Haunted Memphis Walking Ghost Tour

Memphis keeps its secrets after sunset. This 90-minute walking tour brings the city’s darker stories to life, pairing local history with tales of spirits, haunted buildings, voodoo, hoodoo, and old crime. Your storyteller guide leads you from Beale Street toward South Main, ending at Earnestine & Hazel’s, one of Memphis’ most famous haunted spots.

I like the small-group feel, with no more than 24 people, and I like that the route covers about two miles rather than keeping you in one square. Guides such as Daniel, TC, Sheena, and Liz have earned special praise for their storytelling, humor, and willingness to answer questions.

The main drawback is simple: this is mostly an outdoor walk. You do not go inside most of the buildings, and food or drinks at Earnestine & Hazel’s cost extra. Rain or bad weather can also affect the schedule.

Key Points

• Mary at the Orpheum: Hear the story of the theater’s best-known ghost from outside the building.
• Earnestine & Hazel’s finale: Spend about 20 minutes at a former brothel said to house several spirits.
• Two-mile downtown route: Walk public sidewalks from Alfred’s on Beale to South Main Street.
• Storytelling matters here: Guides including Daniel, TC, Sheena, and Liz add humor, local facts, and extra stops when time allows.
• Good value at $29.63: The price covers the guided walk and local taxes, but not drinks, food, tips, or building admission.
• Plan for the weather: The tour is conducted mostly outdoors and includes some elevation.

What This Memphis Ghost Tour Is Really Like

This is less a haunted-house production and more an evening story walk through central Memphis. You move between real city landmarks while your guide explains the people, scandals, beliefs, and tragedies connected with them.

That mix is the tour’s strongest feature. You get ghost stories, but you also get useful context about Memphis. If you want a theatrical scare around every corner, this may feel restrained. If you enjoy hearing how local legends grow around old buildings and difficult events, the format works well.

The walk begins at Alfred’s on Beale Street, at 197 Beale Street. From there, the group heads toward South Main Street and finishes at Earnestine & Hazel’s, 531 South Main Street. The route takes about an hour and a half and covers roughly two miles on public sidewalks.

I would wear comfortable shoes and check the forecast before leaving your hotel. Since most stops are outside, the tour feels very different on a warm, clear night than it does in cold rain. The pace requires a moderate level of fitness, though the distance is manageable for many people who are comfortable walking around downtown.

Mary and the Orpheum Theatre

The first stop is the Orpheum Theatre, where you hear about Mary, Memphis’ most famous ghost. The discussion takes place outside, so you should not expect a theater tour or a look inside the building.

That limitation is worth knowing before you book. The Orpheum is a major Memphis landmark, but this experience uses it as a storytelling setting rather than an admission-based attraction. Your guide explains the story on the sidewalk, giving you a quick introduction to the city’s haunted side.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes. That is enough time to establish the tone without making you linger too long at the first location. A strong guide can make this opening story work especially well, and the praise for Daniel, TC, Sheena, and Liz suggests that the quality of the narration is central to the experience.

I also like the placement of this stop. Starting near Beale Street means you are already in one of Memphis’ best-known areas, but the ghost story gives you a reason to look at familiar buildings in a new way.

The John Alexander Austin House and a Haunted Love Story

The second stop takes about 10 minutes outside the John Alexander Austin House. Here, the focus shifts from a famous theater ghost to a haunted love story connected with a beautiful old home.

This shorter stop helps keep the tour moving. It also adds variety. Instead of hearing six versions of the same haunted-building tale, you get different kinds of stories tied to different places and people.

Because you remain outside, your experience depends on the guide’s ability to describe what cannot be seen from the sidewalk. I would pay close attention to the explanation of the house and the people linked with it. The building itself provides the visual setting, while the story supplies the atmosphere.

This is also a good example of why the tour is best for people who enjoy narrative and local character. The buildings are not simply backdrops for jump scares. They are part of a larger account of Memphis, its neighborhoods, and the memories attached to them.

Earnestine & Hazel’s, the Main Event

Earnestine & Hazel’s receives about 20 minutes, making it the longest stop on the route. It is a former brothel and is said to be home to several spirits. The tour includes the guided visit, but you pay separately for any food or drinks.

This is the stop most likely to shape your opinion of the tour. Earnestine & Hazel’s has the kind of reputation that makes a ghost story feel connected to a real place rather than a staged attraction. You are hearing about a building with a complicated past while standing at the site itself.

The guide may point out details that are easy to miss if you visit on your own. Several tour guides have been praised for adding humor and extra stories, and one guide reportedly offered bonus stops beyond the advertised route. That flexibility can make the experience feel personal, particularly when the group is small.

You may also want to bring your phone or camera. Some people have interpreted odd shapes, orbs, or other marks in photographs taken here as paranormal activity. I would treat those images as part of the fun, not as proof. The good news is that the building does not need a special effect to feel intriguing.

After the formal walk ends, you can stay at Earnestine & Hazel’s for a drink or food. The location is about a 10-minute walk back to Beale Street along Main Street, heading north. You can also walk back with the guide if that option is offered at the end of your tour.

The Green Beetle and a Gangster’s Hideout

The Green Beetle is an outside-only stop lasting about 15 minutes. The story here concerns a haunted gangster’s hideout, adding crime and underworld lore to the ghostly material.

This stop gives the walk a different mood. The earlier stories center on theater, romance, and a former brothel. The Green Beetle brings in the darker side of Memphis’ past, where the story is tied to violence, secrecy, and criminal activity.

Again, you do not enter the building as part of the tour. That means the value comes from the guide’s account and the setting you can see from the sidewalk. If the group is interested and asks questions, this is the kind of stop that may grow beyond its scheduled time, though the advertised duration is about 15 minutes.

Puck Food Hall, Voodoo, and Hoodoo

At Puck Food Hall, the tour turns toward voodoo and hoodoo in Memphis. This is another outside stop, with roughly 10 minutes devoted to the subject.

The change in topic keeps the tour from becoming a simple list of haunted buildings. You hear about cultural beliefs and local practices as well as individual ghosts. That makes this stop useful for anyone who wants a broader look at the stories Memphis tells about itself.

The supplied details do not promise food or a purchase here, so I would not arrive expecting a meal break. The main purpose is the guide’s explanation of the connection between the place and the spiritual traditions discussed.

One point to keep in mind: some people have mentioned a brief opportunity during the walk to buy beignets. Since food is not included and this purchase is not presented as a guaranteed feature, treat it as a possible extra rather than part of the core tour.

The Lorraine Motel and Morris Cemetery

The final listed stop is the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel. The tour discusses the site of Morris Cemetery, described as Memphis’ oldest former cemetery. This stop lasts about 15 minutes and is outside only.

This is where the tour’s ghost stories connect most clearly with the city’s serious past. The location carries major historical weight, and the cemetery story adds another layer to the ground beneath the modern city.

You should not confuse this stop with admission to the National Civil Rights Museum. Entry is not included, and the walking tour does not take you inside. If you want to visit the museum separately, plan that as its own activity before or after the ghost walk.

I appreciate that the route includes a place connected with civil rights history rather than treating Memphis as a collection of spooky anecdotes. The stop can give the tour a more thoughtful finish, though the tone may feel heavier than the playful ghost stories earlier in the evening.

How the Guides Shape the Experience

The guide is the key variable here. Daniel has been praised for bringing ghost stories to life while adding useful Memphis facts. He has also adjusted the walk when only a couple attended, which suggests that some departures can feel more flexible than a fixed script.

TC has been praised for answering questions, adding humor, and showing patience. Sheena has drawn strong praise for making local information entertaining, while Liz has been singled out as a particularly good guide.

These details matter because a walking ghost tour rises or falls on delivery. The buildings are real, but the spirits cannot introduce themselves. You need a guide who can explain the setting, pace the stories, handle questions, and keep the group together on city sidewalks.

The maximum group size is 24 people. That is not private-tour scale, but it is small enough for the guide to remain audible and for questions to feel practical. If you prefer a quiet, private experience for two people, group size is worth considering.

Price, Walking Distance, and What You Receive

At $29.63 per person, the tour is reasonably priced for a 90-minute guided activity in downtown Memphis. Your fee includes the walking tour and local taxes. It does not include tips, hotel pickup, food, drinks, or admission to buildings.

I see the value in the guide’s local storytelling and the number of stops. You are not paying for a meal or a ticketed theater visit. You are paying for a structured route, a local narrator, and access to stories that would be difficult to assemble on your own in a single evening.

The two-mile distance is also part of the value. You see more than one block, and the route links Beale Street with South Main Street. On the other hand, you should not book this expecting a vehicle, a private guide, or indoor access at every stop.

There are four parking garages and several open-air lots within a few blocks of the starting point. The closest garage listed is at 149 Peabody Place, between Second Street and BB King Boulevard, next to the Hampton Inn. Metered street parking may also be available on Second Street south of Beale, on Beale between Front and Second, and along Peabody Place from Front to Fourth Street.

The tour uses mobile tickets, and confirmation arrives at booking. Service animals are allowed, and the starting area is near public transportation.

Who Will Enjoy This Walk Most

I would recommend this experience to you if you like local legends, short city walks, and a guide who mixes facts with humor. It suits couples, friends, and visitors who want an evening activity that is more active than sitting in a bar but less demanding than a long day tour.

It also works well if you are already spending time around Beale Street. The meeting point is easy to pair with dinner or music before the walk, and the end point leaves you near a place where you can continue the evening.

Families should consider the mood and subject matter carefully. The tour includes a former brothel, gangster stories, ghosts, cemeteries, and spiritual traditions. The supplied details do not give a minimum age, so check the booking information if you are bringing children.

I would skip it if you need guaranteed indoor shelter, dislike supernatural stories, or want formal access to the Orpheum Theatre and National Civil Rights Museum. Those sites appear as outdoor story stops, not included attractions.

Booking, Weather, and Cancellation Advice

The tour is often booked about 10 days ahead, so I would reserve early if your Memphis schedule is tight. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. Since the experience requires good weather, poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Dress for the forecast. You may spend the whole 90 minutes outdoors, and the route includes some elevation. Comfortable walking shoes are more important than a costume or special ghost-hunting equipment.

Should You Book the Haunted Memphis Walking Tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, story-led introduction to Memphis after dark. The strongest reasons are the variety of stops, the atmospheric finish at Earnestine & Hazel’s, and guides such as Daniel, TC, Sheena, and Liz, who bring humor and local detail to the walk.

Skip it if you expect a fully staged scare show or indoor admission at the major landmarks. For most people who enjoy a good tale, a little debate about mysterious photographs, and two miles of downtown streets, the $29.63 price is fair. Just bring walking shoes, allow extra money for food or drinks, and leave room in your plans for the weather.

FAQ

Where does the Haunted Memphis Walking Tour start?

The tour starts at Alfred’s On Beale, located at 197 Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Earnestine & Hazel’s, located at 531 South Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103.

How long does the tour last?

The walking tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How far do you walk?

The route covers approximately 2 miles on public sidewalks and includes some elevation.

Does the tour enter the buildings?

No. The tour is conducted mostly outside, and the listed stops are outside-only except for the guided visit at Earnestine & Hazel’s.

Is admission to the Orpheum Theatre included?

No. The Orpheum Theatre is an outside-only stop, and admission is not included.

Is admission to the National Civil Rights Museum included?

No. The tour visits the Lorraine Motel area from outside, and admission to the National Civil Rights Museum is not included.

Are food and drinks included at Earnestine & Hazel’s?

No. Food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages, are not included in the ticket price.

Is parking available near the meeting point?

Yes. Several parking garages and open-air lots are within a few blocks. The closest listed garage is at 149 Peabody Place, about two blocks from the meeting point.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and poor weather may result in a rescheduled tour or full refund.