Memphis: City Tour & Sun Studio Admission with Hotel Pickup

Summary

Memphis music stories, Beale Street color, Sun Studio echoes

You’ll join locals for Memphis’ quirks—watching famous Peabody Ducks march through marble halls, rolling down Beale Street’s neon-lit corners, then stepping inside Sun Studio where legends recorded their first tracks. With hotel pickup included and stories from your guide along the way, this tour leaves you carrying more than just snapshots—it lingers.

What’s the experience like?

You know that feeling when you first step off the curb in a new city and everything’s a little louder and brighter than you expected? That’s how Memphis hit me. Our guide, Marcus, greeted us outside the hotel—he had this easy way of mixing stories about the city with jokes about his grandma’s fried chicken (which I’m still curious about). We piled into the mini-coach and rolled past these old Victorian homes that looked like they’d seen a lot more than just tourists peeking through the windows.

I didn’t expect to care so much about ducks, but there we were at the Peabody Hotel, craning our necks with a crowd to watch them waddle through the lobby like tiny celebrities. Someone next to me whispered that it happens every day at 11am sharp—felt oddly important to witness. The air inside smelled faintly of polished wood and coffee from somewhere behind the marble columns. After that, we cruised down Beale Street. Neon signs flickered even though it was still morning, and I caught a few bars of blues leaking out from an open doorway. Marcus pointed out Cotton Row and told us how riverboats used to line up right where we were sitting in traffic.

The highlight for me was Sun Studio—honestly, I thought it might be overhyped but standing in that room where Elvis and BB King actually recorded felt heavier than I expected. Our studio guide played a scratchy clip of Johnny Cash singing and let us hold this old microphone (it was heavier than it looks in photos). The walls smelled like dust and vinyl; it made me wish I could play anything besides air guitar. On the way back, we passed the Lorraine Motel—Marcus got quiet for a second when he talked about Dr. King. It’s strange how a place can feel both ordinary and sacred at once.

By the time we looped back toward downtown, my head was full of music and stories. Memphis is messy and proud—you feel it everywhere, even just watching ducks or hearing a stranger laugh on Beale Street. I keep thinking about that moment in Sun Studio; something about standing where all those voices started out just sticks with you longer than you expect.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Memphis city sightseeing and Sun Studio tour

• Start at downtown Memphis hotel
• Guided sightseeing by mini-coach
• Stop at Schwab general store
• Pass St Jude Children’s Hospital
• Pass Sun Studio and Pyramid Arena
• Stop at Peabody Hotel for duck march
• Cruise down Beale Street and Cotton Row
• Travel along Mississippi River and Victorian Village
• Tour Sun Studio recording studio
• See statues of Elvis Presley and BB King
• Pass National Civil Rights Museum
• Return to Memphis hotel

Top questions

What does the Memphis city tour include?

The tour includes sightseeing around Memphis by mini-coach with stops at key sights like Beale Street, Peabody Hotel (to see the duck march), Sun Studio admission (ages 7+), plus hotel pickup/drop-off for select downtown hotels.

Is hotel pickup included for this Memphis tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for select downtown Memphis hotels.

Can children join the Sun Studio part of the tour?

Children must be at least 7 years old to enter Sun Studio as part of this tour.

How long does the Peabody Ducks march last?

The Peabody Ducks march daily at 11am; watching them in the lobby is a brief but popular event during your stop at the hotel.

Are there any accessibility limitations on this Memphis city tour?

The buses aren’t wheelchair accessible unless guests can step onto the bus without their chair; strollers/prams are allowed for infants or small children.

Do you go inside Sun Studio on this tour?

Yes, admission to Sun Studio is included—you’ll get a guided tour inside where famous musicians recorded their music.

What landmarks do you see during this Memphis sightseeing tour?

You’ll pass or stop at places like Beale Street, Cotton Row, Victorian Village homes, Pyramid Arena, National Civil Rights Museum (Lorraine Motel), and more.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from select downtown Memphis hotels by mini-coach with your local guide leading stops at sights like Beale Street and Victorian Village; entry to watch the Peabody Ducks’ march; passing cultural landmarks such as Pyramid Arena and Lorraine Motel; plus full admission to Sun Studio before returning you back downtown.