Sight guide · Memphis · United States
Visiting Overton Park and the Levitt Shell
Midtown's large park includes the Old Forest, a tract of old-growth woodland, and the Levitt Shell, an outdoor bandshell where Elvis Presley played his first paid concert in 1954.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Overton Park and the Levitt Shell is a park in Midtown and Overton Square, Memphis. Allow 2 hours; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Park
- Area
- Midtown and Overton Square
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, outdoors, after dark and history
- Best months
- April and September–October
About Overton Park and the Levitt Shell
Midtown's large park includes the Old Forest, a tract of old-growth woodland, and the Levitt Shell, an outdoor bandshell where Elvis Presley played his first paid concert in 1954. The shell now hosts free concerts most weeks in spring and autumn.
Tip: Bring a picnic blanket to a free Levitt Shell concert on a warm evening, and walk the Old Forest trails beforehand.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2 hours.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Midtown and Overton Square, theatres, restaurants and the green space of Overton Park.
Best time to visit Overton Park and the Levitt Shell
Overton Park and the Levitt Shell is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- October: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- April: 23°C (73°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- September: 30°C (86°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Memphis has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Memphis itinerary visits Overton Park and the Levitt Shell on day 2, together with Sun Studio, Stax Museum of American Soul Music and The Peabody Ducks.
- No. 12 of the 18 sights in our Memphis things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Memphis.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Memphis.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Memphis.
Near Overton Park and the Levitt Shell
Also in Midtown and Overton Square, so you can walk between them:
- Memphis Zoo — 3–4 hours, mid-priced
If you like Overton Park and the Levitt Shell
- Beale Street — Downtown and Beale Street, An evening
- The Peabody Ducks — Downtown and Beale Street, 30–45 minutes
- Big River Crossing — Riverfront, 1–1.5 hours
- Tom Lee Park — Riverfront, 1 hour
Staying near Overton Park and the Levitt Shell
Stay in Midtown and Overton Square ($$) to walk here: theatres, restaurants and the green space of Overton Park. All areas to stay in Memphis.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Overton Park and the Levitt Shell?
Plan 2 hours. With Memphis Zoo nearby, it fits a half-day in Midtown and Overton Square.
+Is Overton Park and the Levitt Shell free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Overton Park and the Levitt Shell?
April and September–October for the most comfortable weather. Bring a picnic blanket to a free Levitt Shell concert on a warm evening, and walk the Old Forest trails beforehand.
+Do I need to book Overton Park and the Levitt Shell in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.