© Tom Wang | Dreamstime.com
Whether your budget’s too tight for a beach getaway, or you prefer enjoying a leisurely staycation, we’ve got some great ways to experience Memphis for free. Start making some Local summer memories now.
Monday
Bass Pro Pyramid • 8 a.m.-10 p.m. You’ve got to visit for the concept alone. It’s a sportsman’s retail paradise and hotel, housed in the Pyramid downtown. Play I spy and see if your kids can spot fish, ducks, bighorn sheep, grizzly bear, and more. Don't miss the beautiful view rooftop view. $10/elevator ride to rooftop terrace. • basspro.com/pyramid
Island Play at Beale Street Landing • 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Park for free at Tom Lee Park and let the kids dash over the big grassy hill to this scenic playground. It features a giant catfish for climbing, a slide, and a splash park to dance in. Cool off with an ice cream sundae at historic A. Schwab’s general store on Beale. • mudisland.com
National Civil Rights Museum • Free to Tennessee residents Mondays from 3-5 p.m. Newly renovated, you’ll learn how the Civil Rights movement transformed Memphis and the nation. • civilrightsmuseum.org
Tuesday
Shelby Farms Woodland Playground • 9 a.m. until one hour before sunset. Designed to stimulate natural, educational play, the park’s six “nests” feature a spider web climbing net, a tree house, swings, curving slides, a sand pit, and more, all connected by a leafy winding arbor. • shelbyfarmspark.org
Cordova Library: Explore Memphis • 3 to 3:45 p.m. Take part in the summer reading program at all public library branches. Activities range from weird science experiments to learning magic tricks. While you’re there, sign up the kids, then return each week for a prize based on pages read. Some activities require registration. • memphislibrary.org
Wednesday
Wacky Wednesdays at the Brooks Museum of Art • Free entry every Wednesday, from 10 a.m.-noon in June & July. Come enjoy making art in the studio, then view animated film favorites for kids. • Brooksmuseum.org
Pink Palace Museum Free Trial Membership • Begins 30 days from the date of registration or pay $5 for the whole summer. Discover our region’s natural and cultural history. Pass also good for Lichterman Nature Center. Show your emailed membership card on your phone. • memphismuseums.org
Thursday
Collierville Library Summer Reading Program • Various times, June-July 24 Activities for toddlers to tweens range from Storytime Chefs to Jazzy String Band. Cool summer reading prizes for grades 1-5 and 6-12. • colliervillelibrary.org
W.C. Johnson Park • Spray park: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Awesome spray park with fun interactive stations. Plus, a beautiful setting with lakes, an elevated boardwalk, walking trails, and Ryan’s Place Playground, where children with physical challenges can play with others. • Colliervilleparks.org • EDITOR'S NOTE 6/19: Spray Park will be closed June 22-July 1. When it reopens, it will be free to Collierville residents, $10/non-residents. To buy a pass, go to the Collierville Community Center, 440 West Powell Road, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. You’ll need to buy weekend passes during the week. Tickets are stamped at the park gate and will be honored in the case of rain.
Sunset on the Square, Collierville • 7 p.m. June & July (no show July 2) Discover why Collierville has one of the best squares in the nation. Bring watermelon and folding chairs and enjoy the ambiance while listening to bluegrass, classic rock and more. • mainstreetcollierville.org
Friday
Mud Island River Park • 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Learn about the geography of the Delta while kids splash and sail boats on a scale model of the Mississippi River. Sky bridge walk is free, tram rides cost $4. • mudisland.com
Peabody Hotel Duck March • 11 a.m. & 5 p.m. daily Watch the famous Peabody ducks, led by the Duckmaster, waddle into the hotel’s elegant lobby. Then ride the elevator to the rooftop and check out the ducks penthouse and views. • peabodymemphis.com
Saturday
Dixon Gallery and Gardens • Free Saturdays, 10 a.m.-noon. Pay-what-you-can on Tuesdays While the museum’s permanent collection is closed during renovations, explore the summer garden and see the large-scale, handbuilt sculptures of Japanese artist Jun Kaneko. • Dixon.org
Lowe’s Build and Grow, Home Depot Kids Workshop • 10 a.m. select Saturdays. At Lowe’s, June features the Avengers series, with projects like Iron Man’s Avenjet and Captain America’s motorcycle. Home Depot also offers a kids’ workshop from 9 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of each month. All sessions require online registration. Kids get an apron and hands-on instruction to build small projects from kits. • lowesbuildandgrow.com, homedepot.com
Sunday
Levitt Shell Concert Series • Overton Park, 7:30 p.m. Thursday thru Sunday, June-August 2. Bring a picnic basket and dine on the grassy knoll while enjoying awesome live music. Do a little dance (just don’t forget the bug spray). • levittshell.org