Haunted Memphis Walking Ghost Tour

Ghost stories make Memphis feel wonderfully strange. This 90-minute walk connects the Orpheum Theatre, the John Alexander Austin House, Earnestine and Hazel’s, and several darker corners of downtown with local tales about spirits, crime, love, voodoo, and old cemeteries. I like the way the tour mixes Memphis history with spooky storytelling, and I like that guides such as Daniel, TC, Sheena, and Liz add humor instead of treating every tale with a stiff face. The main drawback is simple: most stops are outside, so weather and comfortable shoes matter.

I also like the small maximum group of 24 and the modest price of $29.63 per person. You get a guided walk of about two miles, with admission into Earnestine and Hazel’s included. But food and drinks there cost extra, and the tour does not take you inside most of the buildings it discusses.

Key points to know before you book

• Mary at the Orpheum: Hear the story of Memphis’s best-known ghost outside the theater, with no theater admission included.
• Earnestine and Hazel’s: Spend about 20 minutes inside one of the city’s most talked-about haunted buildings.
• A two-mile evening walk: The route uses public sidewalks and includes some elevation, so supportive shoes are important.
• Storytelling is the main event: Daniel, TC, Sheena, and Liz have earned praise for adding humor, local facts, and strong personal style.
• A useful finish near Beale Street: The tour ends at Earnestine and Hazel’s, about a 10-minute walk back to Beale Street.
• Weather matters: Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, while most of the route remains outdoors.

Starting near Beale Street at Alfred’s

The walk begins at Alfred’s on Beale, at 197 Beale Street. This is a handy starting point if you are already spending the evening downtown, and it puts you near parking garages, open-air lots, public transportation, restaurants, and the music scene.

The closest listed garage is two blocks away at 149 Peabody Place, between Second Street and BB King Boulevard, next to the Hampton Inn. You can also try metered parking on Second Street south of Beale, on Beale between Front and Second, or along Peabody Place from Front to Fourth. Parking can add to the evening’s cost, so I would check your options before arriving rather than leaving it until the last minute.

Your guide leads the group on foot through downtown Memphis. The route covers about two miles and takes roughly an hour and a half, though the exact pace can depend on the group. A maximum of 24 people keeps the walk from feeling like a large procession, but this is still a public-sidewalk tour, not a private stroll.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Daniel is praised for bringing ghost stories to life while adding useful Memphis facts. TC has a more playful style, with humor and patience for questions. Sheena is described as both entertaining and well informed about the city, while Liz receives praise for making the evening fun. That mix matters because a ghost walk can become flat if the guide simply recites dates and legends.

The Orpheum Theatre and the ghost of Mary

The first stop is outside the Orpheum Theatre, where you hear about Mary, said to be Memphis’s most famous ghost. The stop lasts about 15 minutes.

You do not enter the theater, and admission is not included. That is worth knowing if you are picturing a backstage investigation or a look inside the building. Instead, the Orpheum serves as an atmospheric opening. A grand old theater at night gives the guide a strong setting for a story about a child ghost, and the group can focus on the tale without a long indoor visit.

I like this beginning because it starts with a recognizable Memphis landmark rather than an obscure address. You get local context right away, and the guide can explain why the theater has become linked with Mary. If you are looking for proof of the supernatural, you may find the stop too brief and too dependent on storytelling. If you enjoy old buildings, local legends, and a good setup, it works well.

Bring a jacket or light layer if the weather is cool. Fifteen minutes outside can feel longer than it sounds when you are standing still and listening.

The John Alexander Austin House and a darker love story

The second stop takes about 10 minutes outside the John Alexander Austin House. Here the subject is a haunted love story tied to a beautiful old home.

This is a different kind of ghost tale from the Orpheum story. Instead of focusing on a public theater and a famous child spirit, the guide uses a private residence to explore romance, loss, and the way a building can gather stories over time. The contrast keeps the tour from becoming a string of similar haunting claims.

Again, you remain outside, and there is no admission ticket. That can be a plus if you prefer a walking tour that keeps moving, but it limits what you can see. The value comes from the guide’s description and delivery, not from exploring the interior.

I would pay close attention here if you like Memphis architecture and local character. The stop is short, so you will not get an extended house tour. It is best treated as a compact story along the route rather than a major attraction on its own.

Twenty minutes at Earnestine and Hazel’s

Earnestine and Hazel’s is the heart of the tour. The group spends about 20 minutes inside this former brothel, a building associated with several spirits and frequently described as one of the city’s most haunted places.

This is the one named stop where admission is included. That makes the $29.63 price easier to justify because you are not only walking past historic addresses. You actually enter a location with a strong reputation for unusual stories, and the guide can point out the atmosphere and history of the place while you are inside.

The building also gives the tour a needed change of pace. Much of the route takes place on sidewalks, but here you move indoors and spend more time in one setting. Some people may find the room, stories, or atmosphere genuinely creepy. Others will enjoy it mainly as an old Memphis bar with a strange past. You do not need to believe every spirit story to appreciate the setting.

Food and drinks are not included. If you want to order something, plan to pay separately. The experience provider also says you are welcome to remain at Earnestine and Hazel’s after the tour. From there, Beale Street is about a 10-minute walk north along Main Street, and you can also walk back with your guide.

One unusual detail from the tour feedback is that some people check their photographs and videos later for orbs or other possible apparitions. Treat that as part of the fun, not a promise. The tour offers stories and atmosphere, not a guaranteed paranormal sighting.

The Green Beetle and a gangster’s hideout

Next comes the Green Beetle, discussed from the outside for about 15 minutes. The theme here is a haunted gangster hideout.

This stop adds crime and underworld lore to the evening. It also shows how the tour moves beyond standard ghost stories. Memphis’s darker tales are connected not only with spirits, but also with violence, hidden dealings, and people who left strong impressions on the places around them.

There is no entrance into the Green Beetle, and no admission is included. That keeps the stop quick and practical. You will hear the story, view the exterior, and continue walking. If you want time to study the building or go inside, you would need to return independently.

The guide’s skill matters especially here. A gangster story can sound like a generic bit of folklore if told without local detail. The strongest guides use the site to explain something about Memphis rather than simply announcing that it is haunted. Daniel’s habit of adding city facts is useful at stops like this.

Puck Food Hall and Memphis voodoo

The Puck Food Hall stop lasts about 10 minutes and focuses on voodoo and hoodoo in Memphis. You stay outside.

This is one of the more distinctive parts of the route because it broadens the theme beyond haunted buildings. Voodoo and hoodoo carry cultural and historical meaning, and they deserve more care than a quick spooky label. I would listen for the guide’s explanation of how these traditions fit into Memphis stories and local beliefs.

The stop also gives the tour a different flavor from the Orpheum and Earnestine and Hazel’s. You are not just hearing about a ghost in a theater or a spirit in a bar. You are hearing about belief systems and practices associated with the city’s past.

The limitation is time. Ten minutes is enough for an introduction, not a full treatment of the subject. You should see this as one chapter in a wider Memphis story rather than a complete lesson on voodoo or hoodoo. The food hall itself is not presented as an included meal stop, so do not expect food or drinks to be part of your ticket.

The Lorraine Motel and Morris Cemetery

The final listed stop is the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel. The group spends about 15 minutes outside, hearing about the site of Memphis’s oldest former cemetery, Morris Cemetery.

This stop gives the walk its most serious tone. The tour is not only about spooky buildings and ghostly photographs. It also points you toward the city’s layers of memory, death, public tragedy, and contested ground. The setting beside the National Civil Rights Museum carries major historical weight, even though this walking experience does not include museum admission.

You remain outside, and the ticket does not cover entry to the museum. If you want to visit the National Civil Rights Museum, plan a separate visit and allow much more time. Combining both on the same night may be tiring, especially after walking two miles.

I appreciate this ending because it brings the tour back to real history. Ghost tours work best for me when they use supernatural stories to open a door into the past, not when they pretend every tale is proven fact. This final stop helps create that balance.

What the $29.63 price really buys you

At $29.63 per person, this is a fair-priced evening activity in downtown Memphis. You are paying for a 90-minute guided walk, local taxes, a guide who supplies the stories, and entry into Earnestine and Hazel’s. You are not paying for transportation, meals, drinks, theater admission, museum admission, or a private group.

The value depends on what you want. If you want several indoor attractions, the price may feel less appealing because five of the six stops are outside only. If you enjoy walking and want a guide to connect Memphis legends with local history, the cost is reasonable.

A maximum of 24 people helps. It should be easier to hear a guide in that size group than in a huge crowd, though the sidewalks and public spaces can still affect the experience. The tour is also convenient for an evening downtown because it starts near Beale Street and ends near Main Street.

Tips are not included. If your guide, such as Daniel, TC, Sheena, or Liz, makes the evening especially enjoyable, plan for a gratuity.

Comfort, weather, and the pace of the night

The tour covers about two miles on public sidewalks with some elevation. You should have a moderate fitness level and wear shoes you can walk in comfortably. This is not a bus tour with frequent seats, and the route includes standing outside while stories are told.

Dress for the forecast. The activity is conducted mostly outdoors, and poor weather can cause cancellation. If the operator cancels for weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund. If you cancel, you must do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Within 24 hours, no refund is provided, and changes are not accepted.

Service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation, and confirmation is provided when you book. Those details make it fairly easy to fit into a Memphis itinerary, especially if you are staying near downtown.

I would not book this as a last-minute indoor backup for a rainy night. The outdoor parts are central to the experience, and bad weather can affect both comfort and scheduling.

Who will enjoy this Memphis ghost walk?

I think this tour suits you best if you enjoy:

• Local legends mixed with Memphis history
• Evening walks through downtown
• Storytelling with humor and personality
• Historic buildings viewed from the outside
• A short activity that ends near bars and restaurants
• A little spooky fun without needing a serious paranormal investigation

It also works well for couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a two-mile walk. The stories may not suit very young children, but no age restriction is provided, so use your judgment.

You may want another activity if you dislike ghost stories, prefer indoor attractions, have difficulty walking for 90 minutes, or expect food and drinks to be included. You should also choose something else if you want a guided visit inside the Orpheum Theatre, the John Alexander Austin House, the Green Beetle, or the National Civil Rights Museum.

Should you book the Haunted Memphis Walking Ghost Tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, entertaining introduction to Memphis after dark, especially if your idea of fun includes old buildings, local legends, and a guide who can tell a story well. The strongest part is the combination of stops, from Mary at the Orpheum to the serious history around the Lorraine Motel, with Earnestine and Hazel’s providing the main indoor experience.

I would book this tour early if your schedule is fixed, since it is often reserved about 10 days ahead. Choose a dry evening, wear good shoes, and budget separately for anything you order at Earnestine and Hazel’s. If you approach it as a lively history walk with spooky stories, rather than a guaranteed encounter with a ghost, the $29.63 price offers good value.

FAQ

How long is the Haunted Memphis Walking Ghost Tour?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $29.63 per person.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Alfred’s On Beale, 197 Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103.

Where does the tour end?

It ends at Earnestine and Hazel’s, 531 South Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103.

Is the tour conducted indoors or outdoors?

The tour is conducted mostly outdoors on public sidewalks. Only Earnestine and Hazel’s is listed as an included indoor stop.

Does the tour include entrance into the Orpheum Theatre?

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

Is food or drink included at Earnestine and Hazel’s?

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

How far does the tour walk?

The route covers approximately two miles and includes some elevation.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes. Service animals are allowed on the tour.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.