Main Street and South Main

The car-free Main Street mall in Memphis is lined with restaurants, patios, and public art perfect for photo backdrops. Keep walking (or take a trolley ride!) south to the South Main Arts District for even more public art, sculptures, murals, and cool architecture. 

Mud Island MEMPHIS Sign

This is the must-get Instagram pic for Memphis. The iconic sign is at Mud Island River Park with the river and city skyline as the backdrop. To get there, walk or ride a bike or scooter across the pedestrian bridge at 125 N. Front Street (not stroller/ADA accessible) or park north of the park (fees vary). Then walk through the river replica to the southern end of the peninsula. 

Parks hours and more info.

Shelby Farms Park 

This huge park has endless opportunities for photos, selfies, and great sunset shots. Go for a waterfront view at Hyde Lake, take a picture in nature on the trails, pack a photogenic picnic for the lawns, and then have the kids say "Cheese!" at Woodland Discovery Playground or the splash pad. 

Memphis Rooftops

From legendary Peabody Hotel sunsets to the brand-new Beck & Call lounge on top of the Hyatt Centric, Memphis rooftops are calling to you for amazing views and even better photos. Check out the Guide to Memphis Rooftop Bars for a list of places to see the skyline and take some snapshots. 

I Love Memphis Murals—Or Any Mural! 

We admit we're a little biased here, but the I Love Memphis murals around town are perfect for colorful photo backdrops. Whether you're a local showing off their love for the city or a visitor doing some harmless IG travel bragging, find an iconic Memphis mural and strike a pose!

Wolf River Greenway + Wolf River Beach

Dozens of miles of protected paths along the banks of the Wolf River provide lots of options for photogenic scenery. Capture river views, striking bridges, and lots of forests and greenery. There's even a secret beach along the Wolf River Greenway in Germantown that's neither secret nor an actual beach. Word has gotten out about the sunny sandbar, but it's still a fun place for a portrait or two. More info on the Wolf River Beach here.

Ed. Note: If you do visit the Wolf River Beach, bring a trash and recycling bags and plan to clean up after yourself and your kids. 

Big River Crossing

For amazing views of the Mississippi River, downtown Memphis, and the Hernando de Soto bridge, take your camera to Big River Crossing. You can walk or ride a bike across, and stop at the Arkansas-Tennessee state line for a great Memphis photo.

Beale Street

Embrace your inner tourist with a photo shoot on Beale Street—you can glam it up for a night out or take some fun group photos in between clubs with all the neon signs as a backdrop. For some extra action, go to Beale on Bike Night—Wednesdays April through September—a ton of motorcycles and bike enthusiasts will park on the street. 

The Lookout at the Pyramid

Only in Memphis can you find a glass and steel pyramid that's home to a Bass Pro Shops. This is truly a photo you can only take in our city. It's worth it at least once to pay the ten bucks to ride the nation's only freestanding elevator to the top. Step out onto the glass-floored observation deck and take it views of the city and the river—then snap a selfie!

Overton Park 

As if the towering leafy green trees and glassy Rainbow Lake weren't picturesque enough, Overton Park has unique sculptures at each entrance to the Old Forest Trail. The four arched entryways are all different, including one with a flock of birds and another made from rainbow-hued bicycles. 

Memphis Riverfront and River Garden

Naturally, the riverfront views in Memphis are unique to the Bluff City. Explore the series of river parks all along the banks of the Mighty Mississippi—from Greenbelt Park on Mud Island to the River Garden at Mississippi River Park to sweeping views atop the bluffs at Butler Park. Tom Lee Park is under construction for a major renovation, but you can bet it'll be picture perfect when it reopens.