Have Splashing Fun in West Tennessee

Tennessee's heat waves shouldn't prompt indoor activities. Stay outside and cool off this summer at one of these West Tennessee water retreats.

Mud Island River Park

Mud Island River Park - a museum, live entertainment venue and park - is a tourist's entry-point to Memphis and arguably one of the most beautiful lookout points of Downtown Memphis. Dip your feet in the waters of the Riverwalk, a unique real-life replica of the Mississippi River's path from its confluence with the Ohio River in Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico. The "1,000-mile" journey concludes at the gulf, represented by an acre of water that offers paddle boat or kayak relaxation against the Downtown Memphis skyline. Ample picnic spots are available for a post-water snack or lunch.

Children's Museum of Memphis

The garden-themed H2Oh! Splash Park is located outside the Children's Museum of Memphis. The splash pad is more than 7,700 square feet of cooling fun with more than 40 sprayers in the shapes of flowers and leaves, sea serpents, snakes, water tunnels and canons, split and jet streams. The park opens Memorial Day weekend and runs through Labor Day weekend each year.  

Fish the Mississippi River 

Catch a trophy fish on a guided fishing tour of the Mississippi River! Whether in Memphis with James "Big Cat" Patterson or Paris, Tennessee with Steve McCadams, you can bring home a crop of catfish, a crappie, or even a white bass. Grab a friend and a cooler to spend a few hours with fishing legends in West Tennessee.

Paddle the Wolf River 

You can paddle Shelby Farms Park lakes and the Wolf River from sunrise to sunset. Though you're welcome to bring your own kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard, or non-motorized craft, guests may rent kayaks and canoes from the boathouse at Pine Lake next to Shelby Farms' Woodland Discovery Playground. It is important to note the Ghost section of the Wolf River is for moderate to advanced kayakers and canoers since the snaking river is kept as naturally as possible, meaning there's a lot of maneuvering from tree stumps, vines and the like.