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Memphis Walking Tour: Explore Historic Landmarks
4.8
416 Ratings
Memphis
Discover the captivating history of Memphis on a leisurely walking tour of historic Cotton Row. Explore Court Square, enjoy river views, and hear tales of rebels and bootleggers.
Discover the captivating history of Memphis on a leisurely walking tour of historic Cotton Row. Explore Court Square, enjoy river views, and hear tales of rebels and bootleggers.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Barboro Alley - Explore the history of yellow fever in Memphis
- WDIA-WHRK Radio Building - Discover the legacy of WDIA, the “Goodwill Station”
- Court Square - Learn about one of Memphis’ oldest and most picturesque parks
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Confederate Park - Renamed Fourth Bluff Park in 2016, this is the site of the Battle of Memphis in June 1862
-…
- Barboro Alley - Explore the history of yellow fever in Memphis
- WDIA-WHRK Radio Building - Discover the legacy of WDIA, the “Goodwill Station”
- Court Square - Learn about one of Memphis’ oldest and most picturesque parks
- Confederate Park - Renamed Fourth Bluff Park in 2016, this is the site of the Battle of Memphis in June 1862
- Mississippi River - Uncover the history and significance of the Mississippi River
- The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange - Delve into the history of the Cotton Exchange and historic Cotton Row
- Memphis Tourism - Formerly known as Howard’s Row, explore the oldest collection of original buildings in Downtown Memphis
- The Peabody Ducks - Discover the history of the South’s Grand Hotel and the Peabody duck march
- The Orpheum Theatre - IF OPTION SELECTED Visit the Orpheum Theater, the premier entertainment venue in Memphis since 1928. If the add-on option is selected, guests can enjoy a guided tour of the building (available Monday-Wednesday only and subject to change based on availability).
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Local taxes
- Orpheum Theater guided tour (if option selected, MONDAY-WEDNESDAY ONLY)
- Professional guide
- Local taxes
- Orpheum Theater guided tour (if option selected, MONDAY-WEDNESDAY ONLY)
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Orpheum Theater guided tour (not available Thursday-Sunday)
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Orpheum Theater guided tour (not available Thursday-Sunday)
Additional Information
This engaging 2-hour walking tour of Memphis offers a delightful exploration of the city’s vibrant history at a relaxed pace. Participants will discover historic Cotton Row and Court Square, the charming and historic center of 19th-century Memphis; enjoy breathtaking views of the Mississippi River; and listen to captivating stories of Civil War rebels…
This engaging 2-hour walking tour of Memphis offers a delightful exploration of the city’s vibrant history at a relaxed pace. Participants will discover historic Cotton Row and Court Square, the charming and historic center of 19th-century Memphis; enjoy breathtaking views of the Mississippi River; and listen to captivating stories of Civil War rebels and Prohibition Era bootleggers. Additionally, guests will witness a cherished Memphis tradition, the renowned March of the Ducks at The Peabody Hotel. This tour is perfect for the entire family.
An optional guided tour of the historic Orpheum Theater is also available (if selected, Monday-Wednesday only).
- 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.
Location
The Peabody Memphis
Union Avenue
Please meet your guide inside the Peabody Hotel Lobby, near the Concierge Desk.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(416 Ratings)
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Katherine_d
Feb 17, 2026
Great Tour of Historic Memphis - Charlie was a fantastic guide - friendly and informative and clearly loves Memphis and its history. The tour was a good pace as well.
Review provided by Viator
Lisa_b
Dec 31, 2025
Enjoyable walk with a knowledgeable and humorous guide. - Our tour guide was great. She was personable, funny, and really knew her history. We enjoyed getting an inside scoop of Memphis
Review provided by Viator
Elizabethpn6745kn
Nov 12, 2025
Excellent walking tour - 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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
167catrinah
Oct 28, 2025
Memphis from The Peabody and back - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
D3432iynorbertb
Oct 25, 2025
Very informative - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Martinxxxx2013
Oct 22, 2025
Memphis walking tour - Interesting. Good pace and only 1.5 hours that fit into our day. Would recommend to get more than the music story of Memphis.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marthamw297gj
Oct 21, 2025
An Unforgettable Morning in Memphis - 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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Howard
Oct 15, 2025
Great walking tour - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stasch_margolin
Oct 15, 2025
Stories of Memphis - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andydobs
Sep 23, 2025
Well worth doing - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
