Free Adventures in Memphis Tennessee

Being a tourist or even seeing the sights in your own city can be an expensive proposition. One way to stretch your vacation or weekend dollar is by seeking out free entertainment and adventure opportunities in Memphis. Mixing free and paid events will stretch your vacation buck and leave your with astounding memories of this gem in the south.

Every family heading out for a vacation understands that tourism costs money. But the fact is that, the more you save, the more you can see and do. Memphis, with all of its wonderful attractions, is no different. With a little research and planning, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how many top-notch attractions you can take in on a limited budget. These include some of the biggest attractions in Memphis.

Limited admission to Graceland. Head to the Graceland Gates. Snapping a photo and imagining the King rolling down his driveway in a vintage pink Cadillac is always free. Graceland also offers free-admission walk-up visits to the Meditation Garden, 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. daily.

Top rated Memphis Zoo. The Memphis Zoo is one of only four zoos in the country with the endangered panda. Residents of Tennessee can take advantage of free admission on Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to close and visit the zoo’s 3,500 animals.

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. The permanent collection at the Memphis Brooks Museum encompasses more than 9,000 works in all media made around the world, including works from Cecilia Beaux, Edward Redfield, and William Merritt Chase. Admission is pay-what-you can every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Center for Southern Folklore. Right downtown, the Center for Southern Folklore is a nonprofit dedicated to “celebrating the arts, music, and heritage of the South from the cultural crossroads of Memphis.” Full of great music, and arts and crafts by local artists, the center often hosts live music events, storytelling sessions, and an affordable menu of soul food. The center is always open for free.

Mud Island Riverwalk. Come and gain a better knowledge of the Mighty Mississippi River. Featured is a rich heritage of music, food, and history. Many people are unaware of the primary reason central Memphis even exists. Without the big river, Memphis would never have been settled at the scale it was, nor become the economic center of the world during the heyday of cotton. You'll gain an understanding of the river’s role and influence over Memphis. Be sure to take advantage of the always free Mud Island Riverwalk experience. This is an exact scale model of the lower Mississippi River flowing from its confluence with the Ohio River at Cairo, Illinois all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. The Riverwalk spans five city blocks, is dotted with the cities, bridges and drainage basins, and displays various historic markers that give visitors more information about the history of the river and its people.

Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. Memphis has more music museums than most cities have art museums. The city shows off that fact with this one that tells the whole musical story, from rural field hollers and sharecropper songs through the explosion of Sun, Stax, and Hi Records. Created by the Smithsonian Institute, the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum offers music lovers a comprehensive digital audio tour with over 300 minutes of information, 100 songs, and 3 audio visual programs. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for regular admission, the museum is free for Shelby County, Tennessee residents on Tuesday afternoons from 2 to 7 p.m.

Peabody Ducks. No one should miss the famous Peabody Ducks and you don't have to because every grand procession is free. This takes place in the grand lobby of the Peabody Hotel. The great Peabody Ducks, five North American Mallards, arrive and leave the hotel fountain, a sight to behold complete with red carpet, official introduction, and visiting paparazzi. The Peabody Duck March is completely free and open to all.

This is only a small taste of what Memphis offers free to visitors. If you want to, you could certainly arrange a completely free vacation to Memphis, less the cost of travel and accommodations.

Please leave a comment if this article was helpful or if you have a question.

Author bio: Brian Kline has been investing in real estate for more than 35 years and writing about real estate investing for 10 years. He also draws upon 30 plus years of business experience including 12 years as a manager at Boeing Aircraft Company. Brian currently lives at Lake Cushman, Washington. A vacation destination, a few short miles from a national forest. With the Pacific Ocean a couple of miles in the opposite direction.

Photo Credit: tpsdave via pixabay