
2.5 Hours Essence of Memphis African American History Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 189 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 2.5 Hours Essence of Memphis African American History Tour worth booking?
2.5 Hours Essence of Memphis African American History Tour is a 2.5-hour experience in Memphis, United States, from $88 per person. It scores 79 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 189 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 79 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (189)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- $88 per person
On this 2.5 hour African American History tour, we will be your "conductor" and take you on a journey through Memphis that will be sure to open your eyes to some of the most historical sites connected to slavery through
What you get
About this experience
On this 2.5 hour African American History tour, we will be your "conductor" and take you on a journey through Memphis that will be sure to open your eyes to some of the most historical sites connected to slavery through to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. There is so much more to Memphis than Downtown to experience, so we will also explore some of our interesting neighborhoods. This tour is for residents, families, and visitors who are looking for the activities to do that are safe, fun and insightful.
What's included
Included
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What you'll see and do
National Civil Rights Museum - Lorraine Motel
From our vehicle you will see the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, room 306 where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. This is also the location of the National Civil Rights Museum.
Pass by without stopping
Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum
This was once the home of Jacob Burkle, a German immigrant who chose to participate in the Underground Railroad. This home was a stop on the Underground Railroad and is now a museum.
Pass by without stopping
Beale Street
We will tell you the "rest of the story" about this most iconic street. Once referred to as the Negro Mainstreet USA.
Pass by without stopping
Historic Mason Temple
This is the world headquarters for the Church of God in Christ. It was here where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his last speech, "I've Been to the Mountaintop" less than 24 hours before he was assassinated.
Pass by without stopping
Clayborn Temple
It was in this church, built in the late 1800's, Sanitation Workers gathered to strategize the strike that caused Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to come to Memphis.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Memphis
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- A Tour of Possibilities, LLC
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Dress code is smart casual
- This tour does not stop for guests to visit museums. Visits can be made at your leisure on your own. We will drive by sites with narration.
- A minimum of 4 travelers are required to operate this tour. (This can be achieved with more than one party making a reservation)
- You will be contacted if the minimum requirement to operate is not reached.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 189 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
189 verified traveler reviews for 2.5 Hours Essence of Memphis African American History Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Memphis, Tn Tour
Our Tour Guide Queen was an excellent host! She was welcoming, informative, knowledgeable, and very personable. She provided a wealth of knowledge about the city of Memphis and its hidden jewels.
via Viator
Devin, our tour guide,...
Devin, our tour guide, was great !!! The tour was exceptional. I learned a lot. The tour was a unique experience. Devin provided detailed information about each site. I learned alot about Black Memphis.
Response from the operator: Thank you for this awesome review. We appreciate you sharing your experience!
via Viator
Meeting a True Queen. Our History, Our Mission
My wife surprised me the day before tour. For someone who grew up in Southern Louisiana, stories of who we are was through oral history. Queen was an inspiration that touched me spiritually. My wife and I talked about our experience that day as soon as we got in our vehicle. We are still talking about it. She filled out gaps that I did not realize was missing. An example was why my mother never trusted banks. She explained that it was not avaliable for women to have alone until 1974. Epiphany. Thank you Queen!
Response from the operator: It was our absolute pleasure! Thank you for sharing this awesome review. Your support is priceless!!
via Tripadvisor
Learned alot of history...
Learned alot of history that was good and helped to complete the vacation.. This allows us to shatter with our loved ones
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience with A Tour of Possibilities!
via Viator
Queen was awesome and...
Queen was awesome and amazing. So much history and knowledge packed into our tour. I highly recommend this tour.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your support by sharing your experience!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 66
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 79
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
2.5 Hours Essence of Memphis African American History Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Memphis.
How much does 2.5 Hours Essence of Memphis African American History Tour cost?
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Prices start at $88 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Memphis usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 2.5 Hours Essence of Memphis African American History Tour take?
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Plan for about 2.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Memphis is not rushed.
Is 2.5 Hours Essence of Memphis African American History Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 79 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 189 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Memphis, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 2.5 Hours Essence of Memphis African American History Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 2.5 Hours Essence of Memphis African American History Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 2.5 Hours Essence of Memphis African American History Tour?
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Around 66 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Memphis can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Memphis and add a light layer if any part of the 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 2.5 Hours Essence of Memphis African American History Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Memphis within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Memphis?
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Memphis is music and food: Graceland with VIP access tiers, Sun Studio and Stax, Beale Street blues crawls, National Civil Rights Museum visits and barbecue tours through the pits. Graceland ticket tiers are confusing, so we weight clear inclusions. On Outty we rank every Memphis experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Memphis Mojo Bus Tour, Taste of Downtown Memphis Food Tour, Memphis Signature Guided Brewery Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Memphis?
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March to May and September to November. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Memphis?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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