Cool Things to do in Memphis with Kids –  Music, Food & Fun  

Grab your family and head to Memphis, Tennessee, says World TravelingMom. For food, music, fun and educational things to do in Memphis with kids, check out these ideas. And better drop a few pounds before you arrive in Memphis. Because the food is delicious. If you stay downtown, you can walk to the great music and history museums, Beale Street, and restaurants.

Cool Things to do in Memphis with Kids

1. National Civil Rights Museum
2. Visit Memphis kids’ museums
3. Hike the Bridge
4. Music museums
5. Walk it Off in Shelby Farms Park
6. Things to do in Memphis at Night
7. Where to eat in Memphis with Kids

The National Civil Rights Museum brought my husband and me to Memphis, Tennesse. But Memphis has plenty to do with kids. We discovered a gigantic kids’ museum, kid-friendly music, a fun city park, delicious food, and other great museums. Check out ideas for things to do in Memphis with kids.

1. National Civil Rights Museum

Did you know 2018 is the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther Kings’s assassination? The motel site of the murder is now a brilliant civil rights museum. The museum uses interactive exhibits, news video, interviews, photographs, audio and other tools to tell stories of American civil rights activists and Dr. King’s leadership. Stories of ordinary people who organized the Montgomery bus boycott, Nashville lunch counter sit-ins, Freedom Riders integrating bus stations, the Memphis sanitation strike, and other civil rights struggles.

Even if kids are just learning this American history, the Museum’s life-sized exhibits help make the events feel real. Kids might appreciate the life-sized bus with a seated Rosa Parks statue, the life-sized lunch counter with statues of protesters, and the burned hulk of a Freedom Riders bus. But this is difficult history, and the Museum may not be a good fit for kids under 10.

From strategizing with student leaders, other church leaders, musicians – and President Johnson – Dr. King inspired the conscience of America. Most powerful to me was listening to voices of individual activists, ordinary people taking extraordinary action.

TravelingMom Tip: Schedule enough time. We stayed for 2 ½ hours and happily would have spent more. But some kids may not need that much time.

2. Visit Memphis kids’ museums

The massive Children’s Museum (2525 Central Ave) is home to a newly refurbished Grand Carousel, a Fed Ex plane, science exhibits, a real firetruck, police car – and more. In fact, a TravelingMom says it’s among the best children’s museums in the southeast. While my husband and I didn’t have kids with us, we saw young kids enjoying both exhibits and the big outdoor play area.

The Pink Palace Museum is partly under renovation. But we stopped by to see natural history, dinosaur, and geology exhibits. While we did not visit, there was also a Planetarium and 3-D giant movie screen. Note: free after 4 pm and Tuesdays.

3. Hike the bridge

A railroad bridge across the Mississippi River has a pedestrian and bike path. It’s called Big River Crossing. And it’s free. Crossing this bridge would be a fun way for kids to burn off some energy outdoors. My husband and I walked halfway across the bridge for a great view of the River and downtown Memphis. Then, we walked a bit to a riverfront park, Martyrs Park. And turned around for a view of the bridge and sunset. Wow, Memphis! What a spot to watch the sunset over the River.

4. Music museums

Whether or not your kids have heard of Elvis, there’s plenty for kids to enjoy at music museums in Memphis.

Sun Records. I had no idea Johnny Cash, Howlin’ Wolf, Carl Perkins – and Elvis – all recorded at Sun Records in Memphis. During the guided tour of this terrific small museum, where musicians still record at night, we got to hear snippets of music recorded right there. Like Blue Suede Shoes, That’s All Right Momma. Even though the music might be new to your kids, the kids on our entertaining guided tour enjoyed the hearing bits of music, seeing the costumes, and posing with Elvis’s actual microphone in the recording studio.

Rock N Soul Museum. The Smithsonian put together the self-guided Rock N Soul exhibits. And they’re fascinating. The museum uses recordings, video, photographs, and more to show how rock n’roll grew out of other musical traditions. Like the music of rural sharecroppers, gospel, Blues, and other traditions. Like the kids in the museum, we enjoyed the interactive exhibits that let us choose to listen to bits of songs and interviews.

5. Walk it Off in Shelby Farms Park

After good Memphis eating, we were glad to walk it off in Shelby Farms Park, a free city park of thousands of acres. We explored the Park’s pretty lakes, bike, and walking trails, and saw families flying kites, walking dogs, and picnicking. While we didn’t try boating, ziplining, or yoga on the lawn, all were available — and would be a great way for kids to burn off some extra energy. There is even a buffalo herd at Shelby Farms Park.

6. Things to do in Memphis at night

Memphis is a live music town. We explored Beale Street in the evening to see neon lights and street musicians. While we didn’t go inside a club (and kids would not be allowed), we heard some bands from the street. And we did go inside the Withers Collection. This gallery shows a Black photographer’s images of Memphis musicians, Negro League ballplayers, and civil rights leaders. I especially liked the 19-minute intro video.

In downtown Memphis, Clayborne Reborn is a former church. Now, it’s reborn as a music and arts performance space. We heard a kids’ orchestra, gospel choir, and spoken word poetry. Check the Clayborn Reborn website for performances.

Dessert or drinks at The Peabody Hotel are things to do in Memphis at night. We loved the beautiful lobby of the Peabody Hotel. While we didn’t see the live ducks who swim in the lobby fountain, we enjoyed a drink and downtime in the lobby.

7. Where to eat in Memphis with Kids

Breakfast. I’m still thinking about our blowout breakfast at the Blue Plate Café (113 Court Ave) . From the moment biscuits arrived hot from the oven, we knew it was worth the wait. Fluffy pancakes, cheesy grits, smoked bacon – yum.

Brunch. For brunch, we drove to The Kitchen, a restaurant and terrace inside the city park, the huge Shelby Farms Park. What improves Eggs Benedict? Pork carnitas, caramelized onions – and delicious biscuits with a touch of salt. And my husband loved his eggs and Moroccan spiced lamb sausage and greens. The sourdough bread and blackberry jam were delicious. And The Kitchen’s sticky toffee pudding put us into a happy food coma. A less pricey option in the Park is the grab-n-go at the Visitors’ Center, called The Kitchenette.

Lunch and Dinner. Trust me, my life is better because I didn’t hold back at Central Barbecue. Instead, for lunch, I ordered both the impossibly tender dry rub ribs and the banana pudding with crispy pecan cookies. Central Barbecue’s Downtown location is a block from the National Civil Rights Museum and a good place to relax afterward.

TravelingMom tip: The line was out the door of Central Barbecue but moved fast. Still, I was glad we scheduled a late lunch at 2 pm.

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken does one thing – spicy fried chicken, plus sides and pies. My chicken arrived so hot and fresh, the first bite fogged my glasses. It’s a dive, worth the calories, and the line. For dinner options, we explored the funky Cooper-Young neighborhood’s shops, bookstores, and many restaurants.

Where to stay in Memphis

My husband and I knew we wanted to walk to Memphis attractions as much as possible. So staying downtown was a huge plus. Hotel Napoleon, a brand new modern boutique hotel, is perfectly located. It’s just blocks from Beale Street, museums, and restaurants. Also a help for families is that there’s a breakfast restaurant on the first floor, although we did not eat there. Other plusses: valet parking, spacious room, free coffee, and water in the lobby all day, friendly and helpful staff.

Does Memphis, Tennessee appeal to you? Tell us about it in the comments.