The Memphis Botanic Garden is a calm counterweight to a music-heavy itinerary. It occupies 96 acres at 750 Cherry Road in Audubon Park, in East Memphis, and holds about 30 specialty gardens, from formal and woodland plantings to a Japanese garden. The garden is open daily throughout the year for general admission, with a standard daylight schedule in the warmer months and a shorter winter schedule when the clocks go back. What you see depends heavily on the season. Spring brings the big flower displays, summer is the lush, green time, autumn adds colour and winter is quiet and bare, though still pleasant for a walk. The garden also runs guided tours, educational programmes and family activities, and its Live at the Garden concerts bring popular acts to the lawn through the warm months. On concert days the garden closes to regular visitors earlier, at mid-afternoon, so check the events calendar before you plan a daytime visit. Admission is charged at the gate, with lower rates for seniors and children and free entry for the youngest visitors and members. Pets are not allowed, except at special pet-friendly events. The garden suits couples, families, photographers and anyone who wants green space, and it pairs well with the Dixon Gallery and Gardens nearby. Expect a few hours of easy walking on paved and gravel paths.
How to visit
The garden is at 750 Cherry Road in Audubon Park and is easiest to reach by car or rideshare from downtown, a short drive. It is open year-round but closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Hours are longer when daylight saving time is in effect and shorter in winter, with the last admission shortly before closing, so check the current schedule on the garden’s site.
What to expect
Themed gardens linked by walking paths, with a mix of formal and relaxed plantings. Allow two to three hours for a relaxed visit, and bring water and sun protection in summer. The Japanese garden is a quiet highlight.
Making the most of it
Visit on a weekday morning for the quietest experience, and time your trip for spring or early autumn if you want colour with comfortable temperatures. If a concert is on, treat it as an evening plan rather than a daytime one, since the garden closes to regular visitors earlier. Combine it with the Dixon Gallery and Gardens for a full day of gardens and art in East Memphis.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk through about 30 themed gardens across 96 acres, with a Japanese garden and a seasonal concert series.
Best time
Spring or early autumn on a weekday morning.
How long
Two to three hours.
Tips
Check the seasonal hours and the events calendar, as concert days close the garden earlier.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Garden lovers, photographers and anyone wanting a quiet break from the music sights.
- Families
- Plenty of space for children to explore, with family programmes on offer.
- Couples
- A peaceful walk, especially in spring, with the Japanese garden as the highlight.
- Pair with
- The Dixon Gallery and Gardens, close by in East Memphis.
- Time needed
- Two to three hours.
Good questions
Where is the Memphis Botanic Garden?+
It is at 750 Cherry Road in Audubon Park, in East Memphis.
How big is it?+
The garden covers 96 acres and includes about 30 specialty gardens.
What are the opening hours?+
Hours are longer in daylight saving time and shorter in winter. The garden is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, so check the current schedule.
Are dogs allowed?+
No, pets are not allowed except at special pet-friendly events.
Do concerts affect visits?+
Yes, on Live at the Garden concert days the garden closes to regular visitors earlier, at mid-afternoon.
