Top Memphis Culture in 2026

Just arrived in Memphis? Start your visit with a relaxed 60-minute downtown orientation. Instead of a traditional history tour, this experience is designed to help you get your bearings, see the city's most recognizable landmarks, and understand how everything connects, from Beale Street and the Mississippi River to South Main and the National Civil Rights Museum. Along the way, you'll get helpful local tips on where to eat, where the music happens, and how to easily explore the city on your own. You'll also spot the Elvis status many visitors miss and hear about the historic Arcade Restaurant, where Elvis loved his peanut butter and banana sandwich. The experience concludes at the Peabody Hotel in time to see the famous Peabody Ducks. Guests also receive access to a self-guided Beale Street experience that explores the music history and iconic spots along this legendary street. It's a great way to explore more of Beale Street later at your own pace.

Explore the vibrant history of Memphis with a self-guided walking tour of Beale Street, the birthplace of the blues. Meander through this iconic area, where music and culture intertwine beneath neon lights. Discover significant landmarks such as the Beale Street Baptist Church and the Withers Collection Museum & Gallery, showcasing the rich African American heritage and civil rights history. Visit A. Schwab, the oldest general store, and the historic W.C. Handy Home and Museum that honors the 'Father of the Blues.' The tour culminates at the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, celebrating the evolution of music that resonates through this legendary street. - Self-guided tour allows for exploration at your own pace - Discover iconic locations like Beale Street Baptist Church and A. Schwab - Learn about legendary musicians and civil rights figures shaped Memphis - Visit modern landmarks including the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum

When in Memphis, taking this tour to Elvis’ childhood home is a must for fans of the King. Enjoy a comfortable, narrated coach ride to the town of Tupelo, Mississippi, and then tour the Elvis Presley Birthplace childhood home, plus the Elvis Presley Museum, and Tupelo Hardware Company—all important sites in his childhood and musical career.

Learn about the haunted history of Memphis on this informative walking tour. Listen as your guide shares stories of famous hauntings and locations known for paranormal activity such as Earnestine and Hazel’s, the Arcade Restaurant, the Green Beetle, and Orpheum Theater. Stop for photos along the route as you delve deep into city’s dark past.

Explore the city of Memphis through the lens of the Civil Rights Movement during this driving sightseeing tour. See key landmarks and monuments that are important to African-American history such as Slave Haven, the National Civil Rights Museum, and Beale Street. Listen to engaging commentary about the history of the area from periods of slavery to the civil rights movement to present-day.

Step into Elvis Presley’s world on this private Memphis tour that goes beyond the usual stops. Visit iconic spots like Beale Street, The Orpheum Theatre, and the Overton Park Shell, where Elvis gave his first big performance, with your guide. Then, with your included tickets, head to Graceland for a self-guided mansion tour where you have a scheduled entry time, an audioguide, and access to the exhibits and museums. It’s the perfect experience for anyone wanting a deeper look into the King’s life and legacy.

Get ready for an action-packed adventure through Memphis! Dive into the city’s story—from its founding in 1819 to its legendary music scene. Catch the famous duck parade at The Peabody Memphis, explore regional history at the Cotton Museum, and celebrate the blues along iconic Beale Street. Snap selfies by the Mississippi River, uncover the secrets of Court Square, and maybe even encounter a ghost at the Orpheum Theatre. Keep your eyes peeled for clues and challenges—this is one tour you won’t want to miss!

The Overton Park Shell is an historic bandshell and museum in the Midtown Memphis oasis known as Overton Park. Lovingly called “The Shell” by Elvis Presley and most others, the storied amphitheater is where Elvis Presley played his first professional gig in 1954 at just nineteen-years-old, bringing live Rock & Roll to the world’s stage in an explosive way during a country music show headlined by yodeler Slim Whitman. The Shell remained important to Elvis and his family, as they continued to regularly visit and perform there over the years. Surviving many ups and downs since opening during The Depression of the 1930s, The Shell is still a cutting-edge regional performing arts pavilion today, offering 50 free concerts yearly accommodating up to 3,000 music lovers in its gorgeous park setting. The Shell’s fascinating story is now told through its new immersive Backstage History Experience guided tour that ties together almost a century of colorful Memphis and Midtown music histories.

Step into the iconic TigerMan Karate Dojo & Museum, the very place where Elvis Presley trained and taught karate from 1970 to 1974. This unique museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the martial arts legacy of the King of Rock 'n' Roll, featuring exclusive artifacts, memorabilia, and the legendary ambulance exhibit. Visitors can also participate in zero-contact karate lessons led by certified instructors in the same dojo where Elvis practiced (when available). Experience the rich history, meet passionate staff, and create unforgettable memories at this one-of-a-kind attraction in Memphis, TN.

Memphis’ pub scene can be tricky to maneuver if you’re new to the city. Let a guide help you find the way during this haunted pub crawl as they lead you to at least three of the city’s most popular bars—while mixing in some spooky stories of ghosts, lore, and local legends, too. Plus, your guide is a real paranormal investigator and can answer any questions you may have and let you know their personal, experienced opinion.

Memphis holds rich music and cultural history that can be tricky to navigate alone. Take the mystery out of your visit by exploring with a local on a private walking tour. This personalized tour allows you to discover the exterior of monuments, including museums, while learning about the city’s history and culture. If you wish to include a museum visit, your guide can customize the itinerary to fit your interests—just let us know in advance. Your guide contacts you beforehand to understand your preferences, ensuring you see the places you truly want to experience. Perfect for families, solo travelers, or couples, this tour offers insider knowledge, hidden gems, and a deeper connection to Memphis.

Take a break from typical walking tours and make your visit to Memphis more fun and interactive with this app-led scavenger hunt. Discover hidden gems, local trivia, and complete challenges while walking among the city's iconic landmarks. Collaborate with your team as you play together for a unique way to see the city; great for a bachelor(ette) party, corporate event, or friend adventure.

Walk beyond the neon signs of today's Beale Street and step into the crucible of American music and Black excellence. On this immersive journey, you will discover how the Blues was forged as a tool of survival, how segregated theaters birthed legendary art, and how the fight for Civil Rights was documented, debated, and fought on these very pavements. This is the hidden, beating heart of Memphis. - A 1.0 km self-guided tour with 6 stops over 69 min - Ideal for travelers interested in History & Memory and Pop Culture & Media Landscapes - Immersively told in a podcast style by experts and locals - Matching audio content, AI guide and navigation through the app

Just arrived in Memphis? Start your visit with a relaxed 60-minute downtown orientation. Instead of a traditional history tour, this experience is designed to help you get your bearings, see the city's most recognizable landmarks, and understand how everything connects, from Beale Street and the Mississippi River to South Main and the National Civil Rights Museum. Along the way, you'll get helpful local tips on where to eat, where the music happens, and how to easily explore the city on your own. You'll also spot the Elvis status many visitors miss and hear about the historic Arcade Restaurant, where Elvis loved his peanut butter and banana sandwich. The experience concludes at the Peabody Hotel in time to see the famous Peabody Ducks. Guests also receive access to a self-guided Beale Street experience that explores the music history and iconic spots along this legendary street. It's a great way to explore more of Beale Street later at your own pace.

Before the mansion, there was Memphis. On this private Elvis tour in Memphis, you'll discover the overlooked places where Elvis Presley first found his sound — the apartment, the stage, and the studio where rock ’n’ roll quietly began. Led by a local Memphis musician and Elvis historian who has spent years performing on Beale Street, this tour explores the neighborhoods, schools, recording studios, and stages where Elvis Presley lived, learned, and first electrified audiences. Along the way you'll visit legendary locations connected to Elvis’s early life including Sun Studio, Beale Street, Humes High School, and the Overton Park Shell — the stage where Elvis shocked Memphis in 1954. If you want to understand how Elvis became Elvis, this is the tour.

Memphis is renowned for its musical legacy, as well as its rich history and heritage. With this walking tour, enjoy a comprehensive introduction to the southern Tennessee city. Stroll down Beale Street, the home of Blues music; admire views along the Mississippi River; and look out for the famous Peabody Ducks. Finally, learn more about Memphis' history at the National Civil Rights Museum and see the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated.

Embark on an unforgettable expedition through the heart and soul of Memphis with a 2-hour private Memphis city guided tour. Traverse beyond downtown, unraveling the allure of neighborhoods like Uptown, Pinch District, North Memphis, Soulsville, and Cooper-Young. Brace yourself for a thrilling escapade in your air-conditioned 2016 Mazda 3. Let the vibrant history and unique charm of each corner of Memphis reveal itself to you in an enthralling journey you won't soon forget.

Music wasn’t invented in Memphis, but some of the best songs were written in these city streets. Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, B.B. King, and plenty more iconic musicians rocked Memphis over the last century, and this walking tour is your private history lesson. Learn about W.C. Handy, Sam Phillips, and other artists who influenced the music industry. This private tour includes a full-day trolley pass and tickets to the Rock n’ Soul Museum.