What To Do in Memphis: A Local’s Guide to Adventures, Shopping & Nightlife

Things to Do in Memphis

People who buy homes in Memphis enjoy a wealth of activities right outside their front doors. Fascinating museums await near Memphis condos, while hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities are easy to access from luxury homes near the city's limits. Additionally, dozens of restaurants are exciting to explore for long-time residents and people who are still thinking about moving to Memphis. And, of course, live music can be heard almost any night of the week in this Tennessee city. Keep reading and find out what to do this weekend in Memphis.

Memphis Outdoor Adventures

Memphis offers a variety of outdoor activities at every time of year. In the winter, temperatures are cool enough to be brisk and refreshing but not so cold that residents want to hide inside. In the spring, summer, and fall, seasonal weather means a welcoming environment for outdoor adventures.

Parks in Memphis

Popular Memphis Parks

  • Alonzo Weaver Park
  • Audubon Park
  • Mud Island Dog Park
  • Shelby Farms Dog Park

Memphis's Parks Divisions have been preserving green spaces for over a century. The current Memphis park system includes over 150 green spaces that include 5,600 acres of parkland.

Public parks in the area include 17 aquatic centers, two skate parks, and seven golf courses. Grill hamburgers at Alonzo Weaver Park or reserve a pavilion for a party at Audubon Park. Or, enjoy a day out with the pooch at the Mud Island or Shelby Farms Dog Parks.

Water Recreation in Memphis

Memphis Water Recreation Options

  • Kroc Center
  • Mississippi River
  • Paddle boarding
  • Kayaking

There is no better way to cool down on sunny days than with water recreation in Memphis.

The 100,000-square-foot Kroc Center has indoor and outdoor locations and an interactive outdoor splash pad for the warmer months.

Those who would prefer an urban paddle can access the Mississippi River from downtown. Vendors rent both paddleboards and kayaks.

Hiking & Biking Trails in Memphis

Popular Memphis Trails

  • Herb Parsons Lake Trail
  • Pinson Mounds
  • Old Forest Natural Area

Hiking, biking, and trail running can be everyday activities around Memphis. The Herb Parsons Lake Trail is an easy six-mile loop just outside the city. Pinson Mounds offers both paved and unpaved trails for hikes and bike rides through variable environments. The Old Forest Natural Area is a 142-acre preserve of old-growth trees located just 3.2 miles from downtown. This park allows leashed dogs to run on trails but off-leash in the dog park area.

No matter what kinds of outdoor activities residents and visitors enjoy, they can find plenty of opportunities for fun. Explore a different area every day to experience the area's stunning fall colors, outdoor music, fun activities on the water, and more.

Memphis Shopping

Memphis Shopping Destinations

  • Oak Court Mall
  • Broad Avenue Arts District
  • Midtown area
  • Breakaway Running
  • Noshings
  • Downtown Candle Company
  • Vibe & Dime

Memphis offers shopping excursions that range from quirky boutiques to sprawling malls full of well-known department stores.

The Oak Court Mall is an excellent place for fashion lovers. The East Memphis Plaza houses popular brands that include H&M, Aeropostale, Dillard, and Macy's. Wolf Chase Galleria is the largest mall in Shelby County and features over 120 stores.

In the Broad Avenue Arts District between Downtown and East Memphis, shoppers can find original art, handmade jewelry, vintage clothing and housewares, and unusual gifts.

The wealth of retail options in the Midtown area makes the Cooper-Young neighborhood real estate market popular among shoppers. Music lovers can shop for instruments or albums. Bookworms can find something new to read at Burke's Book Store. In between, recharge with live music and eclectic dining.

Homes for sale in the Overton neighborhood are within walking distance of shops and restaurants. Runners can get outfitted at Breakaway Running. Or, satisfy a sweet tooth at Noshings.

Natural candle lovers can indulge themselves with scented offerings from the Downtown Candle Company in the South Main neighborhood. At Vibe & Dime, visitors can buy housewares and instruments while supporting The Ditty Foundation.

Memphis Restaurants

Popular Memphis Restaurants

  • The Arcade
  • Garibaldi's
  • Blue Plate Café
  • Gibson's
  • Casablanca
  • Felicia Suzanne's
  • Central BBQ
  • Payne's BBQ

While Memphis is known for barbecue, the city has far more types of cuisine to offer. Sit in the Elvis booth in the Arcade, billed as Memphis's oldest restaurant. Or, pick up a slice at Garibaldi's, where a wide range of toppings can be added to hand-tossed pizzas.

Stop into the Blue Plate Café for fresh biscuits, fluffy pancakes, or huevos rancheros at breakfast time. Any time, day or night, locals can pick up a dozen doughnuts from Gibson's, an area institution since 1968.

Diners in the mood for Mediterranean or Moroccan dishes can find what they want at Casablanca. At Felicia Suzanne's southern classics like shrimp and grits, get haute cuisine reinventions.

And, of course, be sure to get some barbecue. Central BBQ is considered among the area's best. The barbecue nachos are great for sharing. Payne's BBQ offers simple plates at affordable prices. The smoked sausages and pulled pork are the stars of the menu.

Art & Culture in Memphis

Memphis is known for its contribution to rock and roll and the blues, and musical attractions are a staple of the town's many types of cultural attractions. People can find ways to enrich, entertain, and educate themselves at any time, day or night.

Museums in Memphis

Popular Memphis Museums

  • National Civil Rights Museum
  • National Ornamental Metal Museum
  • Children's Museum of Memphis
  • Memphis Rock n' Soul Museum
  • Memphis Brooks Museum

Memphis has a wide variety of subject-focused museums to keep visitors focused and engaged. Updated exhibits and interactive displays at the National Civil Rights Museum allow for ongoing education regarding civil rights in America. The National Ornamental Metal Museum allows visitors to see this hallmark of southern architecture up close. The on-site blacksmith shop will enable visitors to see how it is all made.

The Children's Museum of Memphis upends the usual museum rules: all the exhibits are designed to be touched in this museum.

At the Memphis Rock n' Soul Museum, visitors can enjoy exhibits that focus on gospel, the blues, soul, and other music genres.

At the Memphis Brooks Museum, visitors can see collections of fine and decorative arts from all over the world. There are extensive collections of work from French Impressionists, the Italian Renaissance, and 20th Century American art.

Art Galleries

Popular Memphis Art Galleries

  • Dixon Gallery & Gardens
  • Crosstown Concourse
  • Jack Robinson Gallery

Memphis is home to a thriving visual arts scene. At the Dixon Gallery & Gardens, visitors can stroll the 20-acre grounds and gardens or head inside to enjoy a rotating exhibition of American and European Impressionist paintings.

At the Crosstown Concourse, visitors can wander through a mixed-use building to view photography, textiles, video art, and more. There is a brewery and a variety of restaurants on-site to refresh.

At the Jack Robinson Gallery downtown, visitors can enjoy celebrity portraits of some of the most famous faces in America.

Dance & Theatre

Memphis Dance & Theatre Opportunities

  • Orpheus
  • Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
  • Hattiloo Theater
  • Playhouse on the Square
  • Beckman Performing Arts Center
  • TN Shakespeare Company

Every week brings new opportunities to take in music, dance, and theater in Memphis. The downtown area is home to the Orpheus, which hosts musicals and concerts, and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, where the local symphony and local dance companies can see.

Over by the homes for sale in the Midtown area, visitors can enjoy performances at Hattiloo Theater, one of Memphis's top performing arts venues. The Playhouse on the Square puts on shows with their resident company of professional actors year-round.

The Beckman Performing Arts Center is one of the most highly favored amenities of the East Nashville real estate market.

The TN Shakespeare Company in Germantown brings works from the Bard, along with classics from southern writers.

Take the time to enjoy everything Memphis has to offer. Between local talent and world-traveling acts, the city gives residents and visitors alike easy access to some of the best music, art, theater, and dance in the world.

Memphis Nightlife

Memphis Nightlife Destinations

  • Beale Street
  • B.B. King's
  • Mollie Fontaine
  • Peabody Hotel
  • Paula & Raiford's Disco
  • Alfred's on Beale
  • The Green Beetle

No matter what interests residents have, they can find some excitement in Memphis's nightlife scene. Beale Street is a storied nightlife district where partiers can find nightclubs, live music, and cocktails any night of the week. Blues fans should be sure to visit B.B. King's.

The energetic venue Mollie Fontaine has a variety of music and an eclectic crowd. At the Madison, check out the rooftop lounge for terrific cocktails and stunning views of the river.

At the historic Peabody Hotel, the lobby bar offers a passport back into mid-century elegance.

Those who are out to dance will enjoy a visit to Paula & Raiford's Disco. With its light-up dance floor and sparkling disco ball, visitors will feel like they've been transported to Saturday Night Fever.

Alfred's on Beale is a great place to catch live music on the weekends. Later at night, a DJ takes over. There is also an upstairs patio bar for when partiers need to escape the dance floor for a bit.

The Green Beetle was originally opened in 1939 and has a rumored history as a speakeasy before that. Today, visitors can enjoy large plates of lasagne, collard greens, or mashed potatoes while listening to some of the best local bands.

Weekend Fun Awaits in Memphis

Living in Memphis means never running out of new things to do or see. Whether someone is an outdoorsy type who wants to kayak on the river or hike in nearby mountains, or a city sophisticate looking for fine cuisine and cocktails, there is always something to see.

The city's offerings change throughout the year, so there is always something new to offer. Spend some time exploring the many parts of this vibrant city. Music, food, art, and an affordable cost of living in Memphis make this city a wonderful place to call home.

If you're looking for your Memphis dream home, contact The John Quinn Home Selling Team of REMAX Experts at (901) 685-6000 to get in touch with a Memphis, TN real estate agent who can help find the perfect place for you.

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