Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Southaven, MS

  • Published 2022/07/22

The quaint city of Southaven is located in DeSoto County and was previously inhabited by Mississippian Indians.

Located south of Whitehaven, the city earned its name because of its geographical placement.

Before Southaven was incorporated as a city, it started as a small village until a Memphis home builder named Kemmons Wilson developed a few residential subdivisions in the area.

Today, the city of Southaven has evolved into a bustling district where fun meets relaxation.

Some of its most famed tourist attractions include concert venues, outlet malls, and parks, among others.

But with the many things you can do while in this city, it can be hard to pick ones you can squeeze into your schedule.

So to help you out, check out this list of the best things to do in Southaven, Mississippi:

Catch Live Performances at the BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove

Nothing beats jamming to the beat of live music in an outdoor setting, so if you’re a fan of spending your nights like this, swing by the BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove.

This concert venue along Snowden Lane first welcomed guests and performers in 2006 with a fixed seating capacity of 4,000 and a lawn area that can accommodate 7,000 additional guests.

Previously called the Snowden Grove Amphitheater, this concert venue has seen some of the world’s best performers, including Willie Nelson, Lady Antebellum, Florida Georgia Line, Dave Matthews Band, and a lot more.

Don’t forget to check out the amphitheater’s schedule on your way to Southaven because you might be on time for a live performance.

Grab the best seats in the house, and sing along to your favorite tunes while in the beautiful city of Southaven.

Reach for the Skies at Urban Air Adventure & Trampoline Park

Embark on fun adventures with your friends and family when you go to Urban Air Adventure & Trampoline Park on Southcrest Parkway.

Put your skills to the test as you jump, soar, race, climb, and play in this premier entertainment center.

Reach new heights when you take on the climbing wall or get in a friendly competition on the battle beam and perform a balancing act.

Those who want to be an acrobat or a stuntman for a day can swing by the ProZone performance trampolines to work on their flips.

Other amenities in the adventure park include a rope course, tumble track, sky rider, slam dunk zone, wipeout, and a warrior course, among others.

Shop till You Drop at Tanger Outlets

Shop for great finds even when you’re working with a tight budget when you swing by Tanger Outlets along Airways Boulevard.

The first outlet mall in the Memphis metro area, Tanger Outlets is home to hundreds of clothing, accessories, and designer brands.

Spend an entire day shopping and wading through every store while in one of the busiest malls in Southaven.

The outlet center brand caters to popular stores like Abercrombie & Fitch, Nike Factory Store, Under Armour, Michael Kors, Lucky Brand Jeans, and more.

If you’re planning to come back to this outlet mall, you might also want to consider becoming a TangerClub member, giving you access to store deals and coupon books.

Make Your Minutes Count at Liberation Escape Rooms

Whether you’re looking to do a cool team-building activity or engage in a fun family outing, nothing beats the thrill of trying to break out of an escape room.

When you’re in Southaven, you can swing by Liberation Escape Rooms along Goodman Road to try your luck in conquering one.

Take your pick from four individual rooms and hunt for the right clues to get out of the room before the clock runs out.

Liberation Escape Rooms offers varying challenges and can accommodate up to eight players for each room.

Choose from rooms like the Castle of Conundrums (4/5 difficulty rating), The Honor Roll (2/5), The Captain’s Quarters (3/5), and the Witchin’ Kitchen (4/5).

Enjoy a Night Out at Fox & Hound

There’s no better way to spend a Friday night than to hang out with your friends at a local bar and catch up on some stories.

So if you ever find yourself in Southaven when in the mood for a great night out, check out Fox & Hound at the Towne Center Crossing.

Take your pick from a rotating selection of craft beers, cocktails, margaritas, mules, shooters, and wines.

Of course, the night wouldn’t be complete without great food!

Enjoy a slice of pizza or a serving of Fox & Hound’s craft burgers to go with your drinks and make your night even more enjoyable.

Play a Game of Ten-Pin at Strike Zone Bowling Lanes

Put on your bowling shoes and your skills to the test when you play a game of ten-pin at Strike Zone Bowling Lanes.

This Southaven entertainment center is arguably one of the best places for those who want to spend their weekends having fun with friends and family.

Play for fun or join a classic bowling league, and choose from 32 cutting-edge lanes to cast your bowling ball.

After that, head over to Strike Zone Bowling Lanes’ bar and grill to fill up on some great Southaven food and snacks.

This bowling alley also features an arcade with over 40 classic and new games that everyone is sure to enjoy.

Send Love with a Bouquet from Pugh’s Flowers

Nothing beats a bouquet of freshly picked flowers when showing appreciation for someone close to your heart.

Southaven’s Pugh’s Flowers branch, located along Goodman Road, offers customers a great variety of flower arrangements that are perfect for almost any occasion.

Choose from selections like the Sunrise Sonata, Sunshine and Roses, Shelby Special, Majestic Memphis, and a lot more.

Pugh’s Flowers originated in Memphis in 1976 and was founded by Bill Pugh and his partner.

Now operated by Bill’s three sons, this flower shop offers nothing short of farm-fresh pickings in a delicate and aesthetic arrangement.

Find Unique Trinkets at Southaven Antiques & Gifts

Make your way to Southaven Antiques & Gifts and shop for great finds that no other store offers.

Located along Stateline Road, Southaven Antiques and Gifts is your one-stop shop for everything unique at great prices.

Explore the 8,000-square-foot antique mall, visit all 65 booths, and you’ll surely find something worth buying.

Everything at this antique mall is designed to catch anyone’s eye and pique customers’ interests, from antiques and collectibles to furniture, glassware, and jewelry.

Southaven Antiques & Gifts has an inventory that changes daily, which means there’s always something new to look forward to every time you visit.

Book Tee Time at North Creek Golf Club

When in the mood for swinging your club, there’s no better place to go than Southaven’s North Creek Golf Club along North Creek Boulevard.

North Creek Golf Club features an 18-hole, par 72 Championship Links Style layout donning the finest Bermuda greens and fairways.

The entire course is so well-designed that even beginners won’t have trouble practicing the sport.

Southaven’s North Creek Golf Club is also a popular venue for hosting leagues like the NGA Hooters Tour and Tennessee Junior Tour events, among others.

After spending an entire day out on the course, head to the bar and grill for some refreshments and a hearty serving of your favorite dishes.

Attend the Mid-South Fair

If you’re planning to visit Southaven anytime between September and October, you might want to head down to Landers Center and attend the Mid-South Fair.

Since 1856, Southaven’s Mid-South Fair has been an annual celebration of art, pageantry, and competitions showcasing the locals’ talents.

Every year, fairgoers are treated to more than 50 rides and a great variety of ground acts scattered across the area.

Try the parakeet experience, visit the petting zoo, or let your kids go on a pony ride while you’re there.

You’ll also have a lot of choices to choose from in terms of food and beverages, with vendors offering all sorts of snacks like funnel cakes, candied apples, corn dogs, and more.

Spend Game Night at Southaven Recreation Center

There’s a lot to do when in Southaven, but if you want to do a bunch of them all simultaneously, be sure to swing by the Southaven Recreation Center along Town and Country Drive.

Southaven Recreation Center is a kid-friendly sports bar where you can play a game of pool or a round of darts with your friends.

This entertainment center boasts a complete pool hall with Gold Crown, Diamond, Snooker, and Valley Bar tables that are perfect for tournaments and friendly competitions.

For those who want to play something other than pool, Southaven Recreation Center also has dart boards and foosball tables.

Finally, the gaming center also has a bar for wine and cocktails and a lineup of TVs to watch your favorite teams.

Check Out Thomas Kinkade’s Inspiration Art Gallery

There are a lot of Thomas Kinkade art galleries you’ll find across the country, but when you’re in Southaven, there’s one right along Airways Boulevard.

As you explore the gallery halls, you’ll be met with sketches, digital and oil brushwork, and much more.

Marvel at the techniques Thomas Kinkade used to bring his art to life and the process of how many artists have adapted the Kinkadian style of art.

Check out works inspired by several topics, from churches and bridges to cityscapes, comic characters, and Disney art.

There are also works on summer traditions, movies, and the great outdoors.

Explore the Waterways with Blues City Kayaks

Embark on a unique kayaking experience with Blues City Kayaks.

Blues City Kayaks offers guided tours passing through the city of Southaven, so if you’re looking to do something fun, kayaking can be on your list.

Expert kayakers can book a tour going to the famous Ghost River section of the Wolf River, which stretches up to 9.5 miles and passes through five ecosystems.

You can also check out the Urban Wolf River, which is about four miles long.

Blues City Kayaks also accommodates custom tours, which are perfect for birthdays and other events.

Grab a Bite of Huey’s Burger

You can’t possibly leave Southaven without swinging by Huey’s Burger and grabbing a bite of your favorite meals.

Huey’s Burger has been serving its customers with mouth-watering burgers, munchies, sandwiches, and a bunch of other snacks since 1970.

While in Southaven, be sure to grab a bite of their classics like the West Coast Burger, Smokey Melt, and Texas Toast—all made with 100% Angus beef.

You’ll also want to try seafood dishes like the shrimp po-boy, fish and chips, and catfish basket.

For dessert, have a slice of homemade lemon icebox pie or the rock slide.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Stop by the Lewis Ranch

Entrance gate of The Lewis Ranch

Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]), CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Just a few miles outside Southaven is Nesbit, which is home to The Lewis Ranch—the residence of renowned musician Jerry Lee Lewis.

The Lewis Ranch served as the singer’s private getaway where he would create his music while spending quality time with his family.

The artist bought the ranch during the 1970s and has since then kept the property as his occasional home even up to this day.

Exterior of The Lewis Ranch house

Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]), CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Go on a guided tour, get up close and personal with some of his memorabilia, and take a closer look at his personal life as you wander the halls.

Tour guides will also tell the story of the singer’s early years and how he found success in creating music.

Final Thoughts

There are many great things to do in Southaven, which are a combination of entertaining, informational, and fun activities and sites to visit.

So while you’re in the city, be sure to check out this list of the best things to do in Southaven, Mississippi.

Start planning your trip’ today!

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