Mud Island River Park
Mud Island River Park offers hiking and bicycling trails as well as a nature center museum with 18 galleries. There's a walking bridge and a monorail to Mud island. The walking bridge is free, but the monorail and the museum charge for admission. The nature trails go down to the edge of the Mississippi river and have a nice view of downtown Memphis. There are food vendors on the island and it's open all year 'round. They also have a miniature Gulf of Mexico, with pedal boat rentals.
Mud Island River Park and Nature Center
125 North Front Street
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
(901) 576 7241
mudisland.com
Overton Park
Historic Overton park is home to the Memphis Zoo and the Old Forest Arboretum, a natural arboretum where old-growth trees are labeled, shading the winding pathways that run amidst trees, some of which are over 300 years old. Also in Overton park is the outdoor Levitt Shell Theater where Elivs Presley gave his first performance, opening for Slim Whitman. Visit the park to stroll the arboretum, hike the river's edge or bicycle through the trails.
Overton Park
2080 Poplar
Memphis, Tennessee
cityofmemphis.org
Bicycling at Shelby Farms
The 4,500+ acre Shelby Farms Park Conservancy is located at the Mississippi River delta and offers miles and miles of bicycle trails. The Tour de Wolf is a 5.5 mile off-road loop that goes through plains and prairies. The Chickasaw Bike Trail is a leisurely 3 mile paved trail that's also open for pedestrians and roller-bladers. The White trail (formerly called the Rainbow trail) is an 8 mile loop that can be treacherous at times. The park also offers hiking trails, horseback riding, kayaking, fishing, wildlife viewing, paddle boats and canoeing.
Shelby Farms Park
500 N Pine Lake Dr.
Memphis, Tennessee 38134-7970
(901) 382-2249
shelbyfarmspark.org
Article Written By Lisa Russell
Lisa Russell has been a freelance writer since 1998. She's been published in "Rethinking Everything Magazine," "Playdate" and "Home Educator's Family Times." She has a professional background in education, cosmetology and the restaurant industry. Russell studied early childhood education at Antelope Valley College, and is pursuing a degree in law.
