I managed to climb up some groaning metal stairs which took me into the rafters above the stage. It felt like we shouldn’t be there, but there were no barriers or warning signs. Many outdoor concerts had taken place here since it opened in 1982 - forty years ago and it showed it! This was a particularly creepy place, as it was open-air and the large metal parts which made up the stage were making creaking noises in the warm breeze. One of the first things we encountered on Mud Island was the abandoned amphitheatre, a 5000 seat concrete theatre. Consequently we only passed through and spent the rest of our time on Mud Island exploring the outdoor parts of the park. Why? For what purpose? It only added to the creepiness of the visit (as much as he was minding his own business and doing a good, honest job). Spookily there was a lonesome and aged janitor cleaning and wiping the doors down. This was presumably the Mississippi River Museum, but it had an abandoned feel, with sections closed off, most of the escalators were turned off and doors were locked. It took us around 15 minutes to cross and reach a building at the other side.
We had to walk up even higher to access the aerial walkway, but it was worth it for the aforementioned views of Memphis, Arkansas and the Mississippi River. The entrance building had a very domineering feel - all ugly concrete and brutalist - and as we ascended the stairs inside we were soon confronted with the abandoned and dusty monorail train (it clearly hadn’t moved in years!). We found the pedestrian entrance with ease, having had breakfast in a brilliant coffee shop next to Memphis City Hall. We visited on the very hot morning of Tuesday August 2nd 2022. Mud Island offers stunning views of the Mississippi river, neighbouring Arkansas on the other side of the river, the city skyline of Memphis and the unusual Hernando de Soto Bridge. The Mud Island Park is a picturesque park and was once accessed by a suspended monorail (a friend paid $10 to ride across 4 years ago) but now the few visitors who want to go there have to use the aerial walkway above the abandoned monorail. Mud Island is located in the Mississippi river, offshore from downtown Memphis, Tennessee.
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