The Memphis Botanic Garden is a 96-acre botanical space and environmental education centre located within Audubon Park in East Memphis, Tennessee. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was last updated in April 2026 and includes the confirmed seasonal hours and the temporary closure notice for the ongoing Pollinator Garden improvements.
Quick facts
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | Daily: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (Summer) / 4:30 pm (Winter) |
| Ticket prices | Adults $12; Children (2–12) $7 |
| Address | 750 Cherry Road, Memphis, TN 38117 |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Free on-site visitors parking lot |
| Typical time needed to visit | 2 to 3 hours |
Memphis Botanic Garden opening hours
The Memphis Botanic Garden operates on a seasonal schedule. During the spring and summer months (Central Daylight Time), the garden is open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. During the winter season (Central Standard Time), which runs from early November through early March, the hours are reduced from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, with the last admission permitted at 4:00 pm.
The site is closed entirely on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The facility also closes early at 1:00 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and will close at 3:00 pm on dates when “Live at the Garden” concerts are scheduled.
Memphis Botanic Garden ticket prices
Standard admission to the Memphis Botanic Garden costs $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (62+), and $7 for children aged 2 to 12. Children under the age of two enter for free. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026.
The Memphis Botanic Garden is not currently included in any multi-attraction city pass schemes, such as Go City or CityPass. Visitors planning to explore other major regional sites like Graceland, the National Civil Rights Museum, or the Memphis Zoo will need to purchase separate entry tickets for each location.
How to get to the Memphis Botanic Garden
You can reach the Memphis Botanic Garden by driving to Audubon Park in the East Memphis district. The main entrance is located at 750 Cherry Road, which intersects with Southern Avenue and Park Avenue.
Public transport options are limited in this primarily residential and parkland area, so most visitors arrive via private vehicle or ride-share services, which drop off directly at the main entrance gates.
Parking at the Memphis Botanic Garden
Free parking for the Memphis Botanic Garden is available in the dedicated surface lot situated immediately adjacent to the Visitors Center. This lot accommodates standard vehicles and provides accessible parking bays near the front entrance.
During large events or concerts at the Radians Amphitheater, an overflow North Lot may be opened, or specific parking passes may be required.
How long to spend at the Memphis Botanic Garden
A typical visit to the Memphis Botanic Garden takes between two and three hours. This allows sufficient time to navigate the primary paved loops and explore the distinct environmental zones.
Families visiting the interactive children’s areas or guests attending scheduled guided tram tours should allocate an additional hour for their trip.
Accessibility at the Memphis Botanic Garden
The Memphis Botanic Garden provides step-free, paved pathways across the majority of its 96 acres, making the core gardens accessible for wheelchair users and visitors with mobility aids. Wheelchairs, wagons, and strollers are all permitted on the grounds.
Only trained service dogs are permitted inside the garden; standard pets are strictly prohibited, except during specifically designated dog-friendly event days.
Inside the Memphis Botanic Garden
The interior of the Memphis Botanic Garden features 30 specialty gardens spread across seven distinct zones. The Formal Gardens use structured pathways, symmetry, and water features to display extensive horticultural collections.
The Japanese Garden focuses on form and texture over floral colour, utilising carefully arranged rocks, water elements, and seasonal foliage to create a quiet environment. The Lowlands section, located at the lowest geographical point of the site, captures runoff water to nurture the plant life and serves as a primary habitat for local birds, frogs, and butterflies.
Families frequently visit My Big Backyard, a 2.5-acre interactive children’s garden featuring 16 different themed areas designed for outdoor play and physical discovery.
The site also houses a Youth Education and Tropical Plant House, which allows visitors to walk through a simulated tropical rainforest environment year-round.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip Category | Visitor Advice |
| Timing | Arrive at 9:00 am during the summer months to walk the outdoor paths before the midday heat and humidity peak. |
| Crowds | The expansive 96-acre site rarely feels overcrowded, but the visitors centre can become congested during spring plant sales. |
| Layout | Collect a physical map at the admission desk to ensure you do not miss the peripheral areas like the Shade Gardens. |
| Entry process | Purchase your daily admission tickets at the front desk upon arrival; advance booking is generally not required for standard entry. |
| On-site logistics | Do not bring bicycles, roller skates, or skateboards, as they are explicitly prohibited on the garden pathways. |
Frequently asked questions about the Memphis Botanic Garden
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Memphis Botanic Garden suitable for children? | Yes, the site is highly suitable for families and features a dedicated 2.5-acre interactive children’s garden. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Memphis Botanic Garden? | No, standard admission tickets can be purchased at the gate on the day of your visit. |
| Is the Memphis Botanic Garden open on Sundays? | Yes, the garden is open every Sunday from 9:00 am until the seasonal closing time. |
| Are bags allowed at the Memphis Botanic Garden? | Standard day bags and backpacks are permitted, but balloons are strictly prohibited from being brought inside. |
Things to do near the Memphis Botanic Garden
- Dixon Gallery and Gardens: An art museum and 17-acre public garden located less than a mile away, featuring impressionist paintings and landscaped grounds.
- Memphis Museum of Science & History (MoSH): A large museum featuring natural history exhibits, a planetarium, and regional cultural displays.
- Memphis Zoo: A major zoological park housing over 3,500 animals in distinct habitats, located in Midtown’s Overton Park.
- Shelby Farms Park: One of the largest urban parks in the United States, offering miles of paved trails, a bison herd, and a large boating lake.
- Memphis Brooks Museum of Art: The oldest and largest art museum in Tennessee, featuring a diverse collection of global artworks.
More Tennessee travel
Other Tennessee travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, Legends of Country Music Museum and Johnny Cash Museum in Nashville.
- First time visitor guides to Belmont Mansion and Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage in Nashville.
- Practical visitor guide to Lane Motor Museum and the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville.
- Getting to Nashville: What to see on the Lexington to Nashville drive and Louisville to Nashville drive.
- Visiting Ruby Falls and Rock City Gardens from Chattanooga.
- Practical guides to visiting Chatanooga Zoo and the Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga.
- Plan your visit to the Hunter Museum of American Art and Sculpture Fields at Montague Park in Chattanooga.
- Getting to Chattanooga: The best stops on the Clarksville to Chattanooga drive and Nashville to Chattanooga drive.
