Even though the Mississippi is known for its extreme “muddiness,” and you can’t exactly go for a dip in it, there are lots of other cool things to do on and around the river.
Mud Island River Park is great place to explore the river and its history. Take the monorail over the river to the park and then wander around the scale model of the Mississippi River, which is actually a pretty cool experience, to see the Mississippi from a bird’s eye view. Then head over to the Mississippi River Museum and peruse 10,000 years of river valley history. Bands like Journey and The Avett Brothers have been featured at Mud Island’s amphitheater. (And Fall Out Boy is coming in September and The Lumineers are coming in October, so get your tickets now!!!)
The Riverwalk is a perfect way to get to know a different side of the city. The Riverwalk runs from Mud Island to the South Bluffs, and you can walk, run, or bike it, or just pick a spot and hang out.
Many people may not know this, but there is a little neighborhood on Mud Island called Harbor Town. Harbor Town is a cute, close-knit community, with its own elementary school, restaurants, and grocery store. Miss Cordelia’s is a popular place to go for upscale deli fare and great desserts, but Harbor town’s brightly painted cottages and island atmosphere make for a great visit no matter what.
Tom Lee Park runs along the bluff next to the river and is the traditional site for Memphis in May, which includes a music festival, an international bar-be-que contest, and the Sunset Symphony performance.
If you want to actually get on the river, take a tour or a dinner cruise on one ofMemphis’s paddlewheel riverboats, or try one of the new airboat excursions. Go to Beale Street Landing, next to Tom Lee Park, to purchase tickets.