In a city as visually stunning as Memphis, there’s no shortage of Instagrammable places.
Here’s a list of just some of them:
The Memphis Sign
In 2019, the Memphis sign at Mud Island Park was made to celebrate Memphis’ Bicentennial. This celebration was dubbed “A New Century of Soul,” and with that, crowds came flocking to take a selfie and the sign became Memphis’ newest Instagram Sensation.
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Beale Street District
The Beale Street Historic District offers everything from the gospel hub that is the Beale Street Baptist Church to the brightly lit bars and clubs that come alive when the sun goes down. The only problem with this part of town might be that there’s simply too much to photograph!
The Memphis Pyramid
Did you know Memphis is home to one of the tallest pyramids in the world? It reminds us of the connection to the Egyptian city after which Memphis, Tennessee, was named. Our pyramid houses a bar, an aquarium, a restaurant, a massive Bass Pro Shops location and more!
The Orpheum Theatre
This center of arts and entertainment is the place to go for everything from concerts to comedy. Although the theater’s architecture isn’t the main attraction, it’s stunning in its own right, and includes lavish chandeliers, moldings and a huge pipe organ.
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The Memphis Zoo
The Memphis Zoo’s themed seasonal setups ensure you’ll have something new to look at every time you visit. Of course, there’s also a plethora of animals and activities to enjoy and photograph: ice-skating, camel-riding, feeding the giraffes, visiting the playground, riding the carousel and more.
Graceland
Once the home of Elvis Presley, the Graceland mansion and the surrounding grounds are now a shrine to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. There’s an abundance of color to capture here, from the greenery of the Jungle Room to the pastel pink of Elvis’ 1955 Cadillac.
Stax Museum
The Stax Museum of American Soul Music traces the origins of soul and showcases legendary musicians such as Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes along the way. Don’t miss the carefully reassembled, circa-1906 Mississippi Delta church inside the building.
Big River Crossing
Photograph the dramatically varied landscape of Memphis and beyond while walking the longest public pedestrian/bike bridge across the Mississippi River. Whether you prefer urban, rural, or natural areas, Big River Crossing has something for you.
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Memphis Botanic Garden
You’re bound to snap at least one perfect photo of the flowers, plants and trees of all kinds spread out across the Memphis Botanic Garden’s 96 acres, which include 28 specialty gardens.
Festivals
Memphians love to party! Capture artists and art-lovers enjoying October’s RiverArts Fest; get some epic shots of performers at the Beale Street Music Festival, Gonerfest, and the Memphis Music & Heritage Festival; honor rich cultures from close to home and across the globe at the Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival and the Memphis Greek Festival; and more!
Shelby Farms Park
As one of the largest urban parks in the country, Shelby Farms Park offers an oasis of greenery for city slickers and nature photographers alike. Come by in December to see the park transformed into a winter wonderland for the Starry Nights holiday festival.
AutoZone Park
Take a deep dive into one of America’s greatest traditions at AutoZone Park, otherwise known as the baseball stadium of the Memphis Redbirds. If you’re not into sports—or sports photography—sit back and enjoy the aesthetic. The crisp red-and-white uniforms, the sparkling green of the grass… we can practically see the Instagram likes in your future already!
The “I Am A Man” mural in South Main brings out a unifying message. This piece is an homage to the Civil Rights Movement, based on the “I am a Man” march that took place on South Main.
Combining historical reconstruction and modern architecture, all on one block, Court Square Park is the official center of Downtown Memphis. On a sunny day in Downtown, you’ll find Court Square Park in its full glory. Swing by for Food Truck Rodeo on Thursdays or just take a stroll to get all the greenery you need in an urban landscape.
Known for its charm, elegance, and gracious Southern hospitality, The Peabody Memphis has been made world-famous by its five resident Mallard ducks, who march daily through the Grand Lobby at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Also, every Thursday during the summer the Peabody Hotel throws Rooftop Parties featuring tasty cocktails, snacks, and live music. The Hotel’s iconic red rooftop sign is itself a mainstay, whether you photograph it from elsewhere in the city or while on the roof of the hotel itself.
A visit to Memphis is not complete without a pic of yourself with The King. If you’re strolling down the south side of Beale St, take the opportunity to capture a photo of the iconic Elvis statue. Originally unveiled in 1980, the world’s first bronze Elvis statue was taken down in 1994 and moved indoors to the downtown Memphis Tennessee Welcome Center. That left Elvis Presley Plaza with a big, empty spot. It was finally filled in 1997 with the arrival of a new, completely different bronze Elvis statue by sculptor Andrea Lugar. This Elvis, unlike the original, shows him as he would have looked on Beale Street circa 1955, wearing a stage outfit he might have bought at Lansky Bros where he was a loyal customer. Mr. Bernard Lansky helped Elvis create his well-known and sought-after style, a feat which gained Bernard the title of Clothier to the King.
Visitors will enjoy 10 individualized galleries with interactive touchscreen displays along with three master databases where they can hear the music, watch videos, and read the stories of each inductee. Snap a photo under the blue lights with the statue of blues legend Little Milton. The statue was inspired by the cover of “Think of Me,” Little Milton’s final studio album, which features him photographed on a bench embracing his guitar.
Photo worthy highlights include a fun cityscape with kid-sized businesses—including an auto mechanic shop and dentist office—an interactive model of Times Square, and a giant Light-Bright wall. Kids can also sit in a flight simulator and a real airplane cockpit, explore the Mississippi River, climb through the arteries of a giant heart, and ride a bicycle on Mars. There’s no better place to show off how adorable your kids are!
Also known as Festival Island, Mud Island, houses the Riverwalk, a three-quarter-mile-long model showing the course of the Mississippi from Cairo, Illinois, to the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors can hop aboard a pedal-boat and relax on the water while enjoying views of the Memphis skyline.
With most original buildings still standing, Summer Avenue is one of those picturesque all-American streets. Travel back into one of the greatest eras of Memphis’ history simply by driving down it. For a quick glimpse into Memphis’ past, look no further than Summer Avenue’s 6 miles of antique stores and thrift shops. But, don’t miss the drive-in theater and mom-and-pop restaurants along the way!
Bonus
Hit the streets
OK, “the streets” isn’t exactly a specific location, but we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to encourage you to snap some shots of the daily hustle and bustle of Memphis life. Street photography can be compelling no matter what you’re shooting, and when you add the Memphis vibe, you’re bound to capture some gold.
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