Imagine a live online tour of Memphis Black history that your family, school, church or business group would love. Whether this is your first time to Memphis or you are a Memphian, our Essence of Memphis tour is for you. Or you choose to join us for an exclusive experience, a private journey. You have options. Advanced purchase is required.
Approximately 1 Hour
Departs: On your group’s timeline. | From any smart device.
Cost: Starts at $350 ( per live Group presentation)
Recommended Participants:
Onboarding/orientation programs for local businesses; churches, organizations and schools. Presentations are offered via Zoom or in-person.
Virtual Excursion
Groups interested in touring Memphis will find this live presentation with photos and narration—plus a question and answer session at the end—a great way to tour Memphis and its African American history virtually. From middle-school, high-school, and college student groups to church members and business employees, all will have the opportunity to learn more about an incredibly important aspect of the city of Memphis, direct from the number-one tour operator in the city. Even better, participants attend from the safety and comfort of their own school, church, or office.
Tour Requirements:
- A broadband connection
- Your own smart device – phone, computer or tablet
Tour Highlights:
- Slave Haven site that documents the history of the Underground Railroad.
- Historic Mason Temple – where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous last speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” on April 3, 1968, the day before his assassination.
- The National Civil Rights Museum/Lorraine Motel – tracing the civil rights movement from its roots to the present, also the site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Beale Street – where you’ll hear “the rest of the story” about one of America’s most iconic streets; also known as “the Negro Main Street USA” and officially named the “Home of the Blues” by an act of Congress in 1977.
This ATOP event will take approximately 1 hour and includes time for Q and A. Please fill out the Tour Inquiry form and you will be contacted to answer any questions and confirm specifics.
Approximately 2.5 hours
Departs: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. | Fridays, 12:45 p.m. | Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. | Sundays, 12:45 p.m.
Cost: $72 (per person; ages 5-99)
Recommended Participants:
Memphis visitors; local families or friends who’d like to know more about African American history in their own community. (Minimum of 3 guests required.)
ESSENCE OF MEMPHIS TOUR
Welcome to A Tour of Possibilities! We strive to take both locals and visitors on a journey through Memphis, TN which is eye-opening, enlightening as well as entertaining! On this 2.5 hour African American History Tour, we will be your “conductor” and guide you to various sites and locations.
On this 2.5 hour African American History Tour, we will be your “conductor” and guide you to various sites and locations.
Sites on this driving tour includes:
- Slave Haven: a site that documents the history of the Underground Railroad
- Historic Mason Temple: where on April 3, 1968, a day before his assassination,
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous last speech; “I’ve been to the Mountaintop.”
- The National Civil Rights Museum/Lorraine Motel: where the history of African Americans is explored from its roots to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond.
- and Beale Street: as we hear “the rest of the story” about one of America’s most iconic streets; also known as the Main Street of Black America, and officially named the “Home of the Blues:" by an act of Congress in 1977.
- *Please note: This is a driving tour and we will drive by the sites. You can visit
these sites on your own at your leisure.
There is so much more to Memphis than Downtown, Elvis and BBQ and we are excited
to share it with you!
We will visit other neighborhoods such as:
- Uptown
- Pinch District
- South Memphis
- Soulsville
- The Edge
Think it's over?
Last and most certainly not least, your visit would not be complete without giving
you the opportunity to see additional historic landmarks like:
- The Mighty Mississippi River/Riverfront
- The Pyramid/Bass Pro Shops
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- LeMoyne Owen: Memphis’ only historically black college
- Auction Square
- Cotton Row
- Stax Museum of American Soul Music
- I Am A Man Plaza
- Ida B. Wells Plaza
- And so much more!
So what are you waiting for? So much to see…so much to learn! Come join us! The
table is set for you to feast on the knowledge of the "hub" of African American History: in
MEMPHIS!!
Meeting Location
Downtown (Memphis, TN)
(Exact meeting location details will be provided immediately upon purchase of tickets.)
Private Tour
It’s like hiring a personal tour guide. You’ll get an exclusive experience - a private and memorable tour of key African American cultural sites - customized for you.
Cost: $374 for 2.5 hours and $100 for each additional hour
Days: Tours are offered Daily and are based on availability
Departs: IUTY (It’s Up To You!)
PRIVATE TOUR
Do you love taking tours but prefer not to share the experience with people who you don’t know? This tour is for you! Whether you’re traveling alone or with friends or family, you’ll love this exclusive opportunity to explore Memphis like never before. We can accommodate groups ranging from a solo trip to up to 10 guests. Door-to-door service is offered from the downtown area.
This ATOP tour option takes 2.5 hours and is customizable to include visits to attractions/restaurants. Please fill out Tour Inquiry form and you will be contacted to have your questions answered and confirm specifics.
What’s included:
- Private transportation in a 10 passenger van
- Professional tour conductors
- Authentic experiences
What’s not included:
- Cost of admission into attractions
- Cost for meals
Tour Highlights
- Slave Haven site that documents the history of the Underground Railroad.
- Historic Mason Temple - where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous last speech, “I’ve been to the Mountaintop” on April 3, 1968, the day before his assassination.
- The National Civil Rights Museum/Lorraine Motel - tracing the civil rights movement from its roots to the present, also the site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Beale Street - where you’ll hear “the rest of the story” about one of America’s most iconic streets; also known as “the Negro Main Street USA” and officially named the “Home of the Blues” by an act of Congress in 1977.
There is so much more to Memphis than Downtown, and we are excited to show you more of it! We’ll visit other neighborhoods such as Uptown, the Pinch District, South Memphis, Soulsville and The Edge.
You’ll also hear about the African American connection to the Mighty Mississippi River/Riverfront, The Pyramid/Bass Pro Shops, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, LeMoyne Owen: Memphis’ only historically black college, Auction Square, Cotton Row, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Historic Clayborn Temple, I Am A Man Plaza and so much more!