What a great experience for children. Shilling Farms Elementary School extended the learning…read moreexperience by visiting the Indian artifact museum. Long distance, but well worth the drive. There is a small gift shop. And a hands on exhibit for the children to touch and feel and create conversations. Also the scavenger hut had them reading exhibits, reading questions and searching for answers - great group cooperation. They were also able to hand make pottery bowls to take home. Great Field-Trip!

No matter where you live in Memphis, this is probably a 30 minute drive for you. We're talking…read moremiddle of nowhere, y'all. I've heard about this place forever but finally decided to make the trek down there and spend some time. I am part Native American and while I never knew my grandmother, the history and culture has always piqued my interest...even though (full disclosure) I know basically nothing. I should have mentioned before (although you probably guessed by the name) that this is a Native American museum and abandoned village site from the 1500s. There is an 8 minute introductory video that is a little bit confusing. I say confusing because I didn't find it very informative and it lost my interest after about a minute and a half. All I gathered from it is that the University of Memphis controls the site and a lot of their students write projects on it. Oh, and they talk about the "hands on" exhibit kids get to see where they get to see archaeological finds. I peaked in afterwards and it was pretty cool. If you have kids, this would be very fun for them. The exhibits inside are very small with more words and reproduction displays than artifacts and I spent the majority of the time outside. It was a gorgeous day and the village is beautiful but there isn't really that much to look at...or information. I think this place would be a goldmine for kids though. I liked it but don't think I'd take a second trip back unless there was a special event. Definitely, definitely glad I went though. It is really cool to know more of Memphis's history. Oh, and there are also hiking trails through the forest. We started but I didn't have the right shoes on. Great place to be outdoors!

Only Love and Light can conquer their opposites." MLK, 1963…read more Ok that fateful day in 1968. The shots rang out. Who knows why? But for all the wrong reasons we can see the legacy that Martin Luther King left behind. They have dedicated this place to his legacy. Let's go inside the museum. The legacy of his life is outlined here. The strife of the world. This is living history. The vision that he had and what he has done. The quiet proof and all that happened here. The car the way life was set all those days ago. The museum outlines historic events in a difficult way and time when the world was involved in much change. This is a must see..... when you come to Memphis. The mystery and myth of love and light can be seen here . The value is something you cannot put a price on . Freedom! For all! You will learn something here. This self proclaimed leader will shake you . Bring tissues and at least two hours to see the museum. The parking is on street for best results. Again, living history. The speaker box outside on the side walk outlines the "day of." Love and light are what he left.

All of us are guilty of taking for granted certain people and things…read more I was so overwhelmed by seeing the Lorraine Motel. In a time where history is being threatened, seeing this was beyond amazing. I've been to Memphis so many times between 2025 to present. Shame on me for not having come sooner. $25 for a ticket when in reality you're able to see the hotel just by coming by. Service is great, it's Memphis where people are super friendly and kind. I'd definitely recommend to come and check this place out!

I'll be honest--I am not what anyone would describe as an "outdoorsy person." My idea of nature is…read moreusually parking close to the entrance. But my wife wanted to visit the Memphis Botanic Garden for her birthday, and somehow this place turned me into a calm, peaceful woodland citizen for a few hours. First off, the weather was absolutely perfect, which already gives nature a huge advantage. Then you walk the grounds and realize this place is legitimately beautiful. Ducks casually living their best lives, koi fish gliding through the water like they pay property taxes there, birds chirping, flowers everywhere, waterfalls and water features--it's like stress gets checked at the front gate with your $12 admission fee. And let's not overlook the fact that there were food trucks... and one of them was selling cocktails. Suddenly being outside didn't seem so unreasonable anymore. What surprised me most was how peaceful the entire experience felt. It genuinely pulls you away from the noise of everyday life and drops you into this quiet little zen mode you didn't know you needed. Also, if you're planning a wedding or outdoor event, this place is loaded with gorgeous spots that look like they came straight out of a magazine. Seriously, every few steps felt like another "this would be an amazing wedding photo" moment. When the weather cooperates, this place is hard to beat as a happy place. Even for people like me who normally consider "the outdoors" a temporary inconvenience.

This is one of the best things that we have in Memphis! If you are here to visit, or if you live…read morehere and have never been, I highly recommend this place for a sunny day visit. If you haven't been in a while, get your butt in here and buy a membership. Then come whenever you have a free minute. It's like you aren't in the center of the city when you are here. An oasis, if you will... They have tons of different gardens with blooms that happen all throughout the year. I love the hasta garden and the big springtime daffodil blooms! There is also a very nice rose garden that is full of beautiful blooms all summer long! I love everything about this place! One of the most elegant weddings I have ever attended was held here! There was a freaking shrimp tree! Who has a shrimp tree!! Mary does, that's who!! Between the gardens themselves, the awesome event venues this place houses, and the killer live music stage that's also here. It has it all! They have done a great job over the years growing and making this place relevant and useful for the citizens and visiting folks. They have plant sales, plant exhibits, art exhibit, and so much more here! The Orchid exhibit is one of the coolest plant based wonders I have ever seen. I did not know there were so many varieties of Orchids in the world. Seriously.... Seek it out and go check it out!! All of the staff have been great! From the little old ladies at the desk, to the groundskeepers you run into. All super friendly and seem happy to be there. They even have Mempops here most of the time and I have seen some other small food truck type options here as well. '26 - 15

This is a great little museum if you are in the neighborhood. I knew almost nothing about bridge…read moreand now I find myself wanting to try it. Everyone was super friendly and we spent about an hour there. And it's free with donations accepted.

Before Cordova was became an eastern extension of Memphis, it was its own place; a cute little town…read morecentered around a tiny train station, way out in the county. And while much of old Cordova is gone, there's one place where you can get your small-town fix. The small museum fills up one room (and a small annex) in the Cordova Community Center. Since the building housed the Cordova School from the early 1900s until the mid-1970s, much of the museum's limited space is given to a model classroom. After the school was closed, the county stored all of the old school fixtures in the building, which means that much of what you can see in the Cordova Museum is authentic to the school. There are musty books, old sports jerseys, photos of the first graduating class (three people), sheet music from the glee club, school picture day proofs and a binder full of graded writing assignments (mostly nature poetry) from the 1950s. The most impressive thing about the Cordova Museum, though, is its collection of photographs and archives from the town's history dating back to roughly 1860. And unlike many museums, the Cordova Museum's staff of one, Cordova native Darlene Hooker Sawyer, can tell you the names (and often the backstories) of every single person in the photographs. If you grew up in Cordova and ever participated in any Fourth of July parades, crafts fairs or halloween events at the Community Center, there's a high liklihood that your picture is in one of the binders in the Museum. Since my mom insisted that we participate in just about every single Cordova event, I was able to find a photo of my childhood best friend and I dressed up in ridiculous homemade red white and blue bunting dresses from an early 90s Independence Day parade. The Cordva Museum is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Admission is free, and they've also got free access to ancestrty.com from the museum computers.

My favorite area of Memphis has to be Cordova. A wonderful slice of history that is all free!!…read moreDarlene Sawyer is an amazing woman who went to the schoolhouse as a child and is so full of knowledge. If you like history and seeing how buildings and life was like in the 1800s and 1900s, this place is for you.

The King is still here!…read more Elvis Presley Graceland! What a legend to step in here. The original grounds were a family farm! Elvis bought the land and sewed in the seeds of rock n roll. The seeds of Elvis are deep here in Memphis. This was the voice of Sun Records that it sounds that they were looking for. He used that fame to make his legacy stand but to make the community better too. They have over 200,00 square feet of the homestead, airplanes, cars, museum space that you want the VIP access for the ultimate experience and views. Many come from all over to see the King! The lines are sometimes very long and can be difficult. Do the VIP? It's the best! Less wait time? Better luck for you and your group. Make sure and listen you will learn so much about the King that you did not even know. The wall surrounding Graceland has so many personality too. Many individuals leave their mark here for the King still today. Read the words of others who have left their mark for him.

a4* Graceland Elvis Presley home…read more Old furniture, photos Several buildings Jungle Room

We went here as part of our 45th Family Reunion's traditional historical tour. Amazing gallery of…read morephotos. Music, Sports, Lifestyle, and civil rights photos. Mr. Withers was an extraordinary and talented photographer. Add this to your must do list. Very nice staff.

Walking down (or up?) Beale Street on a Saturday afternoon I just happened to notice the Museum &…read moreGallery with a modest sign on the door that said, "Pay What You Wish Today." I was not previously aware of Dr. Earnest C. Withers and his iconic photographs documenting the Civil Rights Movement, but when I poked my head in to check it out, I immediately knew it was worth an in-depth look and I beckoned my traveling companion (a talented photographer in his own right) to join me in stopping by. As I previously mentioned, though I never heard of Withers, I quickly realized that I've seen some of his most famous photos in other museums, documentary films, and history books. Beyond those few examples, I was impressed by the hundreds of photographs capturing both important figures and events in the Civil Rights Movement. Withers was a truly talented photographer with unprecedented access to people and events, and a great eye for capturing frames that tell an important story. I'd recommend stopping in whether it's "Pay Whatever Day" or not. I was happy to make a generous contribution. (BTW -- you can see more of Withers' work at the National Civil Rights Museum -- another five star venue -- reviewed separately).

Cooper Young Festival. How I love you so. You might be getting too big for your britches though…read more This year was by far the busiest I have ever seen it. We got there about noon and parked .81 miles away from the entry point on the south side by the Tabernacle. When we left at 4:00 or so, the streets were lined miles further away than we were. It was really kind of crazy how many where there. I am sad to say I didn't find a damn thing other than food and beer to buy this year. Not a damn thing. I already have all of the shit that peaked my interest. My wife did want a painting for my kid, but hesitated and said she would come back for it. When we got back, it was gone and she was bummed. We talked to the artist about commissioning a new piece, so maybe. It was the best piece of art in the festival. I should have just bought it myself when we liked it. I'll be back next year, hope someone with some nice art will tempt me. Just a heads up, snack wise.... Stick Em' food truck and Butterific cookies for the win no matter m what here. For real.

Our first time going to this festival and it was packed. First time we went was around 11am and it…read morewasn't as bad then but the second time we went around 4pm and it was shoulder to shoulder. The parking was bad. I think we parked almost 2 miles away. So many booths yet not many food options. Guess I expected a lot of options. I did however find something great, a place called Wild Bills. The place sold sodas in tin mugs with unlimited refills. We bought the barrel mug for 15 bucks and we probably refilled it 6-7 times. Easily got my money back with those refills. Overall we had a good time.