Free Places around Memphis for Beautiful Photo Opportunities
Memphis is beautiful. We have over 150 parks for recreation, lakes, plenty of greenery, old and historic buildings, and public artwork on display. These provide the perfect opportunity for a FREE family photo.
The list below is only some of what Memphis has to offer. But it’s a good start. Let us know which places you love, need to check out, or what we should add to the list.
Memphis River Parks
Memphis River Parks have several locations downtown that allows you to have nature as your backdrop. Listed below are some of my favorites for a great photo shoot.
Greenbelt – Open dawn to dusk
Mud Island Park – 6am to 7pm
Big River Crossing – 6am to 10pm
Martyrs Park – Open dawn to dusk
And tag them @memriverparks and #cometotheriver.
South Main Arts District
There are several murals over the city, but Downtown Murals is a comprehensive list of murals in the Downtown Memphis area. You can turn a photo session into a field trip. The murals are breathtakingly gorgeous and creative.
Crosstown Concourse
Open 8am – 9pm
Crosstown has plenty of indoor photo opportunities. They have the fantastic red staircase, rustic exposed brick walls, and an I Love Memphis mural, part of the UrbanArt Commission. The website also lists other murals across the city connected to the UrbanArt Commission.
Dixon Gallery & Gardens
Hours vary by day. Please check their website.
You can take pictures in the gardens and most parts of the museum. Tag them in your photos using #discoverthedixon, @dixonmemphis on Instagram, and @DixonGalleryandGardens on Facebook. Admission is free through the end of 2024, so please use this opportunity to support – consider donating.
Shelby Farms
Open sunrise to sunset
Besides being a great hang-out spot, Shelby Farms offers those scenic photos if you don’t want to travel to Downtown Memphis. They have over 20 lakes, plenty of trees, and trails on 4,400 acres in the city’s center. Have you seen the sunset over the lake…just gorgeous.
Brooks Museum
Free on Saturdays from 10am – 12pm
Portrait photography is allowed outside the museum. The building and the grounds of the museum are a lovely backdrop for family photos. If you get done in time, you can take your family inside for a visit.
Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery
Check out their website for hours.
If you’re still reading, good. Yes, a cemetery. If you’re from Memphis, you know that Memorial Park Funeral Home has been a go-to spot for photos for decades. They have a shiny grotto made up of crystals that’s a must-see, and the grounds are immaculate.
