Treat yourself to these awesome days out from Memphis!

If you’re learning to fly at our Tennessee campus, you’re probably familiar with the surrounding area – but have you tried these days out from Memphis?  There are some great places to explore, all within a short drive.  We’ve taken some tips from Thrillist.com, putting our favorites here for you!

Days out in Tennessee

Our beautiful state has so much to offer, and you can explore some great places just a couple of hours from Memphis.

Tennessee Safari Park: 80 miles

You may have visited Memphis Zoo, but our state’s safari park gets you even closer to all kinds of animals!  It’s open all year round, and all week long, and is one of the only places you can feed animals from the comfort of your car.  Be prepared, though – have you ever had an ostrich stick its head through your window before?!

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park: 17 miles

Just a short drive down the road is this forest haven. You’d hardly know you were so close to the city!  Walk the Woodland Trail, take a pontoon ride on Poplar Tree Lake, and refuel at the General Store.  You might even catch live bluegrass if you visit on a Friday night!

Days out in Arkansas

Just over the Mississippi River is famous Arkansas (pronounced Ar-kan-saw for our international students!)

Hardy: 130 miles

Step back in time in Old Town Hardy, set in the stunning Ozark Mountains.  With buildings dating back to the 1890s, you get a real sense of the history of this place, as well as a chance to check them out; many of them now house shops and restaurants for the curious daytripper!  There are also opportunities to try your hand at a range of activities, from zip-lining to kayaking.

Village Creek State Park: 50 miles

Village Creek is Arkansas’ second largest state park and in very easy reach of our flight school.  Get back to nature with some trail walking, horseback riding, or even a round of golf!  You can even see the longest preserved section of the Trail of Tears here – don’t miss it.

Heber Springs: 150 miles

This popular summertime spot is the perfect place to cool off in the Southern heat.  Get the adrenaline pumping with a cliff jump at the Dam Site Recreation Area, or simply bring a picnic, slap on the sunscreen, and relax in the shade.

Days out in Mississippi

Perfectly placed for days out from Memphis, Mississippi has some hidden gems in very easy reach.

Oxford: 75 miles

Home of Ole Miss, most visitors head to Oxford for the football games, but there’s much more to see and do here!  Visit Faulkner’s Rowan Oak, pick up at great read at Square Books, or check out one of the best independent record stores around – The End of All Music.  There’s also no end of places to eat, with Big Bad Breakfast, Neon Pig, Ajax Diner, City Grocery and Snackbar topping the list.

Water Valley: 85 miles

If you want the small-town Mississippi experience, stop off at Water Valley.  It’s quickly gaining a reputation with artists and musicians, so is well worth exploring!  See who’s exhibiting at the Yalo Studio, tuck into some out-of-this-world, homemade comfort food at the B.T.C, and top it all off with a tour of Yalobusha – North Mississippi’s only brewery.

Clarksdale: 75 miles

Blues fans can get their ultimate fix at Clarksdale, home of the infamous Crossroads (where Robert Johnson allegedly sold his soul to the Devil!).  Learn more music history at the Delta Blues Museum, and catch some live performances at Red’s Lounge or Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero before heading home.