three people pose for photo outside of graceland house
Alex Shansky

Terrific Teen Trip Ideas

Memphis is packed with eyeroll-free activities for your teenager. And yes, kids and teens are allowed to go on Beale Street! Here's our guide to experiencing the world-famous street but there's much more to do in Memphis from action-packed days racing across speedways to an immersive adventure museum or a thrilling Grizzlies game, Memphis has just the thing to get your teen enjoying their time here. Check out our tips for entertaining your teen while enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of the Bluff City. 

man climbs across treetop bridge
Allen Gillespie
people climbing walls at Memphis Rox
Alex Shansky
exterior of topgolf building
Julian Harper
axe throwing
Kristin Luna

Treetop adventures, rock climbing, Topgolf, and outdoor ax throwing are sure to keep the teens entertained

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Arcades, Topgolf & Games  

Topgolf has touched down in Memphis and is the perfect family activity for all ages. The brand-new facility features 70+ heated outdoor bays. Swing for the targets or play the Angry Birds game that's perfect for all skill levels.

Also new to Memphis is Amuse: Adventure Museum, a state-of-the-art social gaming facility. There are more than 35+ immersive game rooms and 100 levels of fun. This experience will have you swinging on ropes, crawling like mice, solving murder mysteries, climbing, solving puzzles, and everything in-between. This is sure to be a hit for any teen.

After that, see if you and your teen can find your way out of Memphis Escape Rooms. With 11 different themed rooms between two Memphis locations, Memphis Escape Rooms is sure to bring a memorable and challenging adventure. 

Try the endless pizza buffet at America's Incredible Pizza Company. After fueling up, teens can let off a little steam with a round of laser tag, a go kart race or 18 holes of glow-in-the-dark mini golf.

Main Event is another fun zone with bowling, mini golf, arcade games, laser tag, rock climbing and more. If your crew gets hungry, Main Event’s menu features a wide variety of sandwiches, pizzas and teen-happy apps like cheese bites and donut holes.  

Board game-lovers should visit 901 Games. From tabletop RPGs to classic board games, 901 Games is the perfect spot to enjoy family game night. Head to Flip Side in next to Crosstown Concourse for Memphis' first official pinball restaurant and bar. Nerd Alert is Memphis' arcade full of games that will have you bonding over your nostalgia.

ACTIVE THRILLS: PaintBall, CLIMBING, JUMPING & MORE

Shelby Farms Park, one of the nation’s largest urban parks, also offers paintball, as well as biking, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, horseback riding, the Go Ape ropes course and so much more.

If climbing's their thing, check into Memphis Rox in the Soulsville neighborhood. The indoor climbing gym is a hub of excitement for all ages and skill levels, offering 32,000-square-feet of climbing walls, gym equipment, and a juice bar/cafe. Check out High Point Memphis farther east. 

For something more extreme, try Autobahn Speedway. Hit the track and race head-to-head with your friends and family on these indoor, electric go karts that can reach up to 50 mph.

Your teen will definitely stop texting long enough to jump into the fun at Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park. Two indoor activity centers in the Memphis area (Cordova and Collierville) offer trampolines, ropes courses, climbing walls and more.

Or, take your teen to the Mid-South Ice House, the area’s only regulation-sized, indoor ice skating rink. They have public skate hours and drop-in hockey games for kids and adults, so you can get in on the action, too.

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BALL GAMES and Sporting Events

Check out our professional basketball team, the Memphis Grizzlies. There’s nothing more exciting than watching a game-winning 3-pointer at the final buzzer while being surrounded by fans at the FedExForum.

Make time to grab a seat at AutoZone Park and watch the Memphis Redbirds play. While the St. Louis Cardinals' Triple A team plays, enjoy barbecue nachos and midway-style games. 

Also at AutoZone Park, Memphis’ United Soccer League squad, Memphis 901 FC, takes the field. Spectators love the fiery 901 FC fans and the park's downtown atmosphere.

Memphis is well known for its rich wrestling history being the home to legends like Jerry Lawler and where stars like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson got their start. Wrestling is still a big piece of the entertainment scene and the local shows are nothing short of entertaining! Check out 901 Wrestling or Memphis Wrestling for an upcoming match.

GRAB BAG: TOURS, CREATIVE STUFF & MOVIES

If your teen is a movie buff, head to the Malco Summer Drive In Quartet. For $20 per car load, you and your family can watch a double feature of current releases or classic films, while enjoying snacks and soda from the concession stand. The drive-in also features trivia on Tuesday nights. The monthly Time Warp series feature multiple classic films for themed nights.

Teens love the spooky feel of Backbeat Tours' Memphis Ghost Tour. These two-hour walking tours expose the creepier side of Memphis as you learn of the ghosts haunting some of the city’s biggest attractions. 

For theater-loving teens, be sure to check out the upcoming Broadway shows at the historic Orpheum Theatre. Memphis has lots to offer in the performing arts scene.

If creative energy runs in the family, why not try one of the shared art-making programs at Crosstown Arts or Five in One Social Club? From wood burning and weaving to book binding and graphic design, workshops invite you to flex your creative side. 

About the Author

Hello! I'm Jalyn Souchek, the Director of Content for I Love Memphis Blog! I love calling the 901 home. When I'm not running the blog you can find me cheering on the Grizzlies, at a concert, exploring a new restaurant or kicking back at one of our breweries. I hope you'll love experiencing Memphis with me.

Build your perfect Memphis meal:

I love to eat so if I were to have only one meal left.. I’m going all out. I’d start with an app of Gumbo Fries from Blue City Cafe or Bayou Fries from Chef Tam, wings from Good Fortune or Central’s (honey gold and Jamaican Jerk), potato salad from Fat Larry’s, side of bbq spaghetti from Bar-B-Q Shop, and fried okra from Soul Fish. All paired with a Beale Street Brewing Space Age Sippin’.

Your most memorable Memphis moment:

College GameDay on Beale Street. That was an electric and perfect morning. I was still working in news then and was able to take it in up close and on the stage at some points. The fun and joy of everyone down there that morning is unbeatable.

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