This is a great place to live because Memphis almost always has something going on during the weekends.  But sometimes it’s a regular weeknight and you don’t feel like dealing with the bells and whistles, right?  I’ve compiled a list of the things I like to do (or want to do) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  This list is far from complete.  I have many more corners of the city to explore in the coming months.  These are just some the pit stops I find most interesting.

♠ Mondays ♠

National Civil Rights Museum Free Day, 1500 – close
Recognized as one of the premier museums for American cultural history, this museum is on the must-see list for Memphians.  Located downtown on South Main at the historic Lorraine Motel where MLK was assassinated in 1968, this complex of buildings provides education on the past, present, and future of our nation’s struggle for civil rights.  If you haven’t made time for this, make sure you do soon.  It’s free for TN residents on Mondays (sorry Mississippi) and only costs 15$ per person the rest of the week.  Open 0900-1700 most days, this place is a quality destination for any type of group.  Closed on Tuesdays.

Chess Club @ Otherlands, 1700
Hosted by Chuck, this is an open call to community chess players that want to test their skills.  All ages and skill levels are welcome and the games can vary from casual to tournament style.  If you’ve never learned chess and want to start there are a number of experienced players willing to give instructions and tips on the game.  It’s said that the only way to get better at chess is to play better opponents – for beginner-level players like me, that means playing anyone will improve my game.  Starting at 5pm gives you plenty of time to relax and unwind from work and make some new friends in the process.

5 in 1 Social Club, 1800-2200
Transforming T-shirts to Tin Can Lanterns, you never know what’s next at the 5 in 1 Social Club.  This innovative place is a wonderful part of the Broad Ave Arts District.  The friendly, creative folks work hard to provide interesting classes on craft projects you can continue on your own at home.  I have been saving my pennies and should be able to get there this month.  Now I just have to decide between candles and tin cans.  There are classes regularly scheduled on Mondays so it’s a great way to get your week going.

P&H Open Mic Night, 2100
One of my favorite dive bars offers one of my favorite open mics on Monday nights.  Tiffany Harmon hosts this event which offers the dedicated artists in Memphis a chance to share their work with an audience.  Often there is a feature artist that goes on around the start of the show.  Come out, drink beer, and get inspired by the variety of people crafting music and spoken word for your enjoyment.

♥ Tuesdays ♥

Dixon Gallery & Gardens PWYC Day, 1000-1700
It’s Pay-What-You-Can.  It’s a museum.  They’ve got awesome plants.  I’ve honestly only been to the Dixon for their plant sales.  It would be nice to actually go there and see what the place is all about.  Even if it’s not that great, it’ll only cost me a few bucks and some time.  Of course, I’m pretty sure it will make for a nice weekday afternoon adventure.

Stax Museum Free Day, 1300-1700
The birthplace for a whole generation of great musicians, the Stax recording studio is a legendary mecca for soul music.  I have heard all the name drops and history lessons associated with Stax but I have never visited for myself.  It wasn’t even on my radar until a friendly lyft passenger told me about the free day for Shelby County residents.  So I now have a plan and I just have to find a date to spend a Tuesday afternoon with.  Any takers?

Lichterman Nature Center Free Day, 1300
This urban nature center is one of those places every elementary school student in Memphis visits at some point.  A complex dedicated to the indigenous plants and wildlife of the mid-South, this is one of those educational experiences everyone should have.  I haven’t been to this place since my sister and I found a wounded bird in the backyard and my parents took us to dutifully deliver the poor creature to Lichterman for rehabilitation.  My memories are vague, so I think my child-like wonder will be satisfied by an adult visit.  It’s only $6 for other days of the week, so check it out when you can!

The Pink Palace Free Day, 1300-1600
From dinosaurs to grocery stores, the Pink Palace museum covers a wide range of history in the Southeast.  I vividly remember seeing an actual shrunken head there when I was on a school field trip.  It’s not quite the Natural History Museum, but definitely a great place to spend the day discovering new things.  They also have a 3D I-Max screen for when you want complete immersion into your movie experience.  I’ve also heard rumors of a planetarium, though I haven’t seen it for myself yet.

The Memphis Rock & Soul Museum Free Day, 1400-1900
Located at the corner of Third and Beale, this is a great place to go learn about the music history of downtown Memphis.  It’s normally $11 per person and $8 for kids 5-17 – not a bad price to pay for a glimpse into the legendary the birthplace of rock & soul music.  Part of the Smithsonian collection of museums, you can check it out any day from 1000-1900.  However, if you’re a Shelby Country resident, might as well take advantage of the free day.  There are seven galleries full of stuff, so plan for a few hours to take it all in.  The digital audio tour has 5 hours of information for your edification!

Memphis Zoo Free Day, 1400-1700
An oldie but a goodie – the Zoo is a classic destination for meandering on Tuesday.  The free day is so well-known that you had better arrive early if you want any chance at parking.  The nicer the weather the more people trying to get into Overton Park.  Fortunately they now have a shuttle service from the Overton Square parking garage to the zoo entrance.  Keep that in mind when you cross East Parkway and see a line of cars down Poplar Ave.

The Cove Trivia Night, 2100
Great drinks and obscure trivia – what else do you want?  I joined a team for this event a few months back and was fascinated by the complex round-based scoring system involved.  It allows you to wager a majority of your score on the categories you feel most confident in.  If you are playing to win, this part of the game can determine your chances.  If you just want to have fun, well then you can arbitrarily decide which round is the one you want to listen to.  When in doubt, go with the first round – it’s when you’re usually the most sober.  😉

♣ Wednesdays ♣

The Brooks Museum PWYC Day, all day
While Pay-What-You-Can (PWYC) is just another word for free in some circles, I usually grab a few bucks from my change jar to offer the kind folks at this museum in Overton Park.  Even if you can only pay a penny, the Brooks graciously encourages people to take a stroll through their thoughtfully curated permanent exhibits as well as getting a gander at whichever temporary feature they are hosting.  It’s a nice, quiet experience in edification.

Farmers’ Market at the Garden, 1400-1800 (May – October only)
Everyone loves a good farmers’ market.  The problem is most of them are only open on the weekends.  The Botanic Gardens offers a mid-week shopping opportunity for those of us that don’t wake up before noon on Saturday.  I’m not sure what type of things are offered here because I just now discovered it exists!  I will find some time this month to check this out for sure.  I love roasting seasonal vegetables at cook-outs and I can use the leftovers in just about anything the next day.  It’s also a great excuse to go see the gardens during something other than a party or music event.

The Brass Door Bingo Night, 1930
Bingo!  I’ve been through this downtown Irish pub on a Wednesday night and I was shocked at the crowd of regulars ready to get down with the letters and numbers.  Hosted by Diamond Dave and certainly a different take on after-hours fun, why not give it a try.  The food at TBD is fabulous and their chips (french fries) are to die for.  B I N G O.

Celtic Crossing Trivia Night, 1930
Possibly the most popular trivia in midtown, Allen Creasy does his best to keep everyone entertained at Celtic.  They recently completed their new patio covering and have an outside bar to give more people access to the watering hole, so come out rain or shine to test your wits against the rest of Memphis.  Choosing the name for your team can be the most challenging part of the night – so come prepared for fun and laughter.

♦ Thursdays ♦

High Cotton Monroe Taproom, 1600-2000
Wiseacre Taproom, 1600-2000
What’s better than grabbing a beer after work?  Grabbing a locally brewed beer, of course!  Two Memphis breweries now have taprooms open early on Thursday evenings for beer drinking at its best.  Whether you work downtown or in East Memphis there’s an option not far from you.  The best part is that these two places offer local favorites while continually coming up with seasonal brews to excite your palate.  I can’t think of a better way to start your weekend than Thursdays at a taproom.

Java Cabana Open Mic Night, 2000
A great location to sample the newest up-and-coming artists alongside a number of favorite regulars.  The sign-up list fills up fast but they make sure everyone gets their fifteen minutes.  There’s a great selection of non-alcoholic drinks to get your night jump-started and even some tasty snacks for your after dinner dessert.  The place is often standing room only by the time they get started, so get there early for a good seat.

Jazz Night @ The Cove, 2100
Just like the pirates of yore used to play, hang out at The Cove for some classic jazz and good spirits.  The times I’ve sat in on these nights I’ve enjoyed the music while making casual acquaintances.  Jazz is one of those genres that most people like without even knowing it.  If you want a low key, comfortable atmosphere with a full bar, wander over to Broad and soak up the tunes.

P&H Open Mic Comedy, 2130
It might be ha-ha funny, or just Windex funny, but something will make you smile at the P&H Comedy night.  There’s always a dedicated swath of regulars filling the room as local comedians take their turns tickling funny bones.  Boasting a wide variety of comedic styles, there’s definitely something that will bring on a chuckle.  If not, drink more beer.  Everything’s funnier with more beer.

◊ Every Day ◊

Republic Coffee, 0600-0000
Nothing particularly special here, except high quality coffee and a peaceful atmosphere.  A little off the beaten path, Republic Coffee has settled into the nook on Walnut Grove just before it crosses with Poplar.  They have multiple rooms and a patio so you can find your own cranny to set up shop and while away the hours reading, studying, or just watching the people come and go.  Not really a place for events so much as a retreat from midtown.  Stop in and check it out next time you want an adventure.

Sun Studio Tours, 1000-1800
Tours start on every half hour and first tour is at 1030.  The price is $12 per person and free for kids 5-11.  They don’t allow children under 5, so just keep that in mind if it’s a family outing.  There’s plenty of parking in that area and if you go in the afternoon you can hop over to the High Cotton Tap Room on Thursdays and Fridays (opens at 1600).

Mud Island River Walk, 1000-1700 (April – October only)
Have you been here before?  How about since you were a wee child?  I know I was there once because I remember playing in the miniature river with my bare feet.  It’s something to keep in mind for a lazy weekday when the weather is nice and you want to get a bird’s eye view of the Mississippi River.  For $4 you can grab a ride across on the monorail – the same one seen in The Firm!  Trust me, that was a pretty big deal to Memphians in the 90s.

Memphis Botanic Gardens, 0900-1800 (closes @ 1630 in the Winter)
For only $8 you can take a stroll through the beautifully kept grounds at the Botanic Gardens.  Bring the kids and let them experience 96 acres of various vegetation.  Whether you are looking for a class to take or just want to enjoy the sumptuous specialty gardens,

National Ornamental Metal Museum, 1000-1700 (Closed Mondays, open @ 1200 Sundays)
As I mentioned after Blues on the Bluff, this museum south of downtown is a wonderland of interesting art and architecture.  Newly renovated in June 2014, take a trip to see various exhibitions and perhaps take a metalworking class.  They have live demonstrations on the weekends and even offer free admission during extended hours on Tuesdays 1700-1900 through September.  The things on display at this unique location are unlike anything else you’ll see at other museums.  Fun, interactive, and educational – don’t miss out on this great experience.

Hi Tone Lounge, 1700 – close
Do you just want to grab a drink and enjoy good company.  That’s what the Hi Tone Lounge is there for.  Adjacent to the actual venue, you can head over there early to have some quiet time for contemplation or show up later for a free sample of the show next door.  No judgements.  Come sit a spell and take in the scenery.

 

Not every day can be amazing, but that’s no excuse to be bored.  Consider getting out for one of these low-key events on your next day off.  It will be stimulating, fun, and possibly educational.  And keep in mind this list is far from complete.  If you know of something awesome people should try out, drop me a line.  I’m going to explore more of downtown in the daytime so I can expand my frame of reference beyond midtown.  I also want to get back out east and see what’s changed in some of the areas I frequented in my younger days.  Never stop growing and learning.  It takes a little extra effort, but the payoff is completely worth it!