Four years ago, during a weekend visit to Knoxville, Tennessee, my husband and I were wandering through Market Square, where locals filled the sidewalks between restaurants and small shops. It was when we approached an alley that I saw her.
Dolly Parton, in vibrant colors, painted across the side of the brick building.
It’s would have been easy to miss it if we had been in a hurry. Instead, we stopped to admire the artist’s work and snap a couple photos.
That unexpected discovery became the beginning of a new kind of travel scrapbook. There aren’t any printed photos or arranged scrapbook pages…at least not yet. For now, they live in the cloud.
After that day, photographing murals has become one of our favorite ways to document the places we visit.
In midlife, it’s easy to stop noticing the wonder around us. While traveling, we can become focused on the main attractions that we overlook the gems just off the beaten path.
Searching for murals has added a new layer of delight to exploring new places. Whether we’re visiting a large city or small town, we keep an eye out for these colorful works of art. The search encourages us to take our time, and notice details we might have otherwise missed.
As it turns out, we weren’t the first to discover the joy of photographing murals.
How Murals Became Modern Postcards
Before smartphones and social media, travelers captured their adventures by sending home colorful “Greetings From…” postcards. Popular from the 1930s to the 1960s, these classic cards featured oversized block letters filled with illustrations of each city’s landmarks, scenery, and local character. They became a nostalgic symbol of the American road trip.
Decades later, that iconic postcard style made a comeback on building walls. Artists and communities nationwide began painting massive “Greetings From…” murals, inspired by the vintage postcards. Instead of dropping a postcard in the mail, travelers stop to snap a picture—creating a modern keepsake of the places they’ve explored.
Our way of sending memories might have evolved, but our longing to capture and keep memories remains the same.
Murals Help Us See a City Differently
Today, cities—and even many small towns—have embraced this form of public art as a way to tell its story. Murals celebrate local history, share community traditions, brighten forgotten spaces, and invite visitors to see what is beyond the main attractions.
When I go back through my mural photos, I remember far more than the artwork. I remember wandering down an unexpected alley, discovering a charming downtown and learning something new about the place we are visiting.
I may forget the restaurant we ate at (well, unless it was exceptional barbecue!) but I will remember the colorful postcard mural welcoming us to Topeka, the giant sunflower mural on the side of a brick building in small Garnett, Kansas, the “The Children Shall Lead” —the massive mural across the entire size of a building. Those images have become markers in our travels, reminding us that every community has a story worth telling.
Travel Tip: Before visiting a new town, search online for “City Name murals” or “City Name public art trail.” Many communities have downloadable maps or self-guided walking tours that lead you to murals you might otherwise miss.
Creating Memories that Last
When we travel somewhere new, many of us like to bring home a souvenir — a t-shirt, mug, Christmas ornament or another keepsake. It’s a tangible reminder of a place that meant something to us.
Today, our smartphones can capture moments that transport us back to a particular street corner, conversation or unexpected discovery.
For me, photographing murals has become an intentional way of preserving those memories. Every mural tells two stories: the story painted on the wall and the story of how we found it. I remember wandering down side streets, chatting with shop owners, discovering local history and seeing parts of a town I might have otherwise overlooked. The photo becomes more than a picture—it’s a “souvenir” of the entire experience.
Create Your Own Travel Scrapbook
The next time you travel, try finding murals a part of the adventure. Or simply stroll a little farther to see what surprises you discover. When you return home, open each picture and add a short caption while the memories are fresh.
You don’t have to collect murals like me, of course. Maybe you’ll photograph historic theatres, courthouse squares (which I also do!) vintage signs or beautiful gardens. The goal isn’t to check another attraction off the list. Instead, it’s to notice the details and create a travel album that’s uniquely your own.
After all, the best souvenirs aren’t always the ones we bring home in a shopping bag. Sometimes they’re the moments when we noticed.
Live It Out
Spend a couple minutes this week scrolling through the photos on your phone from past travels.
- Look for a pattern. What do you gravitate to? Do always photograph old barns, historic buildings, gardens, lighthouses, covered bridges, or colorful doors? You may already have the beginnings of a travel scrapbook without realizing it.
- Create a photo album. Start a dedicated album on your phone called Travel Scrapbook, or another title that fits your style. As you travel, add your favorite discoveries.
- Go on a hometown treasure hunt. You don’t have to leave town to begin. Spend an afternoon with a friend, exploring your own community with fresh eyes. You might discover a mural, historic building, sculpture, or hidden gem you’ve driven past dozens of times.
What about you? Do you have a favorite thing to photograph when you are traveling or exploring? Share it in the comments below!
I’d love to hear what you think!