Walking Ghost Tour in Memphis

Memphis has a dark side that is easy to miss in daylight. This 90-minute walk uses downtown streets, old buildings, and stories of reported hauntings to connect the city’s past with its ghost lore. You’ll hear about places such as Earnestine & Hazel’s, the Arcade Restaurant, the Green Beetle, and the Orpheum Theater, with time for photos along the way.

I like the small-group format, capped at 20 people, and the way the tour mixes Memphis history with paranormal investigation. I also like that it ends at Earnestine & Hazel’s, a famous and atmospheric place to continue the evening. The main consideration is that this is an outdoor walk at night, so weather, footwear, and your comfort with spooky stories matter.

Key points to know before you book

• Start at 8 p.m. outside The Broom Closet: The meeting point is 552 South Main Street.
• Finish at Earnestine & Hazel’s: The final stop is only a few steps from the starting area.
• Expect history as well as ghost stories: The route includes serious Memphis subjects, including the Lorraine Motel and the city’s past.
• Paranormal tools may be part of the fun: Guides have used K2 and SL2 meters and dowsing rods during the walk.
• Plan for outdoor conditions: The tour runs in all weather, so dress for the forecast and wear comfortable shoes.
• A $30 ticket buys a focused evening activity: Taxes and a local guide are included, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.

Why this Memphis ghost walk works

The best part of this experience is not simply the promise of ghosts. It is the setting. Downtown Memphis has streets and buildings with long memories, and a night walk gives you a different view than a daytime sightseeing tour.

Your guide provides the stories, background, and local context. Guides named Damon, Matt, and Tonya have led this experience, and each appears to bring a slightly different touch. Damon has been praised for his Memphis background and friendly approach. Matt’s version included energy meters, while Tonya used a K2 meter, an SL2 meter, and dowsing rods to give the group something active to try.

That variety matters. A ghost walk can become a string of spooky tales with little connection between them. Here, the strongest parts tie the stories to actual places and to Memphis events. You are not just listening to a guide describe an unnamed haunted house. You are standing near sites with a known place in the city’s story.

The tone also seems flexible. Some of the material is creepy. Some is sad. Some is simply curious. If you want a light entertainment stop with a little history, you can approach it that way. If you prefer serious historical context, the Lorraine Motel stop gives the evening more weight.

Starting at The Broom Closet at 8 p.m.

The tour begins outside The Broom Closet at 552 South Main Street. An 8 p.m. start gives the walk its proper mood without making the whole night too late. The listed duration is about one hour and 30 minutes, which is long enough for several stops but short enough to fit around dinner or other evening plans.

You will want to arrive ready to walk. The tour is outdoors, operates in all weather, and includes photo stops. Comfortable shoes are more useful than anything fancy, and a light jacket or rain layer can make a real difference if the evening turns cool or wet.

The group limit is 20 people. That is not a private tour, but it is small enough for the guide to keep people together and respond to questions. It also gives you a better chance to hear the stories clearly than you might on a large coach-based ghost tour.

The start point is near public transportation. The tour uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided when you book. Children must be with an adult, and service animals are allowed.

The Lorraine Motel and the National Civil Rights Museum

One of the most important moments comes at the Lorraine Motel, now part of the National Civil Rights Museum. The walk stops outside for about 15 minutes, giving you time to look around and hear stories connected with this historic place.

This stop changes the pace of the evening. It is not just a spooky backdrop. The Lorraine Motel is tied to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and the site carries a serious emotional weight. A good guide needs to handle this subject with care, and the tour’s focus on Memphis history gives the stop a purpose beyond paranormal entertainment.

You should not expect admission into the museum as part of this experience. The stop is outside, and no admission ticket is included or required for the walk. If you want to visit the National Civil Rights Museum itself, plan that separately during your Memphis stay.

For me, this is one of the tour’s strongest features. The ghost stories become more meaningful when placed beside real events and real loss. The visit also gives you a chance to take photographs from outside, though you should treat the location respectfully.

The 15-minute stop is brief. That is useful if you want a compact evening walk, but it also means the guide cannot cover everything about the museum or the motel. You will get a focused introduction rather than a full civil rights history lesson.

Stories tied to South Main Street

The walking route brings the city’s older streets into the picture. The guide shares stories connected with places such as the Arcade Restaurant, the Green Beetle, and the Orpheum Theater. These locations help create a sense of Memphis as a city where restaurants, theaters, bars, and old commercial buildings all have their own tales.

The experience is strongest when the guide explains why a location matters before adding its ghost story. Background information gives you a reason to care about the place, even if you are not fully convinced by paranormal claims.

You may hear about unusual sightings, reported activity, or local stories passed from one person to another. The tour description does not promise proof of ghosts, and that is worth keeping in mind. Think of the paranormal side as folklore and an invitation to look more closely, not as a scientific demonstration.

The photo stops are a practical bonus. A walking tour can sometimes feel rushed, with one story ending just as the group moves on. Pausing for photos lets you enjoy the buildings and street views instead of treating the route as a race.

Ending at Earnestine & Hazel’s

The walk ends at Earnestine & Hazel’s, 531 South Main Street. This is only a few steps from the starting point, so you do not need to arrange a complicated return journey. That simple route is especially helpful at night.

Earnestine & Hazel’s is presented as a notoriously haunted site, and the final stop gives the tour a strong finish. You get close to the building and hear stories connected with it rather than merely passing by from across the street.

The end point also has a social advantage. Some guides and participants have continued with a drink at the bar after the formal tour. That is not a guaranteed part of the ticket, but it gives you an easy option if you want to keep talking about the evening.

You should note that the tour ticket covers the local guide and local taxes, not drinks or other purchases. The ending works best if you see it as an optional place to linger, not as an included bar experience.

Paranormal tools add a hands-on element

A few details make this more than a standard storytelling walk. Guides have used K2 and SL2 meters and dowsing rods during the experience. These tools give you something to watch and try as the guide discusses possible activity.

That hands-on element can be fun for families with older children, curious first-time ghost hunters, or anyone who likes a little theater with their history. It also helps break up the listening. You are not standing still for 90 minutes while someone talks.

At the same time, you should keep your expectations sensible. The equipment does not prove that a ghost is present. The entertainment comes from using the tools in an old setting and deciding for yourself how seriously to take the results.

The guide makes a big difference here. Tonya’s use of several tools suggests an active style, while Matt’s tour also included energy meters. The exact guide and equipment may vary, so do not book on the assumption that one particular tool is guaranteed.

Price, value, and the small-group tradeoff

At $30, this is a fairly simple evening activity, but it offers more than a short ghost story. You get about 90 minutes with a local guide, several historic locations, photo opportunities, and a final stop at Earnestine & Hazel’s. Local taxes are included.

The value is best if you want both Memphis context and spooky entertainment. If you only want a detailed historical tour, the paranormal framing may not suit you. If you want a theatrical haunted attraction with actors, props, and elaborate sets, this walking experience may feel more understated.

The group limit of 20 keeps the price below a private tour while giving you a more personal setting. You can ask questions, hear the guide, and take part in paranormal activities without being lost in a large crowd.

A 4.5 rating from 15 ratings and a 93 percent recommendation mark suggest a strong early reception, though the sample is small. The feedback points most clearly to the guides, the Memphis background, and the fun of using paranormal tools. One piece of useful criticism is that some people wanted more detail. That is fair. A 90-minute walk must choose its stories carefully.

Who will enjoy this evening walk

I would recommend this tour to you if you like local history with a spooky edge. It suits couples, friends, families with accompanied children, and visitors who want a structured night activity rather than another daytime attraction.

It is also a good choice if you are staying near downtown or South Main Street. The start and end points are close together, and the route does not require a car between stops.

You may want to choose something else if you dislike walking outdoors at night, want a fully indoor activity, or prefer a long historical lecture with extensive detail. The tour is informative, but it also aims to entertain. Some stories may be unsettling, and the Lorraine Motel stop is emotionally serious.

Because the walk runs in all weather, check the forecast before you leave. Rain will not automatically cancel the activity. Dress appropriately, bring suitable footwear, and avoid treating this as a dress-up occasion.

Practical details that affect your night

Your mobile ticket should be confirmed at booking time. The experience begins at 8 p.m., and arriving a little early is sensible so you can find The Broom Closet without starting the evening in a rush.

The tour lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes. The two specifically timed stops are the Lorraine Motel, about 15 minutes, and Earnestine & Hazel’s, about 15 minutes. The remaining time is used for walking, stories, photo stops, and other locations along the route.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The activity is near public transportation, which helps if you do not have a car.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off is based on local Memphis time.

Should you book the Walking Ghost Tour in Memphis?

Book it if you want a compact, reasonably priced night walk that combines Memphis history, reported hauntings, and a little hands-on ghost hunting. The Lorraine Motel adds substance, while Earnestine & Hazel’s gives the evening a natural social finish.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to first-time Memphis visitors who want a local guide and an easy downtown activity. Go with the right expectations: this is a story-driven walking tour, not proof of the supernatural and not a full museum visit.

Wear good shoes, prepare for the weather, and leave room for the guide’s style. Damon, Matt, and Tonya have each brought different strengths, from city background to meters and dowsing rods. At $30, the experience offers a good amount of atmosphere and context in a manageable 90-minute format.

FAQ

Where does the Walking Ghost Tour in Memphis begin?

The tour begins at The Broom Closet, 552 South Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8 p.m.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Earnestine & Hazel’s, 531 South Main Street. The end point is only a few steps from the starting location.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

Is the Lorraine Motel included in the tour?

Yes. The tour stops outside the Lorraine Motel, which is part of the National Civil Rights Museum area, for about 15 minutes. The stop includes time to look around outside and hear stories about the historic site.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children may participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult.

What happens if it rains?

The tour operates in all weather conditions. You should dress appropriately for the forecast.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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