Family Vacation Ideas in West Tennessee

Featured in this Article:

Family Attractions in and near Memphis
Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Jackson, TN
Family Attractions near Jackson, TN
 

• Memphis Museum of Science & History is a fun way to learn about history, science and nature

• The AutoZone Dome at the Sharpe Planetarium has a screen area of 3,925 square feet, making it the largest projection screen in Memphis

• Immerse yourself in space to see constellations, planets, black holes and space travel

• Tour the Mallory–Neely House, a 19th-century Victorian mansion. Both are part of the Memphis Museum of History & Science

Memphis Zoo - Memphis

• Unique Giraffe Feeding Adventure can be experienced at Memphis Zoo every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March to October

• Get up close to giraffes and learn about the special way they feed

• $5 gets you three pieces of lettuce, supplied by the zoo

• Head over to KangaZoo to meet one of Australia’s largest marsupials, the red kangaroo

• Tickets to walk through the exhibit to see free range kangaroos is $5

• Keeper chats, a sea lion show and various animal feedings are special events that happen daily at the zoo

The Children’s Museum of Memphis - Memphis

• When the temperatures start rising, bring the kids to The Children’s Museum of Memphis’ H2Oh! Splash Park

• Over 7,700 square feet of garden-themed water fun

• The exhibit includes more than 40 sprayers including jet streams, geysers and water tunnels

• Explore Bubble Gardens and make kid-sized bubbles at five bubble stations

• Enjoy lunch at the picnic tables lining the area or bring a lawn chair

• The splash park is open seasonally, from Memorial Day to Labor Day

Memphis Botanic Garden - Memphis

• Spend a leisure afternoon at the beautiful Memphis Botanic Garden

• My Big Backyard is a family garden perfect for splashing, digging, creating and discovering

• 16 different themed areas invite children to play in nature

• Explore special garden events and exhibits

• 96 acres of 30 specialty gardens within seven distinct zones

• Diverse sculptures and art are sprinkled throughout the property and on permanent display

Memphis Rox - Memphis

• Memphis Rox has climbing walls and activities for every age, build and ability

• Take the 45-minute climbing class at Memphis Rox to get acquainted with the sport 

• Learn to tie a rope, top rope belay, climb commands and more

• Enjoy the rope climbing and the bouldering courses

Shelby Farms Park - Memphis

• At Shelby Farms Park, you can choose your experience

• The treetop adventure includes 40 obstacles and a 624-foot zipline

• Treetop journey has 25 obstacles and a 190-foot zipline

• Treetop discovery with 15 obstacles with the longest course zipline at 625 feet

• Axe throwing and Put putt are popular activities

• Traverse the aerial courses at night during Nights at Height

• Hike, bike, kayak, horseback ride and see buffalo

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park - Millington

• Casey Jones Village is filled with kid-friendly things to do in Jackson, Tennessee

• Step inside local legend Casey Jones' history home that has been transformed into a railroad museum containing exhibits about Jones' life and heroic last train ride

• See a short film about his life, walk through his historic home 

• Climb aboard and ring the bell of the 35-ton locomotive

• The Farm at Casey Jones Village is full of yard games, antique Ford tractors, a muscadine vine tunnel, photo ops and picnic tables

• Seasonal activities at The Farm include cut-your-own wildflowers, snacks and drinks in the Farm Shed and shopping

• Enjoy one of the South's greatest restaurants at The Old Country Store, serving up fried chicken, catfish and Southern sides

• Visit Miss Annie's Ice Cream Shoppe for old-fashioned candy and lots of ice cream flavors

Jackson’s AMP at the Market - Jackson

• The AMP, located in the heart of Jackson, is a family-friendly, open-air venue 

• Hosts music from various artists

• Listen to blues, country, rock n' roll and more

• Bring a few lawn chairs and enjoy a family night under gorgeous sunset skies

Rusty’s TV and Movie Car Museum - Jackson

• Kids will love the Regional History Gallery found inside Discovery Park of America

• The gallery showcases the unique natural history of Northwest Tennessee, including Reelfoot Lake, the only large natural lake in Tennessee

• Experience what the 1811-1812 earthquake felt like on the Earthquake Simulator

• Get an up-close look at the largemouth bass, bowfin, smallmouth buffalo and blue and channel catfish in the aquarium

• 100,000 square feet of 10 exhibit galleries include artifacts and interactive activities on topics like science, space, the military, transportation, technology and more

• The 50-acre outdoor heritage park includes a man-made river, nature playground, Liberty Hall with a replica of the Liberty Bell, 120-year-old church and reproduction of an early 20th-century town with a working gristmill, windmill and one-room schoolhouse

• Japanese, European and American gardens are onsite

• Grab a bite at Sabin's Cafe or the seasonally open Eats and Treats on the north side of the park

Tennessee Safari Park - Alamo

• Your family will love the drive-thru experience at Tennessee Safari Park

• Drive 5.5 miles along the designated path to see exotic animals

• Stop to feed the animals from your car

• Feed cups are $3 each or four cups for $10

• After your drive, enjoy the walk through zoo where you can see monkeys, goats, giraffes, camels and more

• Children can enjoy the playground area and enjoy the petting zoo

Falcon Ridge Farm – Bolivar

• The 240-acre Falcon Ridge Farm is a working farm that opens seasonally for fruits, vegetables and flowers

• Falcon Ridge Farm hosts an annual Harvest Festival and Christmas seasonal fun

• During the Harvest Festival, you can pick pumpkins in the pumpkin patch, shop local items and grab a caramel apple or chili hot dog at the market and make your way through the corn maze

• A highlight is going through the petting zoo where you can get up close to peacocks, turkeys, ducks, goats, horses, pigs, chickens and more

Pinson Mounds State Archeological Park - Pinson

• Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park contains at least 15 Native American mounds

• This is where history truly comes alive

• Pinson Mounds contains the largest Native American Woodland Period mound group in the U.S.

• Archaeological evidence suggest the mounds were used as both burial and ceremonial

• See the mounds for yourself on a short walk to Sauls Mound where you can access paved loops that lead to the barrow pit, Duck’s Net and Mounds 12, 15, 17 and 28

• Inside the museum designed as a Native American mound replica, includes 4,500 square feet of exhibits full of prehistoric Native American tools, trade and ceremony items, fieldwork information and the history of the Pinson site

The Grind Mac & Cheese Burger Bar - Martin

• When the kids are hungry, take them to the kid-friendly The Grind Mac and Cheese Burger Bar in Martin, Tennessee

• Known for their gigantic milkshakes, delicious burgers and, of course, gourmet mac and cheese, The Grind is a fun place to relax and enjoy a delicious, made-from-scratch food

• Menu highlights include the Luther - a burger with cheddar cheese fondue, bacon, cheddar cheese between two grilled glazed donuts; chicken mac Alfredo with chicken and creamy Alfredo sauce; and the 16-ounce Cowboy Ribeye steak

• Kids' menu choices include a peanut butter and jelly without the crust, cheeseburger sliders and chicken tenders with tater tots

• The S'more The Merrier shake is rimmed with golden grahams and topped with campfire marshmallows toasted tableside, whipped marshmallow cream and a cherry

• Additional shakes include milkshakes topped with churros, cocoa pebbles, Oreo Pop Tarts and strawberry shortcake.

Explore even more family-friendly trip ideas in West Tennessee.