The Best Things To Do In Southaven, MS: 15 Top-Rated Attractions & Hidden Gems
By Jackie Ann|Published September 19, 2023
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Jackie Ann
Author
Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.
Southaven, Mississippi, is a thriving city located just south of the Tennessee border. It is the third largest city in the state and is actually the largest suburb of Memphis, Tennessee, with a population of around 55,000. The city is known for warm southern hospitality, a high quality of life, and plentiful opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors, from lakes and trails to parks and sporting complexes.
In addition to outdoor activities, visitors enjoy several great shopping and dining options, as well as lively entertainment venues. If you are planning a trip to this warm and inviting southern city, whether on a family vacation, solo trip, romantic weekend, or visiting friends, here are some of the absolute best things to do in Southaven, MS.
If you are planning a trip to Southaven and wondering what the most popular and highly-rated attractions are in the city, keep reading. These are the must-do, most highly recommended spots for anyone visiting Southaven.
Located at Snowden Grove Park, BankPlus Amphitheater is one of the best places to turn up if you are looking for things to do in Southaven at night. This fantastic outdoor facility hosts frequent events and concerts and has been host to many big-name performers including Santana, ZZ Top, The White Stripes, Blues Traveler, Velvet Revolver, Goo Goo Dolls, and many more. The amphitheater features many amenities such as VIP seating, a plaza area, indoor restrooms, and a concession stand. New talent is booked frequently - find schedules and tickets here.
One of the most popular spots in Southaven is Tanger Outlets, the first outlet mall in the greater Memphis area. Shop hundreds of brands at a discount in this pretty outdoor shopping center. Grab a coffee, donuts, or a slice of pizza to keep your shopping energy up. In the evening, sit and chat in a rocking chair by the courtyard fire pit.
Landers Center is a popular destination for a huge variety of fun things to do in Southaven, including concerts, live theater, flea markets, comedy shows, motocross, circus acts, fairs, and more. There is almost always something going on here. If you’re going to be in the city, grab tickets to an upcoming event!
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Things to Do In Southaven for Adults
Whether you are looking for romantic things to do in Southaven, MS, or a fun afternoon with friends (minus the kids), the city has lots of options, including outdoor adventures and indoor activities. Here are a few of our favorites:
Spend a fun night out at Southaven Recreation Center, where you can enjoy some friendly competition in the pool hall, challenge your friends to a game of darts, or play foosball. The entertainment center has a full bar where you can grab a glass of wine or your favorite cocktail and even watch your favorite teams compete on one of the many TVs.
Enjoy a relaxing day out on the course at Southaven Golf Center. The well-maintained greens and fairways on this 18-hole course offer beautiful views and the ideal challenge for any player, whether you are a beginner just wanting some practice and fresh air or a seasoned pro.
Escape rooms have become increasingly popular in the last few years and Liberation Escape Rooms is a perfect example of what people love so much. Work together with your friends, putting your wits and thinking to work to find clues, figure out puzzles, and open locks before your time runs out!
After you and your friends make your great escape, why not head across the street to Saki Endless Sushi and Hibachi. There is something for everyone and the endless sushi buffet menu is perfect if you’ve worked up an especially big appetite!
Traveling with your family and need the best kid-friendly attractions? We’ve got them! Southaven has some fantastically fun options that will keep both kids and parents entertained and encourage everyone to have a great time together.
One of the ultimate family destinations in Southaven is the massive Snowden Grove Park which centers on baseball, but features tons of family-friendly activities. In addition to 17 baseball fields with the features of professional stadiums, the park has a fishing pond with a pier, an amphitheater, a miniature golf course, two separate playgrounds, indoor batting cages, and a designated pet play area. There is even a special complex for individuals with special abilities called Southaven Field of Dreams.
After spending some time at the park, I recommend heading to nearby City Hall Cheesecake for a sweet treat like the fun and creative cheesecake cupcakes, stuffed cookie sandwiches, and a dizzying array of delicious cheesecake flavors.
Whether you live here or are on a family trip, Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park should definitely be on your list of things to do for a great family outing. This indoor playground is more than a trampoline park and is a safe and fun space for all ages, from the littlest littles to parents. Activities include dodgeball, bumper cars, foam cube and ball pits, VR games, a warrior course, climbing walls, slam dunk zone, tubes playground, and more. And when everyone gets hungry or needs to rehydrate, the cafe is the perfect spot to chill with a pizza and some Icee’s.
Family-friendly Strike Zone is a fun place for families with 32 bowling lanes, a huge arcade full of great video games, billiards, and a bar and grill to relax and refuel, or even watch a game. This popular bowling and recreation center has great party packages, so be sure to check it out as a fun option for your family’s special occasions.
Free Things To Do In Southaven
Sometimes you need to get out for the day but don’t want to spend a fortune, right? Well, great news! There are plenty of free things to do in Southaven, MS, for adults and families with kids. Check out these options:
Central Park is a huge green space and recreation facility with a wide range of things to do for all ages. Visitors enjoy tree-lined walking trails and bridges, beautiful ponds, a fun disc golf course, a children’s playground, a designated picnic area, and lots of open space to play and explore.
Not only is this a beautiful building full of books (which makes it a worthy visit in my opinion) but the M.R. Davis Southaven Public Library is the site of unlimited free events, workshops, and more for adults and kids alike including crafts and “maker” sessions, storytime, adult and teen gaming, gardening and Bonsai workshops, art programs with Dixon Art Gallery, clubs, and so much more!
Jim Saucier Memorial Park is a peaceful space behind the Southaven Library where you will find a small lake, a little workout circuit where you can get in a little exercise, a gazebo and picnic tables, and great walking trails.
Honorable Mentions
The list of great things to do in Southaven, MS, would not be complete without a few other mentions. These may not be on everyone’s top-of-the-top list, may be seasonal, or may not exactly be *in* the city limits, but are all cool ideas for adults and families, so here we go.
It is not technically in Southaven, but almost impossible not to mention. Elvis Presley’s famous mansion, Graceland, is just across the state border and only five miles from the city, making this a must-do if you find yourself in Southaven.
There are a few paint-your-own pottery places in most states, but at Pottery Haven you can really get your hands dirty and try your hand at creating your own masterpiece in the wheel throwing studio. Start with a lump of clay and end up with a one-of-a-kind, made-by-you bowl, vase, or other piece.
If you’re planning to visit the city of Southaven (or anywhere nearby) during September or October, you have to try to attend the Mid-South Fair at Landers Center. This annual celebration of art and local talent has been going strong since 1856 and features tons of rides, exciting performances, a petting zoo, and of course, a great deal of fair food and drink.
So, are you ready to plan your next southern adventure? Whether you want to spend some time exploring outdoors, shopping, enjoying a concert, or hanging out with friends, there are plenty of things to do and places to see in the welcoming city of Southaven, MS. Planning a road trip to Southaven? Make sure you check out our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for all the essentials for a safe and enjoyable journey!
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