Free things to do in Memphis: free museum days at the Civil Rights Museum, Brooks and zoo, the free Dixon, Big River Crossing, Shelby Farms and free concerts.

Last checked Oct. 18, 2026. Free days and hours come from each place’s own website, linked below. Free-admission programs can change, so check before you go. More family ideas are on kids’ activities.

A lot of Memphis costs nothing: the riverfront parks and Big River Crossing, Shelby Farms Park and Overton Park, the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, and free days at the National Civil Rights Museum, the Memphis Zoo and the Brooks Museum. Several free days are for Tennessee residents, so bring a state ID. City questions go to Memphis 311, 901-636-6500.

Free museum days

Place When it is free Who
National Civil Rights Museum, 450 Mulberry St. Mondays, 3 p.m. to close (not holidays or special events) Tennessee residents
Memphis Zoo Tuesdays, with an advance reservation Tennessee residents
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, 1934 Poplar Ave. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon Everyone
Dixon Gallery and Gardens, 4339 Park Ave. Always free Everyone
  • The National Civil Rights Museum suggests booking timed entry online; a visit takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. It is closed Tuesdays.
  • The Memphis Zoo limits Tennessee Tuesday reservations to six tickets each. City residents with a free 901 Pass card also get free zoo admission on Tuesdays (901 Pass).
  • The Brooks is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
  • The Dixon is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday (to 8 p.m. on third Thursdays) and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Parks and the river

  • Big River Crossing: nearly a mile across the Mississippi on foot or by bike, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with views of the skyline and the Arkansas floodplain.
  • Tom Lee Park: 31 acres on the riverfront with a large playground, a misting fountain and the five-mile River Line trail; open 6 a.m. to 30 minutes after sunset.
  • Shelby Farms Park: more than 40 miles of trails and the 12.94-mile Greenline; the park says it is open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset.
  • Overton Park: “always free and open to the public,” with more than 8 miles of trails, the Old Forest and the Overton Bark dog park.

Distances and access points are on our walking and biking trails guide.

Free music

  • Overton Park Shell, 1928 Poplar Ave.: the outdoor shell provides free programming every year, from concerts to free weekly Zumba workouts in the Baptist Health and Wellness Series.
  • Beale Street: walking the street is free except on select Friday, Saturday and holiday nights, when a $5 security fee applies; the Brass Notes Walk of Fame is set in the sidewalks (Beale Street). Under-21 rules apply at night; see our Beale Street guide.

Free indoors

What this means for you

  • Monday afternoon, Tuesday and Saturday morning are the free museum windows; plan around them.
  • Bring a Tennessee ID for the Civil Rights Museum and zoo free days.
  • Big River Crossing at sunset is free; it stays open to 10 p.m.

Related: kids’ activities, date night and parks and trails.

Frequently asked questions

Is the National Civil Rights Museum ever free?

Yes, for Tennessee residents: Free Period Mondays, from 3 p.m. until closing, except on holidays and special events. The museum is at 450 Mulberry St.

When is the Memphis Zoo free?

Every Tuesday for Tennessee residents through Tennessee Tuesdays. Advance reservations are required, up to six tickets per reservation.

Is the Brooks Museum free?

The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is free every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. It is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

What museums in Memphis are always free?

The Dixon Gallery and Gardens, 4339 Park Ave., made admission free for good. It is open Tuesday to Sunday.

Is it free to walk across Big River Crossing?

Big River Crossing, the nearly mile-long walking and biking bridge over the Mississippi, is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; its website lists no admission charge.