7 Things to do in Memphis in the Rain
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Rain on your vacation can be disappointing, but as I recently discovered there are plenty of interesting things to do in Memphis on a rainy day! Rain or shine, Memphis is a great time!
Bass Pro Shops in the Pyramid, Memphis
When I first heard about the Bass Pro Shops in the Pyramid in Memphis, I quickly wrote it off as something I didn’t need to visit while I was in Memphis. However, when the rain changed my plans, I gave it a chance and was pleasantly surprised at all it had to offer!
Beyond just shopping, the pyramid also houses the Big Cypress Lodge Hotel, an aquarium, an alligator enclosure, and a 13-lane underwater-themed bowling alley. There’s also Wahlburgers Wild and The Lookout Restaurant and for $8 you can head to the viewing area at the top of the pyramid for scenic views of Memphis (though your mileage may vary if it’s raining). Visiting the Pyramid and seeing the aquarium and alligator enclosure are free, while bowling is a fee-based activity.
The National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis
Other than seeing the exterior of the Lorraine Motel, the entirety of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis is indoors which is perfect if you’re exploring Memphis in the rain. With more than 20 exhibits, the museum’s website suggests allowing two hours to see it. I spent about three hours there and could have easily spent half a day exploring the museum given the depth and complexity of the topic and the number of exhibits, so this is a great rainy day activity. Tickets are $20 per adult, so it’s a reasonably priced activity.
The Old Dominick Distillery, Memphis
It’s downright sinful to go to Tennessee without trying Tennessee whiskey, so whether or not you’re exploring Memphis in the rain, pay a visit to the Old Dominick Distillery. Take a one-hour distillery tour and learn the history of Old Dominick, see how their whiskey is crafted, and enjoy a curated tasting of Old Dominick’s spirits. Spend even more time enjoying craft cocktails at the bar and hit up the gift shop to bring Old Dominick home with you before heading back out into the rain!
The Peabody Memphis
The Peabody duck tradition dates back to the 1930s when the then General Manager of The Peabody Memphis, and a friend thought it would be funny to place some live ducks in the Peabody fountain. Today the Peabody Memphis holds a twice-daily Peabody Duck Parade where the ducks march through the Grand Lobby of the hotel (11 am and 5 pm).
After the 11 am duck march, you can take an hour-long $10/person history tour of this Memphis hotel. Be sure to head to the roof to sneak a peek at the Duck Palace, where the ducks enjoy a miniature version of The Peabody (though that might be less appealing in the rain). Round out your day with a cocktail at the bar or the hotel’s three-course afternoon tea (reservations required). Before you leave, be sure to stop by the gift shop for some duck-themed souvenirs.
Where to eat in Memphis (rain or shine!)
Blues Hall of Fame Museum
With more than 400 inductees in five categories (Performer, Individual, Album, Single, and Literature) the Blues Hall of Fame Museum is an entertaining diversion for casual and serious blues music fans rain or shine! Opened in the spring of 2015, this Memphis museum has 10 galleries of interactive exhibits and one-of-a-kind music memorabilia. Admission is a reasonable $10/adult and there is, of course, a gift shop.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Founded in 1957 as Satellite Records, Stax has a storied history in Soul Music. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music is the only museum dedicated to protecting and promoting the legacy of not just Stax Records, but also American soul music. This Memphis museum takes you through the humble beginnings of soul, has an Express Yourself dance floor where you’re invited to shake your groove thing to vintage episodes of Soul Train, and has listening stations where you can hear the classics released by Stax and its subsidiaries. Located entirely indoors, it’s a perfect thing to do in the rain!
Graceland
If you go to Memphis, you’ve got to go to Graceland! Some of the exhibits, like the planes, are outdoors, but most of the mansion tour is indoors. Rain or shine, Graceland is a good time! There is also a large number of indoor exhibits that are all connected. You can see Elvis’ car collection, his career museum, a wardrobe exhibit, and an exhibit chronicling his time in the Army, just to name a few! The best part is that the indoor exhibits are all interconnected, so there’s no need to go out in the rain to go from exhibit to exhibit!
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Lori Barbely
Hi, I’m Lori. But you can call me Lors. I’m a middle-aged New Jersey-born gal, currently based in Orlando, Florida. My background is in editorial travel photography and writing and I've been to more than 30 countries. I’m obsessed with tropical locales and my favorite city is Tokyo. Have camera, will travel! I’m a Disney adult, Lord of the Rings fan, certified crazy cat lady, and sushi addict! I hope this blog inspires your wanderlust. Feel free to follow me on Instagram for snippets of daily life on and off the road.
