Discover Wake Forest
8 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
E. Carroll Joyner Park
E. Carroll Joyner Park offers trails, manicured gardens, a small lake and an amphitheater — ideal for landscape, seasonal foliage and calm waterscape reflections. Best light is sunrise or golden hour; late spring–fall shows flowers and foliage. Accessible paved paths and free parking make gear transport easy; no entry fee. Weekday mornings are quieter. Respect event schedules at the amphitheater.
Steep Hill
Steep Hill is a rural, tree-lined incline on Oak Grove Church Rd offering classic Southern landscape frames — rolling fields, tall oaks, and a gateway-like road perspective. Best at golden hour or after light rain when leaves/gloss contrast. Roadside parking limited; use pull-outs and respect private property. Weekday mornings have low traffic. No entry fees; accessible by car but wear sturdy shoes if exploring verges.
Wake Forest Historical Museum
Small-town museum housed on Wake Forest's historic Main Street — photograph the building façade, period signage, shared streetscape and interior displays that document local civic and collegiate history. Best light: golden hour for warm façade tones and blue hour for illuminated windows. Weekday mornings are quieter; check open hours and ask staff permission before shooting exhibits. Street parking and small municipal lots nearby; wheelchair access may be limited in older sections.
Hinson lights
Hinson Lights is a neighborhood, seasonal LED light show and decorated house known for elaborate color-changing displays synchronized to music. Best photographed at blue hour and after dark during the holiday season. Street parking is usually available but expect crowds on weekend evenings; bring a tripod for long exposures and be respectful of residents. No formal entry or fee—shoot from public sidewalks/streets. Great for festive bokeh, motion, and timelapse work.
Plummer Park
Small community park with open lawns, mature shade trees, walking paths and pond edges — good for intimate landscape, seasonal color and candid community photography. Visit at sunrise or golden hour for soft side-light and long shadows; weekday mornings are quieter. Easy access with free parking at the lot on Jones Wynd, flat accessible paths, no entry fee. Expect dog walkers, local families and occasional events; bring insect repellent in summer.
Kiwanis Park
A small community park with ponds, mature shade trees, open lawns and walking paths — good for calm nature scenes, pond reflections, seasonal foliage and casual portraiture. Easy on-site parking and paved trails make gear transport simple; no entry fee. Best light is Golden Hour at sunrise or sunset for warm side-light and reflections; weekdays and early mornings avoid families and sports groups. ADA-accessible paths and picnic shelters add compositional elements.
Wake Forest Escape Room
Wake Forest Escape Room offers themed interior sets, props and expressive group moments—ideal for environmental portraits, detail shots of puzzles and moody low‑light scenes. Best visited on weekday afternoons or early evenings to avoid crowds; parking available in the plaza. Lighting is artificial and often dim—ask staff about photo rules (many rooms prohibit photos during play). Check accessibility for specific rooms and book in advance for after‑game photo ops.
Meadow Mews
Meadow Mews is a small residential enclave in Wake Forest with tree-lined streets, manicured lawns and modern suburban architecture — good for quiet streetscape and detail shots of porches, seasonal landscaping and golden-hour light. Accessible by car with street parking; no entry fees. Best at sunrise or sunset for warm side-light and long shadows; weekdays offer minimal pedestrian traffic. Be mindful of private property and neighbors when composing.