, Graceland tour, and at Stax.
Nonetheless, it offers an amazing overview of the historical past of rock, soul, nation, and gospel music. It tells the story of musical pioneers who, for the love of music, overcame racial and socio-economic limitations to create the music that shook your complete world.
You are able to do the self-guided audio tour which is full of over 300 minutes of data, together with over 100 songs, and takes guests at their very own tempo by means of seven galleries that includes three audiovisual applications, greater than 30 devices, 40 costumes, a listening station, and different musical treasures.
I loved listening to a few of my favourite songs whereas looking the shows which traces the historical past of music from the corn fields, to the church pews, to the teenagers creating their very own self-expression by means of rock.
My favourite quote got here from the introductory video speaking about soul music and Stax:
It was all about love and happiness. The spirit of the music was black but it surely concerned white folks they usually received into the spirit of the blackness and it made a ravishing flower.
COMBO TICKET: To the Memphis Rock N Soul Museum and the Memphis Music Corridor of Fame. Click on right here
This Music Attraction go offers you admission to 4 of the most well-liked Memphis sights: Elvis’ dwelling of Graceland, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Memphis Rock’n’Soul Museum, and Solar Studio. Verify costs right here.
eight. Study on the Civil Rights Museum
I discussed earlier that we aren’t usually museum folks until they’re superb. Properly, the Nationwide Civil Rights Museum might be probably the greatest museums I’ve ever visited!
Positioned on the Lorraine Motel, the precise location of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this museum not solely takes you thru his life and the tragedy of his assassination however by means of 5 centuries of historical past.
The museum options multimedia shows on the civil rights motion. You’ll discover 260 artifacts, greater than 40 movies, oral histories, interactive media and exterior listening posts.
Civil Rights is an important and delicate matter and one which’s vital for our youngsters to be uncovered to and perceive, and this museum does an unimaginable job of sharing vital classes.
We began our go to by watching a brief movie then moved slowly all through the constructing over a number of hours which took us by means of YEARS of historical past earlier than ending up at room quantity 306, the spot the place Dr. King was shot.
A shifting and informative museum, and to not be missed while you go to Memphis.
Clearly, your youngsters should be at an age the place they’ll digest this matter of the Civil Rights Motion, however I’m happy with the best way our youngsters carried out themselves studying about this vital subject.
9. Take a look at the Bass Professional Store
This is without doubt one of the craziest issues to see in Memphis! Earlier than we arrived, a number of folks advised that we simply needed to go to the Bass Professional Store. And we have been pondering, “hmm, why would we need to go to a retailer that sells fishing and looking gear?”
I imply, no offence to those that are fascinated with these pursuits, however I feel our readers know us effectively sufficient that we don’t fish OR hunt.
Once we arrived in Memphis, the tourism board advised we go to too! Once more, we thought, what’s happening right here?!
Seems this explicit Bass Professional Store is positioned inside the enormous Pyramid and is without doubt one of the craziest locations I’ve ever been within.
They don’t simply promote fishing, tenting and looking gear, this place is like an adults playground and journey vacation spot in itself.
Not solely is the pyramid dwelling to the Bass Professional Store, however an aquarium, bowling alley, and award profitable 5-star resort known as Large Cypress Lodge! Who knew?
You possibly can experience the world’s tallest freestanding elevator 28 tales to the highest of the Memphis Pyramid (our youngsters freaked out), stroll out onto the glass ground remark deck (patterned after the Grand Canyon Skywalk) and get wonderful views 300 ft above Memphis and the Mississippi River.
As they stated, there’s nothing else prefer it wherever on the earth.
I now get why they needed us to go to – solely in America, lol.
10. Get your blues repair on Beale Avenue
You realize you’re in Memphis while you take a stroll alongside historic Beale Avenue – neon lights flashing, reside music pumping from within golf equipment, and the scent of barbecue wafting from eating places, Beale Avenue is the guts of Memphis music.
This three block radius of golf equipment, eating places, and retailers is a melting pot of delta blues, jazz, rock’n’ roll, R&B and gospel.
You don’t should be right here within the wee hours to expertise it or depart your youngsters again on the lodge.
We visited late within the afternoon, took a stroll alongside Beale Avenue, popped into Moist Willies for a Weak Willie (non-alcoholic drink), then had dinner and listened to some cool music on the authentic BB King’s Blues Membership.
What a high evening!
In case you come late afternoon/early night to BB King’s, it’s household pleasant. The meals was good, the music nice and we received a style of the blues – what Memphis is understood for.
Beale Avenue was declared a Nationwide Historic Landmark in 1966 and was formally declared the Residence of the Blues by an act of Congress in 1977. Don’t miss it.
11. Watch an occasion at Memphis in Might
We occurred to be in Memphis in Might, which coincided with the Memphis in Might, a month of festivities citywide.
One of many occasions we attended was the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.
They take their BBQ severe in Memphis, and this competition on the banks of the Mississippi River in Downtown takes BBQ to an entire new degree.
To cite their web site, that is America’s most prestigious barbecue cooking competitors with groups from throughout the nation, and abroad.
In case you can think about something BBQ associated, they’ve it happening right here and we have been entertained purely by strolling round taking a look at all of the shows – it’s one large BBQ celebration!
Additionally in Might is the Beale Avenue Music Competition, which brings main acts like John Mellencamp, Snoop Dogg, Jason Mraz and John Legend to Tom Lee Park on the finish of Beale Avenue.
12. Take the children to Memphis Zoo
Memphis Zoo is a good household pleasant attraction, particularly to see distinctive wildlife just like the Big Pandas.
It’s probably the greatest zoos within the nation, because it has greater than four,500 animals.
In addition to having numerous animals from world wide to have a look at, it additionally has instructional applications and talks.
The Teton Trek exhibit is its most well-known enclosure, which has wolves and bears, in addition to the Zambezi River Exhibit, the place you may see African animals comparable to hippos and zebras.
When you have small youngsters, take them to experience the carousel and run round within the splash park.
13. Get inventive on the Brooks Museum
The Brooks Museum is a good museum for the children who love artwork. It was based in 1916,making it the oldest and largest artwork museum in Tennessee.
It homes a various assortment of artwork from historical artifacts to modern works in a wide range of mediums, comparable to work, sculptures, ornamental arts, and images.
When you have older youngsters, they could get pleasure from spending an hour or two wanting on the works on show right here.
14. Play at Shelby Farms Park
Shelby Farms Park is without doubt one of the largest city parks within the nation, at four,500 acres, giving your baby loads of area to play and run.
Shelby Farms Park is without doubt one of the largest city parks in america, spanning over four,500 acres in Memphis, Tennessee.
It has over 40 miles of trails the place you may go biking, for brief hikes, or horseback using, and a number of other lakes that you could paddle round on a SUP or kayak on.
The Woodland Discovery Playground is the place toddlers can have a blast on their climbing programs, slides, and extra, and older youngsters can attempt their hand at Go Ape! Treetop Journey, recognized for its aerial impediment course.
15. Spark your child’s curiosity on the Lichterman Nature Heart
Talking of nature, the Lichterman Nature Heart is a licensed arboretum and inexperienced oasis within the East Memphis district.
It opened within the 1960s as a nature protect, and is a good place to go for nature walks, themed occasions and workshops, or go to the Davidson Pavilion to see reside animals, together with snakes, turtles, and extra.
Study native animals on the Yard Wildlife Heart, and get acquainted with creatures that share our backyards, comparable to birds, bugs, and small mammals.
16. Get impressed on the Pink Palace Museum and Planetarium
The Pink Palace Museum and Planetarium, also called the Memphis Museum of Science & Historical past, is a well-liked museum to go to for its structure and academic choices.
It’s housed within the former mansion of Clarence Saunders, the founding father of the Piggly Wiggly grocery retailer chain, which was constructed within the 1920s. It turned a museum in 1993.
In addition to touring the mansion and studying about its historical past and structure, you may as well study science from the museums interactive reveals on varied scientific matters, together with astronomy, biology, and geology.
A spotlight of the museum is the state-of-the-art planetarium, which has immersive exhibits detailing the wonders of the universe.
You may also watch a movie within the Big Display Theater.
17. Slip into nature on the Memphis Botanic Backyard and Dixon Gallery & Gardens
The Memphis Botanic Backyard is a 96 acre backyard recognized for its themed gardens, such because the Japanese Backyard, the Youngsters’s Backyard, the Perennial Backyard, and the Rose Backyard.
It’s the right place to go for a stroll by means of nature or unravel a picnic.
Throughout from the gardens are the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, an artwork museum with 17 acres of superbly manicured gardens.
It accommodates an enormous assortment of European and American work, with a deal with French Impressionism.
The gardens are our favourite half, with numerous variation in model. It has a mixture of formal gardens, a woodland, and a sculpture backyard.
18. Study firefighting on the Fireplace Museum of Memphis
When you have younger youngsters who’re fascinated by fireplace vans and firefighters usually, take them to The Fireplace Museum of Memphis, which is nestled in a superbly restored 1910 fireplace station.
It was based to protect the historical past of the Memphis Fireplace Division, in what was Fireplace Engine Home No. 1 in downtown Memphis.
It doesn’t take lengthy to stroll round, however youngsters will probably be fascinated by the massive assortment of vintage fireplace engines and firefighting tools.
19. Unlock your creativity and cognitive talents at Memphis Escape Rooms
When you have older youngsters, or youngsters, then think about doing an escape room collectively.
Wait, you need me to purposely lock myself in a room with my teenager for an hour? What are you saying!
Belief me, an escape room is an extremely enjoyable and rewarding family-friendly attraction.
As a way to escape, you want to remedy puzzles, unravel mysteries, overcome obstacles, and use your mind to reply questions and discover clues to be able to escape.
It’s an entire lotta enjoyable and will get everybody in your loved ones utilizing their mind. Memphis Escape Rooms has 12 rooms throughout two areas within the metropolis, so that you’ll make sure to discover a story and talent degree suited to your loved ones.
Locations to Eat in Memphis
We all know how troublesome it may be for households to seek out locations to eat, particularly with youngsters, so listed below are some eating places we dined at that we predict you’ll love (and your youngsters will too!).
Arcade Restaurant
Step again in time at The Arcade Restaurant, Memphis’ oldest cafe. It was based in 1919 and judging by the photographs on the wall it nonetheless has the identical look, and really feel, that I think about it did all these years in the past.
The Arcade has that nostalgic feeling and also you may acknowledge this basic American diner from motion pictures comparable to Stroll the Line, The Shopper and Nice Balls of Fireplace.
Think about our delight once we sat within the precise sales space the place Elvis as soon as ate – how cool is that!!
Come get your repair of eggs, pancakes, and biscuits.
Central BBQ
Once we requested our buddy in Nashville, who used to reside in Memphis, the place to seek out one of the best Memphis BBQ, Central BBQ was on the high of his record.
A number of locals additionally really useful it for soul meals! We prefer to eat the place the locals eat.
Central BBQ has three areas; Downtown, Midtown and East Memphis.
We ate on the downtown location and from the surface, the constructing appears to be like a little bit industrial, however the second you stroll in you may inform it has an area vibe in an atmospheric constructing that’s arrange like a restaurant.
You place your order on the register then sit down they usually carry the meals to you.
Nothing flash, however the BBQ is tasty – take your alternative of ribs, beef brisket plate, pork plate, rooster or turkey, BBQ nachos, sizzling wings and extra!
Even in the event you’re not large meat eaters like us, the BBQ aromas will tantalize your style buds and have you ever licking your fingers very quickly.
Marlowe’s Ribs & Restaurant
Marlowe’s Rib Restaurant was our first introduction to Memphis BBQ.
It’s positioned within the Graceland space of city, and the minute you stroll into Marlowe’s, it’s such as you entered a museum about Memphis, Rock & Roll and Elvis. There’s one thing totally different to have a look at on each wall and the decor is enjoyable.
One factor you are able to do at Marlowe’s, and I nonetheless don’t know why we didn’t do that, is you may cellphone out of your lodge and be picked up in a pink Cadillac to take you to the restaurant and again to your lodge (for a tip). Subsequent time!
Marlowe’s provides all of the BBQ pickings with pleasant workers and a family-friendly environment.
Westy’s
After visiting the Bass Professional Store, we have been wanting on-line for dinner options and Westy’s had good critiques, gave the impression to be one other locals fave, and folks have been raving about their wild rice and Sizzling Fudge Pie.
We will need to have visited on a quiet evening, which was good as we had time to talk with our tremendous pleasant waitress about all issues Memphis, however Westy’s is near downtown and serves meals till late day-after-day of the yr!
The menu is HUGE and effectively priced and though we didn’t go for a slice of the recent fudge pie, we have been effectively glad.
Metropolis Silo Desk + Pantry
After a number of days of consuming meat, we have been in want of a one thing a little bit lighter and more healthy.
We discovered breakfast significantly onerous in Memphis for our well being acutely aware minds and wished we had of found Metropolis Sil on day one as an alternative of day 4!
It’s positioned in East Memphis and a 20-minute drive from Downtown, however in the event you’re searching for wholesome locations to eat in Memphis with wonderful smoothie bowls, juices, smoothies, salads, wellness lattes or possibly a kombucha cocktail, go right here.
Click on play for a more in-depth have a look at locations to eat in Memphis:
The place To Keep In Memphis
In case you’re on the town to go to Graceland (and who isn’t?), you may actually stroll there from the Visitor Home at Graceland, or there’s a shuttle bus to take you throughout the road, and even into downtown.
This lodge was, after all, designed with Elvis in thoughts with a 464-seat theater for reside performances and flicks. Need to really feel such as you’re a visitor of the King, keep right here!
Nonetheless, for seeing the opposite sights in Memphis I recommend you’re higher off staying downtown. The historic Peabody Resort is a four-star lodge that has a very good fame for being clear, having attentive workers, being comfy, and having top-notch services.
Ultimate Ideas
Memphis was a metropolis that basically stunned us by how family-friendly it’s. It has lots of historical past to study, not simply in its musical legacy however in its Civil Rights historical past too.
There are lots of museums, granted, however there was quite a bit to do moreover that. The parks and inexperienced areas, comparable to Shelby Farms Park, have been a welcoming break from all of the schooling we have been getting.
And let’s not overlook Graceland, what a bucket record merchandise that one is!
We hope this information helped you propose some issues to do in Memphis together with your youngsters and gave you some inspiration. If it did, tell us within the feedback!
Video: Things To Do In Memphis With Kids
Watch all the fun we had in this video of our trip to Memphis with our kids…
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What are you most looking forward to doing in Memphis? Let us know in the comments!
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