Leisurely outdoor activities and pursuits with a more frenetic element can both be found in Memphis, giving the city a broad appeal and scope for entertaining visitors of all backgrounds. Paintball Park delivers the goods when it comes to family fun, while sports such as golf and bowling are well represented.

Bowling
Memphis offers a number of bowling alleys where both families and independent visitors can enjoy exciting 10-pin action. Competitions are held some evenings so it’s wise to call ahead to avoid disappointment. The city’s list of alleys includes the Imperial Bowling Center (phone: +1 901 683 5224), Billy Hardwick's All Star Lanes (phone: +1 901 683 2695) and Bartlett Lanes (phone: +1 901 386 7701).

Golf
A lengthy selection of courses is on offer for enthusiasts of this popular game, although many are private where non-members can play by invitation only. Among the municipal courses are: the TO Fuller State Park Golf Course (18-holes, 5,986 yards long, par 72); Whitehaven Golf Course (nine holes, 2,460 yards long, par 36); Pine Hill Golf Course (18 holes, 5,908 yards long, par 71) and the Overton Park Golf Course (nine holes, 2,222 yards long, par 34).

Laser Quest
Fast-paced, futuristic fun is on offer at Memphis’ Laser Quest, a modern attraction that’s suitable for visitors of all ages. During the 25-minute game, participants make their way around the maze, up and down levels and across ramps and catwalks. Music, sound effects, fog and special lighting enhance the experience. Phone: +1 901 324 4800; website: www.laserquest.com/.

Memphis Zoo
Since its opening in 1906, the Memphis Zoo has been an impressive attraction set on a spacious 76 spacious acres of land. The zoo’s collection includes over 3,500 animals representing more than 500 different species, with specimens from every continent on the planet. The zoo is split into three distinct zones; the Central Zone, the East Zone and the West Zone, each featuring its own unique selection of creatures. Phone: +1 901 333 6500; www.memphiszoo.org/.

Paintball
Paintball Park in Memphis offers adrenalin-fuelled fun for adult visitors, with six separate zones, each with its own theme and selection of features. Group visitors can arrange their own teams, while individual participants are assigned to a team by staff members based on their level of skill and experience. All equipment is provided by the park and safety is considered a high priority. Phone: +1 901 372 3383; www.memphispaintball.com.

Although music is a dominant theme of Memphis’ attractions, it isn’t the only medium that has contributed to the character of the city and visitors will find cultural venues that explore a variety of other topics. Art and archaeology are among the more dominant themes, the former including notable venues such as the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art and the University Art Museum.

Art Museum of the University of Memphis
This impressive gallery belongs to the city’s university and is home to a highly diverse selection of works from a broad range of genres and artists. The Egyptian and African collections are especially impressive, and visitors are able to take free guided tours of them by appointment. Phone: +1 901 678 2224; www.amum.org/.

Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art
This relatively new art museum has firmly established itself on the city’s cultural scene with its unique and varied collection of art that stems from numerous cultures and eras. Especially notable are the Chinese pieces hailing from the Qing Dynasty and the modern Judaic works. Besides art, there are also objects of natural history collected from across the globe. Phone: +1 901 523 2787; www.belzmuseum.org/.

Chucalissa Archaeological Museum
Built on the same site that once housed a Native American village of the Mississippian period, the Chucalissa Archaeological Museum is dedicated to providing information on the same theme. Various displays and artefacts examine the culture of the Mississippi River Valley Native Americans and even include a reconstruction of some village buildings, such as a shaman’s hut, the chief’s temple and a number of family dwellings. Phone: +1 901 785 3160; www.chucalissa.org.

Dixon Gallery and Gardens
For over three decades, the Dixon Gallery has brought culture to the city’s residents and visitors through its impressive collection of artistic works and its beautiful and lovingly tended landscaped gardens. Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings are among the highlights of the collection, while the fine and decorative arts pieces are also well worth viewing. Phone: +1 901 761 5250; www.dixon.org.

Memphis Botanic Garden
Occupying a 96-acre large property and featuring a total of 20 formal gardens, the Memphis Botanic Garden is a joy to visit at any time of the year with its collection of seasonal bloomers. April and May are especially good months to visit as the Ketchum Memorial Iris Garden reaches full bloom, while May, June and September are the perfect months to fully appreciate the splendid Municipal Rose Garden. The cactus and herb garden and the organic vegetable garden can be enjoyed all year round, as can the tropical conservatory. Phone: +1 901 685 1566: www.memphisbotanicgarden.com.

National Civil Rights Museum
The old Lorraine Motel houses the National Civil Rights Museum, a facility dedicated to honouring all those who gave their lives or made major personal sacrifices during the course of the civil rights movement. The museum’s displays chronicle the plight of African Americans from the days of the slave trade through to more recent times. Phone: +1 901 521 9699; www.civilrightsmuseum.org.

Tennessee cuisine is renowned not only for being exceedingly tasty, but also for the wide range of influences that have helped shape it. Features of European, Native American, and African gastronomy have been fused to create the state’s own distinct cuisine. Tennessee favourites such as biscuits, cornbread, beans and barbeque all owe their existence to these primary influences.

Visitors can enjoy traditional Tennessee cuisine at a variety of dining establishments across Memphis as well as international food representing countries from every continent on the planet. The city’s restaurant scene is large and varied, and caters to all tastes. Local cuisine is best sampled at one of the many all-you-can-eat barbeque restaurants; here you can gorge yourself on the local fare to your heart’s content for a set price. Restaurants are spread across the city; however, the downtown area is home to the largest selection.

Memphis’ shopping scene is impressive, offering everything from giant malls with big names to exclusive strips with chic boutiques. In the former category are venues such as Wolfchase Galleria with 130 retail outlets, Oak Court Mall with 80 retail outlets and Raleigh Springs Mall with 60 retail outlets. Big names on offer at these malls include Dillards, Macys, Sears, Gap, American Eagle and Banana Republic.

If you are looking for somewhere a little less mainstream with independent retailers that sell a more select range of goods, then the Cooper-Young district is the place to head. Here, besides the trendy clothing and accessory shops, you’ll find some great little coffee shops where you can rest your feet and do a spot of people-watching while enjoying a mocha, latte or espresso. Along the same lines, and buzzing with young, hip characters, is the South Main historic arts district.