100 Things to do in Memphis in October (and all Fall long)

It’s fall y’all!

Here is a list of things to do in and around our city during Fall Break and through the month of October:

1.  Come to our Mom + Kid Playdate event at Dazzle Baby Ballerina. It’s October 27 from 1-2pm. Geared towards the 4 and under crowd there will be a craft, movement time, and a mom-mixer!

2. 17 Berkshire is hosting its annual Fall Festival in Overton Square on October 19th from 2-5.       

3. There’s also a Harvest Festival that same day, October 19, at the Agricenter. It’s at the lower barn of the Agricenter from 9am-2pm.

4. Join us for a story time! Room on the Broom is one of my kids’ favorites!

5. Paint a pumpkin.

6. Chuck E. Cheese will open two hours early on Sunday, Oct. 27 for a sensory-friendly Boo-tacular experience including a quieter dining and entertainment environment and dimmed lighting. Plus, free candy during Chuck E.’s Haunted House Dance Party. Kids in costume will receive 500 e-tickets that can go towards cool prizes. 

7. Rent a bike for exploring the city from Explore Bike Share! Learn more here.

8. Parents: the 13th annual Cooper Young Beerfest is on October 19! Cheers!

9. Take in dinner and a movie at Ridgeway Malco Theatre. This theatre is a hidden gem with large leather seats that fully recline! (Grown-ups : they serve wine!)

10. Chucalissa is hosting International Archaeology Day on Saturday, October 19 from 10am-3pm. Activities that day include flintknapping, ataltl contest, a musical storytime, birds of Prey program, pine doll craft–make your own pine doll with a Native American artist, artifact exploring, and garbology. Free popcorn and hot dogs while supplies last.

11. Billy Hardwick’s Bowling is the perfect family date!

12. Another fun event happening on October 19 is Whitehaven Library’s 4th Annual Harvest Festival from 11am-1pm. There will be music, games and prizes, snacks, and more.

13. Try to climb the rope on the campus of the University of Memphis.

14. Can’t climb the rope? That’s ok! Run around the track instead! Right below the track is the community garden. It’s free to the public and you’re free to pick any ripe produce or herbs. Try finding the spearmint patch and the lemon leaves!

15. Needing some mom time? Join us for our monthly Coffee and Conversations! It’s Friday, October 18 at 9 a.m.

16. From October 11-16, Monster Market is back! Monster Market is a creepy annual pop-up shop featuring weird art, strange apparel, and bizarre home decor. This year it is at the Medicine Factory downtown. (Opening night is October 11th from 6-9pm)

17. Visit Memphis Rox and try your hand at indoor rock climbing! (Remember, it’s pay what you can!)

18. See a FREE concert at the Overton Park Shell. Shows are almost every weekend, but get there early to claim the perfect spot!

19. Check out a new-to-you playground! There are so many fun ones in the city!

20. It’s the perfect time of year to trek across the walking bridge to Arkansas!

21. Rent a bicycle built for two from the Wheel House at Shelby Farms Park. (Or if the weather is nice, a paddle-board.)

22. Visit Novel and buy books about Fall. Go home and snuggle up to read together!

23. Animal Superheroes Fall Break Camp @ Licterman Nature Center is October 7nd through 11th. Each day at Lichterman Nature Center, they’ll dive into the incredible superpowers of the animal kingdom. From invisibility to super strength, they’ll uncover what makes these animals truly extraordinary. Campers will embark on daily nature hikes, where they’ll experience the wonders of wildlife firsthand. With live animal encounters, interactive STEM challenges, and exciting daily activities. Register Here.

24. There are so many new coffee shops in Memphis! Be sure to check them all out!

25. Visit your local library and sign up for a library card. You can take up to 10 books home on each card!

26. Get lost in the MidSouth Corn Maze at the Agricenter! This maze has been around for more than 20 years! If you’re wanting a spooky-scary corn maze, head to Jone’s Orchard. There’s more than one trail to choose from too.

27. Head to Aldo’s Pizza (midtown or downtown!) and share a large, extra-cheesy pie. Did you know that Aldo’s provides dough balls for each kid to be entertained while they wait? SO FUN!

28. Head to Fayette County and explore the area for the day! Click the link for to-dos!

29. Mempho Music Festival is October 4-6 this year!

30. Lakeland is hosting an Arts and Crafts Festival on October 26!

31. With so much to see at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, you could spend a fun, rainy day here. Every Saturday from 10am-2pm the museum is free.

32. Get dressed up and visit the Peabody Hotel for the twice daily duck walk.

33. Farmer’s Markets are in their prime season — load up the family for a fun Saturday morning at either the Downtown Farmer’s Market (Front Street) or the Cooper Young Farmer’s Market (First Congo parking lot). Fresh veggies, fresh meat/seafood, fresh flowers, and fresh coffee.

34. Pitter Potter Mobile is an easy way to get a craft delivered right to your door. Pick a piece and paint away!

35. Top Golf is the perfect place for tweens and teens (or a fun date night option, too!)

36. Already ready for Halloween? For First Friday on Broad Avenue on October 4th, they are going to have trick or treating! Costumes encouraged!

37. Drink hot apple cider! (Add caramel vodka for an AMAZING adult beverage!)

38. Try your hand at Belltower’s Pottery classes!

39. Head downtown for the River Arts Fest, October 19-20th.

40. Try your hand at fishing! The Catch ‘Em Lake is open at the Agricenter on weekends from 8am until 6pm!

41. Get your Pinterest on and make a DIY, homemade bird feeder! There are a million ways to do them, and your neighborhood birds will thank you!

42. Take a family picture at a pumpkin patch. Check out our guide to area patches here!

43. Check out Primas Bakery is hosting a Hocus Pocus Cookie Decorating Party on October 13th. Gather your best witch sisters for a fun evening!

44. Looking for something more relaxing to do? Try Haunted Haus Pilates+Kettlebell Flow at Mind Body Haus. It’s on October 19 from 5:30-7pm. Cost is $25.

45. Get some new fall plants! The Fall Plant Sale at the Memphis Botanic Garden is October 11-13.

46. The Memphis Symphony Orchestra is playing Amadeus- The Music and the Myth on October 19 at 7:30pm at the Cannon Center.

47. Ride the carousel at CMOM.

48. Buy a vintage scarf from Blue Suede Vintage.

49. Make Rice Krispy treats!

50. Catch a movie in Chimes Courtyard in Overton Square on Thursday nights! October 3rd is Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, October 10th is Inception, and October 17th is Haunted Mansion.

51. The annual Día de los Muertos Parade & Festival is Saturday, November 2nd at the Brooks Art Museum.

52. Make a recipe with pumpkin. Tis the season!

53. Or be a pumpkin spice hater.

54. Gather the neighborhood kids and play an “old fashioned” game of Red Rover!

55. Build a bonfire! Have a tiny backyard? We recommend purchasing a fire pit!

56. … now you can roast weenies!

57. … or make s’mores. So.Many.Options. Peanut Butter Cup, Choc Cherry Cheesecake, Mint peppermint patty, or even salted caramel. S’more! S’more! S’more!

58. Tots Play World is having several fun activities and events in October. There is a family themed movie night on October 18 from 6-8pm and a Halloween themed Playdough kit on October 19th and 26th during open play. Check out their Instagram for more info!

59. Try your hand at skateboarding!

60. October 19th from 11am until 3pm is Family Fun Day at the Metal Museum! There’s nothing like watching blacksmiths move steel as easily as clay or watching a foundry crew melt down and pour more than a ton of iron. At Family Fun Day, aspiring metal smiths of all ages and skill levels can try their hand at various processes. Admission is FREE on that day!

61. Bust out that vintage hacky-sac.

62. Root for the Tigers! Memphis plays North Texas at home on Saturday, October 19th and Charlotte on October 26. Get your tailgate on at Tiger Lane!

63. Roller skating at Cordova Skating Rink is always a popular thing to do with the kids! Grab your spouse and couple-skate all.night.long.

64. Learn to play chess at the bests place in town, Memphis Chess Club.

65. Luxe Lounge is hosting its second annual Let It Burn Festival. This 21+ festival is at Court Square Park downtown from 1-5pm on October 12th. Memphis Moms contributor Secily is one of the dessert vendors with her business, Secily’s Soul Comforts!

66. The Mid-South Ice House is the best place to try ice skating!

67. Carve a pumpkin.

68. Make homemade pumpkin bread.

69. This year Dixon Gallery & Gardens is hosting Art on Fire on October 19th. This event offers food and drink tastings, live music, a silent auction, art sale, and more. Admission includes access to the event, beer, wine, and food. This is the Dixon’s biggest fundraising event of the season.

70. Listen to music at the Memphis Listening Lab inside Crosstown Concourse. It’s really the coolest rainy day idea! Buy a treat from Lucy J’s afterwards too.

71. Grab lunch at Sunrise Memphis! So delish! — plus there’s TWO locations now.

72. ZOO BOO! Select Nights October 4th through the 31st.

73. Because you can crave pancakes at any time, try some fall flavors at Stak’s Pancake Kitchen. There’s now four locations around town, including one in Mississippi.

74. The TENTH annual Paint Memphis is October 12th. This one day event showcases local and regional artists. The fun takes place at South Willett St. at Lamar Avenue (the Willett Street railroad underpass will be closed to traffic) noon-7pm.

75. Go on a scavenger hunt for the best Memphis Mural. Have you seen this one?

76. Get a haircut at Pigtail and Crewcuts in East Memphis! Tell them the Memphis Moms sent ya!

77. Learn to crochet.

78. Take a trip to Trader Joe’s. Get ALL the pumpkin things! What’s your favorite?

79. Hire a babysitter, grab your friends, co workers, or family members and hire Sprock ‘n Roll — Memphis’ Best Party Bike company! They have 8 routes to choose from and many different package deals.

80. Collect leaves and try to name them without a guide book.

81. Take a nature hike in Shelby Forest.

82. Kidz Bop Live is coming to Snowden Grove on October 19th. Get tickets here!

83. From 20 minute pony rides to 2 hours trail rides, Shelby Farms Stables is the perfect place to try horseback riding. They even offer lessons and private group rides!

84. Need some goat snuggles in your life this fall? This is the event for you. In addition to the goat snuggling and feeding (they eat Cheerios!), there are horses, a donkey, turkeys, chickens, ducks, and geese on the property for you to meet! It’s October 11th from 4-7pm in Rossville. Reserve your spot here.

85.Have a fall birthday in your family? Book Donut Hutt for one of the best birthday parties around! (or pretend it’s someone’s birthday and just book a party anyway!)

86. The Grizzlies will host the Hornets on October 10th and the Heat on October 18th in preseason action at FedExForum. Don’t forget about their new NO BAG policy!

87. Create a blanket fort.

88. Snuggle under a blanket as you watch “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”

89. Do a family STAYCATION at Canopy by Hilton! They even have adjoining rooms, perfect for larger families.

90. Check out the Pumpkin House at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Garden admission is currently free!

91. Fit4Mom has classes every Saturday morning at 9:30 at Woodland Discovery Playground at Shelby Farms. Bring your kiddos! First class is free!

92. Take the whole family and try your hand at picking apples straight from the tree! Jones Orchard, on Hwy 51 in Millington, is a must-visit. During harvest season, their farm is full of pick-your-own fruit including apples, berries, nectarines, plums and of course, farm fresh, Tennessee peaches!

93. Go see a soccer game! Memphis 901FC hosts their last two home games in October. The first is against Phoenix Rising FC on October 19th and the second is against New Mexico United on October 26th at 8pm! Go cheer on our home team!

94. Make homemade play dough! Here’s a fun recipe for dye-free pumpkin pie play dough!

95. Check out the Fire Museum of Memphis. The museum is located in the renovated Fire Engine House #1 at 118 Adams Ave, Downtown. Ages 2 and under are always free!

96. Don’t be scared to grab a sweet treat from Sugar Ghost! They’re eerily delicious.

97. Don’t forget to buy, or better yet, be creative and make your own Halloween costume!

98. Glow-in-the-dark putt-putting? Heck yes. Check out Monster Mini Golf in Cordova — the perfect theme for this month!

99. One last October 19 event (the city is going to be BUSY that day!). There’s a Harvest Moon Fall Festival from noon-6 p.m. at Bobby Lanier Farm Park. There will be inflatables, pony rides, a petting zoo, food trucks, etc. Sounds like a perfect fall afternoon!

100. Take a nap! You earned it!