Unique features of the Pyramid: Bass Pro Shops, aquarium and indoor swamp
Big Cypress Lodge occupies the Memphis Pyramid and connects directly with Bass Pro Shops, so you can shop the retail complex, see the Bass Pro aquarium and watch a landscaped indoor cypress swamp with live fish and alligators from hotel public spaces and many guest rooms. The Pyramid’s aquarium, the hotel’s island-themed Fishbowl bowling/bar and the indoor swamp environment are the lodge’s three most distinctive on-site features.
In this guide
- How the Pyramid and Bass Pro Shops shape the stay
- The Bass Pro aquarium and daily fish feedings
- The indoor cypress swamp (bayou) and wildlife sightings
- Dining and entertainment tied to the aquarium and swamp
- Rooms with views: which room types look onto the swamp or downtown
- Practical notes: hours, tickets and what to expect
How the Pyramid and Bass Pro Shops shape the stay
Big Cypress Lodge sits inside the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid at 1 Bass Pro Drive. The retail complex is a multi-floor store with outdoor gear, gifts and specialty sections; hotel guests enter and move between the lodge and Bass Pro Shops without leaving the building.
Because the lodge is integrated with Bass Pro Shops, many on-site activities, shops and displays usually associated with the retail store — themed exhibits, fishing and hunting merchandise, and an aquarium — are prominent parts of the guest experience.
- Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid: large retail store with outdoor gear and gallery areas
- Guest access: hotel public areas overlook parts of the retail space and the Pyramid atrium
- Note: Bass Pro Shops hours differ from hotel hours; check current shop times before planning visits
| What to find | Where |
|---|---|
| Retail shopping and galleries | Inside Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid (same building) |
| Aquarium and fish displays | Central retail floor aquarium |
| Sky High Ride to observation deck | Pyramid elevator to the top level |
The Bass Pro aquarium and daily fish feedings
A large aquarium sits in the middle of the Bass Pro retail floor and displays native Tennessee fish and other freshwater species. The site runs daily fish feeding events that guests can watch from public areas.
The aquarium is also visually incorporated into several dining and bar areas, creating an underwater-themed atmosphere in places like The Fishbowl and adjacent seating areas.
- Daily fish feedings are scheduled for guests (timing published by Bass Pro Shops / hotel)
- Aquarium species are local freshwater fish (Bass Pro aquarium focuses on Tennessee-native varieties)
- The Fishbowl bar and bowling area look into or sit near aquarium-themed spaces
| Feature | Where to see it |
|---|---|
| Aquarium and feedings | Central Bass Pro floor; visible from some hotel public areas |
| Themed dining/bar seating | The Fishbowl and surrounding restaurant seating |
| Bowling with ocean-themed decor | The Fishbowl bowling lanes |
The indoor cypress swamp (bayou) and wildlife sightings
One of the hotel’s signature features is an indoor bayou-style swamp ecosystem inside the Pyramid with cypress trees, ponds, fish and alligators. The landscaped swamp is visible from many public hotel areas and some guest-room porches.
This environment is a display feature — it is not a swimming area. Guests sometimes mistake the ponds for pools, but there is no swimming on-site in the swamp water.
- Contents: cypress trees, planted landscaping, ponds with fish and alligators
- Access: visible from hotel public spaces, terrace areas and certain room views
- Safety: the swamp is a contained exhibit — do not enter the water
| What it is | What it isn’t |
|---|---|
| A landscaped indoor swamp with live wildlife | A hotel swimming pool or guest wading area |
| A visual and educational feature of the Pyramid interior | An area for recreational swimming |
Dining and entertainment tied to the aquarium and swamp
Several on-site restaurants and bars sit near the aquarium or overlook the indoor swamp, giving meals a strong visual connection to the Pyramid’s interior exhibits. Key venues include The Lookout at the Pyramid, Wahlburgers Wild, The Fishbowl and The Den Bar & Lounge.
The Fishbowl combines an island-themed bar with a 13-lane bowling alley; Wahlburgers Wild supplies food to the Fishbowl, and The Den overlooks the swamp with lodge-style seating and a fireplace.
- The Lookout at the Pyramid: rooftop restaurant with skyline views (Lunch & Dinner hours listed on the hotel site)
- The Fishbowl: bar + bowling; casual menu from Wahlburgers Wild
- The Den Bar & Lounge: third-floor lounge overlooking the swamp environment
| Venue | What to expect |
|---|---|
| The Lookout at the Pyramid | American/steakhouse menu; reservations recommended |
| The Fishbowl | Island-themed bar with bowling and sports on TVs |
| The Den Bar & Lounge | Hunting-lodge style lounge overlooking the swamp |
Rooms with views: which room types look onto the swamp or downtown
Many room types at Big Cypress Lodge offer screened-in porches or balcony views that look either at the indoor cypress swamp or toward downtown Memphis and the Mississippi River. Room types include Interior Room, Duck Cabin, Exterior Room, Fly Fishing Lodge, Terrace Room, Terrace Suite and Treehouse Room.
If seeing the swamp from your room is important, request a room that specifically lists 'swamp' or 'interior' views when you book or at check-in; the property’s room inventory includes both interior-facing and exterior-facing options.
- Interior Room — offered as 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds (may face interior swamp)
- Duck Cabin — 1 King Bed (themed cabin-style accommodation)
- Treehouse Room — 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds (elevated/treehouse styling)
| Room type | Beds (as listed) |
|---|---|
| Interior Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| Duck Cabin | 1 King Bed |
| Terrace Suite | 1 King Bed |
Practical notes: hours, tickets and what to expect
Complimentary Sky High Ride tickets are included with a stay; the Sky High Ride and glass observation deck have published operating hours on the hotel site. Bass Pro Shops and the Fishbowl bowling have separate hours that may differ from hotel amenities.
The lodge does not have a swimming pool. The lead guest must be 21 or older to check in; children of all ages are welcome to stay. Confirm in advance for spa availability, early check-in fees and parking charges, since some services carry additional fees or restricted hours.
- Check-in begins at 4 PM; check-out is 11 AM
- Sky High Ride hours and Fishbowl/bowling hours are published separately — check the hotel or Bass Pro Shops pages
- Overnight parking at the Pyramid carries a required nightly fee; valet is available
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Sky High Ride tickets | Included with stay; verify times on arrival |
| Spa appointments | Big Cypress Spa by Gould's has limited hours and may require reservations |
| Parking | A required nightly parking fee applies for overnight guests |
