The Crazy One-Of-A-Kind Store You’ll Only Find In Tennessee
You’ve probably heard of “the pyramid” out in Memphis. It’s a Bass Pro Shop, and it’s become something of a Tennessee legend. The imposing, glass-laid building stands out in a striking display of outdoorsman-ship know-how, attracting thousands of visitors on an annual basis – and one of them can be you. Only in Tennessee, of course.
The Pyramid used to be empty - how strange is that? An empty pyramid, built for a basketball team that decided to play their games at the FedEx Forum. The place was abandoned for nearly a decade, a strange monument to what never was, and a quirky part of Memphis no one was quite sure what to do with.
The 535,000-square-foot pyramid has come to present itself as a national destination with its fully immersive retail experience. The glass structure hides a hotel, alligator experience, 600,000 gallons of water features, a cypress swamp, the interactive Ducks Unlimited Waterfowling Heritage Center...we could go on and on. This spot is magic for the outdoorsy folk. There are fishing shows that correspond with epic Bass Pro Sales, and how-to's that help the novice get their bearings.
Did you know you can stay at the pyramid? You can! At the Big Cypress Lodge, the first hotel inside a Bass Pro Shop (weird, right?), the 103-room wilderness hotel is a gorgeous representation of the great outdoors on an elegant scale. From treehouse suites to cabin-like getaways, you can shop 'til you drop and come right upstairs to your home for the night.
Ride the glass elevator up to The Lookout on the Pyramid, a great place to grab dinner and enjoy the shop's neat interior design. Located 28 stories up, you'll have 360 degrees of Memphis sitting right outside your windows, and an evening of delicious southern fare ahead.
Interesting fact: the Waterfowling Heritage Center is an interactive museum that lets you get your hands (literally) on your education. Although not pictured, you'll be able to learn about the current and future realities of the wetlands, learn to identify different species of waterfowl and find yourself wandering the biggest collection of waterfowl decoys in the state.
It's fun for all ages!
The Pyramid is also host to the nation’s tallest 28-Story Freestanding Glass Elevator, so if you're a fan of heights you can boogey on up for a spot with a view. The Lookout is also a popular tourist attraction, offering substantial views of the Memphis skyline.
The empty pyramid has come a long way, from the loss of a basketball team to an alligator feeding exhibit. The spot is a national tourist attraction, deserves a spot on your bucket list, and will keep your teenage boys busy for hours.
What a neat place! Did you have any idea this gorgeous pyramid hid so much fun and adventure...? You can visit yourself at 1 Bass Pro Drive, Memphis Pyramid, Tennessee. It's really Memphis, but hey - Memphis Pyramid works for us! It's all about the experience, after all.
What a strange and lovely place! Hungry for more? This Tiny Shop in Tennessee Serves Ice Cream to Die For – you’ll fall in love!
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