by Tracey Deaux
Child Life Specialist

The temperature outside is getting warmer, the sun is out, children are getting out of school, and schedules are filled with sports, swimming, and barbeques.  Yes, it is the beginning of summer!  With summer comes the hope of a vacation…some place new and exciting…a break from work or school.  However, if for some reason you cannot take off work, your family has conflicting schedules, or you are not able to afford a luxurious retreat, and ultimately, the vacation you had planned is just not working out as you had anticipated, do not worry.  There are so many activities around town to fit the needs and wishes of everyone in your family, making your stay-cation feel more like a vacation. 

Here are just a few of the top activities to do in Memphis:

• Graceland: The home of Elvis Presley is an attraction second in popularity only to the White House.  Guests can see Elvis’ mansion and beloved private jets as well as Meditation Garden, the site of his grave.
• Beale Street Historic District: Home to Blues, Barbeque, and Rock n Roll, Beale Street offers shopping, great food, music, and entertainment.
• Memphis Zoo: Featuring over 500 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians and more than 50 endangered species, the Memphis Zoo is a great place to explore and is also home to several Memphis events including weddings, festivals, and concerts. 
• National Civil Rights Museum: Depicting the exact location where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, this museum highlights major events that occurred during the Civil Rights Movement. 
• Pink Palace Museum: This exciting museum offers a Civil War display, a Memphis history exhibit, a planetarium, a science and natural history exhibit, and an IMAX theater.
• The Children’s Museum of Memphis: A museum truly dedicated to children, this museum offers several hands on activities and exhibits including but not limited to a kids market, bookatarium, lighthouse, and tornado generator.
• The Peabody: The Peabody honors the rich heritage of the hotel and the city and is filled with historic artifacts such as old menus, news clippings and photographs.  It is home to the famous Peabody ducks that live on the Peabody rooftop and march daily at 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to a great number of fans.

These are just a few iconic attractions to not only keep you busy this summer, but also make you proud to be living in Memphis.  If you are looking for a more low-key night, summers in Memphis also offer Sunset Symphony nights, located on the great Mississippi river, Friday night Trolley Tours, Music festivals, Red Birds (Triple A) Baseball games, and great Memphis Barbeque.  These summer activities will keep you “walking in Memphis with your feet ten feet off of Beale.”

Editor's Note: We would like to thank the Peabody Memphis Hotel for the photo used in today's post.