Historic Memphis Guided Walking Tour: Memphis Beyond Beale
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
This 2-hour walking tour of Memphis explores the city's rich history at a fun and leisurely pace. You'll explore historic Cotton Row and Court Square, the lovely and historic heart of 19th century Memphis; enjoy sweeping views of the Mississippi River; and hear fascinating tales of rebels during the Civil War as well as Prohibition Era bootleggers. You'll also experience a time-honored Memphis tradition, the famous March of the Ducks at The Peabody Hotel. This tour is suitable for the whole family.
Also available is an additional guided tour of the historic Orpheum Theater (if option selected, Monday-Wednesday only).
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Within a few blocks there are four different parking garages, and several open-air parking lots. The closest garage to our location (just two blocks away) is at 149 Peabody Place between Second Street and BB King Blvd., next to the Hampton Inn. You can try your luck with on-street metered parking, too, on Second Street just south of Beale; on Beale between Front and Second; or along Peabody Place from Front to Fourth Street.
Guests who choose the Orpheum Theater guided tour (AVAILABLE MONDAY-WEDNESDAY ONLY) will arrive at the theater for the 12:00pm tour. Your tour guide will depart at that time; the Orpheum Theater is just 2 blocks from where the tour begins.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
History of yellow fever in Memphis
History of WDIA, the "Goodwill Station"
What‘s Included
Professional guide
Local taxes
Orpheum Theater guided tour (if option selected, MONDAY-WEDNESDAY ONLY)
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Orpheum Theater guided tour (not available Thursday-Sunday)
Options
Historic Memphis Walking Tour
Reviews
419 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Shannon gives a great tour!
Elizabeth M,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Shannon was absolutely fantastic. The tour was great - she is well-informed, warm, and delightful. Our entire group loved it! Highly recommended!
Great tour
Rebekah F,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour. The guide was was knowledgeable and friendly. Lots of cool things to see in memphis. Thank you
Great Tour of Historic Memphis
Katherine D,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Charlie was a fantastic guide - friendly and informative and clearly loves Memphis and its history. The tour was a good pace as well.
Enjoyable walk with a knowledgeable and humorous guide.
Lisa B,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide was great. She was personable, funny, and really knew her history. We enjoyed getting an inside scoop of Memphis
Excellent walking tour
elizabethpN6745KN,Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Definitely recommend this walking tour around Memphis - really interesting facts and historical background. Kate our guide was excellent and the 2 1/2 hours went so quickly!
Memphis from The Peabody and back
167catrinah,Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A fascinating tour. Our guide Shannon, was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and very friendly. A great couple of hours that gave us some tips of places to go back to.
Very informative
D3432IYnorbertb,Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide was knowledgeable,considerate, and communicated very well. Highly recommend this tour. The length of the walking tour was just right. It’s a shame that the city wasn’t as vibrant as it could have been. Lots of vacant retail and not much going on but full of history.
Memphis walking tour
martinxxxx2013,Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Interesting. Good pace and only 1.5 hours that fit into our day. Would recommend to get more than the music story of Memphis.
An Unforgettable Morning in Memphis
marthamW297GJ,Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kate met us at the Peabody and shared the history of that hotel. We then walked to the alley where we learned that funeral homes were at each end. We went on to learn about the history and causation of the yellow fever epidemic in Memphis. Kate then wove together these facts, along with the brothel-turned-hospital and the heroic efforts of the brothel’s madame and her staff in treating victims of the fever. She brought all those details together to explain the nickname given the earlier alley Deadman’s Alley - where bodies were held because the two funeral homes were overrun. We then went to the waterfront to be shown the site of the various naval battles as well as learning about the cotton trade and river life. We also learned about a number of historic buildings and characters from Memphis’ history. We learned about the groundbreaking civil rights history made through Memphis radio station WDIA. Our tour culminated at the Peabody, where we were treated to a great view of the festivities surrounding the Parade of the Ducks - the icing on a wonderful and entertaining tour!
Great walking tour
Howard Z,Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Taylor was a great guide. Informative about the history of Memphis. Highly recommend this small tour. We learned about the cotton trade, race relations and of course saw the ducks at the Peabody.
-20% off
From US$26.33Was US$32.92
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Operated by Backbeat Tours