Monday Through Friday in Memphis

Memphis-style exercise and eats

Start the week in the heart of Memphis with a day at Shelby Farms Park. The 4,500-acre urban park is where you’ll find 40 miles of trails made for walking, running, biking and hiking. Events take place all year long at the park, like Stroller Strides^® every Monday starting at 9:30 a.m. At this fitness event, moms can get a total-body workout while keeping their kids entertained with songs and activities. Afterwards, get your fill of mouthwatering, Memphis-style grilled meat at Central BBQ. The location on Summer Avenue offers children a free meal with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Spend time with Mother Nature

Since 1953, the Memphis Botanical Garden has grown into a lavish 96-acre park with 31 specialty gardens, including a Butterfly Garden and Arboretum. The Garden hosts summer concerts with music acts like Lionel Richie, Toby Keith and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Across Park Avenue, you can “Pay-What-You Wish” to see art at Dixon Gallery and Gardens every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Want more time outdoors? Drive 10 minutes from Dixon Gallery to Lichterman Nature Center. Admission is free on Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. and includes 65 acres of native Memphis forest.

See legendary art and music

Visit the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art’s 29 galleries for free on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It’s the largest and oldest art museum in Tennessee, so you can spend all day perusing work by Camille Pissarro, Renoir, Robert Motherwell and Memphis artist Carroll Cloar. In the evening you can hear live music at Lafayette’s Music Room, just a 15-minute walk from the museum through Overton Park. Early shows kick off at 5:30 p.m. with most Wednesday performances starting at 8 p.m. Get there early for happy hour drink specials from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Dine like a king

The fun begins on Thursdays at Dino’s Grill with “All You Can Eat Spaghetti” for $8 starting at 5 p.m. The family-owned restaurant has been serving homestyle Italian comfort food since it opened its downtown location in 1941. Elvis Presley considered this one of his favorite places to dine throughout the 1950s. Now you can visit the local favorite at its current location on McLean Boulevard. Afterwards, go to The Green Beetle for Trivia Night. The oldest tavern in Memphis serves drink specials from 3 to 7 p.m., southern inspired pub appetizers and a Build Your Own Burger menu.

A night of lasers, trolleys and more

Go deep into the culture and history of Memphis at the Pink Palace Museum. On Fridays at the museum, you can experience FAB Friday’s Laser Shows & Movies. From 6 to 9 p.m., families treat themselves to a laser show set to pop and rock music followed by a classic film projected on a giant movie screen. If you’re in Memphis on the last Friday of the month, visit the South Main Historic Arts District for Trolley Night. You’ll enjoy entertainment by Memphis artists and musicians, tastings offered by local breweries and distilleries, and a vintage trolley ride for just $1.

A tip for weekday travel

Memphis is world renowned for the music of Beale Street, so it's best to visit on weekday mornings to avoid the crowds. You can easily reach Memphis attractions by car, but avoid the headache of parking and traffic by using a ridesharing service. Plus, if you’re a Choice Privileges® member, you’ll earn perks as part of the Your Extras program, like Fuel Rewards^® savings, Uber trip discounts, bonus points and more. Just spend at least one Sunday through Thursday night at participating Choice Hotels^® locations in Memphis. If you’re not a member, it’s easy to join today and start enjoying the rewards.