Haunted Memphis Walking Ghost Tour

Memphis ghosts come with a plan. In about 90 minutes, you walk downtown with a local storyteller and hit stops tied to some of the city’s creepiest legends, including the Orpheum Theatre and Earnestine & Hazel’s. I like that the guide keeps the stories human and clear, not just jump-scare spooky, and I like that your ticket includes entry for Alexander and Hazel’s at Earnestine & Hazel’s. One thing to plan for, most stops are outside and a few locations do require extra admission.

Guides get real credit here. You’ll see names like TC, Daniel, Sheena, and Liz showing up in feedback for smart pacing, humor, and answering questions without rushing you along. The experience uses a mobile ticket, runs with a maximum group size of 24, and it is a walk of about 2 miles on public sidewalks with some elevation.

Key things to know before you go

• A small group (up to 24) helps the guide keep the pace.
• Earnestine & Hazel’s includes admission, while other stops stay mostly outside.
• Mostly outdoor walking means your clothes matter, especially at night.
• Downtown stops include a major civil-rights landmark alongside the hauntings.
• You end at Earnestine & Hazel’s, with time to linger if you want.

A 1.5 Hour Ghost Walk Through Downtown Memphis

If you want Memphis after dark, this is a straightforward way to do it. You get a local storyteller leading a walking route through downtown and packing a lot of atmosphere into a compact 1 hour 30 minutes. It is not a long production where you wait around for a bus, and it is not a vague tour where you just wander from one sign to the next.

What makes it work is the way the guide ties each place to a specific story. The Orpheum Theatre stop centers on Mary, a famous 12-year-old ghost the tour calls out, and you hear how that legend connects to the building’s past. Then the route shifts into love, crime, and folklore as you move through other real addresses tied to Memphis lore. Even if you are not chasing fear for the sake of fear, you will probably enjoy how the tour turns street corners into something that feels personal.

Just remember this is a walking tour with a set sequence and set times at each stop. That is part of the fun, but it also means you are not roaming freely on your own timetable. Come ready to follow the guide and keep your phone handy for the mobile ticket check-in.

Start at Alfred’s On Beale, End at Earnestine & Hazel’s

The tour starts at Alfred’s On Beale, 197 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103. That is a solid launching point because you are already in the Beale Street area, with restaurants and easy orientation. The walk then finishes at Earnestine & Hazel’s, 531 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103. Plan on ending near the downtown action, and you can stay after if you want.

There is also a practical upside to the route choice. Ending at Earnestine & Hazel’s is convenient because the tour already treats that stop as a centerpiece. You are not forced to rush out and find your next thing immediately, and you do get the option to join your guide for the walk back toward Beale Street after the tour ends.

Logistics are built for a normal city walk. You cover about 2 miles on public sidewalks with some elevation. The tour is mostly outside, so your footwear and outer layer matter. It also helps that the group size stays small, with a maximum of 24 people, so the guide can keep control of the pace without a bottleneck at every corner.

Parking is not hard if you choose a nearby garage. The closest garage called out is at 149 Peabody Place, between Second Street and BB King Blvd, next to the Hampton Inn. On-street metered parking is another option around Beale and Second Street, plus open-air lots a few blocks around.

The Stops That Drive the Stories: Orpheum, Austin House, and More

This tour hits several classic downtown locations, and it does it in a way that keeps the momentum. Most stops are outside only, meaning you are observing and listening on the sidewalk rather than touring interior rooms at every address. That said, each stop still gets a meaningful chunk of time for the guide to explain why people connect those places to specific hauntings.

Here is what to expect as the route moves along.

Orpheum Theatre: Mary’s legend, seen from outside

Your first stop is the Orpheum Theatre. The tour’s featured ghost is Mary, described as a 12-year-old, and you will hear the legend from the outside perspective. Expect a short stop, about 15 minutes, focused on the story and how the theatre fits into Memphis lore.

Because this is outside only, you will not be dealing with interior lines or extra steps at the theatre during the tour. Still, the tour notes that admission tickets for that stop are not included, so if you plan to see inside later, you will want to budget for that separately.

John Alexander Austin House: a haunted love story

Next comes the John Alexander Austin House. The tour frames it as a beautiful place with a haunted love story attached to it, and you will again view it from outside only. The stop is brief, about 10 minutes, which makes it a quick hit rather than a long explanation session.

If you are the type who loves details, you may appreciate that this is the kind of stop where a guide can explain a story in a way that feels like a mini-movie. Just do not expect long time for photos or wandering because the route keeps moving.

Earnestine & Hazel’s: Alexander and Hazel’s included experience

Earnestine & Hazel’s is the biggest event on the walk. The tour calls it one of the creepiest and most haunted places anywhere, and the itinerary sets aside about 20 minutes here. Unlike the other outside-only stops, this is where admission is handled as part of your ticket. Drinks and food are not included, but the Alexander and Hazel’s guided experience is part of the tour.

This stop is also a good reason to bring your curiosity. The guide can connect the hauntings to the building’s role in the city’s older downtown culture, and you should walk away with a clearer sense of why so many stories cluster around this address.

The Green Beetle: a gangster hideout

After that, the tour moves to the Green Beetle. The focus is a haunted gangster hideout, and you will view it outside only. It is about 15 minutes at this stop, which works well if you like your ghost stories tied to characters and crime.

The tradeoff here is the same as most of the route: you are not stepping inside as part of the tour, and the notes say admission is not included. If you want to go deeper on your own later, treat this as an introduction.

Puck Food Hall: voodoo and hoodoo in Memphis

Then you get a dose of local folk belief with a stop at Puck Food Hall. The tour calls out voodoo and hoodoo themes, and you will spend around 10 minutes here from outside only. The vibe is different from a classic theatre ghost story, and that variety helps keep the tour from feeling repetitive.

Again, this is not an all-access interior stop in the tour format. It is more like a guided street-level introduction.

National Civil Rights Museum and Lorraine Motel area: cemetery roots and modern meaning

The final named stop is the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel. The tour notes a connection to Morris Cemetery and frames it as part of Memphis’ older layers. You spend about 15 minutes at this point, and it is outside only in the tour format.

This matters because it adds weight to the overall experience. Even if you are there for ghost stories, you will likely feel the difference when the guide shifts from “spooky fun” to something grounded in real events. It turns the walk from entertainment into a clearer picture of Memphis itself.

Earnestine & Hazel’s Admission, and What the Ticket Really Covers

Your ticket price includes the guided walking tour and local taxes, and it also includes admission for Alexander and Hazel’s at Earnestine & Hazel’s. That is a key value point, because several other famous stops on the route do not include admission.

So how should you think about this stop?

First, you are not paying extra for the Earnestine & Hazel’s experience itself. If you have ever done tours that say admission included but then bury extra fees in fine print, this is one you can treat as more straightforward on that front.

Second, food and drinks at Earnestine & Hazel’s are not included. If you want a snack or a drink, plan to buy it separately. The upside is that after the tour, you can stay at the venue, and the tour notes it is a short walk back toward Beale Street if you want to continue exploring.

Third, dressing matters. The experience is described as mostly outside. Even if part of the Alexander and Hazel’s experience requires you to be inside briefly, you should still dress for cool night air and time on sidewalks. A moderate physical fitness level is suggested because you are walking around downtown for about 2 miles with some elevation.

Price and Value: Is $29.63 a Good Deal?

At $29.63 per person, this tour sits in the “pay for an experience, not a big attraction ticket” category. That is a fair way to price something like a guided ghost walk, especially since the cost includes the guided walking tour and local taxes.

The best value argument is that the ticket includes admission for Alexander and Hazel’s. If you were to visit that stop separately, the cost would likely stack up fast. By bundling it into the walking tour, you get both a guided narrative and at least one place where admission is already handled.

What is not included is equally important for your budgeting. Admission tickets are not included for other notable stops like the Orpheum Theatre and the John Alexander Austin House. Alcoholic beverages are not included either. Gratuities are also not included, so you should consider leaving a tip if your guide makes the stories feel vivid and fun.

Timing also influences value. On average, this tour is booked about 10 days in advance, so if you want a specific date, locking it in ahead of time can save you from last-minute disappointment.

Comfort Tips That Make the Night Walk Actually Enjoyable

This tour is designed for walking. You cover about 2 miles on public sidewalks, with some elevation, and it is mostly outdoors. That means the difference between a great night and an annoying night often comes down to simple stuff.

Bring comfortable shoes with grip. Downtown sidewalks can be uneven, and you do not want sore feet cutting your spooky fun short. Also dress for weather, since the tour is mostly outside. If it is cold or humid, layers beat a single thin jacket.

Plan for a steady pace. The tour is 1 hour 30 minutes, and it keeps a schedule between stops. It is not a long hike, but you should expect to stay in motion.

If you have mobility limits, you can still consider it if you feel comfortable with a moderate amount of walking. The tour specifically suggests a moderate physical fitness level. If that is you, great. If not, you might prefer a shorter or more seated experience.

Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation. Parking is available with multiple garages and lots nearby, so you can make it work whether you drive in or arrive by transit.

Your Guide Makes the Difference: Storytelling, Humor, and Q&A

The biggest praise in this kind of tour is almost always the guide, and here the feedback pattern is loud and consistent. Names like TC, Daniel, Sheena, and Liz show up as standout storytellers. The common thread is clear communication and a sense of play.

What I think you will like is how the best guides do two things at once. They keep the facts and context straight, and they make the experience feel like a story you are sharing with someone, not a lecture. Several guides are described as adding humor, which helps if you want spooky without feeling tense the whole time.

You should also expect that your questions can shape the experience. Some guides are praised for adjusting the tour a bit for smaller groups. If you are the type who asks about meanings behind a legend, that is often where you get the most out of the night.

Finally, the pace matters. When a guide can keep a group moving while still making each stop feel like it has a purpose, you end the tour feeling like you learned something and had fun, not like you just walked from one scary sign to another.

Food, Drinks, and a Smart Plan for Beignets

Earnestine & Hazel’s is the place where you can actually linger. Drinks and food there are not included in the ticket price, so treat it as your on your own meal decision if you are hungry. That means you have control over what you buy and how long you stay.

Also, there is a good chance you will want a sweet stop during the walk. One of the nice surprises reported is a mid-tour chance to buy beignets. Since it is not listed as a guaranteed formal stop, I would still plan for the possibility rather than assume it will happen exactly the same way every time. If you enjoy snacks, keep a little extra cash or a card ready so you can say yes if your guide suggests it.

If you are sensitive to spending surprises, you can also do the tour and keep your food plan for after. Either way works. The tour gives you story time first, then you can eat based on your appetite.

Should You Book This Haunted Memphis Walking Ghost Tour?

Book it if you want a night in Memphis that mixes spooky storytelling with real downtown places you can actually point to on a map. The included Alexander and Hazel’s admission is a strong value hook, and the small group size makes the whole thing feel more personal than a big group bus tour.

It is also a good fit if you like guided context. This is not just about ghosts. The route includes the Lorraine Motel area and the National Civil Rights Museum connection, so the tour adds meaning beyond Halloween-style thrills.

Skip or rethink it if you strongly prefer indoor tours or want full access to buildings during the walk. Most stops are outside only, and admission tickets for several locations are not included. If you want to maximize indoor time, you might pair this with separate visits on your own after the tour ends.

If you want a simple decision rule, this one is worth it when you want a structured ghost walk, a guide who can tell a story with humor, and a convenient finish at Earnestine & Hazel’s.

FAQ

How long is the Haunted Memphis Walking Ghost Tour?

It runs for about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

The tour starts at Alfred’s On Beale, 197 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103, and it ends at Earnestine & Hazel’s, 531 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103.

Is the tour mostly indoors or outdoors?

It is conducted mostly outside. It does not include entrance into the buildings listed on the route, so dress for walking outside.

What is included in the $29.63 ticket price?

Your ticket includes the guided walking tour and local taxes, and it includes admission for Earnestine & Hazel’s.

Are drinks or food included?

No. Drinks and food at Earnestine & Hazel’s are not included in the ticket price.

Are service animals allowed and is the tour walkable?

Yes, service animals are allowed. The tour suggests a moderate physical fitness level and covers about 2 miles on public sidewalks with some elevation.