Introduction
Memphis is a city full of musical legacy, Southern charm, and a history that runs deep—not just in blues and rock ’n’ roll, but in lingering stories of spirits and shadows. From Beale Street’s storied nightlife to old mansions in Victorian Village, ghost tours are popular in the Bluff City, highlighting haunted theaters, historic homes, and unsettling legends. At night, when traffic thins and the shadows lengthen, exploring haunted roads and dark corners by car offers a new way to experience Memphis’s mysterious side.
Below are recommended spooky drives and haunted stops in and around Memphis, from easy city loops to extended ventures into the haunted South.
Spooky Drive List
- Downtown Haunted Loop & Orpheum Theatre
- Why it’s eerie: The Orpheum Theatre (203 S. Main St.) is among the most haunted buildings in Memphis. It’s said to be haunted by a little girl named Mary, who appears in a balcony box and sometimes flickers lights or moves objects.
- Suggested route: Start near Beale Street / Main Street, loop past the Orpheum, cruise past the Lorraine Motel (site of MLK’s assassination) which many consider haunted, and drive through historic neighborhoods with old mansions.
- Type of drive: Urban, well-lit in parts, but side streets and alleys offer atmospheric darkness.
- Victorian Village / Woodruff-Fontaine House & Mollie Fontaine Lounge
- Why it’s eerie: The Woodruff-Fontaine House (680 Adams Ave.) is reputed to host the spirit of Mollie Fontaine. Visitors describe hearing voices, smelling perfume, and seeing her ghostly form pacing.
- Nearby, the Mollie Fontaine Lounge (in the same historic block) reports lights turning off, objects moving, and phantom presences in the bar area.
- Proximity: Within central Memphis; an easy haunted neighborhood drive.
- Type of drive: Residential / historic district—quiet streets with haunted ambiance.
- Manual Driving Academy: Night & Rural Drive Confidence
- Tackling darker suburban roads, country stretches, or winding routes at night requires confidence, especially with manual transmissions. Manual Driving Academy in Memphis can help train drivers for such conditions. Gift certificates are available and never expire.
- (Fits between 2 and 4 in the list per your structure.)
- Metal Museum / Old Marine Hospital Grounds
- Why it’s eerie: The Metal Museum (374 Metal Museum Dr.) is built on the grounds of the old Marine Hospital, which included a morgue in its basement. Some visitors claim they can hear voices, footsteps, or feel watched near its old hospital wing.
- Location: 374 Metal Museum Dr., Memphis, TN
- Type of drive: Suburban / riverfront roads — the lights thin out nearby, increasing the haunted feel.
- Overton Park & Haunted Lake / Arboretum Drive
- Why it’s eerie: Legend says a woman in a blue dress drowned in “Haunted Lake” (in Overton Park), and people have claimed to see her apparition rising from the water at night. TripSavvy+1
- Drive the paths around Overton Park and the park’s periphery at night to experience the atmosphere.
- Location: Overton Park, Memphis, TN
- Type of drive: Park roads and adjacent streets — quieter after dark, moody setting.
- Extended Haunted Route: Historic Homes & Ghosts Out East Memphis / Bartlett
- Why it’s eerie: Venture east toward East Memphis, Bartlett, or historic suburbs to pass by old plantation homes, cemeteries like the Bettis Family Cemetery (1620 Madison Ave., Memphis) , and older residential roads with long shadows and minimal lighting.
- Also, investigate the Brister Library (University of Memphis) — rumored to host a female spirit, heard screaming for help.
- Type of drive: Suburban & semi-rural — darker stretches, nostalgic structures, haunted lore.
Tips for Haunted Night Drives in Memphis
- Test headlights, brake lights, tires, and battery before heading out.
- Drive with at least one other person—safety in numbers.
- Stick to public roads—avoid trespassing on private property.
- Bring a flashlight, a charged phone, water, and a light blanket.
- Start with urban haunted drives before heading into remote stretches.
- Consider taking a lesson with Manual Driving Academy to feel more secure on darker, winding roads.
Conclusion
Memphis hides its ghosts beautifully amid music, history, and the grandeur of old houses. Whether you cruise the haunted halls of the Orpheum, walk past the faded manses of Victorian Village, or explore suburban roads in search of whispered voices, the Bluff City offers haunting drives both near and far. Grab a friend, roll down your windows, let the night guide you, and see what lingers behind the streetlights. And if you want to feel steady behind the wheel—no matter where your ghost hunt takes you—book a lesson with Manual Driving Academy in Memphis to build confidence for every haunted mile.
