9 Cool Issues to Do in Memphis with Youngsters (or with out)…

This isn’t your typical issues to do in Memphis with children information.

Sure, you’ll be able to go to Memphis with children and nonetheless do grownup stuff. After we journey we prefer to discover a steadiness between children and adults actions, and I feel we did an excellent job in Memphis.

We’re not the kind of household who hangs out in playgrounds and museums all day, that’s to not say we don’t do museums as we’ve included a number of on this put up.

However they need to be GOOD!

We loved our time in Memphis, residence of the Blues and the birthplace of Rock and Roll, and I’m glad we determined to maintain heading west on I40 from Nashville.

It was a late determination to go to Memphis. After experiencing the Grand Ole Opry Present and the Blue Fowl Cafe in Nashville, we mentioned to one another, “let’s chase the music, let’s head to Memphis!”

So we did.

And though we aren’t huge meat eaters, we did style the well-known Memphis BBQ and share the very best locations to eat it down beneath.

Issues to do in Memphis with children (or with out)

Graceland

You may’t go to Memphis and never go to Graceland, even if in case you have younger children like us!

Of all of the sights in Memphis, 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.

And to be sincere, I feel our children had been simply as enthusiastic about visiting Graceland as a lot as we had 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 600,000 individuals go to Graceland annually, to tour the house of somebody who died 40 years in the past. However after all, this was no peculiar individual.

From the second you enter this grand mansion you’re taken on a journey by the personal lifetime of Elvis and what it should 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 youngsters had been fascinated as we went from room to room.

Graceland might be not as huge inside as one would count on, being the house of a rock star and all, but it surely’s actually fascinating. And his style in decor is fascinating, I imply, who places shag pile carpet on their ceiling?!!

As for my favourite room, that may be the pool room!

And it’s not solely the Graceland Mansion you get to tour, however there are a number of different buildings at the Customer Leisure Advanced.

You may see his:

• automotive assortment
• iconic vogue traits
• personal planes
• tales from his time within the navy
• watch his motion pictures
• and way more.

Significantly, you possibly can actually stroll round for hours studying, watching and taking a look at all issues Elvis! Enable a number of hours.

Solar Studio Tour

The Solar Studio Guided Tour was incredible!

Again within the 50’s a person by the identify of Sam Philipps 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 track, and it was fascinating to find out about how he was found.

All of the greats have recorded right here – Johnny Money, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and fashionable artists like Bob Dylan and U2.

We bought 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 neglect to carry the youngsters, 5-11 years are complimentary, and adults are solely $14.

Plan on being right here for 90-minutes to actually benefit from the tour after which browse the cafe.

Open day by day from 10am to 6pm.

Mississippi River Cruise

Every time we go to a metropolis, if there’s a river or a harbor I at all times prefer to get out on it for a unique perspective of the vacation spot. 

They usually don’t come a lot greater than the mighty Mississippi River – the third longest river on the earth and the longest within the US.

I loved this cruise with Memphis River Boats. It was a calming 90-minutes full of fascinating commentary in regards to the historical past of Memphis and of previous and current Mississippi River life.

Each academic and entertaining for our children, and a possibility to take some close-up pictures of the Memphis skyline and bridges as we cruised below them.

• Adults (ages 18-59) – $20
• Teenagers (ages 13-17) – $17
• Youngsters (ages Three-12) – $10
• Infants/Toddlers (ages Zero-2) – Free

Peabody Resort Geese

This was an fascinating attraction in Memphis for teenagers. 

When it was steered we head to the Peabody Resort to look at a parade of geese within the lodge foyer, I didn’t know what to anticipate.

Seems, these geese are one of many high sights in Memphis. Folks had been lined up alongside the pink carpet, sure there’s a pink carpet main from the fountain to the elevator, the entire foyer was packed and folks had been standing two deep across the railing of the second stage.

Folks had been lined up alongside the pink carpet (sure there’s a pink carpet main from the fountain to the elevator), the entire foyer was packed and folks had been standing two deep across the railing of the second stage.

The Legend of the Peabody Memphis Geese began again within the 1930s, they usually nonetheless go to the foyer fountain at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day.

They hop out of the fountain, stroll the pink carpet, step into the elevator and experience to the rooftop. Superb!

The entire procession solely takes 20 seconds, however the “duck grasp” talks for about 20 minutes beforehand, considerably fascinating 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 concern.

Don’t go too far out of your approach to see this, however should you’re in downtown and searching for free issues to do in Memphis, test it out.

The Youngsters’s Museum of Memphis

While Caz visited a number of different museums, I took the youngsters to the Youngsters’s Museum of Memphis for 2 hours of play time.

This place is cool and interactive with totally different rooms and actions for teenagers of various ages, inside and out of doors together with a splash park.

For those who’re searching for enjoyable issues to do in Memphis with children, this museum is open 7 days every week from 9am to 5pm.

Civil Rights Museum

I discussed earlier that we aren’t usually museum individuals until they’re superb, effectively the Nationwide Civil Rights Museum might be probably the greatest museums I’ve ever visited!

Situated 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 centuries of historical past.

Civil Rights is a vital and delicate matter and one which’s essential for our children to be uncovered to and perceive, and this museum does an unimaginable job of sharing essential 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 YEARS of historical past earlier than ending up at room quantity 306, the spot the place Dr. King was shot.

A transferring and informative museum, and to not be missed once you go to Memphis.

Clearly, your children should be at an age the place they’ll digest this matter, however I’m happy with the way in which our children performed themselves studying about this essential concern.

Bass Professional Store

This is among the craziest issues to see in Memphis!

Earlier than we arrived in Memphis, a number of individuals steered that we simply needed to go to the Bass Professional Store. And we had been considering…”Hmm, why would we need to go to a retailer that sells fishing and searching gear?”

I imply, no offense to those that are concerned with these pursuits, however I feel our readers know us effectively sufficient that we don’t fish OR hunt.

And once we arrived in Memphis, the tourism board steered we go to too! Once more, we thought, what’s occurring right here?!

Seems this specific Bass Professional Store is positioned inside the enormous Pyramid and is among the craziest locations I’ve ever been inside.

They don’t simply promote fishing, tenting and searching gear, this place is like an adults playground and journey vacation spot in itself.

Not solely is the pyramid residence to the Bass Professional Store, however an aquarium, bowling alley, and award successful 5-star resort! Who knew?

You may experience the world’s tallest freestanding elevator 28 tales to the highest of the Memphis Pyramid (our children freaked out), stroll out onto the glass flooring remark deck (patterned after the Grand Canyon Skywalk) and get wonderful views 300 ft above Memphis and the Mississippi River.

As they mentioned, there’s nothing else prefer it anyplace on the earth.

I now get why they needed us to go to – solely in America, lol.

Beale Road

You actually know you’re in Memphis once you take a stroll alongside historic Beale Road.

Neon lights flashing, music pumping from inside golf equipment, and the odor of barbecue wafting from eating places, Beale Road is the center 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. And also you don’t need to be right here within the wee hours to expertise it or go away your children again on the lodge.

We visited late within the afternoon, took a stroll alongside Beale Road, 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!

For those who come late afternoon/early night to BB King’s it’s household pleasant, the meals was good, the music nice and we bought a style of Memphis.

Beale Road was declared a Nationwide Historic Landmark in 1966 and was formally declared the House of the Blues by an act of Congress in 1977. Don’t miss it.  

Occasions in Memphis

We occurred to be in Memphis in Could which coincided with the Memphis in Could World Championship Barbecue Cooking contest.

They take their BBQ severe in Memphis, and this pageant ion the banks of the Mississippi River in Downtown takes BBQ to a complete new stage.

To cite their web site, that is America’s most prestigious barbecue cooking competitors with groups from throughout the nation, and abroad. 

For those who can think about something BBQ associated, they’ve it occurring right here and we had been entertained purely by strolling round taking a look at all of the shows – it’s one huge BBQ celebration!

Additionally in Could is the Beale Road 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 Road and launches a month of festivities citywide referred to as Memphis in Could!

For a full checklist of occasions in Memphis go right here.

And for a listing of different kid-friendly issues to do in Memphis go right here – it was steered that the Zoo is among the finest issues for teenagers to do in Memphis.

Locations to eat in Memphis

Arcade Restaurant

Step again in time at The Arcade Restaurant, Memphis’ oldest cafe. It was based in 1919 and judging by the pictures 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 you would possibly acknowledge this traditional American diner from motion pictures similar to Stroll the Line, The Shopper and Nice Balls of Hearth. 

AND 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

After we requested our good friend in Nashville, who used to dwell in Memphis, the place to search out the very best Memphis BBQ and places to eat in downtown Memphis, Central BBQ was on the high of his checklist.

And once we arrived in Memphis and spoke to some locals, they advisable it additionally. 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 skin the constructing appears a bit of industrial, however the second you stroll in you’ll be able to inform it has a neighborhood 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 selection of ribs, beef brisket plate, pork plate, rooster or turkey, BBQ nachos, scorching wings and extra!

Nothing flash, however the BBQ is tasty – take your selection of ribs, beef brisket plate, pork plate, rooster or turkey, BBQ nachos, scorching wings and extra!

Even should you’re not huge meat eaters like us, the BBQ aromas will tantalize your tastebuds and have you ever licking your fingers very quickly.

Central constantly ranks on the high of the very best BBQ in Memphis lists.

Marlowes Ribs & Restaurant

Marlowes was our first introduction to Memphis BBQ.

It’s positioned within the Graceland space of city and we had been staying down the highway on the Visitor Home at Graceland. We arrived late after our drive from Nashville and didn’t fancy driving again downtown for dinner.

While 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’ll be able to phone 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 presents all of the BBQ pickings with pleasant workers and a family-friendly environment.

One other Memphis BBQ advice we obtained however didn’t eat at, was Rendezvous.

Westy’s

After visiting the Bass Professional Store we had been wanting on the Journey Advisor app for dinner recommendations and Westy’s had good critiques, gave the impression to be one other locals fave, and folks had been raving about their wild rice and Scorching Fudge Pie.

We should 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 new fudge pie, we had been effectively happy.

Metropolis Silo Desk + Pantry

After a number of days of consuming meat, we had been in want of a one thing a bit of lighter and more healthy.

We discovered breakfast significantly arduous in Memphis for our well being acutely aware minds and wished we had of found Metropolis Silo on day one as an alternative of day 4!

It’s positioned in East Memphis and a 20-minute drive from Downtown, however should 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!

The place to remain in Memphis

For those who’re on the town to go to Graceland, who isn’t, you’ll be able to actually stroll there from the brand new 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 dwell performances and films. Wish 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 Peabody Resort ranks extremely, and for a full checklist of locations to remain in Memphis take a look at our companion Reserving.com.

Excursions in Memphis

Viator presents a wide variety of excursions in Memphis together with cultural experiences, attraction tickets, and actions across the metropolis.

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Do you’ve got any tips about what to do in Memphis, with or with out children? 

9 Cool Issues to Do in Memphis with Youngsters (or with out)
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