Discover Cookeville
11 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Cookeville Depot Museum
Historic red-brick Cookeville Depot and adjacent platform/rail cars offer strong architectural lines, textures, period signage and small-town street scenes. Best at golden hour and blue hour for warm brick tones and illuminated windows. Weekday mornings are quieter. Street parking and municipal lots nearby; check museum hours for interior access during events and festivals.
Spokes Sculpture
Large welded bicycle-wheel “Spokes” sculpture in a public plaza—graphic, repetitive shapes and strong negative space that work well for abstracts, wide-angle context shots and night silhouettes. Easy street-level access and free parking nearby; best at golden hour and after sunset when artificial lights highlight form. Weekday mornings are quiet. No entry fee; respect nearby businesses.
Jere Whitson Park
Small community park on the Cookeville waterfront offering lake vistas, reed-lined shorelines, boardwalks and open lawns. Ideal for sunrise/sunset reflections, waterfowl and intimate landscape studies. Free entry, roadside parking, easy wheelchair access; best light at golden hour and less crowded on weekday mornings. Spring and fall offer colorful vegetation and migratory birds.
Dogwood Park
Small downtown greenspace known for spring dogwood blossoms and year-round manicured paths — good for close-up floral studies, intimate landscapes and environmental portraits. Best at spring bloom and fall color; visit sunrise or golden hour for soft light and fewer people. Easy access from Broad St with street parking and no entry fee; paths are paved and wheelchair-friendly.
Walnut Park
Small downtown greenspace with mature shade trees, walking paths and benches — good for intimate landscape, environmental portrait and seasonal-tree photography. Visit at golden hour or after rain for soft light and richer colors; weekday mornings are quiet. Easily accessible from S Walnut Ave with street parking and nearby lots; paths are paved and stroller/wheelchair friendly. Local community events can add candid street-life opportunities.
Franklin Avenue Park
Small community park on N Franklin Ave featuring tree-lined paths, open lawns, playground structures and occasional community events—good for portrait, lifestyle and seasonal nature shots. Visit at golden hour or early morning for soft light and low crowds. Easy street parking and wheelchair-accessible paths; no entry fee. Weekends host local gatherings that add candid event opportunities.
Capshaw Park
Small urban park with mature trees, a meandering creek/pond, walking trails and picnic areas — good for intimate landscape and nature shots, seasonal color, reflections and close-up botanical work. No entry fee; street parking on E Stevens St and nearby lots. Best light at golden hours and after rain for richer reflections; weekdays and mornings are quieter. Accessible paths for most areas; modest elevation changes offer varied vantage points. A local community spot with a relaxed, natural feel.
Cookeville History Museum
Small local history museum in downtown Cookeville housed in a historic brick building — shoot period architecture, museum exhibits, archival photos, and the surrounding Broad Street streetscape. Best on weekday mornings or late afternoon for soft side-light on brick facades; golden hour adds warm tones. Museum hours and entry can vary—check ahead; interiors may be dim and restrict flash. Street parking and municipal lots nearby; wheelchair accessible entry at main entrance. Captures local civic,
Putnam County Parks & Rec Building
A civic building with clean modern lines and landscaped grounds—good for architectural shots, civic portraiture, and environmental details (signage, benches, playgrounds). Best light is early morning or late afternoon; weekdays are quieter. Public exterior access and onsite parking; ask staff for interior access or event shots.
Heart of the City Playground
A colorful, family-friendly urban playground in downtown Cookeville offering bright play structures, candid street-life moments, and nearby historic buildings. Best for capturing vibrant children’s activity, architectural backdrops and community events. Visit weekday mornings for quieter scenes or golden hour for warm light; late afternoons bring long shadows and energetic play. Easily accessible with on-street parking and nearby municipal lots; no entry fee and ADA-accessible areas. Respectful,
Cinderella Park
Small community park with playground structures, open lawns and mature trees—good for family portraits, play-action shots, and intimate landscape frames. Free entry and roadside parking on Mitchell Ave; paved paths make it accessible. Visit at golden hour for warm light and softer shadows; weekday mornings are least crowded. Ideal for capturing local life and colorful playground details rather than dramatic vistas.