Visiting Memphis with toddlers and little kids: the plan.

#2Overton Park, 2000 Prentiss Pl.

Memphis Zoo

Plan a full morning. Tennessee residents get in free on Tuesdays with a reservation.

Head for the Woodland Discovery Playground first.

#3East Memphis

Shelby Farms Park

A free after-nap stop with Mississippi views.

#4Downtown riverfront

Tom Lee Park

#5Downtown, 1 Bass Pro Dr.

Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid

Walking in is free; give the kids time at the fish tanks.

FreeIndoor

MORNINGChildren’s Museum of MemphisOpen at 9 · Midtown, 2525 Central Ave. · $20 per person

Nap breaks built in

One day or two in Memphis

A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.

If you have one day

LUNCHCentral BBQBarbecue nearby · Kids’ meal $7.30 (with a side, a snack and a drink)

NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.

AFTER NAPTom Lee ParkRiverfront play · Downtown riverfront · Free

If you have two days

Day 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:

MORNINGMemphis ZooA full morning · Overton Park, 2000 Prentiss Pl.

LUNCHHuey’sBurgers · Kids’ meal $6.95 (with ice cream and a side)

NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.

AFTER NAPShelby Farms ParkPlayground time · East Memphis · Free

Where to stay

Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions

Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.

BEST FOR FIRST-TIMERSMidtownClose to the zoo, the children’s museum and Overton Park.Near Memphis Zoo, Children’s Museum of Memphis and Central BBQ

FOR THE RIVERDowntownWalk to Tom Lee Park and the Pyramid.Near Tom Lee Park and Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid

Eat

Easy restaurants near the big stops

Kids’ menus, quick service and a short drive from the attractions. Prices come from each restaurant’s own menu.

Barbecue · Central BBQNear Children’s Museum of Memphis and Memphis ZooKids’ meal $7.30 (with a side, a snack and a drink)Entrée: $15.10

Burgers · Huey’sKids’ meal $6.95 (with ice cream and a side)Entrée: ~$9–$11

Plan B

Rainy-day backup plan

If the forecast turns, swap the outdoor stop for one of these. More options: indoor play places in Memphis.

Midtown, 2525 Central Ave.Children’s Museum of MemphisIndoor exhibits for a wet day.$20 eachYounger than 1 freeIndoor

Downtown, 1 Bass Pro Dr.Bass Pro Shops at the PyramidAll indoors downtown.FreeIndoor

East Memphis, 3030 Poplar Ave.Benjamin L. Hooks Central LibraryA free indoor stop.FreeIndoor

Before you go

Practical tips

Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.

Closed Mondays

The children’s museum is closed Mondays, so plan the zoo or a park that day.

Free Tuesdays

Tennessee residents get into the zoo free on Tuesdays with a reservation.

Visiting in November or December?

Santa and Christmas lights in Memphis

If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.

Santa in MemphisBreakfast with Santa, Santa photos and Santa trains, with 2026 prices

Christmas lights in MemphisDrive-thru and walk-through displays, start times and 2026 prices

On a budget

Free and cheap wins for visitors

Spend less without skipping the good stuff.

East MemphisShelby Farms ParkFree to visit.Free

Downtown riverfrontTom Lee ParkA free riverfront park.Free

Downtown, 1 Bass Pro Dr.Bass Pro Shops at the PyramidFree to walk in.FreeIndoor

East Memphis, 3030 Poplar Ave.Benjamin L. Hooks Central LibraryFree.FreeIndoor

All free things to do in Memphis →

This week

Happening while you’re here

This week’s top events in Memphis. The full list, with hours and the forecast, is on the this-week page.

#1Sat 10am–2pm

Halloween Spooktacular at the Children’s Museum of Memphis

CMOM’s yearly Halloween party: a “Five Wacky Witches” show, spooky science, face painting, pumpkin projects, a scavenger hunt and candy.

Children’s Museum of Memphis · Memphis

$25 for nonmembers

Día de Muertos Parade & Festival

#2Sat 11am–3pm

Cazateatro’s parade marches down the Main Street Mall from Court Square at 11, then the festival runs noon to 3 at the Halloran Centre with art-making, face painting, dancers and music.

Court Square to the Halloran Centre · Memphis

Free Family Day at the Stax Museum

#3Sat 1–4pm

A Halloween-twist family day with activities inside the museum, face painting and balloons, and a trunk-or-treat in the parking lot hosted by the Soulsville Charter School.

Stax Museum of American Soul Music · Memphis

Fantasy Faire (Cordova Library)

#4Sat noon–4:30pm

A magical marketplace, a swordfighting demo, costume and trivia contests and crafts. All ages welcome.

Cordova Library · Memphis

Train rides on the greenway, a costume parade, face painting, balloon twisting, sno cones, hot dogs and candy. Park across Humphreys at the Semmes Murphy lot.

#5Fri 5:30–8pm

Wolf River Fall Fest

Shady Grove Trailhead (Wolf River Greenway) · Memphis