Memphis Ghosts: Haunts, Spirits, and Poltergeists Walking Tour

Memphis’s ghost stories make the city’s past feel close enough to touch. On this one-hour walking tour, you move from the Lorraine Motel to old cafés, taverns, theaters, and abandoned buildings, hearing tales of spirits, strange sounds, and unexplained cold spots along the way.

I like the mix of Memphis history and spooky folklore, and I like that an EMF detector rental gives you something to do besides listen. The main drawback is that the route may spend more time outside than some people expect, and access to certain stops can vary.

I also like the small scale, with a maximum of 35 people, and the guides can add real personality. Mary has been praised for her command of Memphis, while Jim Ed has been singled out for a polished, well-informed approach. Still, one poor experience involved a guide who seemed detached and made a disabled participant feel excluded, so service can depend on who leads your walk.

Key points to know before you book

• The Lorraine Motel anchors the tour: You visit the site connected to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1968 assassination and hear about the heavy atmosphere reported there.
• Earnestine and Hazel’s is the most atmospheric stop: This former brothel and speakeasy may be entered, giving you a closer look at one of Memphis’s best-known haunted bars.
• The route covers seven sites in about an hour: Expect a brisk introduction to downtown Memphis rather than a long investigation at each location.
• An EMF detector is included: You can use the device during the walk, though it is best treated as a playful tool rather than proof of anything supernatural.
• The route is mainly a street tour: Some stops may be viewed from outside, and the ending may not always be exactly where the walk begins.
• The tour suits history fans as much as ghost hunters: The strongest part is the connection between Memphis places, local stories, and spooky claims.

Why Memphis works so well for a ghost walk

Memphis gives this tour a useful advantage: the spooky stories are tied to real streets and real buildings, not a string of invented haunted-house effects. You pass places linked to music, nightlife, gambling, old restaurants, theaters, and one of the most painful moments in American history.

That mix matters. I would not book this expecting a haunted attraction with actors jumping from doorways. Instead, you get a guided stroll through downtown, with folklore layered onto recognizable Memphis landmarks.

The mood also changes from stop to stop. The Lorraine Motel brings solemnity. Earnestine and Hazel’s feels like an old nightlife haunt. The Orpheum Theatre brings theatrical ghost lore, while the Pontotoc Hotel offers the strongest abandoned-building atmosphere.

The tour starts at 450 Mulberry Street, near the Lorraine Motel. From there, the group visits seven locations, with roughly seven or eight minutes devoted to each one. That pace keeps the walk easy to fit into a Memphis schedule, but it also means you will not have much time for lengthy investigations.

The Lorraine Motel gives the walk a serious beginning

The Lorraine Motel is not just a haunted stop. It is the site where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, and that fact changes the tone of the entire walk.

The story here centers on sadness, faint echoes, and the feeling that the site carries a heavy emotional charge. Even if you take every ghost claim with caution, this is a place where the historical weight is undeniable.

You get about eight minutes at the motel, with no separate admission charge included because the tour uses the location as a stop rather than a museum visit. If you want a fuller understanding of the motel and the civil rights story connected to it, you should plan separate time for the National Civil Rights Museum. This walking tour does not replace that visit.

For me, this is the point where the tour works best as a Memphis experience. The supernatural material may be debatable, but the setting is important, and the guide’s job is to connect the emotional atmosphere with the city’s past.

The Arcade Restaurant adds old café atmosphere

The Arcade Restaurant has served food since 1919 and is known as Memphis’s oldest café. The ghost stories here include figures seen in the windows and sudden cold drafts inside.

You spend about seven minutes at this stop. The appeal is less about a dramatic scare and more about the way an operating restaurant can carry layers of memory. It is a place with a daily purpose, not a sealed ruin, so the supernatural claims sit beside ordinary Memphis life.

The route may not include a full meal or a long indoor visit. Treat the stop as a chance to hear the story and note the setting. If the restaurant is open and the group goes inside, you may get a stronger sense of the place. If not, the guide can still explain why it matters.

This is also a good reminder to keep expectations in check. The tour does not promise a ghost sighting at every address. It gives you the story, the building, and a little time to see if the atmosphere gets under your skin.

Earnestine and Hazel’s is the tour’s best atmospheric stop

Earnestine and Hazel’s has a past as a brothel and speakeasy, which gives it a built-in sense of mystery. The stories here involve former customers, a jukebox that may play on its own, and an eerie feeling in the upstairs rooms.

Some versions of the walk enter the bar. That matters because this is one of the few stops where you may experience the interior rather than simply view a building from the sidewalk.

One hour is not enough for a long investigation, but even a short visit can make this the most memorable stop. The old bar setting does much of the work. You can hear the story, look around, and consider how a place with such a colorful past might inspire ghost tales.

If entering sites is important to you, ask about the current route before booking. One account of the tour involved no indoor access, while another specifically included Earnestine and Hazel’s and other stops. The description allows for variation, and the exact experience may depend on timing, access, or the guide.

The Green Beetle keeps the focus on old nightlife

The Green Beetle is described as Memphis’s oldest tavern, with stories of strange noises and shadows moving through the bar after dark. You spend roughly seven minutes here.

This stop fits the tour’s larger theme: Memphis nightlife has left behind plenty of stories. Taverns and saloons naturally collect tales of arguments, romances, secrets, and people who never quite seem to leave.

You should not expect a private tour of the bar or a long sit-down session. The stop is brief, and access can vary. Still, the Green Beetle works well as part of the sequence because it shifts the mood from the solemn Lorraine Motel to the more playful idea of a haunted watering hole.

The guide’s storytelling makes a real difference here. Mary has been praised for bringing both local knowledge and energy to the walk, while Jim Ed has been noted for his professional style. A strong guide can turn a simple report of moving shadows into a short lesson about Memphis after dark.

The Pontotoc Hotel brings the strongest ghost-story setting

At 69 East Pontotoc Avenue, you hear about the former Pontotoc Hotel, once associated with gamblers and bootleggers. The long-abandoned building is said to have restless spirits and apparitions looking out from the windows.

This is likely to be one of the most visually effective stops. An old building with empty windows needs little decoration to feel unsettling, especially when the guide explains its past.

You spend about eight minutes here. That is enough time to hear the main story and look closely, but not enough for a full paranormal search. The included EMF detector can add a bit of fun while you are outside.

One especially memorable moment occurred when a streetlight popped and went out near the old hotel. You should not treat that as proof of a haunting, but it shows why an evening walk can feel more suspenseful than reading the same story in daylight. The setting, timing, and group mood all play a part.

The John Alexander Austin House offers a quieter kind of haunting

The John Alexander Austin House dates to 1876 and is said to be haunted by its original owner. The stories here involve cold breezes and footsteps heard by people passing the house.

This is a quieter stop than Earnestine and Hazel’s or the Pontotoc Hotel. You are not looking at a bar full of atmosphere or an abandoned hotel with dark windows. Instead, the interest comes from the idea that a private historic home might still carry traces of its first owner.

The stop lasts about seven minutes. Expect to hear the account from the sidewalk rather than enter the house. That can feel limiting if you want physical access, but it also keeps the walk moving and lets you see another side of Memphis architecture.

I like this stop because it shows how ghost lore grows around ordinary places. A cold breeze or a sound in the dark can become part of a local story, especially when the building has been in place since the nineteenth century.

The Orpheum Theatre closes with Memphis theatrical ghost lore

The Orpheum Theatre is said to be haunted by Mary, a young girl whose spirit remains in the balcony. The story includes sightings during performances and laughter echoing through the halls.

The theater is a natural final stop. After streets, bars, and old buildings, you finish with a venue built for drama. The ghost story also has a clear character, a setting, and a recurring presence, which makes it easier to remember.

You spend about eight minutes here. The tour does not promise a performance or a full theater visit, so you should confirm access if stepping inside matters to you. One account noted that the tour did not always finish exactly at the advertised starting point, though the alternate ending was nearby.

Even without interior access, the Orpheum gives the walk a strong finish. It connects Memphis entertainment with the idea that a theater can hold onto more than costumes and applause.

What the EMF detector adds

An EMF detector is included with the tour, and the equipment may also be available to rent for ghost hunting. You get a hands-on element instead of simply walking from story to story.

I would treat the detector as a bit of theater and a way to keep the group involved. It can make children and curious adults pay closer attention, but it cannot confirm that a ghost is present. Electrical signals have many possible causes.

That does not make it useless. The device adds humor and interaction, especially when the group pauses near a location with a strong story. Just keep your expectations modest. The real value remains the guide, the places, and the connection between Memphis history and local folklore.

Price, pace, and practical value

At $32 per person, the tour is reasonably priced for a one-hour guided walk with an EMF detector and a local guide. The value is strongest if you want a compact introduction to downtown Memphis after dark and enjoy stories more than formal museum visits.

The price feels less attractive if you expect entry to several buildings or a serious paranormal investigation. Most stops are short, and some may happen entirely outdoors. You are paying for access to a guided route and its stories, not for admissions, a meal, or guaranteed ghost activity.

The tour is booked about 16 days ahead on average, so advance planning is sensible. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

The maximum group size is 35. That is small enough for a guide-led walk to work, though a full group may make it harder to hear on a noisy street. The experience is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

Most people can take part, but do not ignore the accessibility concern raised by one poor experience. If you use a wheelchair or need a particular level of assistance, contact Memphis Ghosts before booking and confirm the route, stopping points, and guide support.

Who will enjoy this Memphis ghost tour

I would choose this tour if you like local stories, old buildings, and a little theatrical suspense. It also works well for someone who wants a quick orientation to several downtown locations without committing to a long evening activity.

History fans may enjoy it as much as ghost hunters. The Lorraine Motel, Earnestine and Hazel’s, the Pontotoc Hotel, and the Orpheum Theatre each show a different side of Memphis.

Families can appreciate the short length, though the former brothel and speakeasy setting may not suit very young children. The tour also works for couples and small groups looking for an easy nighttime activity.

I would hesitate if you want guaranteed indoor access, extended time at each site, or scientific evidence of paranormal activity. The walk is story-led, and the ghost-hunting equipment is an extra layer of fun rather than the main event.

Should you book Memphis Ghosts?

Book it if you want a short, story-focused walk that connects Memphis landmarks with ghost lore. The best moments come from the Lorraine Motel’s serious history, Earnestine and Hazel’s old-bar atmosphere, the Pontotoc Hotel’s eerie exterior, and the Orpheum’s tale of Mary.

Go in expecting a brisk route, not a full paranormal investigation. Ask ahead about indoor access and the endpoint, and mention any mobility needs before you reserve. If you value a lively guide, the reports of Mary and Jim Ed suggest what a strong tour leader can add, but the uneven guide experience means you should keep service expectations realistic.

At $32, I think it is a fair buy for curious visitors who want an entertaining introduction to Memphis after dark. It is less useful for anyone seeking a guaranteed scare or extensive building access.

FAQ

How long does the Memphis Ghosts walking tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $32 per person.

Where does the tour start?

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

What places does the tour visit?

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

Is an EMF detector included?

Yes. EMF detector rental is included, and the tour information also says ghost-hunting equipment may be rented.

Does the tour go inside the buildings?

Access can vary. Some tours have entered Earnestine and Hazel’s and other stops, while other experiences have taken place outside. Confirm current indoor access before booking.

How large can the group be?

The maximum group size is 35 people.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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

Is the tour accessible to most people?

The tour information says most people can participate, but one experience raised concerns about disability access and support. If you have specific mobility needs, contact the provider before booking to confirm the route and assistance available.