From Mummies to Moon Rocks: A Kid-Approved Adventure of the U of M Campus

STOP 1: Ramesses II Statue

Even compared to the tallest member of the Tigers basketball team, this 25-foot dude is big! The statue — a fiberglass replica of the original limestone monument found in Egypt — was built in 1991 as a companion to the Memphis Pyramid. When Bass Pro moved in downtown, Ramesses found a new home here at the university, where he hangs out near the Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology. Be prepared to answer questions about his fashion choices.

Walk between the Music and Theater Buildings, down a flight of steps, and look for a golden sphere mounted on a pole.

STOP 2: Voyage, a Journey Through Our Solar System

Time to step into an imaginary rocketship, brought to you by the Department of Physics and Materials Science! This series of stations lets you blast through our solar system, helpfully scaled down to one 10-billionth its actual size, and placed in a straight row along a walking path. Each station presents a teeny-tiny model of the planet you’re looking at, plus some fun facts. Did you know the entire orbit of the Moon around Earth fits inside the sun? What’s really wild is that only a few steps separate the inner planets, but then the distances get increasingly longer — Pluto, at the opposite end of the journey, is about a half mile away.

At the asteroid belt station, come in for a landing and spin around.
 

STOP 3: Art Museum of the University of Memphis

It’s always free to enjoy the exhibits here, including a room of Egyptian artifacts that boasts mummies, hieroglyphics galore, and a very, very, very old pair of tweezers (1550-1070 BC).

The newly expanded African Art Gallery also displays lots of kid-friendly treasures, such as a handwoven doll and a board game. Ask for a copy of the scavenger hunt at the front desk for a fun way to study the collection. There’s currently a special group exhibition, “Unraveled” (on display through Aug. 16), that features the work of artists who use textiles to tell stories.

From the exit, hang a right and watch out for a tiger pouncing over a stack of books.

STOP 4: Ned R. McWherter Library

The scholarly statue stands guard in front of a grand, four-story building that contains a ton of stuff to read. That includes pop-up books, lift-the-flap books, rhyming books, song books, and much more in the massive children’s and young adult section on the third floor. You don’t need to have borrowing privileges to go inside and look around — or grab a few titles to read on the spot. If you’re worried that you’re making too much noise acting out that Elephant & Piggie story, just duck into one of the group study rooms along the wall.
 

SNACK ALERT: If storytime works up an appetite, stop on your way out at Einstein Bros. Bagels, which is located on the ground floor next to the library entrance. My three-year-old highly recommends the asiago flavor.

From the exit, turn left and continue down the path, where you’ll find yourself in one of the leafiest parts of campus. (Signs posted here note that it’s both a certified arboretum and a certified wildlife habitat.) Then cut in between Hayden Hall and Scates Hall to emerge onto the track.

STOP 5: Memorial Field

A full 400-meter lap around this track is one heck of a way to burn off some energy. There are also two climbing ropes that perform double duty as swings, and a few bars to hang on. And if you’re not feeling quite so athletic today? Cheer on some of the other folks of all ages who use the space for sprinting, hurdling, and jumping.

Head to the southeast section of the loop and take the stairs down.

STOP 6: TIGUrS Urban Garden

Welcome to the Oasis Garden, the flagship location for a university program promoting the benefits of greenspace in cities. Tomatoes, strawberries, and squash are currently filling up the garden beds, but my kid is most excited about the abundance of dandelions. The tiger statue on display here is appropriately wrapped in painted vines. We always make sure to say hi to the other residents of the garden — the koi fish splashing around in the small pond. (If you don’t see it right away, follow the sound of the soothing waterfall feature.)

Speaking of water, take the stairs back up to the track and head west to the Student Plaza.

STOP 7: University of Memphis Fountain

There’s something magical about prancing around a huge fountain, especially one that frequently shoots blue-tinted water. The one drawback: You may need to convince your kids they’re not allowed to actually run through it. (Even if some grownups do it occasionally.)

Take a look at the Memphis State Eight historical marker before continuing over to the open green space beyond.
 

STOP 8: Alumni Mall

This is essentially the front lawn of the university, set against the proud backdrop of Alumni Hall, which is dripping in “U of M” banners. There are not one, not two, BUT THREE tigers who live here. The one placed on the east side of the mall stands out because he’s not roaring or lunging. He’s just gracefully perched atop an informative granite engraving explaining the history of "TOM," the university’s beloved bengal mascots.

Step behind him and enter the doors of the University Center.

STOP 9: Maxine A. Smith University Center

For the best people watching on campus, grab a spot somewhere in this modern building that was named for a Memphis civil rights legend. There are two glass elevators that my kid will happily ride up and down for hours, looking around at the bustling atrium. Her other favorite diversion here: the pool table that’s located in the back of TOM’s restaurant. Sometimes we attempt to play, but we mostly just marvel at how cool it is to drop balls in the holes.

SNACK ALERT: Between TOM’s, a coffee shop, a market, and a food court with a Chick-fil-A, you can’t really leave this place hungry.

Exit to the east side and there’s a covered walkway that leads to our final destination. (And hey, there’s the Neptune station tucked inside!)

STOP 10: Campus Bookstore

Do you need a souvenir? You’ve come to the right place to outfit your kid (or you) head to toe in Tiger gear. The children’s section is stocked with T-shirts, onesies, and even tiny cheerleading uniforms. It’s also one more chance to load up on snacks — or swing by Starbucks — before reversing course.