Sports & Outdoors

  Looking for ways to work out in Memphis without breaking the bank? Here are 10 easy, inexpensive ways to exercise, workout, get moving, and enjoy the outdoors in Memphis this year. Whether you're big on New Year's resolutions, interested in working out, trying to brag on your Instagram, or even if you totally reject the fitness industrial complex...you can find something that sparks your interest in this post!   Craig Thompson For more fun outdoors ideas, check out  13 Ways To Enjoy The Outdoors In Memphis  and  10 Outdoor Adventures At Shelby Farms.  Here's your list: 1. Walk, run, skate or bike the Shelby Farms  Greenline  - free The seven-mile long paved trail runs along an old railroad line from Tillman and Walnut Grove in Midtown to Shelby Farms park in East Memphis. The trail is free and open daily from sunrise to sunset. At some point, allegedly, a two-mile long extension— the Hampline —will connect the Greenline to the existing Overton P...

  An old-growth forest in the middle of the city? Only in Memphis. Assignment #74 in the  365 Things to Do in Memphis  is to take a walk through one of the last remaining old growth forests in Tennessee. The Old Forest is a 172-acre wooded area located in Overton Park. It has paved and unpaved trails and it's so quiet, you'll forget you're close to East Parkway, Poplar Avenue, and the bustle of the city. The Overton park old forest trails are also Reason #28 to Love Memphis. read more  here . The Old Forest Trail at Overton Park is one of my personal favorite places in the entire city, and somewhere I have spent a lot of time, so I'm happy to recommend it to you! Paved trail through Overton Park's Old Forest Holly Whitfield Rainbow Lake at Overton Park Holly Whitfield Overton Park Trail Entrance Holly Whitfield Unpaved trails run through the Old Forest Bicycle gate entrance to Overton Park trails.

click buy now   The next time you need some peace and quiet, head to the new pedestrian bridge over the Wolf River. The wood and steel bridge pedestrian bridge connects Shelby Farms and the Greenline to the   Wolf River greenway . The views of the river are incredible, and it's pretty nice that you can't see or hear the traffic on the Walnut Grove bridge from the bridge. Holly Whitfield If you're looking for somewhere to hide on your lunch break (or stage an impromptu woodland lecture) there are benches and tables on the river banks at the northern end of the bridge. The bridge is accessible via the Humphreys Boulevard access point to the Wolf River Greenway. There is a  parking area  nearby. If you're at Shelby Farms, you can also crossing Walnut Grove at the light at Farm Road and follow the trail. Just be careful and use the pedestrian walk signals—this is one of the busiest intersections in East Memphis. The paved trail also connects to the Greenline th...

  Shelby Farms Park is one of Memphis’ greatest treasures, and a truly stunning outdoor amenity. At 4,500 acres, it covers an area roughly five times the size of New York City’s Central Park. It’s an outdoor lover’s paradise, offering everything from wildlife viewing on scenic trails to kayaking in tranquil lakes to exploring the woods on horseback. Here are 10 ways you can enjoy the outdoors at Shelby Farms Park. 1). Explore the trails on foot.     Holly Whitfield Shelby Farms Park offers more than 40 miles of scenic, multi-use trails, including some beautiful unpaved trails, perfect for hiking or enjoying a relaxing walk to soak up some soothing forest vibes. On the six miles that make up the Tour de Wolf Trail, you’ll pass by Beaver Lake, a perfect spot for viewing waterfowl.  Or get a workout on the Wolf River Trails, which meander through the Lucius Burch Jr. State Natural Area, parallel to the Wolf River. There’s a good chance you’ll cross paths with forest inh...

  Grab your "Hush Y'all" sign - assignment #150 in the   365 Things to Do in Memphis   is to go to the World Golf Championships FedEx St. Jude Invitational—and while you're there, eat a Pronto Pup! Some of the best players in golf come to TPC Southwind every year for the week-long tournament, which is the longest-running event on the PGA Tour. The 2021 tournament is August 2 - 8, 2021. In true Memphis fashion, the FedEx St. Jude Classic has something that no other stop on the PGA tour can claim: volunteers stationed at every hole, waving purple signs that read “Hush, y’all.” Most importantly, though, the FedEx St. Jude Classic is a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The tournament has generated more than $25 million dollars for the hospital since 1970. Reminders of the cause are constant at Southwind. People who live along the course hang “We (heart) St. Jude!" banners from their balconies. Overall, the FedEx St. Jude classic is a low key good...

  Great news for Memphians and visitors this summer and fall—the one-of-a-kind Dixon Gallery & Gardens is totally free to everyone through the end of 2021! Holly Whitfield The Dixon is a Memphis institution. There are multiple gardens, meandering pathways, towering trees, outdoor sculptures, flowers, a cutting garden, and more. Learn more about the gardens on the Dixon's website. As for the galleries, the Dixon's permanent collection includes American paintings, art, and objects, collections of 18th-century German porcelain, and much more. There are also rotating exhibits featuring unique artworks and even some local exhibits. Learn more about the art at the Dixon  on their website . The Dixon is open:  Tuesday - Friday:  10 am - 5 pm Third Thursdays:  10 am - 8 pm Saturday:  10 am - 5 pm Sunday:  1 - 5 pm Museum & Gardens  Closed Mondays

  Here it is: Memphis area patios, listed (generally) by neighborhood. I will continue to update this list of patios, so if left off your favorite patio in Memphis all you have to do is leave me a comment. Railgarten in Cooper Young has multiple outdoor spaces with patios, a stage, and a playground. Sunglasses on, bottoms up. Here's a quick list. Downtown Cordelia's Market  Harbor Town *dog friendly  actually has two patios Loflin Yard  *dog friendly ( the whole place is basically a patio) Comeback Coffee Cupcake Cutie Curfew  at Canopy by Hilton Hotel *dog friendly Central BBQ Downtown  *midtown and downtown locations are dog friendly Automatic Slim's  ( just a few tables)  Terrace at the River Inn  (the covered rooftop bar/restaurant at The River Inn at Harbor Town) Blue Monkey Downtown  ( smoking allowed) Cafe Eclectic  Harbor Town Lunchbox Eats   patio is temporarily closed, sometimes to-go orders available Momma's ...

  Tigers Football has a been a wild ride the past few years, and t here's no better time than now to complete assignment #243 in the  365 Things to Do in Memphis  list:  go to a University of Memphis football game.   Photo credit: Andrea Zucker / Memphis Tourism You can expect lots of cheering,  Pronto Pups  and  BBQ nachos , The Mighty Sound of the South marching band, and the  U of M Fight Song .

  Sending out an SOS! Memphians, your help is needed.  The upcoming IRONMAN Triathlon benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and they are in REAL NEED of volunteers. The race is on October 2nd, but you can choose  volunteer shifts  on any days Sept. 29 - Oct. 2. (CLICK   HERE  TO SEARCH VOLUNTEER SHIFTS) Many of us have volunteered for the St. Jude Marathon in the past, handing out water, helping at the finish line, or at a cheering station. That event is always a special one for Memphis, and I believe that the St. Jude IRONMAN race can become a similar annual event where the community comes together to make it happen.  To volunteer, all you have to do is pick the day, time, and task that sounds good to you,  and sign up . Better yet—get a few friends to sign up with you.  Sign up here IRONMAN A few ways to volunteer: Help athletes during registration Hand out food  Give out medals at the finish line Pass water to cyclists Help ...

  New festival alert!  There’s a new three-day outdoors-oriented fest starting in downtown Memphis this November 5-7, hosted by Discover Memphis Naturally. They’re calling it “3 days of revelry by the river” and I think it’s a fabulous idea.  For the “Huzzah! On The Harbor” Kayak Race on Saturday at 2pm, the weather is looking great, and there will be a DJ, Wiseacre beer and Raw Girls juices for Huzzah participants. Use  LOVEMEM25  for a 25% discount promo code on your entry fee—sign up  here. The Competitions  Fieldaze’s main events are three competitions: a half marathon/5K race across Big River Crossing, a kayak race in Wolf River Harbor, and a cycling competition. You can register for these  through the Fieldaze website.  Peer Power BRX Half-Marathon and 5K Race ($25 - $55)  “Huzzah! On The Harbor” Kayak Race in Wolf River Harbor ($40) -- for this one, the weather is looking great, and there will be a DJ, Wiseacre beer and Raw Girls ...