Memphis History & Heritage: Private Half-Day Walking Tour
Delve into the history and heritage of Memphis, a city founded in 1819 and known worldwide as the "Home of the Blues & Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll", with an iconic music scene and a rich past shaped by the Civil War and the Civil Rights movement.
On your private half-day walking tour, you will:
- See the Elvis Statue, a tribute to the popular rock star, and snap a photo under the famous Beale Street gate arch;
- Stroll down Beale Street - an iconic street and one of the historic centres of African-American culture for nearly two centuries;
- Spot the Main Street Trolley, a heritage streetcar transit system still operating down the streets of Memphis;
- Learn about the heritage of the historic Orpheum Theatre, listed on the National Register of Historic Places;
- Enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the Mississippi River from the Skyway Roof of the Peabody hotel;
- Learn about the hidden General Washburn's Escape Alley used in 1864 in an attempt to run away from Nathan Bedford Forrest sympathizers;
- Discover the WDIA-WHRK Radio Building, home to the first radio station in the US programmed entirely for the black community since 1947;
- See the Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange in the centre of the historic Cotton Row;
- Walk past the Memphis Music Hall of Fame;
- Catch the trolley to reach the National Center for Civil Rights for a self-guided tour.
Like cities, the world over, the history of Memphis is one best understood by knowing the lay of the land, and the geography which shaped it. As you walk through the city, your guide will explain how the city’s features have defined and shaped the institutions and culture of Memphis.
Visit historic Beale Street - where nightclubs, pawnshops, restaurants, and theatres have been playing the blues for over a century.
Learn about the street’s history dating back to the mid-19th century, where Black commerce thrived in spite of the odds. Hear tales of Ida B Wells, 'Beale Street Blues', B.B. King, and Dr King.
Then, enter into the heart of the American story at the National Center for Civil Rights Museum, where your guide will take you on an hour tour.
Learn about the legacy of Memphis in the struggle for Civil Rights, and see the Lorraine Motel - now part of the museum - where Dr King was assassinated in 1968. Hear how the centre continues to play a central role in moving forward the push for civil rights nationwide.
Should you wish to stay beyond the hour to experience the rest of the museum, please do at your own leisure.
