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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).
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.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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)
History of yellow fever in Memphis
History of WDIA, the "Goodwill Station"
Guided tour of Orpheum Theater: Since 1928, the Orpheum has been the epicenter of entertainment in Memphis. Enjoy a guided tour of this working theater.
415 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
elizabethpN6745KN,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Definitely 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!
167catrinah,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
A 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.
D3432IYnorbertb,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Our 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.


martinxxxx2013,
Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Interesting. Good pace and only 1.5 hours that fit into our day. Would recommend to get more than the music story of Memphis.
marthamW297GJ,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Kate 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!
Howard Z,
Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Taylor 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.
stasch margolin,
Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
We had an excellent tour with Taylor Nicole. She was knowledgeable and helped us understand the history of the city. It was great hearing the stories and seeing several sights.



Andydobs,
Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
A great tour. Very interesting and a very knowledgeable guide. Definitely worth doing if you’re visiting Memphis. It’s a 10/10 from us.
Robin K,
Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Our guide was very knowledgeable and his narration was easy to folllow. He was open to questions. Would highly recommend. Just don’t try to book by phone the call center I talked to kept asking my name, had a horribly static connection , and hung up on me. Found it was simpler to book on line .




61Boss,
Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
We're glad we chose this tour and we happened to have a private experience early on a Sunday morning. We learned a lot from our very well--informed guide, Mary. We feel we have a much better understanding of Memphis and its history now. We also did the Beale Street music tour in the afternoon, which also was good. There was a street festival going on at the same time. This made for a fun atmosphere but perhaps detracted a bit from the overall experience. If you are coming to Memphis, do both!
Operated by Backbeat Tours