Toss those heavy coats and come play around in Memphis for some serious – and warmer – family fun this spring break. We can't wait to share all the ways your crew can play outside, find kid-approved museums, discover free things to do and enjoy Memphis' classic experiences.
Toss those heavy coats and come play around in Memphis for some serious – and warmer – family fun this spring break. We can't wait to share all the ways your crew can play outside, find kid-approved museums, discover free things to do and enjoy Memphis' classic experiences.
YES, It's OKAY TO TAKE THE FAMILY TO BEALE STREET!
Get the week started on historic Beale Street. Although you may think the neon and blues are strictly 21 and up – there are tons of diversions available for the younger crowd. Your family will be bug-eyed as the Beale Street Flippers leap, twist, flip and fly for tips. They are – in a word – amazing! For family-friendly dining, the clubs on Beale serve up specialties of barbecue, seafood and burgers for lunch, and then stop into A. Schwab for an old fashioned milkshake.
WE KNOW THE OUTDOORS ARE ON YOUR AGENDA
At the end (or start!) of Beale Street, is the newly renovated Tom Lee Park along the Mississippi River. Work up a sweat at the river-themed playground featuring huge climbable river creatures, swing in the hammock grove, or catch some shade under the 20,000 square foot Sunset Canopy.
Shelby Farms Park gives you many ways to run off that extra energy and wake up those sleeping muscles. Lace up the running shoes and hop on the seven-mile Greenline trail for a scenic walk, run or cycle. You can also climb into the trees and swing through ziplines with Go Ape. Challenge the kids to a game of disc golf at the 18-hole course or rent a kayak and paddle across the lake. Woodland Discovery Playground at Shelby Farms is packed with giant climbing structures, slides, sand and open grassy lawns.
Make time for the Memphis Zoo. Rated as one of the top zoos by TripAdvisor, the Memphis Zoo puts you nose-to-nose with grizzly and polar bears, sea lions, and many more from the animal kingdom. You won't want to miss the Zambezi Hippo Camp where you can watch the resident hippos, Splish, Binti and Winnie, dancing underwater or catch the Nile crocodiles feeding time as they leap into the air for their lunch. After a day at the zoo, head down the street to Overton Square to satisfy a sweet tooth at Sweet Noshings. Then, let the kids find their inner Picasso at The Art Project, where they can have a blast getting their hands messy while you relax with a beer or glass of wine.
From Tom Lee Park, Trek across the Mighty Mississippi on Big River Crossing to take in stunning sights of Downtown Memphis and the Mississippi River. If you want to explore the great outdoors with all the comfort of being indoors, stop into the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid. You'll find a bowling alley, Duck's Unlimited Waterfowl and Heritage Center, wildlife (make sure to watch out for the live alligators) and the tallest free standing elevator in the nation, which leads to a glass observation deck overlooking the river.
KID-APPROVED MUSEUMS
We call them museums but they're mostly built for play. Check out the Children's Museum (with its own playground and splash pad), or the Fire Museum, with engines to climb on and buckets to ride up in. The Museum of Science & History - MoSH features displays on prehistoric fossils, geology collections, Native American and early settler artifacts and more natural and cultural history exhibits detailing the heritage of Memphis and the Mid-South region. On your visit, be sure to check what's playing at the Giant Screen Theatre and the AutoZone Dome at The Sharpe Planetarium.
MORE INDOOR FUN
A guranted good time for the whole family is Memphis' new state-of-the-art social gaming facility: Amuse: Adventure Museum. There are more than 35+ immersive game rooms and 100 levels of fun. If your kids are daredevils, check out Urban Air Adventure Park where you can sail into the air on a number of trampolines or tackle an adventure course.
Another indoor adventure that rates with families is escape rooms. Memphis Escape Rooms, with two locations in the city—Memphis Escape Rooms East Memphis and Memphis Escape Rooms Downtown—promises an experience like you've never had before. All of the 10+ rooms, between both locations, were entirely designed and built in Memphis. Will your group escape extinction of The Jurassic Project, find the gold of Shipwreck Cove, or outsmart an evil collector who's stolen the city's treasures? Each room is rated by level of teamwork, brain power and suspense so you can choose the experience that's right for your crew (groups of up to 10 and ages 8 and up are welcome).
Of course, your family vacation doesn’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of things to do (many of them free) that will keep your family happy, active and warm over spring break in Memphis.
