Last Updated on April 2, 2023
Many recognize Memphis as the home of blues music, but the city is also home to some incredibly Instagrammable spots. The likes of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash have recorded albums in the town of Memphis, and the whole area pays homage to its rock and roll roots. While music is the heart and soul of Memphis, the city has so much more to offer in the way of art, culture, shopping, dining, and, of course, some fantastic Instagram spots as well. This guide to the Top 15 Most Instagrammable Places in Memphis will highlight all the top locations where you can capture amazing photos for your Instagram feed and incorporate it into the Ultimate Weekend Itinerary in Memphis.
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in the below article are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase. All opinions on the Most Instagrammable Places in Memphis are our own. Click here for the full disclosure statement. Thank you for supporting the businesses that support us!
Table of Contents
Most Instagrammable Places in Memphis Map
The most Instagrammable places in Memphis are mostly located quite close to the central area of downtown, however you will want to know where they all are to plan out your visit to see all of the most Instagrammable places in Memphis in the right order!
Top 15 Most Instagrammable Places in Memphis
We’ve complied the Top 15 Most Instagrammable Places in Memphis so that you can visit all of the great Memphis photo spots on your trip to this fun central US city.
See the Best of Memphis with a Memphis City Tour!
Beale Street Sign – West
We’re starting off this guide to the most Instagrammable places in Memphis with one of the city’s most iconic areas, Beale Street. Over the years, Beale Street has played a huge role in the history of blues, not just in the city of Memphis, but within the entire genre of music itself. Many amazing musicians and artists have performed on Beale Street, including Louis Armstrong and B.B. King.
The street was also a significant location during the civil rights movement, and today, visitors flock to the area to experience this piece of history firsthand. With countless neon signs advertising bars, restaurants, and music venues, Beale Street is a music-lover’s paradise and a photographer’s dream. The sign on the west end of the street is an iconic marker of the area and a great addition to your Memphis Instagram photos.
Location: Beale Street Sign – West
Hours: You can visit Beale Street any time of day.
Best Time for Photos: Beale Street gets very popular later in the day, so try to plan your visit for early in the morning.
Tips: Although Beale Street shines at night when all the neon signs are illuminated, it becomes hard to photograph given the huge crowds that overtake the area.
Orpheum Theater Memphis
After taking the time to explore Beale Street, you’ll be just a short walk away from the Orpheum Theater, which is our next Memphis Instagram spot. Orpheum Theater is most recognized for its large, eye-catching sign that you can find just in front of the venue.
The inside of the theater is equally picture-perfect, featuring a 2300-seat interior with opulent gold-leafed walls. The Orpheum Theater has hosted many incredible shows over the years, ranging from musical performances by entertainers like Bob Dylan to large scale productions of Broadway classics like Les Misérables. Visiting Orpheum Theater is a great way to capture a slice of Memphis history in a beautiful setting.
Location: Orpheum Theater
Hours: You can photograph the iconic Orpheum Theater sign any time of day.
Best Time for Photos: We recommend visiting Orpheum Theater earlier in the day to avoid large afternoon crowds.
Tips: Consider catching a show at Orpheum Theater to experience the jaw-dropping interior! Unfortunately, use of cameras is not allowed within the theater, but it’s still a beautiful sight to see for yourself.
Elvis Statue on Beale Street
Another classic Memphis Instagram spot you can find in the Beale Street area is this iconic statue of Elvis Presley. Elvis was undoubtedly the most famous resident of Memphis, and this statue of him playing the guitar is a fun homage to the music icon.
Elvis grew up in Memphis after his family moved there when he was a teenager, and he later passed away in the town at the age of 42. Elvis had an incredible influence on rock and roll, with many considering him the King of the genre, and references to him and his legacy can be found all throughout Memphis. Whether you’re a music lover or just want to capture some fun photos for your Instagram, this statue is a must-visit.
Location: Elvis Statue – Beale Street
Hours: This is one Instagrammable place in Memphis that you can visit any time!
Best Time for Photos: The Elvis statue does get quite busy during the afternoon and evening, so try to visit earlier in the day.
Tips: A fun way to incorporate yourself into photos of the statue is by mimicking Elvis’s iconic pose!
Memphis Mural on Beale Street
Memphis is a city that undoubtedly revolves around art and culture, so it’s no surprise that you can find a number of colorful murals throughout its streets. It seems like new murals are always popping up or old murals are being reworked into one-of-a-kind art pieces, so it’s not uncommon to stumble across a new mural every time you visit the city. We consider this #ILoveMemphis mural on Beale Street to be one of the most Instagrammable places in Memphis where you can snag the perfect photo for your feed.
If you only have time to find one mural during your visit, this should definitely be the one. The mural is a fun and colorful celebration of the city and everything that it has to offer, and visitors frequently photograph this sign to commemorate their time in Memphis.
Location: Memphis Mural Beale Street
Hours: You can photograph the #ILoveMemphis mural 24 hours a day.
Best Time for Photos: To avoid the large crowds that tend to gather around this mural, make sure to visit early in the day.
Tips: Keep an eye out as you explore Beale Street for other amazing murals!
The Withers Collection Museum & Gallery on Beale Street
Although Beale Street is an incredibly popular area in general, The Withers Collection Museum & Gallery located at the far end of the street is a hidden gem of a Memphis Instagram spot. Since the museum is tucked away at the far end of Beale Street, not many people are aware of it or take the time to wander over. The museum is definitely worth a visit, as it highlights some incredible historic photos from the civil rights movement.
The building itself, however, is the reason we included the museum on our list of the most Instagrammable places in Memphis. The building is very unique and stands out among the other structures you might find along Beale Street. If you want to capture a side of Memphis that is less popular and touristy, a visit to The Withers Collection Museum & Gallery is a great opportunity to do so.
Location: The Withers Collection Museum
Hours: The museum itself is open to visitors from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM Tuesday through Thursday, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday through Saturday, and 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Sunday.
Best Time for Photos: Visit earlier in the day to avoid the general busyness of Beale Street during the afternoon and evening.
Tips: We definitely recommend taking the time to stroll through the museum after photographing the beautiful exterior.
Memphis Grizzlies Mural
Another mural we consider one of the most Instagrammable pleas in Memphis can be found at the entrance of the FedExForum arena, near the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. This larger-than-life mural of basketball player Ja Morant pays homage to the city’s home basketball team, the Memphis Grizzlies. The Memphis Grizzlies mural is an impressive piece of art and an amazing pop of color that will elevate your Instagram to the next level. Even if you’re not a big sports fan, we definitely recommend visiting this mural to admire its artistry and appreciate another unique side of Memphis.
Location: Memphis Grizzlies Mural
Hours: You can photograph this art piece any time of day.
Best Time for Photos: Like most Memphis Instagram spots, the mural does get more crowded later in the day, so try to visit in the morning or early afternoon.
Tips: Wearing neutral colors is a great way to ensure the vibrant colors of the mural will really pop in photos.
Beale Street Sign – East
This next Memphis Instagram spot takes us back to Beale Street, but this time, to the east end of the area. We definitely recommend taking the time to walk to the far end of Beale Street to photograph this second iconic sign. Another unique feature about the east Beale Street sign is you’ll be able to capture the American flag in the background of your photos. This is a great addition that plays into the history of Memphis and its reputation as an all-American town that ushered in an era of rock and roll to the entire country.
Location: Beale Street Sign – East
Hours: The east sign on Beale Street can be visited 24 hours a day.
Best Time for Photos: Similar to the west sign, we recommend visiting earlier in the day to avoid crowds.
Tips: Beale Street becomes much harder to photograph as plentiful crowds begin to gather in the afternoon and evening.
Colorful Steps
Along Main Street you can find a colorful set of stairs and a brightly-colored wall that we consider one of the lesser-known Instagrammable places in Memphis. These steps and the wall beside them are beautifully painted and serve as the perfect backdrop for some Instagram photos. All around Memphis, you can find hidden gems in the form of murals and public art pieces that you might have never found if you hadn’t stumbled upon them in the moment. This is one of our favorite reasons why we try to walk through cities as much as possible, because you never know what you might discover around the corner!
Location: Memphis Colorful Steps
Hours: You can visit these colorful steps all hours of the day.
Best Time for Photos: Thanks to this being a lesser-known Memphis Instagram spot, you can visit any time and not have to worry about crowds.
Tips: Play around with angles and perspectives to complement the whimsical nature of these colorful steps! The steps are located in the parking lot of the Good Fortune Co. restaurant.
Memphis Rooftop
One incredible way to experience a new perspective of Memphis is by visiting one of the many rooftops that can be found throughout the city. Memphis is home to a huge number of rooftop bars and restaurants, and virtually all of them offer incredible views of the city that you just can’t experience from ground level. One of our favorite rooftop Memphis Instagram spots is Beck & Call, a rooftop bar that can be found at the Hyatt Centric hotel. Not only is the bar itself super chic and upscale, but the sweeping views of Memphis are absolutely amazing.
Location: Hyatt Centric Memphis
Hours: Beck & Call is open from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, and 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM Friday through Saturday.
Best Time for Photos: Afternoon is a great time to visit Beck & Call, specifically before the bar fills up later in the night. Sunset is also an amazing time to photograph Memphis from the rooftops, though you may have to contend with large crowds.
Tips: Beck & Call enforces an “upscale casual” dress code, so plan you outfit accordingly.
Memphis Main Street Trolley
One great way to capture a variety of photos in a short span of time is by hopping on the Memphis Main Street Trolley. Although it may seem a bit touristy, the trolley is an excellent way to see all that Main Street has to offer, while getting a variety of backdrops for your Instagram photos as well. Plus, with all the walking you’re likely to be doing during your trip, it’s nice to kick your feet up for a little bit! The trolley goes back and forth along Main Street virtually all hours of the day, giving you a lot of flexibility as you plan your ride.
Location: Memphis Main Street
Hours: The trolley runs from 6:45 AM to 12:00 AM Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM on Saturday, and 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday.
Best Time for Photos: This is one Memphis Instagram spot that photographs well any time of day.
Tips: A single trolley ride is $1 USD while a day pass is $2 USD.
Memphis Sign on Mud Island
The Memphis Sign on Mud Island is one of the more unique Instagrammable places in Memphis because it’s located on an island in the Mississippi River! Mud Island is a park located just a short walk from the downtown area. Getting to the island can be quite an adventure, as you have the option of walking, biking, kayaking, or paddleboarding. The Memphis sign is one of the main attractions on the island and is silhouetted beautifully by the city skyline in the background. This is a great place to snag some classic Memphis Instagram photos and enjoy some of the city’s natural beauty.
Location: Memphis SIgn on Mud Island
Hours: You can visit Mud Island 24 hours a day!
Cost: Mud Island is free to visit.
Best Time for Photos: You can photograph the Memphis sign on Mud Island any time of day and expect awesome results.
Tips: Mud Island closes seasonally in October, so check to make sure it’s open before you plan a visit.
Memphis Pyramid
Did you know the world’s tenth-tallest pyramid can be found in the heart of Memphis? The Memphis Pyramid is a very unique Memphis Instagram spot thanks to its intriguing shape and structure. The pyramid was originally built in 1991 as a sporting arena, but nowadays is home to a Bass Pro superstore. Interestingly, the concept for the Memphis Pyramid is based around the fact that there is actually a town in Egypt that’s also called Memphis! While the Memphis Pyramid doesn’t quite match the grandeur of the actual Egyptian pyramids, it’s still a fun spot to visit.
Location: Memphis Pyramid
Hours: While you can photograph the Memphis Pyramid any time of day, the actual Bass Pro Shop is open 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Sunday.
Cost: The Memphis Pyramid is free to visit!
Best Time for Photos: The Memphis Pyramid is a lesser-known Memphis Instagram spot, so you can photograph it anytime of day.
Tips: Photographing the Memphis Pyramid can be tricky if you’re not up close to the structure, so plan accordingly.
Downtown Memphis Murals
As we’ve mentioned previously in this guide to the top Instagrammable places in Memphis, there are a number of beautiful murals throughout the city that make excellent photo backdrops. One great way to discover some of these hidden gems is by simply wandering the streets of Memphis! We specifically suggest exploring the side streets off of Main Street to find some amazing artwork. This specific mural can be found directly in front of the main entrance to the Peabody Hotel, a historic establishment that we’ll talk more about next!
Location: Downtown Memphis Murals
Hours: The great thing about finding murals throughout downtown Memphis is you can do it any time of day!
Best Time for Photos: These murals photograph beautifully any time of day.
Tips: Even if you don’t have a specific destination in mind, you’re sure to discover some murals by simply wandering the downtown area.
Peabody Hotel Ducks
Speaking of the Peabody Hotel, this Memphis Instagram spot is home to the city’s most famous residents (aside from Elvis, of course), the Peabody Hotel Ducks! Yes, you read that right: there are live ducks that actually live in the Peabody Hotel.
The tradition began in the 1930s when the General Manager of the hotel at the time and his friend returned from a hunting trip and, after celebrating with a little too much whiskey, thought it would be funny to put their live duck decoys in the fountain of the hotel. People were so delighted by this prank that the tradition continued, and in 1940 an animal trainer began teaching the ducks the now-infamous Peabody Duck March, which involves the ducks marching in an organized fashion to the hotel fountain. The tradition has continued for almost 100 years and to this day you can still experience the Peabody Hotel Ducks every single day.
Location: The Peabody Hotel
Hours: The Peabody Hotel Ducks visit the fountain daily from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Best Time for Photos: You’ll want to arrive at least 30 minutes before the ducks begin their march to secure your spot in the seating area.
Tips: It can be a bit challenging to actually photograph the ducks, but the experience is so unique and entertaining that we highly recommend a visit!
BONUS: Graceland
Of course, a guide to the top Memphis Instagram spots would not be complete without featuring the former home of Elvis himself, Graceland. Graceland is an iconic mansion that Elvis owned for about 20 years before his untimely death at the estate. The mansion is now a museum dedicated to the King of Rock and Roll, and visitors can tour the property which consists of the mansion, a car museum, a number of Elvis’s custom jets, and a new entertainment complex. The mansion and its 13+ acres are beautiful, and Graceland is a really fun day trip since it’s only a 15-minute drive from downtown Memphis.
Location: Graceland
Hours: Graceland is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Cost: Ticket prices vary depending on what package you select, but basic admission to tour the mansion, the entertainment complex and Elvis’s custom jets is $77 USD for adults and $44 USD for children 5-10.
Best Time for Photos: Try to visit earlier in the day to avoid large afternoon crowds.
Tips: Graceland actually has a full-service hotel on site if you want to stay the night and experience the property for more than just one day!
Top 15 Most Instagrammable Places in Memphis
Memphis is an incredible city full of art, history, and, of course, lots of soul. The home of blues music not only paved the way for rock and roll to grow in popularity throughout the United States, but also helped to catapult musicians like Elvis Presley to stardom. Memphis is full of hidden gems and beautiful sights that make it a great place to grab some awesome Instagram photos. We hope you find this guide to the Top 15 Most Instagrammable Places in Memphis helpful as you plan your trip! Whether it’s your first visit to the city or your fifth, there’s always something new to discover and enjoy in Memphis.
What do you consider the most Instagrammable places in Memphis? Let us know in the comments!
