Memphis Ghosts: Haunts, Spirits, and Poltergeists Walking Tour

Memphis has more than music and barbecue. This one-hour walking tour links the city’s painful past, old bars, theaters, cafés, and abandoned buildings with stories of ghosts and strange events. You walk through central Memphis, stopping at seven places tied to death, crime, mystery, or local legend.

I like the mix of city history and ghost stories, since the tour gives you a quick look at Memphis even if you are not fully sold on spirits. I also like the EMF detector, a playful extra that gives the group something to watch during the walk. The main drawback is that the tour may not enter every place named, and the route or ending point can differ from the advertised plan.

Guides are the key to this experience. Past tours have featured Mary, Jim Ed, Bryan, and Lauren, with especially strong praise for Mary and Jim Ed’s city knowledge and storytelling. The experience has a 4.6 rating from 42 reviews, with 90 percent recommending it, but one serious complaint involved poor treatment of a participant with a disability. That makes it wise to ask about the exact route and walking conditions before booking.

Key points to know before you go

• Seven Memphis stops in about one hour: The route includes the Lorraine Motel, Arcade Restaurant, Earnestine & Hazel’s, The Green Beetle, Pontotoc Hotel, John Alexander Austin House, and Orpheum Theatre.

• The stories are tied to real Memphis places: You hear about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., former speakeasies, old gambling rooms, a haunted theater, and one of the city’s oldest cafés.

• Expect a walking tour, not a haunted-house attraction: Much of the experience takes place outdoors, and access inside individual sites is not guaranteed.

• An EMF detector adds a bit of fun: The equipment gives you a hands-on way to take part, though it cannot prove that a ghost is nearby.

• The group can reach 35 people: A small group may feel more personal, while a full group could make street-side storytelling less intimate.

• The $32 price is fair for a short city introduction: It makes the most sense if you value the guide’s stories and a quick look at several central Memphis landmarks.

Starting at the Lorraine Motel on Mulberry Street

The tour begins at 450 Mulberry Street, near the National Civil Rights Museum and the former Lorraine Motel. This is a powerful first stop, even for people who have little interest in ghosts.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in 1968. The place carries a heavy emotional weight, and the tour connects that sorrow to reports of faint voices and an overwhelming sense of sadness. The stop lasts about eight minutes, so you should not expect a full museum visit or a detailed civil rights tour.

I see this as an important distinction. The Lorraine Motel is not simply a spooky photo stop. It is a site of national importance, and the ghost angle should come after respect for what happened there. The tour can give you a quick historical frame, but you will need a separate visit to the National Civil Rights Museum for a fuller understanding.

The meeting point is easy to reach by public transportation, according to the provided details. Since this is a walking route through city streets, wear comfortable shoes and keep your attention on traffic and uneven pavement.

The Arcade Restaurant and Memphis food history

The next stop is the Arcade Restaurant, Memphis’s oldest café, in operation since 1919. The tour links the restaurant’s long life with reports of ghostly figures in the windows and sudden cold drafts inside.

The Arcade is a good choice for this kind of tour because it combines local history with a familiar Memphis setting. You are not hearing a ghost tale in an empty field. You are hearing it around a working restaurant with decades of daily life behind it.

The planned stop lasts about seven minutes. Do not assume that the group will sit down for a meal or receive an indoor tour. Access has varied, and the overall experience may remain outside at several locations. If you want to eat at the Arcade, plan that as a separate visit rather than counting on the walking tour to provide table time.

This is also where the tour’s short length becomes clear. Seven locations in one hour leaves only a few minutes at each stop. The guide needs to keep the group moving, so the quality of the storytelling matters more than the amount of time spent at any one building.

Earnestine & Hazel’s, the most atmospheric stop

Earnestine & Hazel’s is one of the most distinctive places on the route. The building once operated as a brothel and speakeasy, and it now carries stories of former customers, unexplained presences, and a jukebox that supposedly plays by itself.

This is the stop most likely to satisfy someone looking for a genuinely eerie setting. One account describes the bar as creepy even without anything supernatural happening. That is useful advice: the atmosphere comes from the building’s past and character, not from a guaranteed ghost sighting.

Some groups have been able to enter Earnestine & Hazel’s, which adds much more to the experience than standing on the sidewalk. Still, entry is not promised for every tour. Ask before booking if going inside is important to you.

The tour gives this stop about eight minutes. That is enough for a few stories and a quick look, but not a long bar visit. You may hear about strange activity upstairs, along with the old jukebox legend. The EMF detector may also come out here or at another stop, giving the group a reason to test the room rather than only listen.

The Green Beetle and old tavern tales

The Green Beetle is described as the oldest tavern in Memphis. The stories here involve odd noises, moving shadows, and late-night activity in the bar.

This stop fits the tour’s pattern well. Memphis’s older drinking places offer a direct link between the city’s social past and its ghost lore. You get a sense of how saloons and taverns became part of local storytelling, even if you remain skeptical about the supernatural claims.

The planned visit lasts about seven minutes. The group may not go inside, so you should think of this as an exterior history stop unless the guide says otherwise. A good guide can make a short sidewalk talk worthwhile by explaining why the place matters and how its past shaped the legend.

Guide quality matters more here than at some of the larger landmarks. A strong storyteller can turn strange noises and shadows into a memorable bit of Memphis folklore. A weaker presentation may feel like a quick recitation of facts. One unhappy participant felt the guide sounded as if he had simply read from Wikipedia, so the personal touch is not guaranteed on every departure.

Pontotoc Hotel at 69 East Pontotoc Avenue

The former Pontotoc Hotel is one of the tour’s darker-looking stops. It was once associated with gamblers and bootleggers, and the abandoned building is said to have restless spirits watching from its windows.

This is the kind of stop where setting does much of the work. An old, long-abandoned building naturally encourages your imagination, especially after hearing stories of apparitions peering out from above. The stop lasts about eight minutes, giving the guide time to explain the building’s past and the ghost reports tied to it.

One especially memorable moment reported on the tour involved a streetlight popping and going out while the group was near the former hotel. That is not proof of anything supernatural, of course, but it shows how easily an ordinary event can become part of the evening when you are already listening for signs.

The Pontotoc Hotel also illustrates the limits of the experience. You view the site from the public area, rather than exploring an abandoned building. Do not expect a paranormal investigation inside.

John Alexander Austin House and a quieter kind of haunting

The John Alexander Austin House, built in 1876, offers a different mood. The story centers on the original owner, John Alexander Austin, whose presence is said to linger around the old home.

Reports connected with the house include cold breezes and mysterious footsteps. Compared with Earnestine & Hazel’s or the Pontotoc Hotel, this is a quieter tale. It relies on the feeling of passing an old residence and wondering what happened there long ago.

The planned stop is about seven minutes. You will likely hear the story from outside, and you should not expect entry into the house. That may disappoint anyone hoping to inspect a haunted interior, but it also keeps the tour moving and makes the experience easy to fit into an evening schedule.

I like this stop because it slows the pace. The route is not only bars and famous public buildings. An old home gives the guide a chance to talk about the people connected to Memphis’s past, even if the supernatural part remains a matter of belief.

The Orpheum Theatre and the ghost of Mary

The Orpheum Theatre is the final named stop and one of the best-known haunted locations on the route. The story centers on Mary, a young girl whose spirit is said to remain in the balcony.

The tale becomes more vivid because it is tied to live performances. Reports include sightings during shows and the sound of a child’s laughter echoing through the halls. Even if you do not believe the story, the theater provides a strong closing scene for a ghost walk.

The stop lasts about eight minutes. That is enough for the guide to explain Mary’s story and the theater’s spooky reputation, but it is not a performance or backstage tour. The description does not promise admission inside, so confirm access if seeing the interior matters to you.

The ending point has not always matched the starting point. One person enjoyed entering some stops but noted that the tour finished nearby rather than exactly where it began. That is not a major problem, but you should pay attention to the final directions, especially if you have a dinner reservation or a car waiting at Mulberry Street.

How much value do you get for $32?

At $32 per person, this is a reasonably priced short walking tour. You receive a guide, ghost stories, access to the route’s historic sites from public areas, and an EMF detector rental. The tour lasts only about one hour, so you are paying for a compact introduction rather than a long evening activity.

The price works best for you if you enjoy local stories and want a quick way to see several central Memphis locations. It is less convincing if your main goal is paranormal investigation, indoor access, or a long, slow walk through haunted buildings.

A guide who adds local detail can make the fee worthwhile. Mary received strong praise for knowing Memphis well, and Jim Ed was described as professional, fun, and well informed. Those comments point to the tour’s best feature: the guide can connect the ghost tales to the city instead of presenting them as isolated spooky claims.

Gratuity is not included, so budget a tip if the guide gives you a lively and useful evening. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

What the walking conditions and group size mean

The tour accepts service animals, is near public transportation, and is open to most participants. The group can include up to 35 people. That is a manageable size for a city walk, but a full group may make it harder to hear the guide on a busy street.

The duration is a real advantage. You can place this tour before dinner, after a museum visit, or at the start of an evening in downtown Memphis. It is also short enough for families or first-time visitors who want a taste of ghost lore without giving up half a day.

Accessibility deserves a direct question before booking. One serious complaint described a participant with a disability feeling excluded, while the available information does not provide detailed route or pavement specifications. If you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility, contact the operator and ask about curb cuts, walking distances, stop access, and the final drop-off point.

Who will enjoy Memphis Ghosts most?

I would choose this tour for you if you like history with a little theatrical chill. It suits first-time visitors who want a fast look at central Memphis, couples seeking an unusual evening activity, and curious skeptics who enjoy hearing local legends without needing to believe every one.

It is also a good fit for people who value guides. The strongest praise centers on guides who know Memphis, explain the places clearly, and keep the mood friendly. The tour is not dependent on seeing a ghost, so you can still enjoy it if the EMF detector stays quiet and no shadow moves across a window.

I would skip it if you want guaranteed indoor access, a serious paranormal investigation, or a long historical lecture. You should also reconsider if you need a fully specified accessible route and cannot confirm the details in advance.

Should you book the Memphis Ghosts walking tour?

Book it if you want a short, affordable introduction to Memphis’s darker stories, especially if Earnestine & Hazel’s, the Orpheum Theatre, and old downtown buildings appeal to you. The combination of real places, local history, and an EMF detector gives the hour enough variety.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may enter some stops, but not all of them. You may get a lively guide such as Mary or Jim Ed, or a less engaging presentation. You are buying an entertaining history walk with ghost lore, not proof of the afterlife.

At $32, I think it is a fair choice for the right audience. Confirm the route, indoor access, accessibility details, and final stopping point before you pay. If those limits suit you, this tour can add a spooky, thoughtful side trip to a Memphis visit.

FAQ

How long does the Memphis Ghosts walking tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $32 per person.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is 450 Mulberry Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes the Lorraine Motel, Arcade Restaurant, Earnestine & Hazel’s, The Green Beetle, 69 East Pontotoc Avenue, the John Alexander Austin House, and the Orpheum Theatre.

Is an EMF detector included?

Yes. An EMF detector rental is included. The tour information also says ghosthunting equipment may be rented optionally, so confirm the available equipment when booking.

Can I enter the buildings?

Indoor access is not guaranteed at every stop. Some participants have entered certain locations, including Earnestine & Hazel’s, but the exact access can vary.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour can include up to 35 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the tour are not accepted for a refund.