Walk the birthplace of rock, soul, and the blues, one recording booth at a time.
Hand-picked by our editors — only the best 12 music experiences from 47 reviewed.
Verified partners for Memphis Music tours, free cancellation where available, and instant confirmation on every booking.
3 hr
Live music bus tour through the birthplace of blues, rock, and soul with exclusive Sun Studio access
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2 hr
Explore Music City's legendary landmarks, from Beale Street to the Peabody ducks, with expert commentary
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2 hr
Explore the soul of Memphis: blues heritage, civil rights history, and legendary barbecue in one journey
ReservePrices from verified partners. Availability updates in real time at checkout. Free cancellation policies apply where shown.
The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on Memphis Music tours remember — all visible on a single visit.
The site where legendary artists like Elvis and Johnny Cash recorded their early tracks.
Sun Studio Memphis
The heart of Memphis music history featuring numerous blues clubs.
Beale Street Memphis
Dedicated to soul music and the history of the Stax label.
Stax Museum Memphis
A significant historical landmark integral to the Civil Rights movement.
Lorraine Motel Memphis
The iconic home of Elvis Presley and a cornerstone of music history.
Graceland Memphis
Every Memphis Music tour side-by-side — duration, what's included, how you redeem.
| Experience | Duration | Rating | Transfers | Pickup | Guide | Free cancel. | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Standard Entry Most popular
Big Mojo Sun Studio & Memphis Music History Bus Tour
|
3 hr | ★ 4.8 | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | €57 | Book → |
|
Standard Entry
Memphis Highlights Tour with Optional River Cruise & Sun Studio
|
2 hr | ★ 4.6 | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | €39 | Book → |
|
Standard Entry
Memphis Discovery Bus Tour
|
2 hr | ★ 4.7 | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | €43 | Book → |
All prices from verified partners. Availability and exact terms confirmed at checkout.
Broad sightseeing excursions offer a comprehensive overview of city landmarks, whereas studio-focused experiences provide an immersive dive into the legacy of legendary recording sessions.
| Feature | Top pick Memphis Music Tour | Memphis Music Studio Tours |
|---|---|---|
Scope of Experience |
City-wide music history overview | Deep-dive into specific recording facilities |
Typical Duration |
2–4 hours | 1–2 hours |
Cost |
0 USD (varies by operator) | 20–30 USD |
Focus |
General sights and cultural narratives | Technical history and recording environment |
Level of Physical Activity |
Low (bus-based) | Low to moderate (walking included) |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: Opt for a general memphis music tour if you prefer a wide-ranging introduction, or choose studio tours for a specialized look at the birthplace of rock and roll memphis music tour tours; memphis music tour tickets for the latter offer distinct access compared to the inclusive memphis music tour tour bundles.
Choose your ticket, select your date, and reserve in under two minutes. Secure checkout handled by our verified partner.
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Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.
Practical details for Memphis Music tickets straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.
Memphis, TN
Primary hub for many departures.
Open in Google MapsLocal routes serve the downtown area, providing access to major memphis music tour starting points.
Readily available across the city for direct access to your memphis music tour.
Casual attire is recommended for any memphis music tour, though comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring landmarks on foot.
Smaller bags are generally permitted, but large backpacks may be restricted depending on the specific memphis music tour requirements. Security checks may occur at indoor venues visited during your memphis music tour.
Photography is generally encouraged throughout your memphis music tour, though some indoor studios or museums may restrict flash or video recording. Always check with your guide during your memphis music tour to ensure compliance with venue rules.
Accessibility varies significantly by memphis music tour operator and vehicle type. Contact your specific provider in advance to confirm if a memphis music tour can accommodate wheelchairs or limited mobility.
Mobile phones are permitted for photos and personal use during your memphis music tour. Please silence devices during performances or guided commentary.
Many memphis music tour experiences are family-friendly, but always check age requirements before booking memphis music tour tickets. Children under 5 may be free on some bus-based memphis music tour options.
Food and beverages are typically not included on a standard memphis music tour. Guests are encouraged to explore local eateries near Beale Street before or after their memphis music tour.
Pets are generally not permitted on bus or museum-based memphis music tour experiences. Service animals may be allowed with advance notice.
As there is no single memphis music tour, please confirm your meeting point carefully. Most providers depart from central locations like Beale Street for these sightseeing excursions.
Best time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
How crowds, weather, and events shift across the year.
Mild temperatures and vibrant atmosphere perfect for a memphis music tour in the city.
Cooler weather makes exploring outdoor musical landmarks comfortable.
Expect high temperatures and peak crowds for every popular memphis music tour.
Quieter period, though some seasonal closures may affect your memphis music tour plans.
Small details that turn a good visit into a great one.
Popular memphis music tour options sell out quickly, so reserve in advance.
Confirm if your memphis music tour ticket includes museum entry or just transport.
Aim to arrive during the 09:00–17:00 arrival window for the best access to city landmarks.
Memphis can be humid, so dress comfortably for your outdoor or bus memphis music tour.
Non-bookable sights within a short walk — free to visit, easy to pair.
Historic studio where rock 'n' roll legends recorded.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
Most memphis music tour operators offer full refunds for cancellations made at least 24 hours in advance. Please verify the specific policy for your memphis music tour tickets at the time of purchase as individual operator terms vary.
Hand-picked options within walking distance — pick a district for vibe, or a specific hotel for convenience.
Historic hotel famous for its duck march.
Between 1950 and 1975, a six-block stretch of Memphis real estate produced more consequential recorded music than any comparable parcel on earth. Sun Studio at 706 Union Avenue captured Elvis Presley's first acetate in 1953, then Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Howlin' Wolf in rapid succession.
Three miles south, Stax Records pressed Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, and the blueprint for Southern soul. Beale Street, the corridor W.C. Handy christened the home of the blues in 1909, remains the live proving ground where three generations of guitar slingers learned to work a crowd. No other American city condensed so many foundational genres into so compact a geography.
Memphis music tourism centers on this triangle of landmarks, each preserved with varying degrees of fidelity. Sun Studio still operates as a working facility; guided Memphis music studio tours run hourly, and visitors stand in the same tiled room where Ike Turner recorded "Rocket 88," often cited as the first rock and roll single. The Stax Museum occupies a rebuilt structure on the original McLemore Avenue site, housing the label's analog console, Isaac Hayes's gold-plated Cadillac, and the world's only comprehensive soul-music archive. Beale Street itself is a three-block historic district of neon-lit clubs, where live sets start at noon and run past midnight. The Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, a Smithsonian-affiliated institution adjacent to FedExForum, chronicles the rural-to-urban migration that funneled Delta blues and Appalachian country into the city's recording studios.
Memphis music tour highlights vary by operator and format. Bus-based Memphis music bus tour itineraries typically bundle Sun, Stax, and a Beale Street photo stop into a half-day loop. Walking-focused Memphis music history tour routes trace the Beale Street corridor, stopping at the W.C. Handy House Museum, A. Schwab's dry-goods emporium, and the brass notes embedded in the sidewalk honoring B.B. King, Rufus Thomas, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Evening Memphis mojo music tour departures often include a reserved club seat and a set by a working Memphis band. Independent music in memphis today offerings range from multi-day recording workshops at Sun to private archival sessions at the Blues Hall of Fame.
The city's music infrastructure remains economically and culturally active. Beale Street hosts 200 music events in memphis annually, from the Beale Street Music Festival in May to free Saturday-afternoon sessions at Handy Park. Royal Studios, where Al Green recorded his Hi Records catalog, now offers walk-in tours four days a week. The Memphis music concert calendar includes residencies at the Orpheum Theatre, blues showcases at the New Daisy, and tribute acts at Elvis Presley's Memphis complex on the Graceland campus. Music in memphis tonight can mean a slide-guitar lesson at the Blues Hall, a gospel service at Full Gospel Tabernacle, or a late set at the Green Room on Beale.
"Between 1950 and 1975, a six-block stretch of Memphis real estate produced more consequential recorded music than any comparable parcel on earth."
A step-by-step walkthrough of Memphis Music tickets — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.
You start at Sun Studio mid-morning, when the Union Avenue sidewalk is still quiet. Inside, the guide hands you headphones and cues the original master of "Blue Moon of Kentucky." You stand on the black-and-white checkerboard tile where Elvis stood, the same RCA ribbon mic suspended overhead.
The 30-minute session ends with a chance to record your own take in the live room.
From there, a 12-minute drive south brings you to the Stax Museum. You enter through a recreation of the original marquee, then descend into the label's control room, restored with the original Scully tape decks and the mixing board that shaped "Green Onions." The Isaac Hayes wing displays his Oscar, his peacock-blue Super Fly costumes, and the 24-karat Eldorado. Allow 90 minutes.
You reach Beale Street by early afternoon. The brass notes in the sidewalk guide you from Handy Park to B.B. King's Blues Club, where a three-piece combo is already working through a slow 12-bar shuffle. You order ribs at one of the open-air counters and claim a seat near the stage. By 5 p.m., the street is dense with sound—horns from one doorway, a slide guitar from another, a full drum kit rattling the windows of the Rum Boogie Cafe.
There is no single operating schedule; hours vary by operator, but generally fall within the 09:00–17:00 arrival window.
Accessibility depends on the specific provider, as there is no universal policy for every memphis music tour.
Tours operate out of various locations in Memphis, TN, as there is no single physical address for all services.
Bag policies vary, but most providers restrict large items during a memphis music tour.
Prices vary by third-party operator, as there is no fixed entrance fee of 0 USD for a singular attraction.
The best arrival window is 09:00–17:00, though this varies by the specific memphis music tour schedule.
Many options are family-friendly, though you should check the specific memphis music tour rules for age restrictions.
Yes, photography is generally allowed during a memphis music tour unless otherwise noted by your guide.
Refunds for memphis music tour tickets are handled by your third-party operator based on their specific cancellation policy.
