20+ Free Things To Do In Memphis In Three Days

20+ Free Things To Do In Memphis In Three Days

For last month's I Love Memphis Podcast Bonus Clip, Kevin and I discussed the top free things to do in Memphis, based on my Thrillist article "25 Free Things To Do In Memphis" and Kevin's hour-by-hour guide to doing them all in the shortest amount of time. Because we're just wild and thrifty like that.

Click below to listen to us discuss, or check out the itinerary that Kevin made below. 

Disclaimer: I fully realize that this itinerary is an outrageous number of things to do and you'd be very rushed if you attempted to do everything in exactly the time suggested. I also realize that many of the free things depend on having a TN driver's license. 

Think of this more as a fun way to start thinking about your budget-friendly Memphis trip/staycation rather than a plan you need to follow exactly. It's just for fun, folks.

Beale Street Landing

Sunday 
Noon - Visit Mud Island
2 p.m. - Take a Jimmy Ogle Outdoor Walking Tour
7:30 p.m. - Enjoy live music at the Levitt Shell (seasonal)

Monday
After breakfast - Play bocce ball on South Main
11 a.m. - See the Peabody Ducks, then ride the elevator to the Skyway
Noon - Stroll down Historic Beale Street stop by A. Schwab and take pictures with their goofy hats and then grab a pic in front of FedExForum
3 p.m. - Tour the National Civil Rights Museum (Free to TN residents with ID from 3 p.m. to close on Mondays)
5 p.m. - Walk around Beale Street Landing and let the kids play in the splash pad
Evening - Watch the sunset on the river

Tuesday
7:30 a.m. - Visit the Meditation Garden at Graceland (Free from 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m daily)
8:30 a.m. - Experience the Crystal Shrine Grotto at Memorial Park Cemetery (Free dawn until dusk)
9:30 a.m. - Browse the U of M Art Museum
mid-morning - Play Disc Golf at Libertyland

Tuesday afternoon 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. (pick two or three)
- Tour the Pink Palace Museum (Free 1-5 on Tuesdays)
- Tour the Stax Museum (Free for Shelby County Residents on Tuesdays from 1-5)
- Visit the Memphis Zoo (Free to TN residents on Tuesdays from 2-5)
- Tour the Rock 'n Soul Museum (Free Shelby County residents on Tuesdays from 2-7)
7:30 p.m. - Enjoy live music at Bluesday Tuesdays  in Overton Square (seasonal)

 

Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Memphis, Tenn.

Extra time on Wednesday:
Walk around the Bass Pro Pyramid
Tour the Brooks Museum (Pay-what-you-can every Wednesday from 10- 4)
Tour Pyramid Vodka distillery
Visit Elmwood Cemetery

Want more I Love Memphis Podcast? Click here to see a list of past episodes. Props to Kevin Cerrito for putting together this itinerary based on my article. 

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ray curry
memories of memphis good.
August 18, 2015 5:13pm
Lyn
Hi, we are coming to Memphis for the first time in October, please can you tell me how safe it is there,  I have read so many things that I'm getting a bit nervous !
August 18, 2015 5:42pm
Holly Whitfield

Hi Lyn! There's no need to be nervous as long as you use the same common sense and precautions as you would any time you were in public, a big city, or traveling. I have lived here for ten years and haven't felt any less safe here than I have in any other major city I've visited in the U.S. or Europe. If you're spending most of your time downtown, take comfort that downtown is the safest precinct in the city. 

August 18, 2015 5:49pm
Chris
I've lived in Midtown Memphis for 25 years and have never had a problem. Like Holly said, you just need to be sensible when out and about, just as you would anywhere else. Have fun while you're here!
August 18, 2015 7:22pm
Katie
You can also visit stjude.org and sign up for a tour of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. We run them regularly through the week two times a day. Come see what this hospital is doing to find cures and save children through the world! 
August 18, 2015 7:33pm
Lyn
Thanks Holly, we are.actually staying at the Heartbreak Hotel for 10 nights, but will spend a lot of the time downtown, we are planning to use the hop on bus, some of the time. At night we will be staying by our hotel, using the Rock and Roll cafe and Marlowes. 
August 18, 2015 11:13pm
Lyn
Thanks Katie and chris
August 19, 2015 2:33am