Memphis in March is full of excitement. While temperatures are still cold at times and there is still a threat of sleet or snow, the city is generally emerging from winter depression in March.
Patio furniture in houses, restaurants, and bars is cleaned, making way for al fresco dining and drinks. And in this basketball-crazed city, everyone is filling in the March Madness brackets while keeping an eye on the Grizzlies and where they rank in the NBA playoff rankings.
Schools are on spring break, so the parks and the Memphis Zoo are filled with laughter from those kids who can’t head south to the beach.
The dogwood trees are in bloom, which means North Parkway is in the process of turning from a dreary street to one full of white flowers.
We love Memphis in March because it indicates that spring in the city is here and we are ready to have fun. This list of the best things to do in Memphis in March should have you in spring too.
Basketball
Even in the final years of the University of the Memphis Tigers, the city loves college basketball during March. When the Tigers are playing well and ready for a March Madness race, the city turns blue and gray to fill all the sports bars in the city. And when they’re not that cool, well, we still wear our blue and gray Tigers as we crowd around town TVs to enjoy the NCAA Tournament action. And of course, our Memphis Grizzlies are in action all month long, giving us an added reason to keep our wood passions strong.
Yard season
It’s hard for anyone living in snowy areas of the US all winter to give Memphians a lot of compassion, but in our quaint way, winters aren’t that much fun here either. No, we don’t have a lot of snow to escape in the spring. But as brutal as our summers are, we cherish spring. And Memphis’ spring pastime is sitting on a patio on a sunny weekend afternoon. Whether it’s on the Wiseacre Yard, one of the hottest spots in downtown, or along The South Main Street Trolley Line Downtown, kicking off yard season is one of the best things to do in Memphis in March.
Saint Patrick’s day
St. Patrick’s Day is an excuse for everyone around the world to have fun, so there really is nothing unique about Memphis about it. But we do have the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Beale Street and the goat herding at Silky O’Sullivan’s. And whenever St. Patrick’s Day can be mixed with a fun Downtown hop bar, it’s one of the best things to do in Memphis in March.
Blooming flowers
Take a stroll through the Memphis Botanical Gardens or watch the flowers begin to bloom in the Dixon Gallery and Garden. April really is when the flowers and trees reach their color, but March is when the dogwood trees bloom and North Parkway transforms into one of the most beautiful walks in town in the spring, making it one of the best things to do. to do in Memphis in March.
Parks galore
As the temperatures warm even a little, it’s time to head out to one of the many parks in the city. The Greensward at Overton Park will house lounge chairs and kite fliers. Shelby Farms will be packed with bikers and runners. And the Shelby Farms Park Greenline will be the go-to place for anyone with a bike in Memphis, making it one of the best things to do in Memphis in March.
