New Bass Pro Shops in Memphis includes hotel

Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid in Memphis, Tenn., includes dining options and a swamplike environment. Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid in Memphis, Tenn., includes dining options and a swamplike environment. Photo: Bass Pro Shops Photo: Bass Pro Shops Image 1 of / 21 Caption Close New Bass Pro Shops in Memphis includes hotel 1 / 21 Back to Gallery

Memphis, Tenn., has an intriguing new lodging option and playground for outdoor enthusiasts -- and it's located in a city landmark.

After sitting vacant for more than 10 years, the 32-story Memphis Pyramid, formerly an arena, reopens today as Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid.

The 535,000-square-foot shopping and lifestyle venue on the banks of the Mississippi includes a wilderness-themed hotel called Big Cypress Lodge; it's the first hotel built within a Bass Pro Shops megastore. (The company's founder Johnny Morris also owns Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri.)

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The 105 guest rooms, treehouses, cabins and suites -- inspired by vintage duck hunting camps -- are surrounded by a massive, swamplike environment featuring 100-foot-tall cypress trees, ponds, live alligator pools and duck aviaries. Big Cypress Lodge also has a spa, fitness center and event space.

According to a release, other attractions within the Pyramid include:

Fire pistol and archery ranges

10 aquariums with 600,000 gallons of water and more than 1,800 fish

A 32-story observation deck and restaurant/bar that offers views of the Memphis skyline and Mississippi River

An underwater-themed bowling alley and restaurant

The country's tallest freestanding glass elevator

A general store in a rustic cabin that sells fudge and dry goods

The Ducks Unlimited National Waterfowling Heritage Center, an interactive wetlands and waterfowl education museum showcasing the history of waterfowling and wetlands conservation, with a waterfowl identification kiosk, wetlands exhibit and onsite waterfowl experts

Though the company would not quote a specific dollar amount for the cost of the four-year project, a rep said Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid "represents the largest investment Bass Pro Shops has ever made, not only financially, but in terms of time, energy and effort in a retail store anywhere outside of our national headquarters in Missouri."

The grand opening celebrations kick off with a ribbon cutting Wednesday night, and will take place through the weekend, with special events and appearances by NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, country music singer John Anderson and Ernie Brown Jr., aka Turtleman, from the TV show "Call of the Wildman."

Room rates at Big Cypress Lodge start at $259 per night, and reservations can be made by calling 1-800-BC-LODGE (1-800-225-6343). Online reservations will be available soon.