Memphians celebrate the fact that their largest city park, Shelby Farms (www.shelbyfarmspark.org/sfpc/), is five times the size of New York’s Central Park. But the fact is that Shelby Farms is underused, since most of its 4,500 acres are pleasantly undeveloped. There are plans to improve the park by adding more recreational facilities, but for now it is a diamond in the rough. Dogs are allowed and must be leashed except in designated off-leash areas.

Come here to go mountain biking, horseback riding, inline skating, walking, or running along some of the many trails. You can also fish, raft, canoe, or sail on any of the park’s six lakes. There is a wheelchair-accessible trail, areas for picnicking, and a shooting range.

Shelby Farms was originally set aside to be the county penal farm, and although it was not used in this way, the county jail is found on the western edge of the park. Shelby Farms is located on the eastern side of Memphis, just outside the I-40/I-240 loop that circles Memphis. It is easily accessible from Exits 12 and 14 off I-40, and exit 13 off I-240. Or follow Walnut Grove Road from midtown.