Explore Tom lee park
the place to see the mighty mississippi
Whether you’re looking for a place to sit and watch the river roll by, the biggest, most unique playground you’ve seen, the best pick-up basketball court in the South, elevated food and drink, native plants, gardens and trees, or stunning public art, Tom Lee Park is for you.
The best way to experience Tom Lee Park is to walk the Regional One River Trail and lean in to park life. As you walk through, you might want to stop at some of the most distinctive destinations listed below.
Featured Areas
The playground
The place to climb up, swing on, slide down and discover the wildlife and plants that call the Mississippi River their home.
Ben & Jerry’s
Grab an ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s to enjoy overlooking the river.
Sunset Canopy
Sunset Canopy is the stunning centerpiece to Tom Lee Park. The 15,OOO+ sq. ft. multi-use Canopy is home to the best pickup basketball in the south, yoga, concerts, fitness and more.
Hammock Grove
Relaxing hammocks in a grove of trees by the edge of the river.
Pictured above: Autozone Plaza
Civic Gateway
The Civic Gateway is the northern end of Tom Lee Park accessed from Beale St. and Vance Ave.
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Formerly known as Vance Park, Lynne Jordan Turley Plaza is on top of the Bluff with generous seating and the Whirl sculpture by John Medwedeff.
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A distinctive and beautiful ADA-accessible connection between Downtown Memphis and the River, planted with more than 5O,OOO native grasses and plants.
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The spectacular welcome to Tom Lee Park with a misting fountain lit by color-changing lights.
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A comfortable shaded grove of trees where you’ll find the names of the Visionary donors to Tom Lee Park.
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Grab an ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s to enjoy overlooking the river.
Pictured above: Sunset Canopy in memory of Tyre Nichols
Active Core
The Active Core is the vibrant and active heart of the park featuring sports, fitness and play. Located between the Butler and Huling Bluff Stairs.
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The place to climb up, swing on, slide down and discover the wildlife and plants that call the Mississippi River their home.
Enjoy the river otters, sturgeon, salamander, caterpillar and cypress trees designed by play gurus MONSTRUM. -
Sunset Canopy is the stunning centerpiece to Tom Lee Park. The 15,OOO+ sq. ft. multi-use Canopy is home to the best pickup basketball in the south, yoga, concerts, fitness and more.
The surface of the Canopy is painted with a mural by James Little in partnership with Project Backboard and Five Star Basketball.
A gift of the Hyde Family Foundation dedicated in memory of Tyre Nichols.
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A generous deck with outsized park furniture overlooking one of the most spectacular spots on the Mississippi River.
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Home to adventurous outdoor gym equipment and a turf area for stretching and HIIT training.
A gift of Campbell Clinic.
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Your place to practice your putting on four courses. Bring your own clubs and balls or borrow them from the Hanover Welcome Center.
A gift of FedEx St. Jude Championship. -
Staffed by a friendly park ranger, the welcome center is the place to ask questions and borrow balls and equipment.
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You’ll find elevated park fare available at the log pavilions. Hi Neighbor Café reopens on June 1, 12pm to 8pm.
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The central lawn of Tom Lee Park is the 100,000 sq. ft. TVA Lawn, a perfect place for events, festivals and civic celebrations.
Community Batture
The Community Batture is a lush forested area of the park that offers a quieter space for gathering and spending time with friends. David Allan Clark’s sculpture of Tom Lee is integrated into a stunning natural landscape alongside A Monument to Listening, a new exploration of Lee’s legacy by Theaster Gates.
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Relaxing hammocks in a grove of trees by the edge of the river.
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The home for David Allan Clark’s sculpture of Tom Lee.
A gift of Baptist Memorial Health Care
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Theaster Gates new sculpture of 32 basalt thrones honors Tom Lee’s legacy.
A gift of the Mellon Foundation
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A gorgeous stone staircase overlooking an event lawn. Perfect for events and weddings.
A gift of the Gilliland family in honor of James and Lucia Gilliland
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An elevated deck with long wooden picnic tables, perfect for parties, family reunions and events.
A gift of Monogram Foods and King’s Rightly Seasoned
Pictured above: Rhodes Pollinator Lab
Habitat Terrace
The Habitat Terrace in Tom Lee Park is the best place to see, feel and experience the nature and ecosystem of the Mississippi River. Hands-on experiences connect children with nature, allowing for exploration and interaction with the unique ecology of the river.
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The outdoor classroom for Tom Lee Park. A great place for lessons and park instruction.
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Overlooking the river is a wooden deck with integrated pollinator plantings.
A gift of Bill and Amy Rhodes
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At the very south end of the park is cozy perch in the Canopy with wide river vistas.
A gift of Kathy & JW Gibson