In Memphis, opportunities are literally endless. From family-friendly museums, and outdoor fun to an award-winning zoo, all fine attractions are available that kids will certainly love. Among local Memphians, there are many favorite places to take kids. So, here is the list of all those exciting and fun places you must take your little ones when you’re looking for the best things to do in Memphis with kids.
Make your trip to Memphis memorable and breathtaking and enjoy the ultimate family vacation. So, read on and explore the list of best attractions Memphis has to offer.
1. Memphis Zoo
Address: 2000 Prentiss Pl, Memphis, TN 38112
Phone: (901) 333-6500
Hours: Open every day from 9 am to 6 pm.
Home to more than 3,500 animals and over 500 different species, Memphis Zoo is the favorite among many hearts! Located at Midtown, Memphis, Tennessee, the zoo was established in April, 1906.
Ranked one of the best zoos in the USA, in Memphis Zoo there are 19 exhibits conducted with three different zones for the animal inhabitants. The fascinating thing is if you will to explore all these exhibits, it will require a walk of almost 2 miles.
To have the best experience, take the guided tour and offer your kids and family not only the city’s but also the country’s one of the best and alluring attractions. This popular wildlife walk is going to be an expensive memory for your whole life!
2. Children’s Museum of Memphis
Address: 2525 Central Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: (901) 458-2678
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm; closed on Monday.
The Children’s Museum of Memphis is also located in Midtown Memphis at 2525 Central Avenue, and the museum is best known for offering hands-on exhibits and programs. Here kids can participate in more than 20 hands-on exhibits.
The Children’s Museum is located in the former National Guard Armory which was built in 1942.
There are 30+ interactive exhibits and programs for children and their families. Admission is $16 per person over the age of one year. Except exhibits, there are educational fun games, life-size games to both educated and entertain the little minds!
All these enriching attractions beckon everyone to visit CMOM to celebrate a great family time along with their kids.
Related: Best Places To Visit With Kids In Nashville, TN.
3. Billy Hardwick’s All Star Lanes
Address: 1576 S White Station Rd, Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: (901) 683-2695
Hours: Monday through Thursday 12 to 10 pm; Friday and Saturday from 12 pm to 12 am; Sunday from 12 to 9 pm.
Located in Quince Station Shopping Center, Billy Hardwick’s All Star Lanes is a bowling alley and a good place in the city to spend some fun family-time under an energetic environment.
This family entertainment hub is operative since 1982. Enjoy the family gathering in playing and beating each other in the alley’s any among the 40 lanes. Also, a snack bar and leagues are there to drag your attention.
Also popular among friends, couples, and coworkers, the fun destination has everything whether you’re looking for a mid-week happy hour or a night out with the family. So, make the most of the bowling alley by playing, eating and enjoying all the things the attraction offers us.
4. Playhouse on the Square
Address: 66 Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: (901) 726-4656
Popular for producing 14 spectacular shows per year on their three gigantic stages, the Playhouse on the Square, originally the Circuit Players, is the city’s one of the most visited regional theaters that is owned by Circuit Playhouse Inc.
The Playhouse on the Square conducts a variety of educational, outreach programs, live performances and theatrical shows. So, must take a visit to this attraction if your kid is specially interested in watching and experiencing such shows which is surely the tool to connect and celebrate the transformative power of live theater.
Also Read: Free Things You Must Do In Nashville, TN.
5. Germantown Performing Arts Center
Address: 1801 Exeter Rd, Germantown, TN 38138
Phone: (901) 751-7500
Germantown Performing Arts Center is a must-to-visit place specially when you’re a hardcore lover of experiencing some of the best and modern dance shows, concerts, and art exhibits. Also, the performing arts thrater is a good place to acquire some knowledge through some fun-packed and exciting programs.
Featuring a main stage, a black box theater with 824 seating capacity, the venue receives almost 70,000 visitors annually who come to enjoy and experience these visual art exhibits, educational activities and community events with many other exciting opportunities.
6. AutoZone Park
Address: 200 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 721-6000
Located in downtown Memphis, AutoZone Park is a Minor League Baseball stadium that was opened in April 1, 2000, and it is home to the Memphis Redbirds of the International League.
The amenities of AutoZone make it a favorite family getaway destination among many hearts. With its seating capacity of 10,000, the stadium offers several seating sections from where patrons could have different viewing options.
The family picnic pavilion is located on the east of AutoZone Park and is available with multiple picnic tables. So, pack your lunch with favorite menus and enjoy a nice family picnic in open space and close proximity to nature.
7. Graceland
Address: Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116
Phone: (901) 332-3322
Hours: Open every day from 9 am to 4 pm.
Opened to the public as a museum in June 7, 1982, Graceland is a Colonial Revival-style mansion expanding on 13.8-acre estate in Memphis, Tennessee. It’s a popular tourist attraction and was earlier owned by the American singer Elvis Presley.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, visitors can explore the mansion, tour the aircraft that Elvis traveled on from show to show, and walk the beautiful garden. For its alluring features, Graceland attracts more than 650,000 visitors annually.
The interesting fact is after his death, Elvis was buried here. Also, his parents, paternal grandmother, daughter and grandson— all are buried here.
8. Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Address: 4339 Park Ave, Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: (901) 761-5250
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday 1 to 5 pm; closed on Monday.
Dixon Gallery and Gardens is an art museum and public garden that was founded by Hugo and Margaret Dixon in 1976. The Dixon presents eight to ten exhibits each year. So, must try to go there when any exhibit is running. It will surely help your kids and other members of the family to have a fresh perspective.
Visitors love to visit the attraction where opportunities include participating in diverse and innovative programs, mostly related to arts and horticulture, exploring the excellent collection of French masterpieces, and enjoying the fine exhibits and the exquisite gardens.
The Dixon also includes more to know, more to grow opportunities. There are multiple activities for kids, educational programs for adults, immersive learning programs, family fun activities, yoga practice opportunities and many more engaging activities and attractions which appeal to visitors of all ages.
9. My Local Library
Libraries are truly wonderful places to bring kids and families. The good news is Memphis is complete with 18 library locations that are scattered throughout the city.
You might doubt why to visit a library when there are other and better exciting attractions available, right? But Memphis libraries are more than those boring places where the only thing is to mug up others’ knowledge.
So, get ready to dive into the world of exploring new worlds through hearing stories, or learn new things through exciting processes and from amicable librarians, or you might also go with crafting or socializing processes.
So, turn your head to any among these many Memphis libraries, and let’s your child find his/her favorite activity to stick to that thing for few hours.
10. Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Address: 926 E McLemore Ave, Memphis, TN 38126
Phone: (901) 261-6338
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 10 am to 5 pm; closed on Monday.
Must include Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the only dedicated soul music museum in the world, in the list of best things to do in Memphis with kids.
With the main mission of celebrating the music and people of Stax Records, this Memphis museum’s offerings include showcasing photographs, artifacts, interactive displays and few free events.
A tour to this unique museum gives the chance to explore and hear the classics which might help your children and you as parents as well finding new favorites from this trip.
Also Read: Best Museums You Must Visit In Nashville.
11. Memphis Botanic Garden
Address: 750 Cherry Rd, Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: (901) 636-4100
Hours: Thursday through Tuesday 9 am to 6 pm; Wednesday from 9 am to 4:30 pm.
The Botanic Garden in Memphis, Tennessee is another great place to visit with kids and family. The highlights of this 96-acre attraction include 30 specialty gardens and a Level 4 arboretum. The arboretum is the best place for your kids where they can encounter many types of known and unknown plants, flowers and trees.
Receiving more than 260,000 annual visitors each year, the Botanic Garden presents the in-built environment for people to get easily connected with nature. And children can learn the importance of protecting and appreciating our beautiful environment from this garden visit.
Located in Audubon Park at 750 Cherry Road, the attraction also conducts many community events which are held throughout the year. And for kids, there is a specially designated area, and it’s a beautiful garden, called My Big Backyard.
Families can enjoy a nice stroll through the various gardens and appreciate the comeliness of the entire area.
Also Read: Popular Parks To Visit In Nashville.
12. Fire Museum of Memphis
Address: 118 Adams Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 636-5650
Hours: Monday through Saturday 9 am to 4:30 pm; closed on Sunday.
Fire Museum of Memphis is a non-profit organization which opened its door to the pubic in 1998. The mission of this organization is to educate people about the safety, injuries, and life-loss which are directly related to fire.
What can be a more appropriate place from this fire museum where your little ones can actually learn many useful things about this devastating element. The more they can learn, the better they can use this knowledge in their daily life from their little ages.
So, definitely take your kids to this educational place, and not only these little ones, but parents could also learn new facts on staying safe in a fire.
13. Morton Museum of Collierville History
Address: 196 N Main St, Collierville, TN 38017
Phone: (901) 457-2650
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10 am to 4 pm; closed on eery Sunday and Monday.
The Morton Museum is a local history museum in Collierville, Tennessee. Sitting at the gateway to the historic district of Collierville, the museum presents interesting history, beautiful art, architecture and interactive learning on display.
Spend few hours in this history museum and explore the rich heritage through self-guided tours. Morton Museum also presents multiple exhibits, events and programs which are lined up throughout the year.
So, if you want free things to do in this trip with your family, must visit Morton Museum of Collierville History.
14. Sun Studio
Address: 706 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (800) 441-6249
Hours: Open every day from 10 am to 5:15 pm.
A tour to Sun Studio, the iconic 1950’s recording studio in Memphis, Tennessee, will help you know the history and rich culture of Memphis through music. Moreover, the studio is known as “The Birthplace of Rock’n’roll” where many musical legends like BB King, Elvis, Johnny Cash with many others recorded their music.
The guided tour lasts for 40 minutes and it is available every day. The ticket price varies for different age groups. The charge is $20 per adult, $18 per student and $15 per child aged 5to11.
The studio gives everyone the chance to feel and enjoy the priceless time seeing the memorabilia from these musical legends.
15. Cedar Hill Farm
Address: 8 Love Rd, Hernando, MS 38632
Phone: (662) 429-2540
Hours: Wednesday through Friday 9 am to 2 pm; Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm; closed on Sunday and Monday.
Located in DeSoto County, Mississippi, Cedar Hill Farm takes just 33 minutes driving from Memphis, TN. The 120-acre award winning farm is most popular with seasonal events and attractions.
This family entertainment place offers something for everyone to make this visit fun and memorable. It’s a family owned and operated farm, and is surrounded by cedar tree lined fences.
The most popular seasonal events include Choose and Cut Christmas Trees, Haunted Farm, Pumpkin Patch and summer camps.
Also, the farm owns a restaurant, called The Barn. So, spend few hours with your kids with their favorite activities and then enjoy delicious meal from their restaurant. This simple family outing will help your kids get social with other visitors and kids, of course. And the tons of greenery will help you get some respite from the busy life.
16. Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum
Address: 826 N 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38107
Phone: (901) 527-7711
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10 am to 4 pm; closed on Sunday and Monday.
Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum is the perfect place to walk through history and get thrilled at every step. The museum is a historical place museum in Memphis, TN. Earlier, it was part of the Underground Railroad, now the museum features artifacts, tunnels and trap doors.
Located in Burkle Estate, the museum has been installed inside the 19th century Antebellum home, and it allows visitors to enjoy revealing the secrets of its past that was hidden for almost 100 years.
Admission to the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum is $15 per head. So, this is a good place to bring kids and family and learn some history. You will definitely get a glimpse of those African slaves’ turbulent times.
17. The Harrell Performing Arts Theater
Address: 440 W Powell Rd, Collierville, TN 38017
Phone: (901) 457-2780
Opened in 1987, the Harrell Performing Arts Theater, in Collierville, Tennessee, offers cozy atmosphere and a family friendly environment to enjoy memorable family outing while watching good theater performances.
The theater presents performances for both adults and youth, and the mission is to enrich the cultural landscape through these performances.
18. Lichterman Nature Center
Address: 5992 Quince Rd, Memphis, TN 38119
Phone: (901) 636-2211
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday 10:30 am to 5 pm; closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Home to a wide variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and native plants and wildflowers, Lichterman Nature Center is one of the best places to take your kids where they can not only discover the flora and fauna, but they could also participate in watching many exciting exhibits and environmental education which are organized frequently.
The arboretum is located in the heart of Memphis, and it is part of the Museum of Science and History. Inside this outdoor attraction, there is a lake, meadow and forested areas which are perfect for a great family outing.
Complete with many indoor and outdoor animal exhibits, the nature center also conducts multiple events and activities for the year-round.
So, this Memphis attraction is a place where the little minds are fostered with a sense of protecting and appreciating our environment through fun activities. So, this nature center is a wonderful place to bring kids and family.
19. Memphis Museum of Science and History
Address: 3050 Central Ave, Memphis, TN 38111
Phone: (901) 636-2362
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 10:30 am to 5 pm; closed on Monday.
Drop into Memphis Museum of Science and History. All the fine attractions—history, culture, science, nature make it a special place. Some of the key highlights of this Memphis museum are a planetarium and an attached IMAX theater. Admission to the museum is $12 per person.
The entertainment hub features a wide-range of educational and technological attractions. The museum’s Mallory-Neely and Magevney Houses operate the country’s some of the best exhibits along with many exciting attractions and activities.
MoSH is also home to Lichterman Nature Center which is the first accredited nature center in the US.
20. Overton Park
Address: 1914 Poplar Ave #202, Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: (901) 214-5450
Hours: Open every day from 6 am to 8 pm.
The 342-acre Overton Park is some of the most popular city parks in Memphis, and this outdoor attraction could be a perfect escape from the daily busy life. The best part is the park offers a place where people can connect with the natural world and with their best selves.
Brimming with a 9-hole golf course, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, the Memphis College of Art, Rainbow Lake and Memphis Zoo with some other features as well, the park offers a nice walking trail that runs along the forest.
A nice morning or afternoon walk in this serene atmosphere will surely help you celebrate your family outing and make this visit a memorable one.
21. Orpheum Theater
Address: 203 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 525-3000
Orpheum Theater is also a good place to go to watch and enjoy some really good performances. With the seating capacity of 2,308, the venue is located in downtown Memphis and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The main purpose is to present educational programs.
Along with the presentations of numerous educational programs, the theater’s other offerings include family programs, concerts, comedies, summer movies and multiple cultural and community events such as International Blues Challenge, and Memphis in May.
The architectural beauty of the Orpheum is gracious, and it is some of the first buildings in Memphis that was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
22. Mud Island
Address: 101 N Island Dr, Memphis, TN 38103
Hours: Open every day; summer hours from 6 am to 8 pm; winter hours from 6 am to 6 pm.
In Mud Island visitors can explore a museum, a restaurant, a 5,000-seat amphitheater and a large open green space. The island is bordered by the Mississippi River to the west and the Wolf River to the east.
Managed and operated by the Memphis River Parks Partnership, the attraction was opened in 1982 and is quite popular among bikers, and kayaking and paddle boarding are fun activities in the river.
The best part is admission to the Mud Island River Park is free. But the museum and the concert tickets cost extra. Another free thing you could enjoy here is the fantastic views of the Memphis skyline.
23. Safari Wild Animal Park
Address: 1549 Rooks Rd, Como, MS 38619
Phone: (662) 526-0001
Hours: Monday through Saturday 9 am to 4 pm; Sunday 12 to 4 pm.
Safari Wild Animal Park is located in Panola County, Mississippi. The 450-acre authentic African Drive Through Safari Park and Wild Animal Preserve must be included in your list of best things to do in Memphis with kids. The highlight of the animal park is it gives the opportunity to explore the African wildlife through safaris.
Nestled just south of Memphis, this family fun place offers driving through 6.5 miles of safari in own cars. Kids and kids-at-heart love to feed, ride and get up close to these freely roaming animals.
The most fascinating activities include Giraffe Feeding Station, Camel Rides, and Lorikeet Feeding. Also, there is a Children’s Petting Safari.
24. Cordova Skating Center
Address: 7970 Club Center Dr, Cordova, TN 38016
Phone: (901) 755-0221
Hours: Monday from 1 to 8 pm; Tuesday from 1 to 6 pm; Wednesday and Thursday from 1 to 8 pm; Friday and Saturday from 1 to 9 pm; Sunday from 3 to 7 pm.
Cordova Skating Center is a roller skating rink in Memphis and could be a nice stop for families when they’re exploring the nearby city attractions.
The center offers family fun throughout the year, and the most engaging activities are lessons for both children and adults, and free skating. The venue is also popular for hosting birthday parties.
FAQs
1. What is there to do in Memphis for kids?
There are many things happening for kids and families on a daily basis in Memphis, Tennessee. The most popular places include Memphis Zoo, the Orpheum Theater, Lichterman Nature Center, Children’s Museum of Memphis, Graceland and Playhouse on the Square.
2. What is the best time to visit Memphis?
The best time to explore the fine attractions of Memphis under the soothing atmosphere is during April to May, and from October to November.
3. How many days in Memphis is enough?
There’s a lot to watch and do in Memphis, and the best part is you could explore multiple places under a short time. If you’re visiting the place for weekends only, still exploration opportunities are huge in this vibrant land. But try to spend at least three to four days, so that all the popular spots are covered in this trip.
