Walk 1.5 miles of downtown Memphis history with the author of a local guidebook
2 hours
Guide, Walking tour
Explore the Bluff City on a 2-hour guided walking tour led by the author of A Guide to Historic Downtown Memphis. Cover about 1.5 miles as you hear stories from Memphis’s river-town roots to Civil War events and Prohibition-era characters.
Route and stops may vary, and you’ll walk about 1.5 miles on city-maintained sidewalks. Wheelchairs and walkers are welcome at the guest’s discretion. Tour operates rain or shine unless there are severe weather warnings.
Full refund with 24 hours notice of cancellation. Full refund in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. No-shows will be charged the full price.
Arrive 15 minutes before the tour starts, and check in at the ticket counter no later than 10–15 minutes before departure.
The walking tour operates rain or shine, unless there are severe weather warnings.
Plan on about 1.5 miles of walking on city-maintained sidewalks.
149 Union Ave. Memphis, TN US 38103
Backbeat Tours delivers memorable experiences across Memphis with guides who clearly love what they do. Reviewers consistently praise the knowledge and personality of guides like Charlie, Sheena, Emily, and Mary, who bring the city's rich music history to life with live performances and engaging storytelling. The variety is impressive—from 90-minute Music Mojo tours to walking tours covering true crime and haunted history, plus longer experiences that bundle museums and Mississippi River cruises. Many families appreciate how educational yet entertaining these tours are, with one parent even counting it as a homeschool field trip. The tours provide an excellent orientation to Memphis, especially for first-timers trying to figure out what to prioritize during their stay. The live music element particularly resonates with visitors, who love singing along to classics while learning about the city's role in shaping American music. A couple practical notes: one reviewer mentioned the bus AC struggling on a hot day, and another felt the main tour focused less on Beale Street than expected. However, the overwhelming majority found the experiences worthwhile, with several visitors booking multiple tours during their Memphis stay.
Did a ghost tour and the host Sheena was awesome would recommend it to everyone
Theresa Hufner
April 5, 2026
Did a ghost tour and the host Sheena was awesome would recommend it to everyone
Theresa Hufner
April 5, 2026