Our most recommended things to do in Beale Street

Memphis: City Tour with Optional Sun Studios & Riverboat

1. Memphis: City Tour with Optional Sun Studios & Riverboat

Visit the landmarks of Memphis and be fascinated as the city comes to life through stories and explanations. Your guide will help you discover the top spots including Peabody Hotel, the Memphis Pyramid, and Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King was murdered. Begin your day with a hotel pickup from downtown Memphis. Be seated in a mini coach-bus to meet your guide. Begin the tour passing by the statues of B.B. King and Elvis Presley and the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Hotel, where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. Stop at A. Schwab for your local buys, an institution that sells all things Memphis—from regional arts and crafts to dry goods, magic potions, candies, books, magazines, and more. Pass by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Continue to the Memphis Pyramid, which is now a Bass Pro Shops “megastore” that resembles an Egyptian pyramid and is filled with shopping, a hotel, restaurants, a bowling alley, and an archery range. From there, stop at the Peabody Memphis, a landmark 13-story downtown hotel, famous for having Ducks march every day on a red carpet throughout the reception. Finally, visit Beale Street, voted as the most iconic street in America by USA Today. See the nearly 2 miles of blues clubs and restaurants that make it one of the top tourist attractions in Memphis. Then, take a drive through Victorian Village, a historic neighborhood with homes that were built in the 1800s and alongside cotton row. Discover why this fiber is so important in Memphis' history. If you wish, upgrade your tour to include a cruise along the Mississippi River aboard a paddlewheel boat. Listen to interesting anecdotes from your captain about Memphis and its history. You may also add a tour to Sun Studios, the birthplace of Rock N' Roll, where Elvis recorded his first song.

Memphis: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour

2. Memphis: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour

Discover the best of Memphis on this hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour with 9 stops and unlimited rides during the duration of your tour pass. Explore the city's monuments, historical attractions, and popular spots in the most flexible and enjoyable way. Visit highlights of the city such as the Blues Hall of Fame, Graceland, the Stax Museum, Sun Studio, the Memphis Pyramid, and more. Find everything from kid-friendly attractions such as the Peabody Hotel to more historical spots such as the National Civil Rights Museum. Adapt your day along the route and based on your interests. Enjoy the convenience of buses passing through the stops every 90 minutes. If you prefer, remain on the bus tour for the entire loop, listening to the informative audio commentary on board. Stops along the hop-on hop-off bus route include: • Ticket Booth/Hard Rock Cafe• National Civil Rights Museum/Blues Hall of Fame• Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum/B.B. King's Blues Club• Stax Museum of American Soul Music• Graceland• Sun Studio• Auto Zone Park/Peabody Hotel• Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid• Tennessee Welcome Center

Memphis: Big Mojo Sun Studio + Music History 3-Hour Bus Tour

3. Memphis: Big Mojo Sun Studio + Music History 3-Hour Bus Tour

Go behind the scenes at Sun Studio and let the Home of the Blues come alive on a city tour aboard the nation's only music bus. All of the guides on this tour are professional Beale Street musicians who will play and sing selections from the city's rich musical heritage, while entertaining you with comedy, history, and stories about your favorite Memphis personalities. Along the way, you will see Sun Studio, Beale Street, Stax Studio, the Lorraine Motel, Cotton Row, Peabody Hotel, Overton Park, Historic Central Gardens, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, and the early homes of Elvis, B.B. King, and Johnny Cash. Enjoy an exciting introduction to Memphis on an action-packed drive through the city. It's great fun for all ages; let loose and sing along as much or as little as you like.

From Nashville: Memphis Tour with Graceland VIP Access

4. From Nashville: Memphis Tour with Graceland VIP Access

Experience the legendary character of Memphis and see why this city is mentioned in more song lyrics than any other place on Earth. Located on the Mighty Mississippi River, Memphis is the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll, the capital of Blues, and home to some of the best BBQ around. Depart by bus and celebrate 60 years of Rock ‘n’ Roll with a visit to Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland. See the burial site of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, walk through the Elvis Car Museum, and see 2 deluxe airplanes that he used for tours and traveling. Enjoy lunch on your own at Graceland and then learn what accident set Rock ‘n’ Roll in motion at Sam Phillips’ famed Sun Studios in the heart of Downtown Memphis on a guided tour. Hear the stories of how many legends got their start here. See the famous Peabody ducks make their way down the red carpet at the Peabody Hotel. Explore Beale Street to dive into some Blues and BBQ or take a stroll to the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. Finish the day with a drive by the Mississippi River.

Memphis: Mojo Music History 90-Minute Bus Tour

5. Memphis: Mojo Music History 90-Minute Bus Tour

Experience how Memphis, The Home of the Blues, comes alive on a city tour aboard the nation's only music bus. Travel with a professional Beale Street musician as your guide who will play and sing selections from the city's rich musical heritage as you cruise through the city. Be entertained with comedy, history, and behind-the-scenes stories of your favorite Memphis personalities along the way. Pass by famous landmarks in music history such as Sun Studio, Beale Street, Stax Studio, The Lorraine Motel, Cotton Row, Peabody Hotel, Overton Park, Historic Central Gardens, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, and the Early homes of Elvis, B. B. King, and Johnny Cash. Receive an exciting introduction to Memphis on this action-packed drive through the city which is great fun for all ages.

Memphis: City Discovery Bus Tour

6. Memphis: City Discovery Bus Tour

Get the complete Memphis experience on this bus tour with an introduction to everything that makes Memphis unique. Discover the renowned Beale Street, Victorian Village, sample food at Central BBQ, and visit Rock 'n' Soul Museum, Edge Motor Museum, or take a scenic cruise on the Mississippi River (if options selected) Among other highlights, you’ll visit the Lorraine Motel to see the balcony where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spent his last moments, and Beale Street to discover how it became the 'home of the Blues". If you choose, explore the exhibitions at either the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum or Edge Motor Museum, and enjoy a sightseeing cruise on the Mississippi River. Pass by some favorite Memphis sights, including I Am A Man Plaza, the Mississippi River, the Orpheum Theater, historic Cotton Row, and Hotel Chisca, where DJ Dewey Philips played Elvis for the first time.   At lunchtime, stop into Central BBQ to sample some of the best barbeque food in Memphis.

Memphis: 1-Hour Beale Street Guided Walking Tour

7. Memphis: 1-Hour Beale Street Guided Walking Tour

Explore Beale Street, the Memphis street which was voted “America’s Most Iconic Street” by USA Today. Learn about Beale Street’s colorful history, from its early days of sin and vice to its heyday as the center of the city’s vibrant African-American culture. Discover the stories behind the legends, musicians, gangsters, politicians, and crooks who helped make Beale Street the “The Home of the Blues.” Visit A. Schwab’s, Beale Street’s oldest store. See Handy Park, a popular venue for outdoor concerts. Check out the clothes at Old Lanksky’s, where Elvis Presley used to buy his suits. Stroll down Saloon Row and see the clubs and bars. See “The Castle of Missing Men,” AKA the Monarch Club, which was known as being the last stop for many unlucky gamblers.

Memphis: 2-Hour Guided Historic Walking Tour

8. Memphis: 2-Hour Guided Historic Walking Tour

This 2-hour walking tour of Memphis sheds light on the city's fascinating history. Memphis has always had something of a dual character or split personality: at once a gracious old-Southern city of riverboats and cotton money, as well as a rowdy river town of roughnecks, gangsters, and gamblers. Your guide will highlight both sides of the city’s history and some of the characters who have made Memphis one of the most unique and colorful places in the world. Along the way you’ll see the Historic Court Square, Fourth Bluff Park overlooking the Mississippi River, and a couple locations significant to the Civil War, including the sites of the Battle of Memphis and Forrest's Raid. Walk through Cotton Row and a gain a new perspective from a rooftop over the city. Pass through Deadman's Alley, Main Street, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s last march. The tour also includes watching the famous March of the Ducks at the Peabody Hotel, a Memphis tradition since 1933.

Memphis: Haunted Memphis Bus Tour

9. Memphis: Haunted Memphis Bus Tour

Memphis has a unique dark history filled with stories of ghosts, murders, legends, and lore. Explore the city’s spooky areas during this haunted Memphis bus tour and cover more ground than you would on just a walking tour. Drive through the city as your guide tells you tales about Memphis that are sure to give you goosebumps. During your tour, you'll make a stop at the historic native mounds, and the famous court Square and take a walk through the breathtaking Victorian Village. Take in the rich history and some of the sights of the city. At the end of the tour, take the bus back to the starting point.

Memphis: Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour of Beale Street

10. Memphis: Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour of Beale Street

This is a location aware, self guided tour on our walking tour app. Go at your own pace, anytime. This tour never expires. And after taking the tour on location, listen to the remote version anytime to relive the tour. The tour is professionally narrated and infused with music to set the mood. You'll see this historic street and hear the tales of the legends that tore it up and made music history. You’ll hear about Elvis, BB King, The father of Blues W.C. Handy, The mayor of Beale Street Rudy Williams and so many more. Along the way I’ll take you to the best spots to eat, drink and take in a live show.

Add dates

Things to do in
Beale Street

13 activities found
Sort by:

Frequently asked questions about Beale Street

What are the most popular museums and exhibitions in Beale Street?

Other Sightseeing Options in Beale Street

Want to discover all there is to do in Beale Street? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Beale Street

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 163 reviews

Although it’s was a 15 hour day, it was organized so well that the time was never an issue. Our driver was friendly, clear and drove excellently.

Really enjoyed our tour. Guide was very knowledgeable and considerable of our comfort and questions.

Nice drive there and back. They play Elvis movies and music. Graceland and sun studio awesome!

We really enjoyed our tour... our guide Shannon was great!!!

Shannon was fantastic! Knowledgeable, personable, and fun.