Memphis offers more than soulful music and mouthwatering barbecue. To locals, the city is known for its abundance of history, art, and, most importantly, local pride. Whether you’re a longtime Memphian or just visiting, here are our favorite places to capture the perfect Instagram-worthy pics to wow your friends, family, and followers!
The Most Instagrammable Spots in Memphis
Memphis Sign
Mud Island River Park, 101 N. Island Dr., Memphis, TN 38103
Designed by Youngblood Studio, this Memphis sign draws in locals and visitors alike. Not to mention, the skyline backdrop is gorgeous! You can find the sign in Mud Island Park in downtown Memphis.
Visit the iconic Memphis sign in Mud Island Park for the perfect cityscape photo! Image: Memphis River Parks
Love Mural
330 N. Main St. Memphis, TN 38103
Sam Reeves Hill’ mural can be found in front of the popular event venue, Balinese Ballroom. With its fun and eccentric vibe, you’ll definitely want to pose in front of this one.
Find this mural by Sam Reeves Hill in front of the Balinese Ballroom. Image: Sam Reeves Hill
The Sound of Memphis
100 S. Main St., Ste. 101, Memphis, TN 38103
“The Sound of Memphis” mural displays a man carrying a guitar case covered with colorful stickers. Each showcases a different Memphis landmark, sports team, logo, restaurant, or creed while emphasizing Memphis’ diversity. Find this mural across the street from Aldo’s Pizza.
Find this mural — painted by Damon Lamar Reed and Pugs Atomz — across from Aldo’s Pizza. Image: James Wessels
Hope Will Lead Us There
East Pontotoc Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103
This mural brightens its surrounding Memphis neighborhood with the inspiring message, “Hope will lead us there.” It’s colorful and fun and infuses a visual reminder of positivity in the local community. Streets Ministries sponsored artist Erin Miller Wray to complete this mural.
Painted by Erin Miller Wray, this mural is featured on the backside of Streets Ministries on Pontotoc Avenue and Main Street. Image: Erin Miller Wray
I Am Free
527 N 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38105
The “I Am Free” mural — another piece by Erin Miller Wray — conveys the same uplifting and colorful message to those who visit downtown Memphis.
The “I Am Free” mural is located on Second Street in downtown Memphis. Image: Erin Miller Wray
STAX Marquee
STAX Museum, 926 East McLemore Ave., Memphis, TN 38106
Located at The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, this marquee looks fabulous when lit up at night. It’s also a fun place to pay tribute to the musical icons and spiritual founders of soul music. Groove through their thousands of artifacts and interactive exhibits, then step outside and snap a pic!
The Stax Museum is located at 926 East McLemore Avenue. Image: Stax Museum
Disco Alley Window Light Boxes
Floyd Alley, Downtown Memphis
On Floyd Alley, find this mural by A&M Creative that tells the history of Paula Raiford’s Disco. Check out the funky colors and the disco pattern in the existing window!
Love Love! Image: Downtown Memphis
A Note for Hope
195 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38103
“A Note for Hope,” painted by Jeff Zimmermann with the assistance of Rhodes College students and CODA staff, is located on a vacant building on Madison Avenue. Rather than focusing on the city’s past, the artists wanted to spark conversation about Memphis moving forward.
This mural, painted by Jeff Zimmermann, Rhodes College students, and CODA staff, is on Madison Avenue. Image: Downtown Memphis Commission
An Afternoon in Uptown
520 N. 3rd St., Memphis, TN 38105
Designed by 18-year Memphis resident Carl Scott, this mural shows the progress of the surrounding neighborhood’s growth, depicting both old and new establishments. Find this mural on the wall of Roxie’s Grocery.
Find this mural on the wall of Roxie’s Grocery, showing the progress of the surrounding neighborhood over the years. Image: Downtown Memphis Commission
The Beale Street Wings
315 Beale St., Memphis, TN 38103
Experience Beale Street with the perfect photo-op of the famous Beale Street Wings. You’ll find this mural right next to Tin Roof.
Take a picture with the legendary Beale Street Wings! Image: Downtown Memphis Commission
Elvis Statue
115 Beale St., Memphis, TN 38103
“The King of Rock” stands high over Beale Street for all his biggest fans to adore. Right in the heart of downtown, the statue is a prominent reminder of the great music Elvis produced and his deep roots in Memphis’ history.
You can’t miss this Elvis statue in the heart of Beale Street. Image: Beale Street
I Love Memphis (The Greenline)
The Greenline, near the intersection of Waring Road and Minden Road
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the Greenline holds something special for everyone — including this mural! The long-distance, multi-use trail continues throughout Shelby County and beyond, so grab your running shoes or bicycle and ride along the Greenline to enjoy this fabulous mural. Painted on the side of an old railroad tunnel by Siphne Sylve and local volunteers, the mural was created in conjunction with the series of “I Love Memphis” murals (see below), which were co-sponsored by the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau and the City of Memphis and supported by grant funds from ArtsMemphis.
Designed by artist Siphne Sylve, this mural is located on the Greenline, near Waring Road and Minden Road. Image: Shelby Farms Park
I Love Memphis (Cooper-Young)
Corner of Cooper and York, near 768 Cooper Street
This is another part of the “I Love Memphis” series. The bright red mural by Brandon Marshall is a popular attraction and is “Insta-famous” among younger Memphians. If you’re in town with some friends, grab your camera, venture over to Cooper-Young, and take memorable photos at this bold must-see!
Artist Brandon Marshall painted this mural alongside the corner of Cooper and York, near 768 Cooper Street. Image: I Love Memphis Blog
The Water Tower Pavilion
2532 Broad Ave., Memphis, TN 38112
The Broad Avenue Arts District is a street dedicated to locally owned small businesses and aims to revitalize Memphis’s urban core. Broad Avenue is home to many restaurants, shops, and public art, including one of the tallest and most welcoming of them all — the Water Tower Pavilion. The water tower consists of a colorful mural and an evening light show.
Tylur French of Youngblood Studio created the colorful mural on Broad Avenue’s Water Tower Pavilion. Image: Broad Avenue Arts District
Lucky Heart
409 S. Main St., Memphis, TN 38103
This Lucky Heart mural was once the sign for the Lucky Heart store, one of the oldest African-American beauty supply stores in Memphis. The mural still stands even though the store has moved. You can find it at the intersection of Hueling and South Main.
Find this mural at 409 S. Main: Image: Downtown Memphis
Well Hello!
City & State, 2625 Broad Ave., Memphis, TN 38112
Well, hello! This spot at City & State — a beloved Broad Avenue coffee and gift shop — is the perfect backdrop for your smiling mug AND your coffee mug! Talk about an uplifting morning greeting!
Find this mural on the side of City & State. Image: City & State
Jerry’s Sno Cones
1657 Wells Station Rd., Memphis, TN 38108
1601 Bonnie Ln., Cordova, TN 38016
A picture at Jerry’s Sno Cones is on our bucket list. Whether snapping a photo with the pink walls or the “Before I die …” wall, this favorite Memphis snow cone and burger shack offers several picture-perfect moments.
Take a picture with the “Before I die …” wall at Jerry’s Sno Cones. Image: Jerry’s Sno Cones
Jerry’s Sno Cones recently opened their second location in Cordova, and its pink walls are just begging to be featured on Instagram. Image: Jerry’s Sno Cones
Get out and explore all of the Instagram hotspots Memphis has to offer — and be sure to tag us in all of your new photos!
**********
Want the best of local eats, sweets, and drinks? Follow us on Instagram!
