- Attraction: Dixon Gallery & Gardens
- Location: 4339 Park Ave, Memphis, TN 38117
- Industry: Art Museum
- Website: https://www.dixon.org/
When a private estate transforms into a cultural treasure, something magical happens.
The Dixon Gallery & Gardens has been delighting art lovers and nature enthusiasts since 1976, when philanthropists Hugo and Margaret Dixon bequeathed their magnificent home, gardens, and impressive French Impressionist art collection to the city of Memphis.
Spread across a sprawling 17-acre campus near Audubon Park, this unique destination seamlessly blends world-class art with immaculately landscaped gardens.
Best of all? Admission has been completely free since March 2020, making this exceptional experience accessible to everyone.
Whether you’re an art aficionado eager to stand face-to-face with masterworks by Monet and Degas, or a garden enthusiast seeking a peaceful escape among winding paths and seasonal blooms, you’ll discover why locals consider the Dixon one of Memphis’s most beloved hidden gems.
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Keep Exploring →Masterpieces That Take Your Breath Away
The Impressionist Collection: You’ll find yourself standing remarkably close to paintings by some of history’s greatest artists. The permanent collection showcases stunning works by Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, and Georges Seurat, among others.
These aren’t reproductions tucked behind velvet ropes in a cavernous museum—they’re displayed intimately throughout the beautifully furnished rooms of the original Dixon residence, creating an up-close viewing experience that feels almost personal.
American Masters: Beyond the French Impressionists, you’ll encounter exceptional pieces by American artists including John Singer Sargent and Mary Cassatt. The collection thoughtfully represents both American Impressionists and expatriates who worked in France, offering a comprehensive look at how this revolutionary art movement influenced artists across the Atlantic.
The Jean-Louis Forain Collection: The Dixon holds one of the world’s most significant collections of works by French Impressionist Jean-Louis Forain, with 56 pieces making this a major international repository for the artist’s work. This concentration of Forain’s art provides a rare opportunity to deeply explore an Impressionist who deserves far more recognition than he typically receives.
The Porcelain Treasures: Art lovers will be thrilled to discover the Warda Stevens Stout Collection of 18th-century German porcelain, comprising nearly 600 exquisite pieces.
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Discover MoreThis remarkable assemblage includes Meissen tableware and figures, Höchst figures, and examples from every major German porcelain manufactory active during that century. The collection ranks among the finest of its kind in the United States, offering a dazzling display of craftsmanship and artistry.
Rotating Exhibitions: The museum presents eight to ten exhibitions annually, ensuring there’s always something fresh to discover.
You might encounter everything from local contemporary artists showcased in the Mallory and Wurtzburger Galleries to traveling exhibitions featuring works ranging from Harlem Renaissance bronzes to children’s book illustrations.
The diversity means each visit offers new perspectives and artistic discoveries.
Gardens That Steal The Show
English Garden Design: The 17-acre grounds transport you to a different world entirely. Landscaped in the traditional English park style, the gardens feature expansive open vistas alongside intimate formal spaces carved from native Tennessee woodlands.
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Keep Exploring →You’ll wander through four principal garden areas—the Cutting Garden, Formal Garden, South Lawn, and Woodland Gardens—each with its own distinct character and seasonal appeal.
Year-Round Beauty: Something blooms nearly twelve months of the year here, with as many as thirty different plant varieties flourishing simultaneously. Spring brings fairytale displays of blooming dogwoods and colorful azaleas that feel almost magical.
Summer showcases roses, perennials, and annuals in vibrant profusion. Even fall and winter have their charms, with architectural plantings and evergreens maintaining the gardens’ structure and beauty.
Sculpture Gardens: Four outdoor sculpture gardens featuring Greco-Roman works and contemporary pieces by regional artists add artistic dimension to your stroll. You’ll discover fountains, including the Peggy Canale Fountain with its Venus of Memphis sculpture, and the whimsical four-seasons fountain by Alabama sculptor Frank Fleming, complete with a tiny slate pathway for young frogs.
Hidden Garden Rooms: The formal garden contains a Secret Garden—an area of peaceful seclusion surrounded by four boxwood species and featuring sacred geometry design with Persian origins.
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Discover MoreIts three chambers include seasonal plantings, a bronze planter supported by cherubs that the Dixons brought back from their travels, and two magnificent old Camellia japonicas that bloom in striking red and pink.
Educational Garden Spaces: The Learning Gardens surrounding the education building create wonderful teaching opportunities and sensory experiences.
The Mary Alice Quinn Butterfly Garden bursts with summer color, attracting monarchs and swallowtails, while the Connie and Dunbar Abston Sensory Garden engages all five senses through thoughtfully selected plantings and interpretive materials.
An Intimate Museum Experience
The Georgian Revival Residence: The museum occupies the Dixons’ former home, a Georgian Revival mansion designed by architect John Staub and completed in 1941. Walking through these traditionally furnished galleries feels less like visiting a museum and more like being invited into an elegant private collection.
You’ll appreciate how this intimate scale allows for contemplation and connection with the artwork without the overwhelming crowds typical of larger institutions.
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Keep Exploring →Hughes Pavilion: Beyond the main residence, the Hughes Pavilion in the Woodland Gardens serves as an event space with large skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic woodland views. The surrounding patios extend the indoor space outdoors, creating a versatile venue that hosts everything from educational programs to wedding receptions.
Peaceful Atmosphere: You’ll find the Dixon offers a genuine escape from urban stress. The tranquil setting—whether you’re studying an Impressionist landscape or sitting on a garden bench surrounded by flowers—creates an almost meditative experience. Many visitors plan to stay for an hour and find themselves lingering for two or three, completely absorbed in the beauty surrounding them.
Making The Most Of Your Visit
Free Admission: Since the pandemic, the Dixon has maintained completely free admission for everyone, and this policy shows no signs of changing. This generous accessibility means you can visit as often as you like without worrying about ticket costs—perfect for becoming a regular who returns to see favorite paintings or catch the gardens in different seasons.
Food Truck Fridays: During warmer months, Food Truck Fridays bring diverse culinary options to the grounds from 11 AM to 2 PM. You can grab lunch from various trucks and enjoy your meal al fresco in the gardens—a delightful way to combine great food with natural beauty. Garden admission remains free during these popular events.
Park & Cherry Café: The onsite museum café offers lunch options, hot chocolate, tea, and coffee. You don’t need museum admission to dine here, and alcoholic beverages are permitted when purchased from the café. You can also pack your own picnic and enjoy the outdoor spaces with a blanket and basket.
Special Programs: The Dixon offers engaging programming for all ages. Children can participate in Mini Masters programs, adults can attend the Munch and Learn lecture series featuring local artists and scholars, and everyone can join yoga classes or guided meditations in the gardens. Check the event calendar for Symphony in the Garden concerts and other seasonal happenings.
Planning Your Visit: Set aside at least 2-3 hours to properly explore both the galleries and gardens. The museum is closed Mondays but open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM, and stays open until 8 PM on the third Thursday of each month. Spring (especially tulip season) offers peak garden beauty, though each season brings its own rewards.
Parking & Accessibility: You’ll find ample free parking at the entrance, making access easy and convenient. The facility features accessible parking near the entrance, ADA-compliant entry points, and step-free access throughout, ensuring everyone can enjoy both the galleries and gardens.
Perfect For All Ages: Families will appreciate that children under 6 always had free admission even before the museum went entirely free, signaling the Dixon’s commitment to welcoming young visitors. The gardens provide plenty of space for kids to explore, while the interactive galleries often feature family-friendly exhibitions and activities.
Membership Benefits: While admission is free, becoming a Dixon member supports the institution and provides perks including discounts on events, café purchases, and gift shop items, plus reciprocal admission at hundreds of other museums and gardens nationwide. Members receive The Leaf magazine quarterly and invitations to exclusive member-only exhibition openings.
Dixon Gallery & Gardens
📍 4339 Park Ave, Memphis, TN 38117
