5 Place to Beat the Summertime Heat in Memphis

There's no question about it: when the weather turns hot, it's hard to stay cool in Memphis. With summer temperatures that tend to hover in the 90s and oppressive humidity levels, cooling off is a necessity.

These splash parks, ground fountains, and wading pools are all great places to get some relief from the heat. Best of all, they are safe for children of all ages as there is little-to-no water depth involved.

Updated by Holly Whitfield, January 2018

01 of 07

Civic Center Plaza

Located right in front of City Hall, the fountains at Civic Center Plaza are almost always on during warmer weather. Each in-ground jet sprays intermittently, providing endless fun for kids (and some adults) as they try to "catch" or avoid each spray. There are no colorful sprayers or water features but that doesn't seem to detract from the fun.

02 of 07

Collierville Spray Parks

W. C. Johnson Park is located in Collierville, Tennessee. adjecent to it and part of it is the Peterson Lake Nature Center. — Thomas R Machnitzki / Wikipedia Commons

There are two spray parks in Collierville--one at W.C. Johnson Park and the other at Suggs Park. These colorful parks are designed for children 12 and under and their parents. It's a fun way to cool off by running in the sprinklers and getting wet in a safe environment. Don't forget to bring a towel and change of clothes, as they won't be provided for you.

03 of 07

Memphis Zoo

In addition to thousands of animals, kiddie rides, a playground, and more, the Memphis Zoo also offers some water fun. Running through the zoo's Egyptian-themed courtyard is a replica of the Nile River that provides a few inches of wading fun. In addition, the Teton Trek exhibit features "geysers" (a.k.a ground fountains) that kids can run through.

04 of 07

Mud Island Riverwalk

Skyline of Memphis, Tennessee from Mud Island River Park — Thomas R Machnitzki / Wikipedia Commons

The Mud Island Riverwalk is a scale model of the lower Mississippi River. The bumps and contours are a little rough under bare feet, but the kids don't seem to mind. Best of all, the Riverwalk is part of Mud Island's free exhibits. If you can find a free place to park and walk across the pedestrian bridge, this can be a completely free visit. There is also a place to rent kayaks if you want to cool off either further after walking the river.

Continue to 5 of 7 below.

05 of 07

Peabody Park

The splash pad at Peabody Park is one of the best in Memphis. It features sprayers and misters of different sizes to accommodate various age ranges. It's fun for kids to turn on the water themselves or to step on a spot that releases a fountain of water. While the park can get busy on a summer Saturday, there usually isn't too much of a crowd.

06 of 07

Children's Museum of Memphis

During the summer months, CMOM opens their colorful splash park for kids to enjoy. It's full of sprinklers, splashers, fountains, sprays, and more creative displays for the kids to enjoy. There are also many exhibits inside the museum including a grocery store, a music room, and a miniature FedEx delivery warehouse. The museum also features a historical carousel that is fun to ride year round.

07 of 07

Beale Street Landing

Near the "big catfish" at Beale Street Landing, there's also a riverside splash park for kids during warm months. There's a slide, fountains, and more, plus an amazing view of the river. It's fun for the kids to play in the heart of historic Beale Street, where they are surrounded by music, street performers, and mow.