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Beyond the blues and barbecue, Memphis hits all the right notes for family adventures with kids. I love how this soulful city blends music, history, and hands-on fun—creating memory-making moments around every corner.

To me, Memphis means watching pandas and splash pads at the Memphis Zoo, climbing the giant treehouse at The Children’s Museum of Memphis, and exploring music history in kid-friendly ways at the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. We love strolling the scenic Big River Crossing, riding the riverboat on the Mississippi, and saying hello to the famous ducks at The Peabody Hotel. For creative kids, Shelby Farms Park offers paddle boats, playgrounds, and bison sightings, while Mud Island River Park lets them walk a miniature Mississippi River. Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor exploring, but even summer brings plenty of cool museum fun.

Picture this: The kids are giggling through a musical scavenger hunt, petting goats at the zoo, and dancing in the street to a live blues band—all in one unforgettable Memphis day.

"Beats, bikes, and Beale Street energy? This is Memphis with kids!"

Historical Attractions for Kids

1. Graceland with Kids

Graceland with Kids

© white_bcgrd/stock.adobe.com

  • What is Graceland?
    • Hailed as the most famous rock ‘n’ roll residence in the world, Graceland is the estate and mansion that was once owned by Elvis Presley.
  • Where is Graceland located?
    • Set on a 13.8-acre property in the Whitehaven community of Memphis, Tennessee, Graceland is a museum dedicated to the life and career of the famous musician.
  • What can visitors experience at Graceland?
    • The museum takes visitors on an unforgettable journey through the rock-and-roll legend’s home and delves into the personal side of Elvis Presley, showcasing how his unique sound and revolutionary style changed the face of pop music and culture forever.
  • Is Graceland a historic landmark?
    • Graceland has been designated as a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Is Graceland open to the public?
    • Yes, Graceland is open to the public daily.

Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116, Map

2. The Children’s Museum of Memphis

The Children’s Museum of Memphis

© The Children’s Museum of Memphis

  • What is The Children’s Museum of Memphis?
  • What kind of exhibits does the museum have?
    • The museum features a variety of themed exhibits that inspire learning through play with topics such as health and well-being, house construction and recycling, waterworks, transportation, and money.
  • Is there an outdoor play space?
    • Yes! The museum includes an outdoor play space featuring a bank-shot basketball area, a dinosaur dig, a hot air balloon and motion simulator, and a mini-van that kids can pretend to drive and repair.
  • Does the museum have food and shopping options?
    • Yes, The Children’s Museum of Memphis has a casual café and a brown bag area for hungry museum-goers who need a snack. There is also a gift shop that sells books, educational toys, trinkets, and souvenirs.

2525 Central Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104, Phone: 901-458-2678, website, Map

3. Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

© Stax Museum of American Soul Music

  • What is the Stax Museum of American Soul Music?
  • Where is the museum located?
    • The museum is located on East McLemore Avenue, the former home of Stax Records, and is operated by Soulsville USA, which also runs the adjacent Stax Music Academy.
  • What can visitors see at the museum?
    • The museum showcases the legacy of Stax Records and its artists, such as Albert King, Booker T. & the MGs, Otis Redding, The Staple Singers, and Johnnie Taylor, among others.
  • Are there any special exhibits or experiences?
    • Visitors can enjoy vintage video footage of other world-renowned soul artists like Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, The Jackson Five, James Brown, and Tina Turner.
  • What is the Stax Music Academy?
    • The Stax Music Academy is a state-of-the-art facility that offers music-focused educational programs for music-loving students. It also houses the Soulsville Charter School, where students study language arts, math, science, social studies, and orchestra.

926 E McLemore Ave, Memphis, TN 38126, Phone: 901-261-6338, Map

Unique Attractions for Kids

4. National Ornamental Metal Museum

National Ornamental Metal Museum

© National Ornamental Metal Museum

  • What is the National Ornamental Metal Museum?
    • Located just south of downtown Memphis with breathtaking views of the Mississippi River and the Harahan Bridge, the National Ornamental Metal Museum is dedicated exclusively to the art and craft of fine metalwork.
  • What activities does the museum offer?
    • The museum offers unique activities, such as tours of the Museum, metalwork demonstrations, and more.
  • What is in the museum’s collection?
    • The museum boasts over 3,000 items in its permanent collection that represent a broad spectrum of metalwork created by artist metalsmiths, including studio jewelry, sculpture, and contemporary hollowware, as well as historical objects dating back to the Renaissance.
  • What additional resources does the museum have?
    • The museum maintains an archive of over 36,000 architectural drawings, photographs, and slides, along with a resource library containing over 6,000 books and folios.
  • Does the museum offer educational programs?
    • Yes, the National Ornamental Metal Museum offers educational opportunities such as artist residencies, apprenticeships, internships, classes, and conservation programs.

National Ornamental Metal Museum, 374 Metal Museum Drive, Memphis, TN 38106, Phone: 901-774-6380

5. National Civil Rights Museum

National Civil Rights Museum

© National Civil Rights Museum

  • What is the National Civil Rights Museum?
    • The National Civil Rights Museum is a complex of museums and historic buildings that document the history of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the 17th century to the present.
  • Where is the museum located?
    • The museum is built around the former Lorraine Motel, the infamous site where civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968.
  • What types of exhibits are at the museum?
    • The museum features an array of multi-media and interactive exhibits, including photographs, short movies, storyboards, and several historic vehicles.
  • What historic vehicles are on display?
    • Visitors can see James Earl Ray's Ford Mustang and a replica of the burnt-out Freedom Riders Greyhound bus.
  • What additional historic sites are part of the museum complex?
    • The museum complex also includes Canipe's Amusement Store, the house where the murder weapon with James Earl Ray's fingerprints was found, and the brushy lot that stood between the rooming house and the motel.

450 Mulberry St, Memphis, TN 38103, Phone: 901-521-9699, Map

6. The C.H. Nash Museum at the Prehistoric Chucalissa Archaeological Site

The C.H. Nash Museum at the Prehistoric Chucalissa Archaeological Site

© The C.H. Nash Museum at the Prehistoric Chucalissa Archaeological Site

  • What is the C.H. Nash Museum at the Prehistoric Chucalissa Archaeological Site?
  • What is significant about the Chucalissa site?
    • The 15th-century mound and archaeological site is a National Historic Landmark that allows visitors to learn more about Southeastern Indian cultures and the early history of the Mid-South.
  • What exhibits are featured in the museum?
    • The museum features archaeology laboratory exhibits showcasing artifacts and objects excavated from the mound.
  • Are there interactive displays?
    • Yes! The museum includes interactive displays and videos about the African American community of Southwest Memphis.

1987 Indian Drive, Memphis, TN 38109, Phone: 901-785-3160, website , Map

7. Bass Pro Shop

Bass Pro Shop

© Bass Pro Shop

  • What is the Bass Pro Shop?
    • The Bass Pro Shop is a premier outdoor retailer with stores across America and Canada that specializes in fishing and boating equipment, as well as gear for other outdoor activities such as hunting and camping.
  • What makes the Memphis Bass Pro Shop unique?
    • The expansive 535,000-square-foot megastore in Memphis features a cypress swamp with 100-foot-tall trees, ponds, alligator pools, and duck aviaries.
  • What kinds of wildlife exhibits are at the store?
    • Visitors can explore 10 aquariums with more than 1,800 fish, as well as an interactive National Waterfowling Heritage Center.
  • Does the store have a hotel?
    • Yes, there is a grand 104-room hotel with tree-house cabins and a spa.
  • What dining and entertainment options are available?
    • The store includes a nautical-themed restaurant called Uncle Buck's Fishbowl and Grill, which features a saltwater aquarium. There is also a 13-lane bowling alley with underwater scenery and ball returns that resemble alligators and sharks.
  • Are there any observation or entertainment areas?
    • The Lookout Restaurant and Bar boasts a massive aquarium and a striking glass-floored cantilevering observation deck situated at the apex of the 32-story steel Pyramid, 300 feet above the Mississippi River.

Bass Pro Shop, 1 Bass Pro Drive, Memphis, TN 38105, Phone: 901-291-8200

📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:

  • What is Memphis known for?
    • Memphis is famously known as the "Birthplace of Rock and Roll" and the BBQ capital of the country.
  • What are some top attractions in Memphis for kids?
    • Top things to see for kids include Graceland, the Memphis Zoo, the Children’s Museum of Memphis, and the Metal Museum.
  • Are there parks and outdoor activities in Memphis?
    • Yes, Memphis has a wide array of parks and activities for families to enjoy.

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