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All 126 Memphis Attractions »

Pink Palace Museum

3050 Central Ave, Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 320-6320
Ranked #12 of 85 attractions in Memphis
4.5 of 5 stars 73 Reviews
Type: History Museums, Architectural Buildings, Natural History Museums
Owner description: The Pink Palace Museum is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the Southeast. You can walk through a replica of the first self-service grocery... more » Owner description: The Pink Palace Museum is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the Southeast. You can walk through a replica of the first self-service grocery store in the country, Clarence Saunders' Piggly Wiggly. Explore the cultural and natural history of the Mid-South through exciting exhibits, dioramas, and audio-visuals. Trace Memphis' development from the time of Spanish explorers through the Civil War and the yellow fever epidemics. Learn from the award-winning medical exhibit how health care grew to be Memphis' largest industry. « less
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73 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
Coldwater,Mississippi
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
35 helpful votes 35 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 May 2012 NEW

The Pink Palace is not what people come to Memphis to see--BUT--this is a must see for people that love Museums--if you are in town. It is not the Smithsonian or the Peabody, but Memphis can be Proud of this attraction--I love it.

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See 6 more reviews by Mississippijay for Memphis
Atlanta, GA
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 May 2012 NEW

Love any natural history museums. Throw in some cultural history as well - bonus. Fantastic building and its history. Well done.

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See 7 more reviews by ATLmandycat for Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 May 2012

Clarence Saunders built the magnificent mansion right before the stock market crash. It is constructed of Pink Marble. After the city took it over and turned the Palace into a natural history museum, they added an addition to the side of it which houses more exhibit space, a planetarium, and an Imax theater. Many of the exhibits relate to Mr.... More

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See 5 more reviews by charliea501 for Memphis
Upland, California
Senior Contributor
44 reviews 44 reviews
Reviews in 28 cities Reviews in 28 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 May 2012

I loved the way they have captured the South through the eyes of the residents of Memphis. You will see an old grocery store, pharmacy, medical supplies, clothes worn in the civil war as well as beautiful gowns worn in coming out dances. They also have an extensive pre-historic exhibit. What is necessary here is to pay attention on the... More

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See 5 more reviews by highwaytrip for Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 May 2012

The Pink Palace has always been a sort of well put together hodge podge of a place, taking you through natural history (with dinosaurs!), geology, Memphis history (complete with dioramas of Civil War battlefield "surgery") , a replica of the first ever full service grocery store, and traveling exhibits of everything from the cotton industry to the bio-mechanics of the... More

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See 6 more reviews by KColeB for Memphis
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 May 2012

historic home turned into a mueseum. Changing exhibits in main area and some of the same ones in othters. We always have a good time when we go. Inexpensive

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See 10 more reviews by Jbmcdermott for Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 April 2012

We are a member and enjoy it . We are a member and enjoy it . We are a member and enjoy it

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See 7 more reviews by d c for Memphis
Signal Mountain, Tennessee
Top Contributor
105 reviews 105 reviews
Reviews in 73 cities Reviews in 73 cities
43 helpful votes 43 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 April 2012
1
person found this review helpful

This is the old line museum in Memphis that received a big facelift perhaps 40 years ago. It must have been a five-star place then but has slipped a couple of notches due to tired exhibits. Still, the history material on Memphis, the evolution of medicine in the city and the model of an original Piggly Wiggly store (the founder's... More

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Cleveland
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 April 2012

This place is exceptional. It is nothing like I had thought it would be. First of all, it's huge. The pictures don't do it justice. It took hours to go through and look at everything. This place has so much history. Its one of the coolest places to visit. The Piggly Wiggly exhibit is so cool, and the miniature circus... More

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Lexington, TN
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2012

A visit to the Pink Palace Museum never fails to be an entertaining learning experience. We live an hour away and drop in from time to time for various exhibits or sometimes for the IMax theater. The permanent exhibits are fun and informational, I think our family's favorite is probably the Piggly Wiggly grocery store replica which is a replica... More

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See 6 more reviews by bookwormwendy for Memphis

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