Memphis gets a little spooky fast. This Memphis ghost tour hits iconic downtown sites—Lorraine Motel, the Arcade Restaurant, Earnestine & Hazel’s, and the Orpheum Theatre—using short, creepy stories that sit on top of real places. I like the focused 1-hour format and the chance to point your flashlight and your curiosity at locations tied to both Memphis music culture and old-time hauntings.

My second big love is how the route turns everyday details into something eerie: cold drafts in historic rooms, shadows sliding across taverns, and a jukebox that seems to play even when it shouldn’t. If you want history with atmosphere (not just a list of names), this tour does a good job of keeping you moving while the stories land.

One consideration: while the tour lists major stops, entry can vary by departure—so if you’re hoping for maximum time inside every location, go in with flexible expectations.

Key Takeaways Before You Go

• 1-hour walking route with a tight stop list, so it fits easily into a Memphis day plan.
• EMF detector rental included, which gives you something hands-on without needing prior ghost-hunting know-how.
• Stops cluster around well-known downtown haunt sites, from the Lorraine Motel to the Orpheum Theatre.
• The stories lean into sensory details like cold drafts, sounds, and shadowy sightings.
• Group size is capped at 35, which helps the guide keep things organized.

What You Pay for a Memphis Ghost Tour at $32

At $32 per person for about an hour, this is priced like an experience you can add without wrecking your budget. The value comes from two places: you’re paying for a guided walk through multiple famous locations, and you get a tool to play along—the EMF detector rental—so you’re not just listening from the sidewalk.

Also, the tour uses a mobile ticket, so you’re not wasting time hunting down printouts. And because the tour is typically booked about two dozen times per month (with an average booking window of 16 days), you’ll want to reserve ahead if you’re traveling during busier stretches.

Where the Tour Starts (and How the Route Feels)

The meeting point is 450 Mulberry St, Memphis, TN 38103. That location puts you close to the action, and the route makes sense if you want to see a concentration of historic downtown sites without crisscrossing the whole city.

The vibe is a guided stroll: you’ll move from one stop to the next (each one is roughly 7–8 minutes), so you get a quick hit of story at every location. With a maximum group size of 35, you should feel like the guide can actually keep the group together when you’re stopping for photos, questions, or the EMF readings.

Stop-by-Stop: Haunted Memphis That Mixes Music and Memory

Lorraine Motel: A Tragic Place With Haunting Claims

You start at the Lorraine Motel, forever known as the site where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. This is not the type of ghost story that stays light. The haunting reports tend to describe an emotional weight—an overwhelming sadness—and people also claim they can catch faint echoes of the events surrounding that night.

For me, that’s what makes this stop more than just a spooky photo stop. It anchors the tour in a real moment of history, which changes the tone of the rest of the walk.

The Arcade Restaurant: Oldest Café, Windows That Watch Back

Next is the Arcade Restaurant, known as Memphis’s oldest café, serving meals since 1919. The haunting claims here are very visual: ghostly figures reported in the windows, plus unexplained cold drafts inside.

It’s a good stop if you like your eerie details grounded in atmosphere. Even if the EMF tool is giving you nothing, the setting itself is part of the story—old building, long-running restaurant, and that sense that the place has been holding onto moments for a long time.

Earnestine & Hazel’s: Speakeasy Energy and a Unseen Upstairs

Then you’ll walk to Earnestine & Hazel’s, a spot with a past as a brothel and speakeasy. The haunting tales focus on the place’s nightlife history: people report hearing a jukebox playing on its own and feeling an eerie presence, especially in the upstairs rooms.

This is one of the stops where Memphis nightlife and haunting lore overlap. If you’re the type who enjoys ghost stories that feel like they belong in a real bar setting, this one usually hits hardest.

The Green Beetle: Oldest Tavern, Late-Night Sounds

At the Green Beetle, the tour leans into older tavern hauntings. It’s described as Memphis’s oldest tavern, and the reported activity is classic: strange noises and shadows moving through the bar late at night.

If you want the “spooky but plausible” kind of story—something that could be explained by a draft or a sound but still makes you look twice—this fits that mood well.

69 E Pontotoc Ave / Pontotoc Hotel: Gamblers, Bootleggers, and Empty Windows

Stop five is at 69 E Pontotoc Ave, tied to the Pontotoc Hotel. The backstory here is all about restless history: a former hotspot for gamblers and bootleggers, with rumors of ghosts lingering around the long-abandoned building. People claim to see apparitions peering from windows.

This stop works especially well after the more active nightlife vibe of Earnestine & Hazel’s and the Green Beetle. It’s where the tour shifts toward the feeling of “this place has been waiting.”

John Alexander Austin House: Footsteps and Cold Breezes

Next is the John Alexander Austin House, built in 1876. The story centers on the original owner, said to haunt the home. People report cold breezes or mysterious footsteps when walking past.

If you prefer your hauntings a little more subtle and grounded—less jump-scare, more chill in the air—this is the kind of stop that can make the whole walk feel creepier without trying too hard.

Orpheum Theatre: The Mary Legend in the Balcony

You finish with the Orpheum Theatre, one of the most famous haunted venues in Memphis. The haunting legend is tied to a young girl named Mary said to linger in the balcony. Reports include seeing her ghost during performances and hearing laughter echo through the halls.

This is a strong closing act because it combines theater drama, old architecture, and an ongoing legend. Even if you don’t fully buy into it, the setting gives the story weight.

The EMF Detector: Fun Tool, Not a Guarantee

The tour includes EMF detector rental, and that means you’ll have a hands-on way to engage with the stories. The EMF tool won’t prove anything scientifically, but it can add a playful layer to how you experience each stop—especially at places where people describe cold drafts and unexplained sounds.

Just keep expectations realistic. Some departures may use the EMF readers more than others, and the biggest “wow” moments on this kind of tour often come from the atmosphere plus the guide’s storytelling, not from a gadget going off every stop.

The Guide Makes or Breaks the Mood

One of the strongest signals from the experience is how much the guide matters. Guides like Mary get singled out for knowing Memphis in a way that makes the stories feel connected, not random. Jim Ed is also praised for being professional and well-prepared.

There’s also a lesson here: if you’re sensitive to tone, pay attention to how the group is handled. On some departures, the tour can feel more like a quick pass than a deep, storytelling-heavy walk—so arrive ready to ask questions and participate in the moment.

Practical Tips So You Get the Most Out of It

• Wear comfortable shoes. You’re walking several short segments back-to-back.
• Bring your curiosity more than your fear. This tour is more about atmosphere and local legends than about big jump scares.
• If you care about entering buildings, treat that as a bonus, not a promise. The route centers on well-known sites, and the amount of interior access can vary.
• If you’re traveling with mobility needs, plan around the fact that you’ll be stopping in historic areas and walking between them.

Who This Tour Is Best For

This works best if you:

• want a quick, guided way to see downtown Memphis landmarks in one go
• like ghost stories tied to real locations, not just themed sets
• enjoy mixing history and spooky mood (especially the nightlife-era details)
• want a low-cost add-on that lasts about an hour

If you’re looking for a hardcore, evidence-first investigation or a long night with lots of stops, you might find the format too short for that goal. For most people, though, it’s a satisfying blend.

Should You Book Memphis Ghosts?

I think this is a solid book if you want an hour of downtown Memphis with story-driven stops that feel like they belong on the city’s map. At $32, the price is fair for the number of famous locations, the EMF detector rental, and the chance to hear themed stories that connect to Memphis’s darker corners.

Skip it only if you’re strict about entering every listed spot. Otherwise, this is a fun way to see Memphis after you’ve had your barbecue and your music fix—and to keep the night interesting with real buildings and real legends.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Memphis Ghosts Walking Tour?

The tour runs about 1 hour.

How much does the tour cost?

It costs $32.00 per person.

Where does the tour start?

The start location is 450 Mulberry St, Memphis, TN 38103.

Is the ticket digital?

Yes. The tour uses a mobile ticket.

What haunted stops are included?

The tour includes stops at the Lorraine Motel, the Arcade Restaurant, Earnestine & Hazel’s, the Green Beetle, 69 E Pontotoc Ave (Pontotoc Hotel), the John Alexander Austin House, and the Orpheum Theatre.

Do you get to use ghost-hunting equipment?

Yes. The tour includes EMF detector rental, and the experience highlights using equipment to help track down spirits.

Are there admission tickets you have to pay for?

For the listed stops, the tour shows admission ticket free at each location.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum size of 35 travelers.

Is the tour accessible by public transportation?

Yes. It is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

What if I need to cancel last minute?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.