Memphis is a city full of rhythm, stories, and often spooky surprises. It’s a place where music history lives on every corner, and legends haunt some of its most iconic spots. For travelers who want an authentic taste of Memphis, the city offers a variety of engaging tours and experiences. We especially love the 1-hour Beale Street guided walk for its lively storytelling about musicians and the city’s cultural roots. If vintage cars are more your speed, the Edge Motor Museum offers a fascinating look at America’s speed and automotive design. For those interested in Memphis’ darker side, the haunted pub crawl and ghost tour provide spooky stories and ghostly encounters. Each experience provides a unique way to explore Memphis beyond typical tourist stops.
Quick Overview
Our list includes a mix of walking tours, museum visits, and haunted adventures. Whether you want to learn about Memphis’ musical heritage, cruise through automotive history, or explore its haunted past, there’s something here for every curiosity. To help you decide, each tour offers a different perspective and experience: from cultural insights to eerie tales—see below for detailed reviews and insights.
1. Memphis: 1-Hour Beale Street Guided Walking Tour
This one-hour walking tour offers a lively introduction to “America’s Most Iconic Street”. Beale Street has long been the heart of Memphis’ music and nightlife, and this tour deep dives into its stories with an expert guide. During the walk, you’ll hear about musicians, gangsters, politicians, and crooks who made their mark on this historic strip. You’ll also gain insight into Beale Street’s influence on African-American culture and its role in shaping American music. The guide will take you behind the scenes and share colorful stories that you won’t find in guidebooks, making this a fun, educational option for a quick taste of Memphis’s soul.
Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 52 reviews, this tour is praised for its engaging storytelling and the passionate guide leading it. At just $22 per person, it offers excellent value for such a focused experience. It’s perfect for travelers short on time but eager to get a real sense of Memphis’s musical roots.
Bottom Line: If you want an energetic, insider look at Beale Street, this short but sweet tour hits the mark.
2. Memphis: Entry Ticket to the Edge Motor Museum
At number 2, the Edge Motor Museum is a must for car enthusiasts or families looking for a fun day out. The museum explores American speed and automobile design, especially focusing on postwar cars up to 1974. Entry includes access to interactive exhibits like vintage racing gear and displays of cars that are selected based on their historical and cultural significance. It’s a lively, educational experience that appeals to all ages, especially if you’re keen on vintage cars or the story of American automotive innovation.
Rated 4.6 out of 5 by 35 reviews, visitors appreciate the engaging exhibits and the variety of cars that cover different eras. The museum’s interactive elements make it a good choice for families, and the $10 entry fee makes it a budget-friendly option. The collection showcases notable automobiles that highlight Memphis’s connection to car culture and racing history.
Bottom Line: The Edge Motor Museum offers an accessible, interactive look at automotive history—a good choice for car buffs and families alike.
3. Memphis: Drinking Spirits with Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl
For a mix of history, local flavor, and a touch of the paranormal, the Haunted Pub Crawl takes you through Memphis’s famous South Main district. This tour combines visits to three haunted bars with stories of ghosts, local legends, and eerie happenings. Your guide, armed with spooky tales, will lead you into some of Memphis’s most historic—and haunted—drinking spots, offering stories of spectral sightings and ghostly legends along the way.
Rated perfect 5 out of 5 from 2 reviews, this tour is highly praised for its fun, engaging storytelling, and relaxed atmosphere. The tour lasts about 2.5 hours and costs $27 per person, with plenty of time to sip a drink and soak in the stories. It’s ideal for travelers who enjoy a lively, social experience with a supernatural twist.
Bottom Line: If you’re interested in Memphis’s haunted lore and a lively bar crawl, this is a fun, memorable way to spend an evening exploring the city’s spooky side.
4. Memphis: Bluff City Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour
At the bottom of our list but still worth mentioning, the Bluff City Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour explores Memphis’s darker legends. Covering haunted sites like the Lorraine Motel, Hotel Pontotoc, and Earnestine and Hazel’s, this hour-long walk dives into stories of ghostly apparitions, tragic accidents, and famous murders. You’ll also encounter Mary, the resident spirit of the Orpheum Theater, adding a spooky touch.
Rated 3.5 out of 5, reviews note that while the stories are interesting, the tour’s short duration and smaller group size may not suit everyone. The $24 price is reasonable for a quick ghostly adventure, especially if you enjoy history with a supernatural flair.
Bottom Line: This tour offers a quick glimpse into Memphis’s haunted past—perfect if you’re into ghost stories and local legends, but perhaps not the best option for a full evening of haunted adventures.
How to Choose Your Perfect Memphis Tour
Choosing between these options depends on your interests and time. If you’re short on time and want a lively cultural introduction, the Beale Street walking tour is a logical choice. Love cars? The Edge Motor Museum offers a comprehensive look at automotive history. For a fun evening with a supernatural twist, the haunted pub crawl is perfect. If ghost stories are your thing and you want a quick thrill, the Bluff City Ghosts tour might be best.
Consider your budget, interests, and how much time you have. Booking early is wise, especially for popular tours or evening experiences. Some tours, like the pub crawl, offer a more social vibe, while the museums suit those interested in history and culture.
Final Thoughts
Memphis offers a rich variety of tours that let you experience its music, history, and mysteries in different ways. For a quick culture, the Beale Street walk is hard to beat. If vintage cars excite you, the Edge Motor Museum delivers a hands-on history lesson. For those who enjoy a spooky story or two, Memphis’s haunted tours provide a fun and sometimes chilling adventure.
No matter which you pick, Memphis’s vibrant, sometimes eerie charm makes it a city worth exploring. Be sure to plan ahead and book early to secure your spot, then get ready for a memorable experience in the Bluff City.