From art to outdoors, here are 7 spots to tackle your Memphis summer bucket list

John Beifuss, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Updated ·6 min read

Memphis in summer, summer in Memphis. It's gonna be hot. That's certain.

What else is likely is that many Memphians will spend another summer in Memphis ignoring some of the city's most popular tourist destinations or failing to take advantage of some of its most attractive amenities.

Why not make this year different? Why not revisit or at long last make a visit to some of the places you possibly take for granted? They're waiting for you.

Here are some suggestions for your Memphis summer bucket list

Tom Lee Park

Ashvin Peterson, 9, lounges on the playground in Tom Lee Park in Downtown Memphis on Sept. 1, 2023. The structures in the playground are based on the wildlife found in the Mississippi River.
Ashvin Peterson, 9, lounges on the playground in Tom Lee Park in Downtown Memphis on Sept. 1, 2023. The structures in the playground are based on the wildlife found in the Mississippi River.

If you have yet to visit the redesigned Tom Lee Park, what's stopping you? Opened in 2023 after a $60 million-plus renovation that generated some controversy and ill will (the park's longtime major client, the Memphis in May International Festival, has said so long to Tom Lee), this mile-long stretch of Mississippi River-side real estate has become a multiuse attraction, with a fancy playground for kids (check out the giant otter!), game and sports courts, trails and, of course, the 2008 centerpiece statue of its titular hero, riverworker Tom Lee, frozen with his hand outstretched in the heroic act that inspired a grateful city to name the park in his honor, after he saved the lives of 32 passengers from a sinking steamboat in 1925.

For more information, visit tomleepark.org.

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

The recent HBO/Max four-part documentary series "STAX: Soulsville U.S.A." ends on a downbeat note of betrayal that is hardly mollified by a one-sentence text coda alluding to the belated but happy sequel story: The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, operated by the Soulsville Foundation, an organization that celebrates the genius of great artists of the past while working to inspire the artistry of succeeding generations, through its Soulsville Charter School and Stax Music Academy.

Resurrected from the broken bricks and razed walls of the original Stax studio at 926 E. McLemore, in the heart of the neighborhood known as "Soulsville," the Stax Museum is a genuine must-see that educates, entertains and edifies with a series of irresistible artifacts and interactive stations that testifies to the appeal of the Black musical artform known as "soul." The music's great interpreters are celebrated: Otis Redding, Al Green, Booker T. & the MG's, and so on. You'll see Isaac Hayes' gold Cadillac, alongside his golden Oscar for "Shaft"; a glittery Tina Turner shimmy dress; a cape that belonged to "The Funkiest Man Alive," Rufus Thomas; and even a "Soul Train" dance floor (feel free to do the bump, the robot or the Funky Chicken).

For more information, visit staxmuseum.com.

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

The gown, left, worn by the singer-songwriter Sia for InStyle magazine, is displayed in the new "Christian Siriano: People Are People" exhibit at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art in Memphis on March 21. The exhibit is devoted to the work of Siriano, a noted fashion designer and "Project Runway" alumnus.
The gown, left, worn by the singer-songwriter Sia for InStyle magazine, is displayed in the new "Christian Siriano: People Are People" exhibit at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art in Memphis on March 21. The exhibit is devoted to the work of Siriano, a noted fashion designer and "Project Runway" alumnus.

In 2025, a new Memphis Brooks Museum of Art with a new, simpler name — the Memphis Art Museum — is set to open Downtown, after some two years of construction, many more years of discussion, and close to $200 million in expenditures. With all the hype, some people seem to have forgotten that the original Brooks, founded in 1916, remains open and active in its original home in Overton Park.

A current can't-miss exhibit that remains up through Aug. 4 is dedicated to fashion designer Christian Siriano, and showcases gowns that were worn by Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Lizzo, Zendaya, Oprah and Michelle Obama, to name just a few. Meanwhile, the museum hosts jazz music every Saturday, live drawing classes with models, and has revived its movie program: In recognition of its 50th anniversary, "Chinatown" with Jack Nicholson screens at 2 p.m. June 23, with the screwball comedy masterpiece "The Lady Eve" with Barbara Stanwyck showing at 2 p.m. July 21.

For more information, visit brooksmuseum.org.

Free concerts in Memphis

The Overton Park Shell.
The Overton Park Shell.

Memphis means music, so the Bluff City and its suburbs make music available to the public free of charge via numerous summer concert series. The "Orion Free Concert Series" at the historic Overton Park Shell (where Elvis introduced himself to the Memphis public in 1954) continues with multiple dates through July 29, with shows that will feature such artists as North Mississippi Hill Country bluesman Cedric Burnside, Memphis neo-soul spellbinder Talibah Safiya and the kids of the Stax Music Academy. Meanwhile, the "Sunset Jazz" series at Downtown's Court Square hosts monthly shows through October (don't miss some of Memphis' best young players, Soul Ingredient — high schoolers who can play Dizz, the Duke and Hank Mobley — at 6 p.m. Aug. 11). Also, the 29th "Main Street Collierville" concert series continues through July 27. These are just a few suggestions — churches, community centers, libraries and other venues also offer music.

For more information, visit overtonparkshell.org, sunsetjazzmemphis.com and mainstreetcollierville.org.

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National Civil Rights Museum

Arndrea Waters King, Martin Luther King III, Russ Wigginton, the president of the National Civil Rights Museum, and Rev. Dorothy Sanders Wells place a new wreath in front of Room 306 at the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. The wreath was placed on April 4 during an event at the National Civil Rights Museum in honor of the the 56th anniversary of King's assassination.

Perhaps you visited the National Civil Rights Museum at some time in the past, and haven't been back in a while. Seriously: You need to go back. It's an almost overwhelming experience — at times inspiring, at time harrowing, but always essential, especially perhaps in an era in which some state legislatures want to put limits on school lessons to feature uncomfortable truths about America's racial history. A purposeful tour of the museum's many galleries and exhibits can be quite time-consuming, but even a fast visit or a pilgrimage to the balcony where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was slain is certain to have an emotional impact.

For more information, visit civilrightsmuseum.org.

AutoZone Park

Memphis Redbirds’ pitcher Michael McGreevy (29) throws the ball during the opening day game against the Charlotte Knights on March 29 at AutoZone Park in Memphis.
Memphis Redbirds’ pitcher Michael McGreevy (29) throws the ball during the opening day game against the Charlotte Knights on March 29 at AutoZone Park in Memphis.

Opened in 2000 kitty-corner to the historic Peabody hotel, AutoZone Park was not just a gem intended to add sparkle to Downtown. In 2009, the home of the Memphis Redbirds was named "Ballpark of the Year" by Baseball America magazine. Perhaps the luster and novelty have worn off; AutoZone no longer draws the crowds of its first decade. But it remains a wonderful place to hang out, eat nachos, drink beer, chat with friends, and, maybe incidentally, watch baseball or soccer. Plenty of opportunities are available: The Memphis Redbirds season runs through Sept. 22; the Memphis 901 FC professional soccer season continues through Oct. 12. Another reason to visit the park: Following in the footsteps of Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, among others, country singer Miranda Lambert will perform Sept. 28 at AutoZone, with Marty Stuart and Stephen Wilson as opening acts.

Visit milb.com/memphis and memphis901fc.com.

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Elvis Week

Mary Alice Lopez sings along to Elvis Presley’s music as she and her husband Jaime Lopez, from San Antonio, Texas, hold their candles in front of Graceland during the “Candlelight Vigil” as part of Elvis Week 2023 in Memphis, Tenn., on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Mary Alice Lopez has come to the vigil 43 times and Jaime Lopez has been 35 times. “The love, the kindness and the wish the world would be this way with everyone loving each other with kindness and harmony,” Lopez said as to why she wants to come back to the event each year. “Elvis personifies all the beautiful things in people and brings inspiration to all of us. He is love personified.”

Some Memphians don't like Elvis. Some scowl at the publicity and scoff at the tourists who make "Elvis Week" arguably the most significant season on the Memphis calendar each year. But whether you're an aficionado or a hater, you owe it to yourself to visit Graceland at least once. Perhaps the most interesting time to do this is during Elvis Week, which culminates in the Aug. 15 "Candlelight Vigil" commemorating the King's Aug. 16, 1977, death at the age of 42. That's when some of the most devoted fans are in town. You can also experience attractions even Presley non-fans should enjoy — for example, the Gene Simmons KISS costume and John Lennon piano on display in Elvis Presley's Memphis, the complex of museums across the street from the mansion.

For more information, visit graceland.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Things to do in Memphis: Best activities for your 2024 summer

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