Lichterman Nature Center

Lichterman Nature Center is a 65-acre urban wildlife sanctuary tucked into a residential Memphis neighborhood — one of those under-the-radar gems that families who live nearby treat as their own private nature reserve. Run by the Memphis Museum of Science and History (MoSH), it's a place where kids encounter real Tennessee wildlife up close: box turtles that visitors can touch, resident raptors including red-tailed hawks and great horned owls, and a fully functioning wildlife hospital that treats injured animals year-round.

The grounds are a mix of pine forest, wetlands, and maintained paths perfect for a relaxed family morning. The Backyard Wildlife Center teaches practical lessons about attracting birds, butterflies, and other critters to your own yard — kids tend to go home immediately wanting to build a bird feeder or butterfly garden. The creek trail is a favorite with kids who like to crouch and search the shallows for crayfish, salamanders, and aquatic insects.

Practical note: Lichterman is only open on Saturdays, 10:30AM–4PM. This isn't a casual drop-by — you plan for it. But that limitation also means it never feels crowded. Arrive at opening to maximize time with staff naturalists who lead informal programs throughout the morning.

For parents: the MoSH membership is a smart investment. It covers Lichterman plus the main science museum and the Pink Palace, so if you have curious kids who'll visit multiple times, the math works out well within the first month. Strollers handle the paved central path fine; the nature trails are dirt and roots, better suited to kids who can walk independently.

Wear clothes you don't mind getting muddy and bring water. This is an outdoor experience even when it's overcast, and the wildlife encounters feel more authentic precisely because you're exploring, not just watching behind glass.