Guide To Nashville’s Most Instagrammable Destinations: Where To Take The Perfect Picture
Whether you’re looking to commemorate a special occasion, update your online presence, or prove that you’ve had an especially good hair day, snapping a photo is a fun way to preserve memories and, should you choose to do so, share them with friends and family on social media. And, whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a layman, it’s no secret that photo location matters. Bad lighting or a boring backdrop can leave much to be desired.
If you’re visiting Nashville, Tennessee for vacation or otherwise, chances are that taking at least a few good photos is on the itinerary. Even if you’re a local Nashvillian, you may still be inclined to snap a few stellar shots, if only to show off the cool place you call home. Below you’ll find some of Music City’s most photogenic destinations, ensuring only the best for your upcoming photo shoot or end of summer Instagram post. Without further adieu, grab your camera—or your smart phone—and get ready to strike a pose.
Play Playground
An ultimate Music City attraction, Play Playground is a whimsical downtown experience complete with a public rooftop lounge, beloved games, DJ sets, and bottomless Sunday brunches. The immersive, playful destination is marked by incredible views of the city, vibrant colors, and a hard to miss pair of cowboy boots perfectly on par for a Downtown Nashville-themed photo-op. There are 2 levels of fun. Keep in mind that, while the rooftop remains free to enter all day, the playground level is ticketed and open to ages 13+ before 7 p.m. and 21+ after 7 p.m.
Play Playground as a whole is open daily from 12 p.m. to late. The especially photogenic and free-to-enter rooftop lounge also happens to be equipped with a menu full of homestyle favorites and signature drinks. In the true spirit of Southern hospitality, all ages are welcome at Sunday brunch. Even though tickets aren’t required, reservations are recommended. Play Playground brings “going out to play” to a whole new level. On top of that, it’s a stellar local spot for colorful photos with friends.
John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
With views of the Nashville skyline and the Cumberland River, the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge is a great place to take in the most iconic of local views. At 3,150 feet long, the truss bridge (now on the National Register of Historic Places) is one of the longest pedestrian-only bridges in the world. Due to its close proximity to Broadway and the riverfront, the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge is a great place to snap a panoramic photo of the recognizable “Batman building,” which defines Nashville’s skyline, alongside the neon-lights of Broadway that burn all day and night.
The bridge is a well-known landmark in Music City, and well-frequented by visitors. The beginning of the bridge is adjacent to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, another grand central point in the city’s architecture. Part of Nashville’s greenway system, the bridge stretches over the Cumberland and connects at Shelby Bottoms Park, near Nissan Stadium (home of the Tennessee Titans). Entrance to the bridge is sloped and accessible.
Graduate Nashville Hotel Lobby
One of the most sought after stays in Music City, Graduate Nashville by Hilton offers eclectically decorated accommodations that pay homage to the South’s signature charm and rich music history. The visuals of the hotel lobby, alone, are enough to liven up any photo-op. Funky furniture, colorful wallpaper, artistic layouts, and carefully curated design makes for quite the impression, and can certainly add some je ne sais quoi to your camera lens’s impression of Nashville, Tennessee.
The destination has become a burgeoning spot for bachelorette party photos and although there aren’t restrictions regarding taking pictures in the lobby (even if you aren’t a guest of the hotel) it is important to be courteous of hotel guests and staff. If you have a large group or are planning on having a more intensive photo session, it’s always wise to check with the front desk staff beforehand.
+ White Limozeen Restaurant & Rooftop
Located on the rooftop of Graduate Nashville, White Limozeen is the girly cocktail-bar and restaurant of your dreams, with a 360 view of the city. Heavily influenced by the Volunteer State’s leading lady (none other than Dolly Parton herself), the rooftop restaurant is decorated to the nines with over-the-top, Southern glamour and a plethora of photo spots to match. Named after Parton’s 1989 album, the rooftop is a must visit for fans of the artist. The aesthetic of White Limozeen would suit a Tennessee Barbie, and your photos are sure to feature many shades of pink, Old Hollywood style design, and an iconic, pink sculpture of Dolly herself.
The Governor’s Pool is a central point of White Limozeen, giving guests the opportunity to cool off while enjoying skyline views, hot pink, tasseled umbrellas, poolside cocktails, and a menu where Southern cooking marries French cuisine. Keep in mind that access to the pool is by reservation only, even for guest of the hotel. White Limozeen is extremely photo-friendly, though reservations are recommended during peak times, should the restaurant reach capacity. Keep in mind that any professional photos require staff permission.
Murals In The Gulch
The Gulch is a family-friendly residential and commercial district in Nashville, offering dining and entertainment at a pace considerably more chill than downtown. This intentionally designed, walkable part of the city also happens to be decorated with some of the most frequented murals in Nashville. These murals include the “WhatLiftsYou” Wings by Kelsey Montague, the uber-geometric Jason Woodside Mural, the green and blue Ian Ross mural, Acoustic Skyline, Candy Hearts, Carter Vintage Guitars, and more. These murals showcase local artistic talent, all the while dressing up our streets with vibrant color.
If your phone just isn’t cutting it when it comes to travel portraits, Photo Walk in The Gulch is the perfect solution! The top-rated photo experience in Nashville gives your group the opportunity to tour the neighborhood and have your picture taken by a professional photographer in fun, iconic destinations. The Nashville Insider Photoshoot is 1 hour long and costs $75 per person. Taking advantage of The Gulch’s beautiful, recognizable murals, Photo Walk is the perfect way to experience the artwork while posing for some gorgeous portraits of your own.
12 South Murals
12 South is one of Nashville’s fastest growing neighborhoods. The family-friendly, walkable district has plenty of upscale dining and shopping opinions. Convenient accommodations (within 3 miles from downtown) include Airbnb options and a luxury hotel, The Gilmore, which made its debut in May of 2025. 12 South is also home to some of the city’s most iconic murals you may have seen floating around your social media feed, delivering popular slogans like “Make Music, Not War” and “Looking Pretty, Music City.” If you’re up for a photo-adjacent scavenger hunt, you can also find some other fun murals tucked alongside the neighborhood’s small businesses.
12 South is also home to Sevier Park, one of the lovely public parks the city has to offer. If you’re more interested in magnolia trees or green spaces to decorate your social media feed, the park is not a bad place to grab a sunshine-y photo or to have a sweet picnic with someone you love. Either way, Nashville’s 12 South is certainly photogenic and a great place to spend the day.
Centennial Park
Located in Nashville’s West End, Centennial Park is a central urban greenspace that has been around since 1903. The park offers a walking trail, a central lake (Lake Watauga), a sunken garden, an art center, and plenty wide-open space that surrounds the most famous and photo-worthy portion of the park. Nashville’s iconic Parthenon replica is the world’s only to scale replica of the original Athenian Parthenon. The landmark was built in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, a 6-month long exposition held in celebration of Tennessee’s 100th year of statehood. Fun fact: Nashville was once widely referred to as “the Athens of the South,” so naturally the Parthenon was in order.
You can visit Centennial Park daily from dawn until 11 p.m. The park is a serene place to take a walk, hang out with your dog, or take some photos that merge Nashville charm with the grandeur of Ancient Greece. If you want to explore inside of the Parthenon, and say hello to the 42-foot statue of mythical goddess Athena, admission hours are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays from 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
Cheekwood is a gorgeous 1930s-era estate in Nashville, boasting no less than 55 acres of exquisite gardens and vistas to enjoy and peruse. The estate is a gem in Nashville’s tourism landscape and serves as a museum, arboretum, and botanical garden. A central point of arts and culture in the city, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is a wonderful place to immerse yourself in beauty and elegance, while capturing photos that share the same sentiments.
You can visit Cheekwood Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission fees differ, depending on time of year and programing. If you’re looking to get some perfect snapshots on the grounds (keep in mind there is no photography inside the mansion and museum), there are some photo guidelines and restrictions to be aware of. For photographers, it’s important to be aware that professional sessions must be booked through the Cheekwood Special Events Office.
Lower Broadway
Although it’s most likely the rowdiest part of the city on any given night, Lower Broadway—also known as Honky Tonk Highway—is a great place to capture Nashville’s good side: the fun that draws thousands of people to the city every week. From rooftop bars with views of the neon street below to some of the most recognizable musical destinations in our country’s history, Broadway certainly warrants a few lively photos. If you’re looking for the classic “middle of Broadway photo,” keep in mind that the street is closed to vehicle traffic on Friday and Saturday nights.
Peak season on Broadway is April through October, with an estimated 15 million people visiting each year. The area has earned its reputation honestly, with wild attractions, good times, and live music pouring from every window on the street. Given the nickname “Nash-Vegas” in more recent years, the city has become a premier bachelorette destination, ushering in sparkly boots, party buses, brides-to-be, and, of course, the necessary photos to document the trip.
Coral Club, East Nashville: Photo By Victoria Quirk
East Nashville Bars & Restaurants
East Nashville is an area of the city catered more to locals, featuring cool bars, restaurants, music venues, attractions, and an overall artsy vibe. Some of the trendiest local haunts include Coral club, Urban Cowboy, Pearl Diver, Tiger Bar, Golden Pony, and many more. These establishments mix good times and great vibes, with a low-lit, nightlife ambience that speaks for itself. Although we wouldn’t recommend having a full-fledged photo session in the middle of the bar or restaurant, these aesthetic spaces are great for an effortless candid to capture you and your friends all dressed up.
Slightly off the well-beaten path, the East side of the city is a great spot to find signature cocktails, eclectic style, and a mixed-genre music scene. If you’re from the area, or are a visitor simply looking for a change of scenery, spending the day or night exploring East Nashville is a great way to get to know the city and its culture just a little bit better (and look cool doing it).
Good Angles, Great Memories
Regardless of how your photos turn out, we hope you soak in all that Nashville, Tennessee has to offer. As always, experience takes precedence over photos; however, there’s certainly nothing wrong with capturing the moment. Having an eye for the places that offer the best and often most famous photo-ops is a surefire way to pay homage to Music City while still remaining present, exploring and appreciating Nashville as a cultural destination. Our Middle Tennessee home is so much more than meets the eye (or the camera lens).
Neighboring Nashville, Williamson County is a destination full of the best that Tennessee has to offer, from scenic views and vibrant history to a healthy dose of Southern hospitality. For some more photo spots a little closer to home, you can also check out Franklin’s Most Instagrammable Locations. Whether you’re towing the latest and greatest camera equipment or taking a quick phone selfie, these spaces cater to what photography is truly all about: capturing the beauty of places we’ve become familiar with and the new places we travel to. Most importantly, photos help us to preserve lasting memories of the people we care about, as they are now. Say cheese!
