If you’re driving through Tennessee and see a massive, 32-story steel structure glinting in the sun, you haven't hallucinated. It’s the Bass Pro Shop Pyramid. It sits right on the banks of the Mississippi River in Memphis, and honestly, it’s one of the weirdest architectural pivots in American history. People call it the "Tomb of Doom," but nowadays, it's basically the Taj Mahal of the outdoorsy world.
It wasn't always a retail store. Not even close. Originally, the Great American Pyramid opened in 1991 as a 20,000-seat sports arena. It was supposed to be Memphis’s answer to the Great Pyramid of Giza. It hosted the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies and the University of Memphis Tigers. But by the early 2000s, the teams moved to the FedExForum, and the city was left with a 321-foot-tall empty shell. It sat rotting for years. People thought it was a curse.
Then John Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops, stepped in. The story goes that he was out fishing on the Mississippi with some buddies when he looked at the derelict pyramid and had a "what if" moment. Everyone thought he was nuts. I mean, converting a massive sports stadium into a bait-and-tackle shop? It sounded like a recipe for a financial disaster. But it worked. It really, really worked.
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What's actually inside the Bass Pro Shop Pyramid?
When you walk through the doors, you’re not just looking at rows of fishing rods. You’re entering a 535,000-square-foot ecosystem. It’s dense. It’s humid. It smells like cedar and gunpowder. There is a cypress swamp inside the building. Seriously. There are 100-foot-tall cypress trees, or at least very convincing replicas of them, and over 600,000 gallons of water feature systems snaking through the floor.
You'll see sturgeon, catfish, and alligator gar swimming around in the ponds. It's basically an aquarium that happens to sell flannel shirts. And because it's Memphis, there’s a massive amount of personality injected into every corner.
The Elevator and the Observation Deck
One of the big draws is the elevator. It’s the tallest free-standing glass elevator in the country. It takes you 28 stories up to the apex. If you’re afraid of heights, it’s a nightmare. The floor is glass at the top. You step out onto the observation deck and you can see the entire Memphis skyline and the bridge over the Mississippi. It’s $10 or $15 usually, but the view is worth it if the weather is clear.
Up there, you’ll find the Mississippi Blue Restaurant and Bar. You can grab a drink and look down at the tiny people shopping for camo below you. It’s a strange, surreal experience to be that high up inside a retail store.
Staying the Night: Big Cypress Lodge
This is where it gets truly wild. You can actually live inside the pyramid for a night. The Big Cypress Lodge is a luxury hotel built into the upper levels. The rooms are designed to look like vintage hunting cabins. Some of them have balconies that overlook the "swamp" on the ground floor. You can sit in a rocking chair on your porch and watch people buy crossbows at 10:00 PM. It’s meta. It’s lifestyle-immersion taken to an extreme.
Why it shouldn't work (but does)
From a business perspective, the Bass Pro Shop Pyramid is a miracle. Most "destination retail" fails because it’s a one-and-done visit. But the pyramid serves as a hub for the local community and a pilgrimage site for outdoorsmen across the South. It solved a massive problem for the City of Memphis, which was paying millions just to keep the lights on in an empty building.
The deal between the city and Bass Pro was complex. It involved a 55-year lease and roughly $200 million in renovations. Critics at the time argued it was a corporate handout. Proponents said it saved the downtown riverfront. Looking at the foot traffic today—over 2 million visitors a year—it’s hard to argue with the results.
The "Curse" of the Pyramid
You can't talk about this place without mentioning the urban legends. When it was built, rumors swirled that a crystal skull was placed at the top of the pyramid by a wealthy eccentric named Isaac Tigrett (the guy who started Hard Rock Cafe). People blamed the "curse" for the arena’s initial failure. When Bass Pro took over, workers allegedly found a small crystal box hidden in the steel rafters. Whether you believe in bad mojo or just bad stadium acoustics, the transition to a store seems to have broken the spell.
Practical things you need to know before visiting
If you’re planning a trip, don't just wing it. It's huge. You will get lost.
- Parking is a beast: There’s a big lot, but it fills up fast on weekends. If you’re staying at the lodge, you get valet, which is a lifesaver.
- The Bowling Alley: There’s an underwater-themed bowling alley called Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill. The lanes look like you’re inside an aquarium. It’s kitschy, sure, but kids love it.
- The Gun Room: Even if you aren't a hunter, the Beretta Fine Gun Gallery is like a museum. We're talking about shotguns that cost more than a mid-sized sedan. The craftsmanship is objectively impressive.
- The Archery Range: You can actually test out bows here. It’s a full-on range inside the building.
The scale of the place is hard to convey until you’re standing in the middle of it. The ceiling is so high that it has its own internal climate. Sometimes it feels like it might rain indoors. It’s a testament to the "bigger is better" philosophy of American retail that somehow survived the rise of Amazon.
Is it worth the hype?
Honestly? Yes. Even if you hate fishing. Even if you’ve never stepped foot in a forest. The Bass Pro Shop Pyramid is an architectural anomaly that shouldn't exist in a post-mall world. It represents a specific kind of Southern ambition—the desire to turn a sports failure into a commercial cathedral.
It’s loud, it’s crowded, and it’s unashamedly "extra." But in an era of boring glass-box stores, there’s something refreshing about a giant metal pyramid full of live fish and hotel rooms. It’s a piece of Memphis history that found a second life.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
- Check the weather: The glass observation deck is closed or visibility is zero during heavy rain or fog. Plan your elevator ride for a clear sunset.
- Budget for the "Tourist Tax": Everything inside is slightly more expensive than a standard Bass Pro Shop. You’re paying for the atmosphere.
- Eat outside the Pyramid too: While the food inside is decent, you’re in Memphis. Go to Beale Street or grab some dry rub ribs at Rendezvous. Don't limit your culinary experience to a retail store.
- Walk the Perimeter: The outside of the building is just as impressive as the inside. Take a walk along the riverfront to get the full scale of the steel plating.
- Visit during the week: If you go on a Saturday afternoon, it’s chaos. Tuesday morning? You’ll have the swamp to yourself.
The Bass Pro Shop Pyramid isn't just a store. It's a monument to the idea that you can reinvent anything if you have enough steel, water, and tax incentives. Whether you're there to buy a lure or just to stare at the ceiling, it's an American landmark that lives up to the weirdness of its own legend.