Memphis: Mojo Bus Tour with Live Music & Sun Studio Stop

Summary

Ride Memphis streets with live music stories Sun Studio & soul

You’ll ride through Memphis with real musicians leading live songs and stories right on the bus. Expect moments at Sun Studio or Stax Museum (if you pick those options), stops near Overton Park Shell or Beale Street legends, plus plenty of laughs and local color. You’ll leave humming tunes and probably grinning at strangers.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the sound — not just the hum of the old Mojo bus engine, but our guide strumming a battered guitar as we pulled away from Beale Street. The air inside smelled like vinyl seats and something sweet, maybe someone’s cologne or just Memphis in summer. Our guide, Eric (he plays gigs on Beale most nights), started off with a blues riff and a story about WC Handy that made everyone laugh. I didn’t expect to feel so much part of it, honestly — like we were all in on some inside joke about the city’s past.

We rolled past places I’d only heard about: the Peabody Hotel where those ducks parade (didn’t see them but Eric did a pretty good duck impression), Cotton Row with its worn brick, and then Sun Studio — you can choose to hop off for a tour if you want. The whole time, Eric kept weaving songs into the history, sometimes stopping mid-sentence to sing a line. It was weirdly moving hearing “That’s All Right” while looking out at the street where Elvis first lived in Memphis. The weather was sticky-hot but nobody seemed to mind; windows open, voices blending with street noise and distant horns.

I think my favorite bit was Overton Park Shell — if you’re lucky with weather and timing you stop there — where Elvis played his first real show. There’s this feeling when you stand there, like echoes still bounce around under those trees. Later we passed Stax Museum and talked about Otis Redding and Booker T., and I tried saying “Stax” with that Southern drawl but just got teased by an older lady behind me (“Honey, don’t quit your day job”).

By the end, rolling back down Beale Street, everyone was singing along (badly) to “Soul Man.” I still think about that view out the window — neon lights coming on early evening, people waving from doorways. If you’re looking for some kind of polished museum tour, this isn’t it. But if you want to actually feel Memphis under your skin for a couple hours… well, yeah.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Memphis musical heritage and landmarks

• Start tour at Alfred's on Beale Street
• Learn about WC Handy, Father of the Blues
• Pass by Peabody Hotel and its ducks
• See Cotton Exchange and historic Cotton Row
• Learn history of the Mississippi River
• View Presley family's first home in Memphis
• Pass by Danny Thomas and St. Jude's
• See birthplace of rock 'n' roll, Sun Studio
• Pass by Sam Phillips' second recording studio
• Stop at Overton Park Shell, Elvis' first concert
• Pass by Overton Square and Lafayette's
• See Stax Records and Southern soul history
• Learn about 1968 Sanitation Strike and MLK assassination
• End tour at Beale Street

Top questions

Does the Mojo Bus Tour include admission to Sun Studio?

If you select that option when booking, admission to Sun Studio is included.

Where does the Memphis Mojo Bus Tour start?

The tour starts and ends on Beale Street at Alfred's on Beale.

Is lunch included on the Mojo Bus Tour?

No meals are included in this tour.

Are service animals allowed on the bus?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Is there wheelchair access on the Mojo Bus?

The bus doesn’t have a lift but can accommodate collapsible wheelchairs if you have some mobility.

How long is the Memphis Mojo Bus Tour?

The exact duration isn’t specified but expect around 2–3 hours including stops.

Do I need to book tickets for children or infants?

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; standard ticket policies apply.

What landmarks will I see during the tour?

You’ll pass places like Sun Studio, Stax Museum (if selected), Peabody Hotel, Overton Park Shell, National Civil Rights Museum, Cotton Row, and more.

What’s included

Your day includes guided sightseeing across Memphis with live music performed by professional Beale Street musicians right onboard. You’ll get local taxes covered and have options to include admission to Sun Studio or Stax Museum depending on what you select when booking. The tour starts and ends centrally on Beale Street so it’s easy to join whether you're walking or using public transport.