Memphis nights turn spooky fast. This walking ghost tour brings the city’s dark corners to life with a local storyteller and a route that keeps you outside and moving through downtown. I like the way the guides, including Daniel, TC, Sheena, and Liz, handle questions and keep the mood light with humor. I also like that Earnestine & Hazel’s is the one stop with included time inside. One catch: most other sites are outside only, so if you want indoor access, or if you hate walking about 2 miles with some elevation, plan accordingly.

You start at Alfred’s On Beale (197 Beale St) and end at Earnestine & Hazel’s (531 S Main St), with a handy option to stay and then walk back. This tour runs about 1 hour 30 minutes, usually in small groups (up to 24), which helps the stories land instead of turning into a lecture you can’t hear.

Key things I’d clock before you go

• Storytelling focus: you get a guided “walk and talk” style tour, not a museum stop
• One paid-in admission moment: Earnestine & Hazel’s time is covered with your ticket
• Mostly outside, dress for it: you’re out on sidewalks for most of the experience
• Downtown Memphis route: the stops cluster around Beale and Main, so it’s easy to stay in the area after
• Small group size (max 24): it’s much easier to ask questions and follow along

Why this Memphis ghost walk feels different after dark

This tour works because it treats Memphis like a living story, not a checklist. You walk through a stretch of downtown where landmarks are close enough that the atmosphere builds hour by hour, stop by stop.

You also get a guide who knows how to pace suspense without turning it into theater. The best tours keep you focused on the setting, the people, and the little details that make the tales feel grounded. That is the vibe here, especially around the places people associate with old Memphis nightlife and old Memphis secrets.

Meeting at Alfred’s On Beale, ending at Earnestine & Hazel’s

Your tour begins at Alfred’s On Beale, 197 Beale St. You’re likely to find it convenient because it puts you right in the Beale Street area, where you can also grab pre-walk snacks if you need them.

You finish at Earnestine & Hazel’s on S Main St. That matters because it lets you keep the night going without hunting for a ride or a second plan. After the tour, you can stay at Earnestine & Hazel’s, and you can also walk back with the guide to Beale St if you want company and a simple route.

Stop 1: Orpheum Theatre and Mary, Memphis’s famous 12-year-old ghost

The first stop is the Orpheum Theatre. This is outside only, with about 15 minutes allocated here.

The big draw is the story tied to Mary, a 12-year-old figure associated with the theatre. Even if you’re not a hardcore ghost hunter, this kind of opener works well because it sets expectations for the rest of the walk: you’ll be hearing local tales that connect buildings to people, and people to outcomes that still feel real.

Practical tip: since this is outside, come ready for cooler air and street noise. If you want to catch what the guide is saying, stay close when the group pauses.

Stop 2: John Alexander Austin House and the haunted love story outside

Next up is the John Alexander Austin House. Again, it is outside only, with about 10 minutes at this stop.

This is framed as a love story that happens to be haunted, which is a smart switch from straight spooky chaos. It gives you a different flavor of “why this place matters,” and it helps the tour feel varied instead of repetitive.

If you’re the type who likes to connect the dots between architecture and human drama, this is a good stop. Keep your eyes up as the guide explains the setting, since you’re not going inside to see exhibits.

Stop 3: Earnestine & Hazel’s, where the included time is the main event

The centerpiece stop is Earnestine & Hazel’s. You’ll spend about 20 minutes here, and this is the one location where admission is included in your ticket.

This is one of the creepiest stops on the walk, and it’s also the only one where you get that extra layer that comes with being inside a place while stories are unfolding. Even if you stay skeptical, there’s a reason this stop gets the most attention: it’s easier to feel the mood when you’re not just looking at a building from the sidewalk.

Food and drinks at Earnestine & Hazel’s are not included. That’s actually useful to know in advance, because you can decide whether you want to treat yourself or just enjoy the haunt without turning it into a pricey dinner plan. I suggest you check your comfort level before you order, especially if you’re going for a full night out.

Stop 4: The Green Beetle, a haunted gangster hideout you see from outside

After Earnestine & Hazel’s, the tour continues to the Green Beetle. This stop is also outside only, with about 15 minutes.

Here the theme shifts to a haunted gangster hideout. This is the kind of stop that blends Memphis’s downtown legends with the city’s real nightlife history. It’s a good breather after Earnestine & Hazel’s, because it gives you a new angle on “who used these streets,” even when you are not stepping through doors.

If you like crime-history vibes, you’ll likely enjoy this stop the most. If you prefer romance or haunting over gangster lore, treat it as a fun palate cleanser.

Stop 5: Puck Food Hall and the voodoo and hoodoo connection

Next is Puck Food Hall. Like several other stops, it’s outside only and set for about 10 minutes.

The theme here is voodoo and hoodoo in Memphis, presented through the lens of place. This can be especially interesting if you like ghost stories that are connected to local culture, not just jump-scare style legends.

Because it’s a quick stop, you’ll want to stay attentive as the group moves. If you drift too far back, you’ll miss the guide’s key points, and this segment is meant to be fast and focused.

Stop 6: National Civil Rights Museum and the Lorraine Motel

The final stop is the National Civil Rights Museum – Lorraine Motel area. The tour spends about 15 minutes here.

This portion is heavier in tone than the earlier “spooky story” stops. The information provided points to the Lorraine Motel site connected to Morris Cemetery, described as Memphis’s oldest former cemetery. That adds important context to the area beyond ghost tales.

This is also a place where respect matters. The tour keeps it practical and informational, and it helps you see the difference between a spooky legend and a site with real historical weight. Even if you’re only here for the haunting, you’ll probably appreciate ending with something that grounds the whole night in real Memphis history.

The walking reality: 2 miles, some elevation, mostly outdoors

This tour covers about 2 miles on public sidewalks. There’s some elevation, and the experience is conducted mostly outside, with no entrance into most buildings.

That means your “what should I wear” checklist is not optional. Wear comfortable shoes with grip, bring a layer for evening air, and dress for weather since this is a good chunk of time on the street. If you get cold easily, plan for it, because the pacing still has you outside even when the group pauses for stories.

Good weather matters. If conditions are poor, the experience may get rescheduled or you’ll receive a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, so you can book with less stress if you’re watching the forecast.

Group size, how long it takes, and why that matters

The tour runs about 1 hour 30 minutes. It has a maximum group size of 24 travelers.

That timing and group size are a win. At 90 minutes, you get a full story arc without burning your entire evening. And with a smaller cap, it’s easier to hear your guide when the group gathers at each stop. You won’t be stuck in the back trying to guess what the guide is pointing at.

Also, this one is popular enough that it’s typically booked around 10 days in advance on average. If you want a specific night, I’d secure tickets sooner rather than later.

Price and value: is $29.63 worth it?

At $29.63 per person, the value here comes from a few clear things you can actually feel during the walk.

You get a guided walking tour with local taxes included. Most importantly, you get the time at Earnestine & Hazel’s with admission included, and that gives the tour a tangible payoff instead of being only exterior storytelling. Drinks and food there are not included, but you also have the freedom to keep spending under control.

The other sites are outside only and do not include admission tickets, so you are paying for the guide and the experience of moving through the area. For me, that’s fair as long as you come for stories, setting, and the chance to see Memphis in a different mood. If you’re expecting multiple paid attractions, you might feel differently.

Tips to help you get the most from the spook factor

If you want the tour to feel fun rather than forced, show up ready to participate. A few small moves help a lot.

• Arrive a few minutes early so you can get close when the guide starts speaking
• Dress for the sidewalk, because this is mostly outdoors
• Keep your questions short, and be ready to move when the group does
• If you plan photos, remember you may be in dimmer lighting when you’re at Earnestine & Hazel’s

One more practical point: since you end near Main St and Beale St is an easy walk away, you can treat this like a great start to dinner and bars, or a great ending after you’ve eaten. The route is designed to keep you in the same neighborhood.

Should you book the Haunted Memphis Walking Ghost Tour?

I think this is a smart booking if you want a local-story style ghost walk that also respects the area’s real historical weight. You get about 90 minutes of guided storytelling, a small-group feel, and one included “inside” stop at Earnestine & Hazel’s, which is where the tour’s chill factor is most likely to land.

Skip it or adjust expectations if you mainly want indoor museum-style access, because most stops are outside only and most admissions are not part of the ticket. Also, plan for a fair amount of outdoor walking with some elevation.

If your goal is a spooky evening that also teaches you how Memphis became Memphis, this is a solid way to do it without spending a fortune or overpacking your schedule.