Memphis Self Guided Driving Audio Tour
3.5 / 5 · 30 traveler reviews
Explore the heart of Memphis on this self-guided driving tour through music history. You’ll drive from Downtown Memphis to Elvis Presley’s Graceland estate, tuning into essential stories of blues, soul, and rock and roll. See the iconic Sun Studio, where legends like Elvis and Johnny Cash are recorded, stop by the Stax Museum of Soul, and even visit Aretha Franklin’s birthplace! And, of course, revisit the wild true story of Elvis Presley’s rise and fall. After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This is not an entrance ticket to attractions along the route. Check opening hours before your visit.
Your experience
Stop 1
Singer Ma Rainey II is buried there. Her father, a pastor, forbade her from singing, so Ma Rainey ran away and joined a traveling circus-type show. She worked as both the show’s fortune teller and as a ragtime performer on Beale Street. Note: The tour is over 11.2 miles long, with more than 25+ audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
Stop 2
Franklin eventually moved to Detroit with her father after her parents separated. She took to singing in her father’s church. Everyone recognized her immense talents. Her father even took her along with his “gospel caravan,” where they performed in churches all around the area.
Stop 3
If we kept driving straight, we’d reach Beale Street. That’s the beating heart of this city’s downtown. If you want to check it out, you can find parking and walk through the pedestrian-only area straight ahead. I have a few fun bonus stories there if you decide to go.
Stop 4
Welcome to Memphis! Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll, this musical city has no shortage of sights and sounds for rhythm-loving pilgrims.
Stop 5
Coming up on our right at the end of this road will be the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. And boy does it have soul—Otis Redding, the Staple Singers, and even the Reverend Jesse Jackson recorded here. If you want to check it out, turn into the parking lot coming up on our right. You can tap Learn More for more about soul music once you park.
Stop 6
In a few minutes, we’ll pass by a brick building with a massive guitar hanging in front of it. That’s Sun Studio, also known as “the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll.”
Stop 7
This historic recording studio actually began as a movie theater showing silent films all the way back in 1915. It was converted into the Royal Recording Studio in ‘57, and became the official recording studio for Hi Records.
Stop 8
In ‘56, Elvis and his family lived on a relatively quiet street—until his fans discovered it. Soon, they were camped outside of his home, desperate to get a glimpse of their favorite rockstar. While Elvis’s neighbors had no personal beef with him, they did have a problem with hordes of screaming fans parked on their street.
What’s included
- Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour.
- Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
- Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
- Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
- Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
- Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
- One purchase covers everyone in your car, not per person.
- Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
- Access your tour in our separate audio tour app after booking.
- Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.
Not included
- No live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.
Meeting and pickup
Start at 1 Bass Pro Dr, Memphis, TN 38105. Suggested start only; we’re not affiliated with Bass Pro or nearby businesses, so staff won’t have tour info. Audio starts automatically—after booking, check email/text for “audio tour” and download on strong internet before arriving.
Before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
- Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
- At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
- Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
- Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
- More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
- Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
- Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
- Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
- Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
- The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
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