Memphis With Kids

Why Memphis Is Perfect for Families

Memphis is a soulful, music-soaked city on the Mississippi River that offers families a genuinely unique cultural experience unlike anywhere else in America. The Memphis Zoo in Overton Park is one of the top-rated zoos in the country, with a beloved giant panda exhibit (one of only a few in the US), a Northwest Passage featuring polar bears and sea lions, and a sprawling Teton Trek section with grizzly bears and elk. The zoo's size is manageable for young families without feeling overwhelming.

Beale Street, the birthplace of blues music, is a sensory experience for kids during the daytime, with music pouring from every doorway, neon signs, and street performers. The Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, created by the Smithsonian Institution, tells the story of Memphis music through interactive listening stations where kids can hear the evolution of blues, soul, and rock and roll. Sun Studio, where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded their first hits, offers tours that captivate music-loving older children.

The Mississippi River itself is a major attraction. Mud Island River Park features a riverwalk model of the entire Lower Mississippi River system that kids can wade through, a Mississippi River Museum, and a sandy beach on the river's edge. The Peabody Hotel's famous duck march, where resident mallard ducks waddle from their rooftop penthouse to the lobby fountain every morning and evening, is a free, delightful spectacle that children adore and one of the most charming traditions in American hospitality.

Best Time to Visit Memphis With Kids

The best time to visit Memphis with kids is March through May or September through November. Spring brings comfortable temperatures in the 70s, blooming gardens in Overton Park, and the Memphis in May festival series including the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. Fall offers pleasant weather, smaller crowds, and the start of Memphis Grizzlies basketball season. Summer is hot and humid, with temperatures in the 90s and high humidity that makes outdoor exploration tiring for young children. Winter is mild compared to northern cities, with temperatures in the 40s and 50s, though occasional cold snaps can bring temperatures below freezing.

Getting Around Memphis With Kids

Memphis has a vintage trolley system that runs along Main Street through downtown and is a fun, affordable way to travel between Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, and the riverfront. The city is relatively compact in its tourist-friendly areas, and downtown is walkable. For the Memphis Zoo in Overton Park and Graceland, a rental car or rideshare is the best option. Parking downtown is affordable and widely available in garages and lots. Beale Street itself is a pedestrian zone, making it easy to explore on foot. The Sun Studio shuttle bus runs a free loop between Sun Studio, Graceland, and other music landmarks and is a convenient option for hitting the major music sites.

Budget Tips for Families in Memphis

Memphis offers strong value for families. The Peabody Duck March is completely free and happens twice daily at 11 AM and 5 PM in the hotel lobby. Overton Park surrounding the zoo has free trails, a playground, and the Brooks Museum of Art. Mud Island River Park's riverwalk is free (the museum has a modest fee). Shelby Farms Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, offers free trails, a lake, playgrounds, and a buffalo herd. Beale Street is free to walk during the day with live music pouring from open doorways. Memphis barbecue is legendary and affordable; Central BBQ, the Bar-B-Q Shop, and Cozy Corner serve outstanding food at family-friendly prices. The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, while a sobering visit, offers discounted admission for children and is free on Mondays from September through June.

Sample Family Itinerary: 3 Days in Memphis

Day 1: Memphis Zoo and Overton Park

Arrive at the Memphis Zoo right when it opens at 9 AM to enjoy the animals before the heat and crowds build. Start with the Northwest Passage exhibit to see polar bears and sea lions, then work your way through the panda exhibit, the Teton Trek with grizzly bears, and the African veldt section with giraffes and elephants. Pack a lunch and enjoy it in Overton Park's picnic area, or grab sandwiches at the park's nearby Midtown restaurants along Cooper-Young. After lunch, let the kids run off energy at the Overton Park playground, then walk the Old Forest State Natural Area, a rare urban old-growth forest with easy, shaded trails perfect for little legs. End the day with dinner at Huey's Midtown, a beloved Memphis burger spot where kids can blow toothpicks into the ceiling — a quirky local tradition.

Day 2: Beale Street, Mud Island, and the Peabody

Start your morning at the Peabody Hotel lobby by 10:30 AM to grab a spot for the famous 11 AM Duck March, where five resident mallards waddle from the elevator to the lobby fountain accompanied by the Duckmaster. Afterwards, walk down to Beale Street, which is lively even during the day with blues music flowing from open doorways; stop at A. Schwab's dry goods store, a Memphis institution since 1876, where kids can explore the quirky three-story shop full of unusual merchandise. Head to Mud Island River Park via the monorail from downtown and spend the afternoon wading through the Riverwalk, a half-mile scale model of the entire Lower Mississippi River that ends at a Gulf of Mexico swimming pool. For dinner, drive to Central BBQ on Central Avenue for pulled pork nachos and ribs that define Memphis barbecue.

Day 3: Shelby Farms Park and Sun Studio

Devote the morning to Shelby Farms Park, one of the largest urban parks in America at 4,500 acres. Rent bikes at the Shelby Farms Greenline trailhead, ride the Woodland Discovery Playground, spot the resident bison herd from the observation area, and let the kids splash at the Go Ape zipline and adventure course if they're old enough. Grab lunch at Shelby Farms' on-site cafe or head to nearby Germantown Commissary for exceptional barbecue in a no-frills setting. In the afternoon, music-loving families should tour Sun Studio, where Elvis Presley recorded his first hit — the 45-minute guided tour is engaging for older kids and includes standing on the exact spot where rock and roll was born. Wind down the trip with dinner at the Bar-B-Q Shop on Madison Avenue, where the barbecue spaghetti is a uniquely Memphis creation.

Best Neighborhoods to Explore With Kids

The Cooper-Young neighborhood in Midtown is Memphis's most walkable, family-friendly district. Tree-lined streets connect independent bookshops, coffee houses, and restaurants like Sweet Grass and Young Avenue Deli. The annual Cooper-Young Festival each September draws thousands of families. The neighborhood has a creative, welcoming energy and plenty of sidewalk space for strollers.

Overton Square, adjacent to Overton Park and the zoo, has experienced a vibrant revitalization with family-friendly restaurants, a playground, and the Hattiloo Theatre which occasionally hosts children's productions. The area is compact and walkable, making it easy to park once and explore on foot. Downtown Memphis along the riverfront is where you'll find Beale Street, the Peabody Hotel, and Mud Island, all within comfortable walking distance of each other.

Harbor Town on Mud Island is a charming planned community on the Mississippi River with a beautiful riverwalk, playground, and the feel of a small town despite being minutes from downtown. It's an excellent place for a family stroll with views of the river and the Memphis skyline, and the Harbor Town Greenbelt trail is flat and stroller-friendly.

Where to Eat With Kids in Memphis

Memphis is a barbecue city through and through, and families are welcome at every joint in town. Central BBQ has multiple locations and serves outstanding pulled pork, ribs, and their famous BBQ nachos in a casual, kid-friendly environment. Cozy Corner is a no-frills gem famous for its Cornish game hen and rib tips. For something beyond barbecue, Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken downtown serves what many consider the best fried chicken in America — crispy, spicy, and absolutely addictive for kids and adults alike.

For breakfast, Brother Juniper's in the University of Memphis area serves enormous, creative breakfast plates with ingredients sourced from local farms, and the wait is worth it. Bryant's Breakfast on South Third Street is a beloved cash-only diner that's been serving Memphis families since 1968. For a sweet treat, head to Jerry's Sno Cones in Midtown, where the shaved ice topped with soft-serve ice cream is a Memphis rite of passage for kids, especially on hot summer afternoons.

What to Pack for Memphis

Memphis weather can be intense, so pack accordingly. Spring and fall call for layers — mornings can be cool while afternoons warm up significantly. Summer means lightweight, breathable clothing, sunscreen, hats, and refillable water bottles since the heat and humidity can be draining, especially for young children at the zoo or Shelby Farms. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for Beale Street's uneven sidewalks and the zoo's hilly terrain. Pack rain gear during spring months when afternoon thunderstorms are common, and bring insect repellent for any outdoor adventures at Shelby Farms or along the river trails.