13 Fun Birthday Ideas in Memphis for Adults in 2025

If you’re done with the yearly birthday dinner, it might be time to celebrate your special day with one (or more) of these unique birthday ideas in Memphis. Fun activities can make your birthday more memorable, help you bond with friends and family and treat yourself to a good time.

Memphis is known as the “Home of Blues & Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” making it a hub for music in the South, according to Memphis Travel. While it may be a great place for musicians and music lovers, there is no shortage of other birthday ideas in Memphis for adults.

So, if you’re stuck wondering, "How can I celebrate my birthday in a unique way?" There are fun classes, tours and sports you can take part in alone or with a group. Doing something unique for your birthday can make the day feel even more special and give you something to look forward to. Consider doing a fun activity during the day before heading to restaurants for a birthday dinner in Memphis in the evening.

Your birthday is also a great way to explore the city and find your new favorite activities. Here are 13 birthday ideas in Memphis for your next celebration!

Jump to Section

• Unique Birthday Ideas in Memphis for Adults
• Fun Birthday Ideas in Memphis for Adults
• Indoor Birthday Ideas in Memphis
• Cheap Birthday Ideas in Memphis
• Birthday Ideas in Memphis FAQs

Unique Birthday Ideas in Memphis for Adults

1. Take a Cooking Class

If you love cooking (or even just eating) a delicious dish, then you should book a cooking class for you and your friends and family. Under the guidance of expert chefs, you can learn how to make some of your favorite dishes like homemade pasta and hand-rolled sushi. Or take a dessert class to enjoy a sweet treat on your special day. It’s a great replacement for birthday dinners and a wonderful way to make memories with your friends and family.

2. Tour Graceland

Yes, Graceland is one of Memphis’ most visited landmarks. However, it’s still a unique birthday idea in Memphis for both locals and those visiting the city on their special day. You’ll get to see Elvis’s residence and learn about the history of the estate. Plus, fans of the singer will be tickled to spend time here.

3. Take a Riverboat Cruise

Who doesn’t love a boat ride to celebrate a special occasion? Take a riverboat cruise in Memphis, where you can enjoy a two-hour cruise that features live music and a meal. It’s one of the most fun places to go for your birthday, since you’ll get a view of the city and memories with friends to last a lifetime.

Memphis Riverboats offer the full paddleboat experience and a variety of options.

4. American Dream Safari

This fun birthday idea in Memphis is a unique way to see the city. With the American Dream Safari, you’ll drive around in a 1955 Cadillac to see significant locations of the blues scene, urban gardens and other Memphis landmarks. You can do full and half-day tours with up to four passengers.

Fun Birthday Ideas in Memphis for Adults

5. Do a Winery Tour

If you’re looking for fun birthday ideas in Memphis, gather your friends or family for a day at a winery. You can book yourself a tour to see where they pick the grapes and where they process them into wine. After the tour, enjoy wine and a cheese tray over good conversation.

A tour of Crown Winery gives you the chance to peek behind the curtain, you'll get to see where the magic happens and then enjoy a tasting afterward.

6. See a Sports Game

Sports fans will love these birthday ideas in Memphis. There are plenty of opportunities to see an exciting game. Watch the Grizzlies play basketball, as well as multiple minor league teams and college teams. Getting a group of friends together to watch a game is one of the best 30th birthday party ideas for fans.

7. Go Rock Climbing

For a unique birthday idea in Memphis, consider spending the day rock climbing. This is the ideal activity for those who like to be active or want to try a new sport. You can get a day pass at Memphis Rox for hours of fun climbing or book climbing classes to learn the ropes.

Indoor Birthday Ideas in Memphis

8. Take a Pottery Class

If you’re looking for a unique way to let out your creativity, book a pottery class. You can learn how to hand build with clay and throw on the wheel to make bowls and vases. Pottery classes are a fun indoor birthday idea in Memphis if you’re looking to try something new.

9. Visit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music or the Blues Hall of Fame

Music lovers will love these birthday ideas in Memphis. Take a tour of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music or the Blues Hall of Fame. Both of these museums feature troves of music history and record the role that Memphis has played. The museums also put on events, which can be unique indoor birthday party ideas.

10. See a Play or Musical

Catch a play or musical as it tours through the city or see a local theater company’s production. If you’re looking for indoor birthday ideas in Memphis that will excite and engage, this is certainly one to consider. Pair a live show with dinner or drinks afterward to keep the night going.

Check the schedule at the historic Orpheum Theatre and pick out something you'll love.

Cheap Birthday Ideas in Memphis

11. See a Movie at the Drive-In

If you’re looking for cheap places to go for your birthday, get some friends together to see a movie. This is a classic birthday idea, so gather friends, jump into the car and go watch a movie on the big screen. If you're feeling like being outdoors, keep an eye out for movies in the park and in public places over the summer.

For a deluxe experience, check session times at Malco Powerhouse Cinema Grill.

12. Explore Beale Street

Beale Street is one of the most famous landmarks in the city, which makes it one of the best birthday ideas in Memphis. It offers blues clubs, restaurants and is a location for festivals and outdoor concerts. Of course, you can wander around the street for free or stop into one of the places for dinner and drinks.

Done right, this outdoor birthday party idea can be an inexpensive night out.

13. Picnic at the Memphis Botanic Garden

Get out and enjoy nature and lush gardens at the Memphis Botanic Garden. Admission is $12, so it can be an inexpensive way to spend your birthday. You can go on a guided tour, walk around the garden or enjoy one of the events they put on. There’s even a café on-site where you can have lunch.

The Memphis Botanic Garden is a great option for a relaxed birthday.

Birthday Ideas in Memphis FAQs

Does The Memphis Zoo Have a Birthday Discount?

General admission to the Memphis Zoo doesn’t include a birthday discount but members receive special rates for hosting parties. Also, when you pay for a membership, you get free admission for the year. The zoo can be a fun, throwback birthday idea in Memphis for adults and a great way to bring out your inner child.

What Are Some Good Birthday Party Activities?

If your birthday is coming up, you might be wondering how to plan a birthday party. Two things you should always have at a birthday party are food and entertainment. However, finding good activities to please everyone doesn’t have to be difficult.

Games are always a great option for birthday parties, so bring out a few board games or head to trivia. You can also search for active birthday ideas, such as rock climbing, seeing a sports game or going to a concert. Other entertaining birthday party activities include karaoke, tours, wine tastings and murder mystery games.

Some activities pair well with food, so consider finding restaurants for your birthday dinner where you can see a show or bring games to play while you eat at casual spots like breweries.

Who Is the Most Famous Person Born in Memphis?

Memphis is the birthplace of many famous people. One person associated with Memphis who comes to mind quickly is Elvis Presley, though he was not born there, the singer just called the city home.

Justin Timberlake is often considered the most famous person born in Memphis. Other famous natives include Aretha Franklin, Morgan Freeman and Kathy Bates.

A fun and exciting city, there are plenty of ways to celebrate a birthday in Memphis. Opt for laid-back days at the drive-in or the botanical garden, tour some of the city’s history or spend some time enjoying the fresh air. No matter how old you’re turning, you’re sure to find a fun birthday idea in Memphis to celebrate your special day. Get inspired by these activities to ring in a new year of life and make memories with the ones you love.

For even more fun things to try in Memphis, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!