Memphis: City Highlights Tour & Mississippi Riverboat Cruise

Summary

Memphis music history civil rights sites river cruise bbq

You’ll walk Beale Street’s blues-soaked sidewalks, taste real Memphis BBQ before noon (why not?), stand quietly at the Lorraine Motel where history shifted, then drift down the Mississippi River on a classic paddleboat—all with local stories guiding you along. It’s not polished or perfect; it just feels real.

What’s the experience like?

"You ever tried Memphis BBQ at 10am?" That’s what our guide, Marcus, grinned as he handed me a napkin outside some neon-signed joint just off Beale Street. I’d barely finished my coffee but the smell—smoky and sweet, with something sharp under it—made saying no impossible. We’d already strolled past blues bars where you could hear guitar riffs leaking out even in daylight, and Marcus kept tossing in stories about W.C. Handy and teenage Elvis like he’d known them both. The city feels lived-in and loud, even on a Tuesday morning.

I didn’t expect Victorian mansions to sit so close to murals and old cotton warehouses. At Court Square, an older man in a Grizzlies cap nodded at us as we passed the fountain—he said something about “the real Memphis” being under your feet, which I’m still thinking about. Our group was small enough that nobody minded when I lagged behind to look at peeling paint or read the plaques. The sun was already heavy by noon and the air tasted faintly like river mud near Riverside Drive.

The National Civil Rights Museum hit harder than I’d prepared for. There’s this silence inside that sort of wraps around you—everyone moves slow, reading every word. Standing outside the Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was killed…well, it’s not something you forget easily. Marcus just let us have time there; no rush. Afterward, we all seemed quieter as we made our way down the cobblestones toward the riverboat dock (those stones are steeper than they look—watch your step if it’s rained). The boat itself is all white paint and brass rails, creaking gently while the Mississippi slides past brown and wide as a highway.

On deck, I leaned against the rail with sticky fingers from lunch and listened to some guy telling his kid about paddlewheel boats. Sun on my face, barbecue still lingering on my tongue—I don’t know, there’s something about floating past Memphis with its skyline behind you that makes everything feel bigger but also closer somehow. I keep remembering that first bite of pork and Marcus’s laugh echoing off Beale Street windows.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Memphis history and river cruise

• Visit Beale Street history
• Learn about WC Handy and Blues
• Pass by Memphis Redbirds and 901 FC
• Pass by teenaged Elvis Presley home
• Pass by medical research hospital
• See Victorian-era mansions
• Pass by oldest home in Memphis
• Pass by historic city center
• Pass by oldest church
• Pass by Memphis cotton industry center
• Visit Martin Luther King Jr. tribute
• See assassination site of Martin Luther King Jr.
• Enjoy barbeque tasting
• Take scenic Mississippi River cruise

Top questions

How long does the Memphis Discovery Tour last?

The total duration includes travel time; exact hours may vary but typically covers most of a day including museum visit and river cruise.

Is admission to museums included in the tour price?

Yes, admission to one museum (National Civil Rights Museum, Rock 'n' Soul Museum, or Edge Motor Museum) is included if selected during booking.

Does this tour include food?

Yes, there is a Memphis BBQ tasting included (pork only; no substitutions).

Is hotel pickup provided for this tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests are dropped off near Riverside Drive for the riverboat cruise due to cobblestone restrictions.

Are children or infants allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed.

What should I know about accessibility for the riverboat?

The dock is accessed via a steep historic cobblestone incline; buses cannot drop passengers directly at the boat.

Can I choose which museum to visit during the tour?

Yes, you can select one museum option when booking: National Civil Rights Museum, Rock 'n' Soul Museum, or Edge Motor Museum.

Where does the riverboat cruise depart from?

The Memphis Riverboat departs from Riverside Drive; guests walk down cobblestones to reach it after being dropped off nearby.

What’s included

Your day includes guided transport through downtown Memphis with local stories along every stop, admission to your chosen museum (if selected), a proper taste of Memphis BBQ pork before lunch hits, plus tickets for a sightseeing cruise on the Mississippi River—all wrapped up with safe drop-off near Riverside Drive for easy access back into town afterward.