A Day at Mud Island!

Whether you are wanting a day with the family, or a day with that special someone, Mud Island River Park is the perfect place to spend your time. Located in downtown Memphis, getting to Mud Island is easy. If you head north on Front Street (from Beale Street), you will see signs to park for Mud Island.

Once you have parked your vehicle, you will want to proceed to the admissions office to purchase your tickets. If you pay for everything at once, the price is $8 for adults and $5 for children. The one price option covers your monorail ride to and from Mud Island, the Riverwalk Tour and admission to the River Museum.
On Mud Island, there are an assortment of activities to do. You can walk the Mississippi River! Mud Island contains a to-scale replica of the Mississippi River, with postings that contain facts and historical information about places along the river.

Another fun stop is the pedal boat rental, which is $2 per person for a half of an hour. The water is not very deep, and the area for boats is not too large. This is a perfect idea for children. For those a little older, kayaks can be rented for $15 per hour, and canoes can be rented for $20. Bikes are also available to rent for $10 (for two hours).

The Mississippi River Museum is a historical musuem of the river. The museum begins with history and settlement of the Mississippi River. It also has exhibits on wartime ships, music of the river and transportation on the river - to name a few. There are old ships that have been preserved that you will walk through. One of the best (my favorite) was an old confederate battle ship. Even the sounds were there to add to the historical feeling! I would recommend touring this museum in the afternoon - perhaps when the outside temperature is the hottest. This is a great place to cool off indoors and see the history of the Mississippi River.

There are also spots on Mud Island that you can around to enjoy nature. In the summer, there are an assortment of trees and blooming bushes. The color and tranquility are amazing. At certain places, one could even wander towards the river to enjoy some peace and quiet.

Mud Island offers concessions - there are vending machines and a concession area indoors that will take care of your hunger. The concession stand is called the Gulfport Grill, and is located towards the end of the Riverwalk. There ice cream is wonderful, and a great treat to help the kids cool down after walking the Mississippi River.

Just one moire note - Mud Island is not open year round. In 2007, their hours are 10-6 until September 4th. From September 5th until October 30th, their hours are 10-5. If you miss you chance to visit Mud Island before October 30th, that's ok! They will re-open next spring - most likely sometime in April. Hope you have a great adventure at the Mississippi River Park of Mud Island!