The Memphis Pyramid sat empty for nearly a decade — 321 feet of stainless steel on the Mississippi River with no clear purpose — until Bass Pro Shops built an entire world inside it: a live indoor cypress swamp with alligators, a 13-lane underwater-themed bowling alley, America's tallest freestanding elevator, a 103-room wilderness hotel, and 535,000 square feet of outdoor gear spread across 32 stories. More than three million visitors came through in the first year after it opened in April 2015. For a solo visitor or a couple, the parking lot is fine.
For a group of 25, 35, or 50 people, the math changes fast — and the question every group organizer eventually asks is the same one: where exactly does the bus drop off, and can it stay while we're inside?
The short answer is yes. Memphis Travel's official motorcoach guidance confirms that Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid allows buses to park in their lots during daytime hours — no off-site staging, no remote lot, no long walk from a garage. Below, this guide covers exactly how a charter bus or party bus reaches and parks at the Pyramid, which vehicles fit different group sizes, what shapes the price, and everything a first-time group planner needs to know before the bus leaves the pickup spot.
For the bigger picture on Memphis group trips, the Memphis group transportation services page covers the full network.
Why Rent a Party Bus or Charter Bus to Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid?
The Pyramid's scale is the reason a bus pays off so quickly for groups. The building is 535,000 square feet — the equivalent of nine football fields under one roof — and a group that splits up at the parking lot entrance at 9 AM may not reassemble until 3 PM. That coordination cost alone makes one charter bus a cleaner solution than five separate cars.
On top of that, standard parking is $10 per vehicle, free only if the vehicle's occupants spend $20 or more inside. A group of 30 people typically needs eight or nine cars; that's $80 to $90 in parking before anyone sets foot through the door. Buses park in the Pyramid's lots during daytime hours at no separate charge — so the bus also solves the parking tab.
Then there's the day itself. Groups that rent a party bus or charter bus to Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid tend to stay longer, do more, and spend less per person than groups that coordinate separate vehicles. The bowling alley reservations are easier to time when the whole group arrives together.
The 2 PM fish feeding show in the swamp is the kind of thing a group either all sees or half misses because someone was still parking. The observation deck elevator holds a limited number of people per ride, so a coordinated group arrival means your window at The Lookout isn't split across two hours. One bus, one arrival, one departure — the Pyramid rewards it.
For out-of-town groups flying into Memphis International Airport, a Memphis charter bus rental from the terminal makes the opening move simple: one pickup at baggage claim, one run to the Pyramid, no rideshare scramble with luggage across the lot. Partybusinmemphis.com connects groups with a large network of bus companies serving Memphis, with quotes available in under 30 seconds online or by phone. Call 901-203-3399 to get started.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid
Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid is located at 1 Bass Pro Dr, Memphis, TN 38105 — on the north edge of downtown Memphis, along the Mississippi River waterfront. The main vehicle entrance is off Bass Pro Drive, which feeds directly into the Pyramid's parking lot from the north. The approach from the interstate is clean: buses coming from I-40 take exit 1 onto Riverside Drive South, then turn right at the first stoplight onto Bass Pro Drive, which runs straight to the lot.
There are no narrow downtown side streets to navigate and no commercial loading zone to hunt for — the lot entrance is a direct right off the main connector road from the freeway.
Once in the lot, your group unloads curbside at the main entrance, which faces the Mississippi River on the building's west side. The Pyramid's entrance plaza is wide and flat, making it straightforward for groups carrying gear, strollers, or equipment. And because buses park in the Pyramid's lots during daytime hours per Memphis Travel's motorcoach guidance, the bus stays on-site for the full visit — no coordinating a pickup from a remote lot three blocks away, no calling for the bus when the bowling runs long.
Where Buses Park at the Pyramid
Buses park in the Pyramid's own on-site lots during daytime hours — this is the verified guidance published by Memphis Travel's motorcoach service page, which lists the Pyramid at 1 Bass Pro Drive alongside other downtown Memphis motorcoach parking locations. Standard car parking at the Pyramid runs $10 per vehicle, with the fee waived if the vehicle's occupants spend $20 or more inside. For a group arriving by bus, that individual car charge is bypassed entirely.
For large organized groups — corporate outings, school trips, family reunions of 40 or 50 people — a quick call to Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid at (901) 291-8200 before your visit lets the venue team flag your arrival and coordinate the lot. Groups needing group rates for the observation deck elevator can also request those by phone. For overnight groups staying at Big Cypress Lodge inside the Pyramid, hotel guest parking is available at $20 + tax per night with valet or self-park options.
Buses park in the Pyramid's own lots during daytime hours, per Memphis Travel's official motorcoach guidance — on-site, no remote staging, steps from the entrance. For a group of 30 arriving in nine separate cars, that's also $80 to $90 in per-car parking fees that a single bus eliminates in one move.
Getting to Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid: Routes and Timing from Memphis
The Pyramid's position at the northern tip of downtown Memphis makes it straightforward to reach from most directions. Estimated distances and drive times from common pickup locations, outside peak traffic:
| From… | Approx. distance | Typical drive time (off-peak) |
|---|---|---|
| Beale Street / Downtown Memphis core | ~1.2 miles | 5–10 minutes |
| Memphis International Airport (MEM) | ~12–13 miles | 20–25 minutes |
| East Memphis / Poplar Avenue corridor | ~10–12 miles | 20–30 minutes |
| Cordova / Germantown (I-40 East) | ~17–20 miles | 25–35 minutes |
| Southaven, MS / DeSoto County | ~15–17 miles | 20–30 minutes |
| West Memphis, AR | ~5 miles | 10–15 minutes |
Most groups approach from the east on I-40 westbound, taking exit 1 — the last Memphis exit before the Hernando de Soto Bridge crosses into Arkansas — then south on Riverside Drive to the Bass Pro Drive turnoff. Groups coming from Mid-South suburbs take I-240 to I-40 West, same exit. From the East Memphis hotel and business corridor along Poplar Avenue, it's a straight downtown run on Poplar or Union, then north on Riverside Drive to Bass Pro Drive.
Weekend afternoons are consistently the Pyramid's busiest period; morning arrivals before 11 AM get first access to the lot and shorter elevator queues at The Lookout.
A Day Inside the Pyramid — What Your Group Is Here For
Knowing what's inside helps you build the bus itinerary before the group ever loads up. The official Bass Pro Shops Memphis page lists the major attractions — and for a group, sequencing them matters because the building is large enough that doubling back wastes time.
The indoor swamp. The Pyramid's centerpiece is an immersive cypress swamp running down the center of the ground floor — nearly 600,000 gallons of water, 100-foot-tall trees, live alligators, turtles, and fish. The daily fish feeding show runs at 2 PM.
If the observation deck is also on the itinerary, build the day so the group hits the swamp and feeding show first, then moves to the elevator in the afternoon when lines tend to be shorter. Groups that try to split the swamp and the deck across two separate trips down the elevator find themselves wasting 20 minutes in transit inside a 32-story building.
Uncle Buck's Fishbowl & Grill. A 13-lane bowling alley built with an underwater theme — shark-shaped ball returns, aquatic lighting, a full restaurant alongside the lanes. This is the anchor activity for corporate outings, birthday groups, and any group that wants something more structured than open shopping.
For groups, advance lane reservations are worth a call to the venue, especially on weekends when individual walk-in demand is high.
The Lookout observation deck. Ride America's tallest freestanding elevator 32 stories to the apex, and you'll find The Lookout restaurant with its glass-floored cantilevering observation deck overlooking the Mississippi River and the Memphis skyline. Admission for non-hotel visitors is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 5–12; Big Cypress Lodge hotel guests ride free.
The deck is open Monday–Saturday 11 AM–8:30 PM and Sunday 11 AM–6:30 PM. Budget 45–60 minutes here: the elevator is a single-car lift and group loading takes time, but the views from the top — Arkansas stretching west, the river bending south, downtown Memphis below the glass floor — make it the moment most groups remember longest. Group rates on elevator admission are available by calling ahead.
Ducks Unlimited Waterfowling Heritage Center. A museum-quality exhibit on North American waterfowl and conservation, housed inside the Pyramid with no separate admission. Groups with a hunting or wildlife focus tend to spend an extra hour here that they didn't account for — worth building into the bus window.
Dining options. Wahlburgers Wild — Tennessee's first Wahlburgers location — handles the group lunch stop without anyone leaving the building. The Lookout restaurant at the observation deck level serves lunch and dinner with panoramic views if your group wants to make the meal the centerpiece of the visit.
Store hours are Monday–Saturday 9 AM–8 PM and Sunday 10 AM–7 PM; restaurant hours vary slightly, so check the official store page before the trip.
What Size Bus Fits Your Memphis Pyramid Group?
The Pyramid draws groups across the full size range — families of 12, corporate teams of 40, school groups of 55. Here is how the vehicle lineup maps to a Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid day trip.
| Vehicle | Typical seats | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinter van / 14-passenger Sprinter limo | Up to 14 | Small corporate groups, VIP outings, quick hotel pickups downtown | Premium leather, USB charging at every seat, tinted privacy windows |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | ~15–35 | Mid-size family groups, sub-groups from larger school trips, corporate teams | Powerful A/C, plush reclining seats, overhead storage |
| Party bus (15–50 passengers) | ~15–50 | Birthday groups, bachelorette outings, milestone celebrations making the ride itself part of the event | Color-changing LED lighting, premium Bluetooth sound system, flat-panel TVs, perimeter seating |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Large family reunions, full school groups, corporate all-staff outings | Reclining seats, climate control, overhead storage, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restrooms, deep undercarriage bays |
For most Pyramid day visits, the choice is between a minibus rental for groups of 15–35 and a full charter bus for larger groups. The minibus handles downtown Memphis streets with room to maneuver, gets the group to the Pyramid in air-conditioned comfort, and parks cleanly in the lot without taking up excess space. For groups of 40 or more — or any group hauling gear like cameras, strollers, or equipment for a team outing — a 40–56 passenger charter bus gives you deep undercarriage bays for everything the group is carrying and an onboard restroom for the drive in from the suburbs or airport.
ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network; note that when you request your quote.
Memphis Party Bus and Charter Bus Rental Prices for Pyramid Trips
Partybusinmemphis.com pulls quotes from a large network of bus companies serving Memphis, and pricing shows up online in under 30 seconds. What shapes the number for a Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid run:
Vehicle size is the biggest variable — a Sprinter van and a 56-seat charter bus are different rates, and the right vehicle starts with your headcount. Total hours reserved is the second factor: a full Pyramid day with the swamp, bowling, observation deck, and a group lunch runs 5–7 hours easily; that block of time is what the bus is dedicated to your group, and the rate reflects it. Pickup location and mileage matter too — an airport run from MEM adds distance and time compared to a pickup from a downtown Memphis hotel.
Date and demand round out the quote: summer weekends at the Pyramid see higher rates than weekday visits.
To give you a sense of planning ranges: a 15–35 passenger minibus runs approximately $200–$250 per hour on weekdays and $200–$275 per hour on weekends. A 40–56 passenger charter bus runs approximately $200–$350 per hour. A 25-passenger party bus for a celebration group runs approximately $250–$375 per hour on weekends.
Real pricing moves with your specific date, itinerary, and the vehicles available in the network on that date — these ranges are a starting framework. See the Memphis party bus prices page for more detail, or call 901-203-3399 for a no-obligation quote on your exact dates.
On the per-head math: a 30-person group booking a minibus for a 6-hour Pyramid day at $250/hour is looking at roughly $1,500 total — about $50 per person. That same group in nine separate cars pays $80–$90 in parking alone (assuming the $10 per-vehicle rate), plus gas, plus the coordination chaos of 30 people finding each other across 535,000 square feet. The bus is cleaner and often cheaper per person the moment the group grows past a few cars' worth of people.
Memphis Airport to Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid
Out-of-town groups flying into Memphis International Airport (MEM) (2491 Winchester Rd, Memphis, TN 38116) land about 12–13 miles southeast of the Pyramid — a 20–25 minute run on a clear day. The direct route is I-240 West to I-40 West, exiting at exit 1 downtown onto Riverside Drive South, then right onto Bass Pro Drive into the Pyramid's lot. Clean, direct, no downtown surface street detours.
For airport coordination: assemble your full group and collect all bags at baggage claim before calling for the bus — that single step saves the bus from circling or staging in a restricted commercial lane. The Memphis airport transportation guide covers the MEM commercial pickup procedure in detail. The Memphis airport transportation page makes it easy to compare options from the network for your specific arrival time and group size.
Call 901-203-3399 to set up an airport-to-Pyramid run.
For groups combining an airport transfer with an overnight stay at Big Cypress Lodge, the sequencing is simple: one bus pickup at MEM, straight to 1 Bass Pro Drive, bags into the lodge, full Pyramid day, and the bus returns for the ride back to the airport on checkout day. The lodge's complimentary downtown shuttle — available daily for hotel guests — handles any evening stops to Beale Street or FedExForum while the bus isn't in use.
Tips for Groups Visiting Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid
Call ahead for groups of 20 or more. Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid can help coordinate your arrival, flag your group for the lot, and arrange lane reservations at Uncle Buck's Fishbowl in advance. Group rates on observation deck elevator admission are also available by phone — worth asking about for large school or family groups.
Know your hours before you go. The store is open Monday–Saturday 9 AM–8 PM and Sunday 10 AM–7 PM. The Lookout observation deck closes earlier — Monday–Saturday at 8:30 PM and Sunday at 6:30 PM.
If the deck is a must-do for your group, it needs to land on the itinerary before that cutoff. The official store page is the right place to confirm current hours before your visit, as holiday schedules can shift things.
Build in more time than you think you need. Groups consistently underestimate the Pyramid. Between the swamp walk, the 2 PM fish feeding show, lunch at Wahlburgers Wild, bowling lanes, and the observation deck, a full group day runs 5–7 hours without rushing.
That's the window to put on your bus reservation — you want the bus available when your group wraps up, not scrambling because the reservation ran out while the second half of the group was still on the elevator.
Parking for individual cars is $10 per vehicle. Buses park in the lots during daytime hours at no separate charge per Memphis Travel's motorcoach guidance. Hotel guests at Big Cypress Lodge pay $20 + tax per night for overnight vehicle parking (valet or self-park).
The Pyramid is ADA-accessible. The venue is listed as fully accessible. If anyone in your group requires ADA-accessible transportation, note it when requesting your bus quote — accessible vehicles are available through the network — and confirm building access details with the Pyramid at the number above.
Adding Beale Street or FedExForum to the same day. The Pyramid is about 1.2 miles from the heart of downtown Memphis — a 5-minute bus run south to Beale Street or to FedExForum. If your group wants to finish the Pyramid visit and then head to an evening Grizzlies game or a Beale Street night out, build the second stop into the bus booking window upfront so the itinerary is locked before you arrive.
Multi-stop Memphis itineraries are straightforward to arrange — call 901-203-3399 to put together the full day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does a charter bus drop off at Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid?
Buses approach via I-40 exit 1 onto Riverside Drive South, then turn right at the first stoplight onto Bass Pro Drive, which runs directly into the Pyramid's parking lot. The main entrance faces the Mississippi River on the building's west side; your group unloads curbside there and the bus parks in the lot for your visit. For large organized groups, a call to the venue ahead of arrival helps the venue team coordinate your approach.
Can a bus park at Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid while the group is inside?
Yes. Memphis Travel's official motorcoach guidance confirms that Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid allows buses to park in their lots during daytime hours. That covers a full group visit from morning opening through evening.
For Big Cypress Lodge overnight guests, the lodge offers separate hotel guest parking at $20 + tax per night.
How much does parking cost for individual cars at the Pyramid?
Standard parking is $10 per vehicle, waived if the vehicle's occupants spend $20 or more inside the store. A group of 30 arriving in nine separate cars pays $80–$90 in parking before anyone is through the door. A bus parks in the lot during daytime hours at no separate parking charge.
What is the admission price for the observation deck at the Pyramid?
Elevator admission to The Lookout observation deck is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 5–12. Big Cypress Lodge hotel guests ride free. Group rates are available by calling the venue.
The deck is open Monday–Saturday 11 AM–8:30 PM and Sunday 11 AM–6:30 PM. Check the official store page before your visit to confirm current pricing, as rates can change.
How far is Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid from downtown Memphis hotels?
The Pyramid is about 1.2 miles from the core of downtown Memphis — a 5-minute bus run north along Riverside Drive. From East Memphis hotels along the Poplar Avenue corridor, expect 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. The I-40 exit 1 approach is direct from any downtown, suburban, or airport origin.
How far is the Pyramid from Memphis International Airport (MEM)?
MEM is about 12–13 miles southeast of the Pyramid — roughly 20–25 minutes by charter bus via I-240 West to I-40 West, exit 1. Assemble your full group and collect all luggage at baggage claim before calling for the bus. The Memphis airport transportation guide covers the full MEM pickup process.
How much does a Memphis party bus or charter bus to the Pyramid cost?
Pricing depends on vehicle size, total hours, pickup location, and the date. Planning ranges: a minibus runs approximately $200–$275 per hour on weekends; a charter bus runs $200–$350 per hour; a party bus for a celebration group runs $250–$500 per hour depending on size and date. A 30-person group doing a 6-hour Pyramid day on a minibus might look at roughly $1,500 total — about $50 per person.
Real pricing varies; call 901-203-3399 or use the online tool for a quote on your exact date and group size.
Does Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid have a hotel?
Yes — Big Cypress Lodge is a 103-room wilderness hotel inside the Pyramid, with rooms styled as rustic log cabins and screened porches overlooking the indoor cypress swamp. Hotel guests receive free observation deck elevator rides and access to a complimentary on-demand downtown shuttle. Groups combining an overnight stay with a Pyramid visit can book one charter bus pickup from MEM and have the bus return on checkout day.
How far in advance should I book a Memphis party bus or charter bus to the Pyramid?
For standard day visits, two to four weeks of lead time is workable for most dates. Summer weekends (May–August) and spring and fall school field trip seasons see elevated demand in Memphis, so the earlier the better. If your Pyramid visit is part of a larger Memphis trip — a Grizzlies game, a night on Beale Street, a convention — book all the pieces together so the vehicle timing lines up.
Call 901-203-3399 to lock in your date.
What is the bowling situation at the Pyramid?
Uncle Buck's Fishbowl & Grill is a 13-lane underwater-themed bowling alley and restaurant on the Pyramid's lower level. For group lane reservations — especially on weekends when walk-in demand is high — calling the venue ahead of your bus arrival is the right move. The restaurant is open Monday–Saturday until 9 PM and Sunday until 7 PM.
Book Your Bus to Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid Today
There is no attraction in the Mid-South quite like the Memphis Pyramid — 321 feet of stainless steel with an entire indoor world inside it, and a full day that most groups don't plan long enough for. Partybusinmemphis.com connects groups with a large network of charter buses, party buses, minibuses, Sprinter vans, and Sprinter limos serving Memphis and the surrounding region. Quotes are free, take about 30 seconds online, and require no account. Call 901-203-3399 any time to compare options and get pricing for your Pyramid visit date.
