Memphis Zoo seal habitat; credit AJ Wolfe
Memphis Family Attractions
Memphis Zoo
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1906, this award-winning zoo is home to 4,000 animals representing over 500 different species, this enlightened zoo has invested over $80 million since the 1990s to preserve wildlife and expand horticulture through education, conservation, research and more animal-friendly exhibits. The zoo partitions into the African Veldt, Denizens of the Deep South, Northwest Passage, Waterfowl, and Butterflies. East Zone contains Cat Country, Bonobos, Animals of the Night, China, Hippos, Once Upon A Farm and Primate Canyon. West Zone contains the Aquarium, Herpetarium, Komodo Dragons, Penguin Rock, Round Barn, Swans and Tropical Bird House. Teton Trek is its newest zoo habitat.
ADMISSION: Similar to other top zoos nationwide
DAYS & HOURS: Mar-Oct: 9a-6p, Nov-Feb: 9a-5p; last entry is 1 hour before closing
ADDRESS: 2000 Prentiss Place in Overton Park, Memphis, TN MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 901-333-6500
WEBSITE: http://www.memphiszoo.org
Mud Island River Park
DESCRIPTION: Take a scenic, suspended Monorail ride to the Mississippi River Museum. When riding monorail, note that the magnificent views of the Mississippi River you see today was created by a great earthquake in the early 1800s. Upon arrival, take in 18 fascinating galleries dedicated to the river’s history and culture and the inspiring Mississippi River Walk. It also features a 5000-seat amphitheater, restaurants and gift shop. In Mississippi River Museum, remember to check out the Memphis Belle Pavilion which hosts the most famous airplane of World War II. One Price Package includes: Mississippi River Museum Admission, Roundtrip Monorail Ride, and Guided River Walk Tour. You can also rent a pedalboat, bike, canoe or kayak.
ADMISSION: see website for pricing matrix
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sun Summer 10a-6p, Spring & Fall 10a-5p
ADDRESS: 125 North Front Street, Memphis, TN MAP
PARKING: at the Tram entry on Front Street
PHONE: 901-576-7241 or 800-507-6507
WEBSITE: http://www.mudisland.com
FedEx Forum
DESCRIPTION: Home of the NBA Memphis Grizzlies basketball team since 2004, who played their first three seasons in the Memphis Pyramid; seats 18,165 and 75 luxury suites all with excellent steeply raked sightlines and a large number of concession stands and restrooms; also popular for concerts and family entertaiment like the circus.
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 10a-5:30p, and Sat on event days
DAYS & HOURS: Grizzlies game or event dependent.
ADDRESS: 191 Beale Street, Memphis, TN MAP
PARKING: paid garages and lots nearby
PHONE: 901-205-1535
WEBSITE: http://www.fedexforum.com
Autozone Baseball Park
DESCRIPTION: A sweet baseball stadium downtown hosting the city’s minor league baseball team, the Memphis Redbirds (the farm club of the St. Louis Cardinals. The stadium is limited to 12,000 intimate seats, 1,500 club seats, 44 luxury suites, and a children’s playground beyond the center field fence. AutoZone Park features the largest video board in minor league baseball. Overall, the park is well-loved by locals for its affordable prices and family entertainment.
ADMISSION: $10 and up
DAYS & HOURS: game dependent
ADDRESS: 200 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN MAP
PARKING: garages nearby
PHONE: 901-721-6000
WEBSITE: http://www.memphisredbirds.com
Children’s Museum of Memphis
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1990 on the former grounds of a National Guard Armory, this discovery museum for children provides interactive exhibits and programs within a child-sized city. Edutainment exhibits include Art Collection, Art Smart, Footbal Lockers, Kids Market, Library, Bank, City Friends, Honeybee Hives, Lighthouse, Playscape Park, Skyscrape, WaterWORKS and Times Square.
ADMISSION: $$
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat 9a-5p, Sun Noon-5p
ADDRESS: 2525 Central Avenue, Memphis, TN MAP
PARKING: Free on premises
PHONE: 901-458-2678 or 901-320-3170
WEBSITE: http://www.cmom.com
Memphis Pink Palace Museum & Planetarium
DESCRIPTION: Though opened in 1930, Pink Palace Museum remains a star attraction in Memphis and is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the Southeast. Walk through a replica of the first self-service grocery store. Explore the cultural and natural history of the Mid-South through exciting exhibits, dioramas, and audio-visuals. Trace Memphis’ development from the time of Spanish explorers to today. Sharpe planetarium is a 165-seat theater-in-the-round projecting star fields and visual images on a domed ceiling viewed from reclining seats. Coon Creek Science Center reveals that clams, crabs, sharks, and giant mosasaurs lived in Tennessee 70 million years ago when the ancient Gulf of Mexico covered the land. IMAX Theater features a 4-story tall screen with a 6-channel IMAX DIGITAL surround sound system that transports you into the ultimate film experience. Palace Cafe hosts birthday parties and custom box lunches.
ADMISSION: see website for Planetarium and IMAX pricing matrix
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 9a-4p, Fri-Sat 9-9, Sun 12a-6p
ADDRESS: 3050 Central Avenue, , Memphis, TN MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 901-320-6362
WEBSITE: http://www.memphismuseums.org
W.C. Handy Park
Named after the legendary Bluesman, this extremely small park is used for impromptu jam sessions, picnics and music festivals.
ADDRESS: 300 Beale Street, Memphis, TN MAP
Robert Church Park
DESCRIPTION: This modest sized park is often used for picnics. It honor Robert S. Church, Sr. who purchased the first bond when the city sought to restore its charter in the 1880s after the yellow fever epidemic. Many regard this courageous act as the event which saved the city from extinction. Believed to be the south’s first African-American millionaire, Church also built an auditorium used by Booker T Washington for speeches.
ADDRESS: Fourth & Beale Streets, Memphis, TN MAP
Beale Visitor Information Center
DESCRIPTION: Managed by Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, there’s Lots of Memphis maps and brochures. Its located just a few steps from the W.C. Handy Home.
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-5p; Sat 9a-6p, Sun Noon-5p
ADDRESS: 340 Beale Street, Memphis, TN
PHONE: 901-543-5333
WEBSITE: http://www.memphistravel.com
