Memphis at night feels like a different city. On this walking ghost tour, you follow a local guide around the downtown area while hearing haunted stories tied to places you can actually see—starting near the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel and ending at Earnestine & Hazel’s. I like that it mixes real Memphis landmarks with spooky local lore, so it feels more like a night out with a friend than a lecture.

Two other things I really like: the small-group setup (max 20) and the photo pauses so you can stop, look, and take pictures as the story builds. One consideration: it runs on foot for about 1.5 hours, so if you want lots of indoor time or you hate walking after dark, plan for a fully outdoors experience in all weather.

Key Highlights Worth Knowing Before You Go

• Max 20 people keeps the pace manageable and the guide’s attention more personal
• Start at the Broom Closet (552 S Main St) and end at Earnestine & Hazel’s (531 S Main St)
• Two key stops are outside-only with free look-arounds at the Lorraine Motel and the final location
• Photo stops on the route help you document what you’re hearing, not just passing by
• Some guides may bring tools used for ghost-hunting style participation, like K2/SL2 meters and divining rods

Starting At The Broom Closet: Getting Oriented Fast

The tour kicks off at 8:00 pm at the Broom Closet, right on S Main St (552 S Main St). This is a smart start point because you’re already in the thick of downtown, where the sidewalks are easy to navigate and the walk won’t feel like a long transfer between distant neighborhoods.

Because it’s a small group (up to 20), you can usually settle in quickly. I like that early momentum matters on a nighttime walk. You’re not standing around waiting for stragglers while your interest cools off.

You’ll also be on a mobile ticket, so you can focus on getting to the meeting spot instead of hunting for a paper slip. And since the tour is designed to operate in all weather conditions, I’d treat this like any other night walk: dress for comfort first, then lean into the spooky part.

Lorraine Motel Stop: A Historic Site With A Ghost-Told Angle

The first named stop is at the National Civil Rights Museum – Lorraine Motel area. The format is simple: you spend about 15 minutes looking around outside, with a few stories tied to the site.

That matters for two reasons. First, you’re not stuck inside a museum waiting out a tour schedule. You get a quick, focused moment to orient yourself on the location and hear the guide connect it to Memphis’s haunted reputation. Second, the time window stays tight enough that the tour doesn’t drag.

Also, there’s no added admission ticket cost for this stop during the tour. Even if you’re not planning to go deep into exhibits, you still get something valuable: a guided way to watch your surroundings change from normal street view to story-linked place.

The only caution here is tone. This is Memphis, and the tour is built around hauntings and paranormal activity. If you’re sensitive to heavier themes, you may want to keep your expectations realistic and take breaks if you need a breather.

The Earnestine & Hazel’s Finale: Where The Tour Ends

The tour ends at Earnestine & Hazel’s, only a few steps away from where it begins. You get another ~15 minutes at this notorious haunt spot, again with a close-up feel and stories geared toward what makes the place stand out in local paranormal talk.

I like the choice to end here because it’s a natural landing spot. You’re not walking away into empty blocks at the end of a night. Instead, you finish right where the vibe is built for hanging out—so if you want to keep the conversation going, it’s right there.

One small detail I’d keep in mind: the overall duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes, and you’ll finish at the end of the planned walking section. If you tend to arrive hungry for food or thirsty for a drink, I’d treat the finale as your cue to plan for that.

The Route’s Big Names: Arcade, Green Beetle, And Orpheum

Along the way, you’ll hear about several well-known Memphis locations connected to famous hauntings and paranormal activity. The tour highlights include the Arcade Restaurant, the Green Beetle, and Orpheum Theater, plus the main anchor locations already mentioned (Lorraine Motel and Earnestine & Hazel’s).

You won’t just hear a name and move on. The tour is set up with photo stops along the route, so you’re more likely to remember the actual streets and facades that the guide is pointing to. That turns a list of stops into something you can visualize later when you’re back at your hotel trying to place where each story happened.

If you like a night walk that feels like a guided scavenger hunt for spooky city corners, these stops are a good fit. On the other hand, if you want a tour that focuses strictly on one location in depth, this format may feel a bit “many places, limited time” since it’s built for a walking route.

How The Tour Works In Real Life: Pace, Participation, And Stories

The core of this experience is the walking pace plus the guide’s storytelling. You’re with a local guide, and the tone is meant to feel informative while staying firmly in the ghost-story lane. Since the group is capped at 20, you’re less likely to get lost in the shuffle, and it’s easier to ask questions when something piques your curiosity.

A fun twist from past groups: some guides bring hands-on ghost-hunting tools. For example, one guide named Tonya is mentioned as bringing a K2, SL2, and divining rods so the group could try some activity during the tour. Another guide named Damon is credited with being great, and there’s also mention of Matt leading an experience that balanced the creepy with Memphis history themes.

I’d frame this as a bonus, not a guarantee. The tour is primarily about the walking and the stories, but the presence of tools can make the night feel more interactive if your guide has them ready.

Either way, the structure stays consistent: walk, listen, look, pause for photos, and keep moving long enough to feel like a true evening adventure without exhausting you before you finish.

Price And Value: Why $30 Makes Sense For This Format

At $30, this tour is priced in a way that feels achievable for a one-night splurge—especially in a city where you might otherwise pay more for bus tours or museum-heavy evenings. What helps the value is what the ticket includes.

You’re covered for local taxes and you get a local guide, and the experience is about 90 minutes long. For that time, you’re not just “walking around.” You’re getting guided context tied to specific downtown locations that people associate with hauntings.

Also, two tour anchor stops have free look-arounds during the tour time: the Lorraine Motel area and Earnestine & Hazel’s. That reduces the chance you’ll feel like the tour is constantly asking you for extra money just to see the next place.

My practical take: if you want a memorable Memphis night that doesn’t require a complicated plan, $30 is a fair buy. If you’re the type who hates walking and already knows you’ll want to stay seated, then it’s not the best match. But if you enjoy city streets, storytelling, and the fun of seeing how locals link places to the paranormal, it’s good value.

Weather And Comfort: The Small Things That Decide Whether You Enjoy It

This tour runs in all weather. That’s a plus for planning peace of mind, but it also means you should show up ready.

Here’s what I’d do so you can focus on the stories instead of being uncomfortable:

• Wear shoes you can walk in for about 1.5 hours
• Bring a light layer even if the day was warm, since evenings on foot can feel cooler
• Use an outer layer if rain shows up, because you’re outside for the Lorraine Motel area and at the end location
• Bring a charged phone for the photo stops and the mobile ticket

One more practical point: since the tour includes a walking route in downtown, it helps if you’re comfortable navigating sidewalks at night. The experience is designed to run smoothly, but your comfort still affects your mood when the spooky stories start.

Who This Memphis Ghost Tour Is Best For

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want a downtown walking tour with a tight schedule and minimal waiting
• Enjoy places tied to paranormal lore, especially the specific Memphis names mentioned (Lorraine Motel area, Earnestine & Hazel’s, Arcade Restaurant, Green Beetle, Orpheum Theater)
• Prefer small groups over crowded tours
• Like your evenings guided—so you’re not trying to piece together the route and the stories alone

It may be less ideal if you:

• Really dislike walking after dark or want mostly indoor time
• Need a very quiet tour experience, since the point is to swap spooky stories and photo pauses while moving through downtown

Children can go, with an important rule: children must be accompanied by an adult. If you’re bringing kids, you’ll want to plan around night walking and keep expectations aligned with a paranormal-themed storytelling tour.

Should You Book This Walking Ghost Tour in Memphis?

Book it if you want an easy, well-structured night that mixes recognizable downtown Memphis landmarks with ghost stories—and you like the idea of getting out for a guided walk instead of staying inside.

Skip it if your idea of a great evening is mostly seated, mostly quiet, or mostly indoor. Since it’s an outdoor walking experience with a 90-minute timeline, the tour works best when you’re comfortable being on your feet.

If you do book, my one piece of advice is simple: go in open-minded, dress for the weather, and treat each stop as a snapshot. This tour is built to connect the city’s street corners to its haunted reputation. When you match that mindset with comfortable shoes, you’ll get a fun, memorable Memphis night without overthinking it.

FAQ

How much is the Walking Ghost Tour in Memphis?

The tour costs $30.

How long does the tour last?

The duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where do I meet the guide, and where does the tour end?

You meet at The Broom Closet, 552 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103, and the tour ends at Earnestine & Hazel’s, 531 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:00 pm.

Is this tour ticket mobile or paper?

The tour uses a mobile ticket.

What’s the group size limit?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes, it operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, the amount paid will not be refunded.