Free things to do · Memphis · United States
6 free things to do in Memphis
Memphis without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jeremy Atherton, CC BY-SA 2.5
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Memphis without paying an entry fee: Beale Street, The Peabody Ducks, Big River Crossing and Tom Lee Park are all free. Beale Street, the Peabody Ducks, Tom Lee Park, Big River Crossing, Overton Park and Shelby Farms are free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 6
- Low-cost extras
- 6
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- February
Free sights and experiences
Street · Downtown and Beale Street
1.Beale Street
Walk the full length early in the evening and step into the clubs with live bands; weeknights are calmer and often have no cover charge.
- Time needed
- An evening
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
- Free
- History
Experience · Downtown and Beale Street
2.The Peabody Ducks
Arrive at least 30 minutes early to get a good spot around the fountain or on the mezzanine; the morning march is usually less crowded.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Iconic
Landmark · Riverfront
3.Big River Crossing
Walk over at sunset, then stay for the light show; bring water in summer, as there is little shade.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- After dark
- Active
Park · Riverfront
4.Tom Lee Park
Visit in the early evening, when the heat breaks and families gather on the lawns to watch the sunset over the river.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Views
Park · Midtown and Overton Square
5.Overton Park and the Levitt Shell
Bring a picnic blanket to a free Levitt Shell concert on a warm evening, and walk the Old Forest trails beforehand.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- After dark
- History
- Kids
Park · East Memphis
6.Shelby Farms Park
Rent a bike or a paddleboat at Patriot Lake, and look for the bison in the pasture near the main road.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
- Nature
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown and Beale Street | Beale Street and The Peabody Ducks | An evening + 30–45 minutes |
| Riverfront | Big River Crossing and Tom Lee Park | 1–1.5 hours + 1 hour |
| Midtown and Overton Square | Overton Park and the Levitt Shell | 2 hours |
| East Memphis | Shelby Farms Park | 2–4 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Historic site · Union Avenue
Sun Studio
Stand on the marked spot where Elvis recorded and hold the microphone; the guides tell stories that bring the room to life.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · South Main Arts District
Blues Hall of Fame Museum
Combine it with the National Civil Rights Museum across the street on South Main.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Gallery · East Memphis
Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Leave time to walk the gardens, especially in spring when azaleas and dogwoods are in bloom.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Couples
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · South Memphis bluff
Metal Museum
Visit late in the afternoon for the river view, and check whether metalworking demonstrations are scheduled.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Views
- Off the beaten path
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Landmark · Pinch District
Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid
Take the lift to The Lookout at sunset for the best river view in the city.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Kids
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Garden · East Memphis
Memphis Botanic Garden
Visit in April, when the iris and azalea gardens are at their best, and let children explore My Big Backyard.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
More ways to save
- Beale Street, the Peabody Ducks, Tom Lee Park, Big River Crossing, Overton Park and Shelby Farms are free.
- Barbecue and soul food are filling and inexpensive; a sandwich and a side make a full meal.
- Graceland packages vary widely in price; the basic mansion tour may be all most visitors need.
- Hotel prices rise during Elvis Week, Memphis in May and big Grizzlies games; check the calendar before booking.
- Free Levitt Shell concerts are one of the best-value nights out in the city.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Memphis expensive to visit?
Memphis is affordable for most visitors, but 6 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Memphis?
Beale Street: Walk the full length early in the evening and step into the clubs with live bands; weeknights are calmer and often have no cover charge.