Free Things to Do in Downtown Memphis

Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion

Danny Thomas, founder of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, is honored on the campus grounds of the Downtown hospital. The life of the late entertainer and philanthropist is commemorated in the pavilion that is free and open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mud Island River Park

Mud Island River Park opens to visitors from April to October.


The monorail ride across the Memphis Harbor charges a fee, as does the Mississippi River Museum in the park. But access to the park via the pedestrian bridge is free, as is admission onto the grounds that includes the Riverwalk, a scale replica of the Mississippi River.

RiverFit

RiverFit is the Memphis Grizzlies Riverfront Fitness Trail that provides six fitness and exercise stations, two sand volleyball courts, and a soccer field at Tom Lee Park along the banks of the Mississippi River.

Beale Street

Beale Street is home to a stretch of clubs, bars, restaurants, shops and museums that aren’t free, but walking the historic street is free. Recognized as the home of the blues as well as the most iconic street in the United States by USA Today in 2013, the Beale Street entertainment district stretches four blocks from the banks of the Mississippi River at Beale Street Landing.

Beale Street Landing

Beale Street Landing is a new edition to the Memphis riverfront. A unique riverboat docking facility, Beale Street Landing’s unique design provides some of the best views of the Mississippi River from the grass rooftop, as well as a children’s play area and spray park.

The facility is home to events such as a weekly movie night in the summer.

Center for Southern Folklore

The Center for Southern Folklore is a nonprofit organization located on Main Street that works to recognize the arts, music and heritage of the South from its center in Memphis. Music events often are held in the facility.

Peabody Rooftop

The views from atop The Peabody Memphis hotel are some of the best in the city, and all it requires is an elevator ride from the historic hotel’s lobby.

Peabody Ducks

The Peabody ducks are a hit with children and adults alike. Every day at 11 a.m. the ducks march down from their penthouse suite on the rooftop of the hotel. They come down the elevator and march down a red carpet to the lobby fountain where they spend their day until 5 p.m. when they reverse the procession. The event is always free.

Mississippi River Views

Whether it’s from Beale Street Landing, Tom Lee Park, the Bluff Walk or the riverfront park on Mud Island, the beautiful sunsets along the Mississippi River are always free. Check out this list of the best places to see the Mississippi River.

South Main Trolley Nights

The South Main Trolley Night is the last Friday of every month, when all the galleries, boutiques, restaurants and bars of the South Main Historic Arts District stay open until 9 p.m. with special events, shows and other fun.