Memphis: 90-minute Haunted Walking Tour

Memphis gets plenty of attention for blues, barbecue, and Beale Street, but this walk follows a darker trail. You’ll hear about Mary at the Orpheum Theater, a Victorian mansion with star-crossed lovers, and the spirits said to haunt Ernestine & Hazel’s.

I like the mix of local history and ghost stories, and I like that the tour goes inside Ernestine & Hazel’s rather than leaving you to view every stop from the sidewalk. The main drawback is physical: you’ll be walking for 90 minutes, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with a low level of fitness.

Key points to know before you book

• Mary has haunted the Orpheum Theater since 1921, linking one of Memphis’s best-known performance spaces to a long-running ghost story.
• Ernestine & Hazel’s is the centerpiece, with entry included and stories about its former life as a brothel, its resident ghosts, and its haunted jukebox.
• The Green Beetle is Memphis’s oldest tavern, and the tour tells of two spirits that have been fighting there for years.
• Guides make a real difference, with Liz, TC, Jana, Jess, Hannah, Daniel, Talia, and Brian all praised for lively storytelling, humor, and local insight.
• The walk begins near Beale Street and finishes at Ernestine & Hazel’s, roughly a 10-minute walk from the departure point.
• The $30 price is fair if you want atmosphere and storytelling, especially because entry to Ernestine & Hazel’s is included.

A ghost walk with Memphis character

This is not a haunted attraction built around actors, props, and jump scares. It is a guided walk through central Memphis, where old buildings, bars, theaters, and stories of vice provide the setting.

That distinction matters. You are not simply moving from one spooky tale to the next. You are also hearing how Memphis developed a reputation for music, nightlife, crime, and unusual characters. The supernatural stories give the walk its hook, while the streets and buildings give it a sense of place.

The route lasts 90 minutes and is conducted in English. You should expect a steady walk with stops for storytelling. Since the tour takes place outdoors for much of the time, comfortable shoes are essential. Bring a camera if you like photographing old facades and atmospheric streets, but the main attraction is the guide’s delivery.

The tone can vary with the guide. Liz and TC are praised for making the stories fun while still offering useful detail. Jess brings clear enthusiasm for paranormal subjects, while Daniel is described as funny. Talia is praised for adding extra insight, and Brian brings strong knowledge of Memphis and clear passion for the city. Guide assignments can change, so you should not book expecting one particular person.

Starting at Alfred’s near Beale Street

Check in at the Backbeat Tours podium at the Patio Bar at Alfred’s. Look for the red podium inside the patio fence and the neon light-up ghost. This is a useful meeting point if you are already spending time around Beale Street, but give yourself enough time to locate the podium before the start.

The setting places you right in the middle of Memphis nightlife. That contrast helps the tour work. You begin among music venues and evening activity, then shift your attention toward stories of spirits, old scandals, and lost souls.

There is no transportation included. The experience is entirely on foot, and the tour ends in a different spot from where it begins. The walk back is not difficult to understand, but it is worth planning for, especially if you have a dinner reservation or another timed activity afterward.

The Orpheum Theater and Mary’s long afterlife

The first major story centers on the Orpheum Theater and Mary, who is said to have haunted performances there since 1921. The theater gives the tale a natural stage: a historic performance venue where lights, music, crowds, and empty seats can all take on a different mood after dark.

You do not receive entry into the Orpheum as part of this tour. The point is to see the building and hear its ghost story from outside. That may disappoint you if you expect a backstage visit or a theater tour, but the stop still works well as an opening chapter.

Mary’s story also sets the tone for the evening. This is a ghost walk tied to real Memphis places, not a collection of unrelated campfire tales. The Orpheum helps connect the paranormal theme to the city’s entertainment culture.

If your interest leans more toward theater architecture or detailed performance history, this stop may feel brief. If you enjoy stories that turn familiar public buildings into mysterious places, it is a strong start.

The John Alexander Austin House and two doomed spirits

The tour then brings you to the John Alexander Austin House, a Victorian-era mansion associated with star-crossed lovers. The building adds a different flavor from the theater and taverns. Instead of a ghost linked to public performance, you hear about a pair of spirits whose story is shaped by romance and tragedy.

This stop should appeal to you if you prefer human stories over simple claims that a place is haunted. A tale about lovers gives the guide room to explain the emotional side of Memphis’s ghost lore, rather than relying only on unexplained noises or sightings.

You should not expect to enter the house. Entry to buildings other than Ernestine & Hazel’s is not included. The experience here is about seeing the exterior, taking in the architecture, and listening to the story in context.

One useful point from the comments about the tour is that some people wanted more general Memphis history alongside the ghost stories. That is a fair expectation to consider. The guides provide local background, but this is still a paranormal walk first. You should book it for atmospheric stories with historical context, not as a full architectural tour of Memphis.

The Green Beetle and its feuding spirits

The Green Beetle is described as Memphis’s oldest tavern and is tied to two spirits that have been fighting for years. This stop brings the tour closer to the rough-edged nightlife that gives Memphis its haunted reputation.

A tavern is a fitting setting for ghost stories. It suggests old arguments, hard living, and layers of memory built up over time. The detail about two spirits still fighting gives the story a touch of dark humor, which helps keep the walk from becoming too solemn.

As with the Orpheum and the John Alexander Austin House, you should expect to see the site and hear the account rather than receive a full indoor visit. The only included building entry is Ernestine & Hazel’s.

This stop may be especially enjoyable if you like folklore with a slightly playful edge. If you want documented paranormal evidence, the tour may feel less convincing. The experience is based on legends and storytelling, so your enjoyment will depend on how willing you are to play along.

Inside Ernestine & Hazel’s, the tour’s main reward

Ernestine & Hazel’s is the biggest reason to choose this particular walk. It is described as the most haunted building in Memphis, and you go inside as part of the tour. The building was formerly a brothel, which gives the guide a substantial setting and a complicated past to discuss.

Here you hear about several ghosts said to remain in the building. You also learn about the haunted jukebox, one of the tour’s most memorable details. The jukebox gives the stop a strong visual and sensory focus, turning the story into something connected to an actual object rather than only to the walls around you.

The bar also gives the evening a natural ending. After the formal tour, you are welcome to stay for a drink or food. That makes the $30 price easier to justify, since the experience includes both the walk and entry into the one interior that forms the heart of the route.

Keep in mind that the atmosphere may not suit everyone. Ernestine & Hazel’s is a bar, and the former brothel setting is part of its identity. If you are looking for a polished museum or a family attraction, this is not that. It is an adult nightlife setting with a spooky reputation.

The tour information says the activity ends at Ernestine & Hazel’s, at 531 South Main Street, approximately a 10-minute walk from the departure point. You can stay there afterward, or join the guide on the walk back toward Beale Street. In practice, plan your evening around the finish at the bar rather than assuming you will be returned by vehicle.

What the guides add to the experience

The guide is the key variable on a walking tour like this. The same buildings can feel ordinary or intriguing depending on how clearly the stories are told.

The guides associated with especially positive comments include Liz and TC, Jana, Jess, Hannah, Daniel, Talia, and Brian. Liz and TC are praised for combining information with fun. Jana is described as a strong storyteller, while Jess is noted for her enthusiasm for paranormal subjects. Hannah is praised for clear information, and Daniel for humor.

Talia is described as going beyond basic expectations and adding information that would otherwise be easy to miss. Brian is praised for his understanding of Memphis and his passion for the city. Those details matter because the tour depends on more than simply naming haunted buildings.

You should also know that the tour may be better for some ages than others. Younger people can enjoy the ghost stories, and one account describes teenagers having a good time. Adults who want more Memphis background may wish for additional history, so ask yourself which side of the experience matters more to you.

Is $30 a fair price?

At $30 per person, this is a midrange evening activity rather than a major splurge. The value comes from three things: a live guide, a 90-minute route through notable Memphis locations, and entry into Ernestine & Hazel’s.

The price is easier to defend if you already enjoy ghost walks and want a local bar at the end. It is also a reasonable choice for a first introduction to Memphis after dark, since the route connects several sites instead of keeping you in one building.

The value is weaker if you are mainly seeking access to historic interiors. Most buildings are viewed from outside, and transportation is not provided. You are paying for the guide’s stories, the route, and the Ernestine & Hazel’s visit.

I would compare it with the cost of another evening activity in Memphis. If you would otherwise spend $30 on a short attraction with little local context, this walk gives you more personal interpretation and a stronger sense of place. Just do not mistake it for a formal history tour or a full theater visit.

Who should book this Memphis ghost walk?

I would recommend it to adults, couples, friends, and older families who enjoy folklore, historic streets, and a little theatrical suspense. It also works well for people who want something different from another music-focused night on Beale Street.

You will get the most from it if you can walk comfortably for 90 minutes, listen while standing outdoors, and accept that the stories are legends rather than proven events. Comfortable shoes are not optional advice here.

I would think twice if you use a wheelchair, have a low level of fitness, or want a fully accessible route. The tour is specifically not suitable for wheelchair users or people with low fitness. I would also choose another activity if you want a quiet, strictly factual account of Memphis history.

Bring a camera, but do not let photography distract you from the guide. The best part of this experience is the way the stories change how you see familiar buildings.

Practical details for a smoother evening

Book a start time that leaves room for the walk to Alfred’s and the post-tour finish at Ernestine & Hazel’s. Availability varies, so check the schedule before planning dinner or a show.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Memphis plans are still shifting.

Weapons and sharp objects are not allowed. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed either. The tour is in English, so you should be comfortable following spoken stories for the full 90 minutes.

The activity information describes the tour as ending back at the meeting point, but the more specific instruction says the walking portion concludes at Ernestine & Hazel’s and that this is about a 10-minute walk from the starting location. Plan around the latter detail, and you will avoid a rushed finish.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a lively introduction to Memphis ghost lore, a walk through older parts of the city, and time inside Ernestine & Hazel’s. The included bar entry, strong guide performances, and mix of theater, mansion, tavern, and former brothel stories make it more interesting than a simple roadside ghost tale.

Skip it if you need step-free access, dislike walking, or want detailed history with little paranormal material. For everyone else, $30 is a sensible price for a compact evening experience, especially if you finish with a drink or meal at Ernestine & Hazel’s.

FAQ

How long is the Memphis Haunted Walking Tour?

The tour lasts 90 minutes. Check availability for current starting times.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $30 per person.

Where does the tour begin?

Check in at the Backbeat Tours podium at the Patio Bar at Alfred’s. Look for the red podium inside the patio fence and the neon light-up ghost.

Where does the tour end?

The walking portion concludes at Ernestine & Hazel’s bar, at 531 South Main Street. This is approximately a 10-minute walk from the departure location.

Is entry to Ernestine & Hazel’s included?

Yes. Entry into Ernestine & Hazel’s is included. Entry into other buildings is not included.

Is transportation provided?

No. Transportation is not included, and the tour is conducted on foot.

What language is the tour in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.