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Graceland tours: the best options & what to expect.

Advice for making the most of your time at Elvis' famous home.

The Best Graceland Tours

Andrea Zucker | Courtesy of Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

A visit to Graceland is a popular activity for both Elvis fans and Memphis tourists.

Note: Some tour providers on this list may be running more limited operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book.

When Elvis Presley was just 22 years old, he purchased Graceland – a 10,266-square-foot mansion that occupied a nearly 14-acre property in Memphis, Tennessee . After the singer's death in 1977, the executors of his estate found that the mansion's exorbitant operating costs proved difficult to maintain, so they decided to open Graceland for tours in 1982. Since then, more than 20 million people from around the world have visited the mansion – which now spans 17,552 square feet – and its surrounding Elvis-themed museums and shops. Read on to plan your Graceland visit.

What is Graceland?

• Where is Graceland located?

Is Graceland open for tours?

How much does it cost to tour graceland, graceland tours, how long is the graceland tour, how do i buy tickets, which graceland tour is best, graceland hours, what is the best time to visit graceland, tips for visiting, how to get to graceland, how far is it from nashville to graceland, are there tours from nashville to graceland.

Graceland is a 120-acre institution dedicated to the life and music of Elvis Presley. The main draw is the mansion, but there's more to see than Elvis' former abode. Visitors can stop by Elvis Presley's Memphis, a 200,000-square-foot museum and entertainment complex. This building houses the Presley Motors Automobile Museum and a series of exhibits, such as "Elvis' Tupelo," which explores Elvis' early life in his hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi. The Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum, which displays the entertainer's gold and platinum records, his famous jumpsuits and movie memorabilia, can also be found here. Tourists will also have access to 10 interactive exhibits and games. Located throughout the complex, the interactive features include quizzes, a simulated golf cart ride and photo booths that put travelers on Elvis' movie posters and album covers. Finally, the complex houses two restaurants, a coffee shop, an ice cream parlor and a soundstage where tourists can watch Elvis' movies and attend live music performances.

After you learn all about the King, check out the Graceland Exhibition Center. This 80,000-square-foot venue features a variety of rotating museum exhibits, covering a variety of subjects, including motorcycles, Muhammad Ali and Van Gogh. The complex also boasts a food court, a bar and a separate, rentable event space.

Where is Graceland located?  

Graceland   is located in the Whitehaven community of Memphis, nearly 3 miles west of Memphis International Airport and 10 miles south of downtown.

Yes, Graceland is open for tours.

The cost per person varies depending on which tour experience you choose. Expect to pay about $30 to $200 for children 10 and younger. Adults can expect to pay around $50 to $200 per person. Keep in mind: Higher ticket fees mean a premium experience complete with VIP access, keepsakes, meal vouchers and more.

There are multiple tour options for visiting Graceland.

• Elvis Presley's Memphis + Planes Tour : This is the basic tour option. It grants visitors access to Elvis Presley's Memphis Entertainment Complex and the Elvis' Custom Jets exhibit, but does not include access to the mansion. Tickets for this tour start at $48 for adults, with discounts for children.
• Elvis Experience Tour : Tickets for this tour, which start at $77 per adult, include everything in the above tour, plus access to the mansion complete with an audio tour.
• Elvis Entourage VIP : The Elvis Entourage VIP tour includes everything in both the other tour options, plus skip-the-line access to the mansion, a VIP shuttle to the mansion, access to a special exhibit, and a keepsake pass. Tickets start at $128 per person.
• Ultimate VIP Tour : The Ultimate VIP Tour includes everything in the Elvis Entourage VIP, plus a guided tour of the mansion with an experienced guide, access to a VIP lounge, a meal voucher to an on-site restaurant, an archives show and tell, the chance to buy exclusive souvenirs and a photo-op. Tickets for this experience start at $196 per person; children 2 and younger tour for free.

The mansion tour will take about 90 minutes to complete. Those who decide to tour the rest of Graceland's offerings should budget at least 3 1/2 hours to explore.

Tourgoers can purchase tickets online or at the box office on-site. Tickets purchased online can be printed at home or downloaded on a smartphone (which saves time). You can also choose to pick up your tickets at will call; you must have a photo ID to pick them up. Patrons may also purchase a multiday ticket to access Elvis Presley's Memphis for an additional one, two or three days. Multiday tickets start at $17 per adult and can be purchased on-site only.

Tickets for exhibits at the Graceland Exhibition Center are not included in any Graceland tickets and require additional entrance fees. Tickets for those exhibits can be purchased on Graceland's website.

Which Graceland experience you choose largely depends on your fascination with the King. Graceland visitors mention that even non-Elvis fans will enjoy the tour and the up-close look at the entertainer's famous lifestyle. Visitors also appreciate the audio tour narrated by John Stamos. They recommend upgrading your tour to one of the VIP options, saying it is well worth the additional cost.

Graceland is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m. (depending on the day of the week and time of year). It closes or has abbreviated hours on holidays. The last mansion tour begins at 4 or 5 p.m., depending on the day and time of year.

The best time to visit Graceland depends on what kind of experience you want. Travelers should check out Graceland's events calendar as the complex and its hotel, the Guest House at Graceland, host numerous weekend events, concerts and daytrips to Elvis' hometown throughout the year. Visitors in the mood for a festive atmosphere will want to book a trip in late November, December or early January to see the estate's holiday lights display and decorations.

Andrea Zucker | Courtesy of Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau

• Visit the mansion after 2 p.m. to enjoy fewer crowds and shorter wait times, as this is the slowest time of day. (Multiple travelers note long wait times when arriving before this time). Check Graceland's website for exact opening times; there are certain days and holidays where hours vary.
• You're welcome to bring cameras, but flash photography is not permitted.
• Video cameras cannot be brought into the mansion, attractions or gift shops.
• Note that two rooms in the basement of the mansion and the airplanes are not wheelchair accessible.
• Bring a permanent marker to sign the famous Graceland wall before you leave.

Patrons can reach Graceland by car. On-site parking costs $10. The lot is located next to Elvis Presley's Memphis and the ticket booth. The only way to get to the mansion itself is by shuttle, which is included in your ticket price. The shuttle pickup is across from the ticketing pavilion.

There are also a few public transportation options. The Memphis Hop, a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, makes stops every hour at several attractions in the city, including Graceland. This bus generally runs Wednesday through Saturday (it may not operate on Fridays during select months), and tickets cost approximately $35 for adults and $25 for children ages 4 to 12. Memphis Area Transit Authority No. 42 bus route stops close to Graceland.

Nashville sits about 215 miles northeast of Graceland (an approximately 3 1/2-hour drive).

Yes. You'll find options for tours from Nashville (and more) below:

• Gray Line Tennessee:  Nashville to Memphis with Skip-The-Line Graceland VIP Tour & Sun Studio. View & Book Tickets: Viator | GetYourGuide  
• Graceland:  Elvis Presley's Childhood Home with Lunch & Transportation from Memphis. View & Book Tickets: Viator | GetYourGuide  
• Memphis Best Tours:  Memphis City Tour with Admission to One Memphis Attraction.  View & Book Tickets »
• Blues City Tours: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour. View & Book Tickets »

You may also be interested in:

• The Best Memphis Tours
• The Best Nashville Tours
• The Best Whitewater Rafting in Tennessee
• The Top Things to Do in Tennessee
• The Best Places to Visit in Tennessee

Tags: Elvis Presley , Tennessee , Tours , Vacations , Travel , Tennessee Vacations , US Vacations , Southeast Vacations

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How to visit Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley

Elvis’s beloved, outré mansion is the second-most visited private home in the US, beaten only by the White House. Here are some tips on making the most of a visit to the former residence of the King.

Pay your respects for free

Time it well and you can visit Graceland ’s grounds without spending a dime. Every morning (aside from Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, when the site is closed), from 7.30am to 8.30am, fans can pass through the gates free of charge for an hour of quiet contemplation at Elvis’s graveside.

Plan around peak season

The party kicks off from 5-8 January for Elvis’s birthday celebrations, where crowds flock for a cake-cutting ceremony sometimes hosted by his ex-wife, Priscilla Presley. There are events all across Memphis, too, but plan ahead as hotels book up lightning fast. The bustle returns for the week surrounding 16 August, the anniversary of Elvis’s death, when celebrations go all out, with tribute artists in bejewelled jumpsuits and a moving candlelight vigil.

Hop on the shuttle

Combine Graceland with a visit to Sun Studio and stand in the precise spot where Elvis first belted out That’s All Right. A free shuttle whisks guests between the two landmarks every hour.

Bring the kids

Graceland is family friendly. A new entertainment complex includes interactive attractions such as an LED dancefloor quiz and a photo booth. Inside the mansion, children gravitate towards the hyper-themed rooms, including the Jungle Room, with its green carpet and neon-lit indoor waterfall.

Arrive fashionably late

Dodge the queues by visiting after 2pm, when things start to wind down, but there are still a couple of hours to take it all in before the site closes at 4pm.  

Don't miss

Sample a peanut butter and banana sandwich grilled in bacon grease — one of Elvis’s favourite eats — at the on-site Gladys’ Diner.

Published in the March 2023 issue of  National Geographic Traveller (UK)  

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How to visit Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley

Elvis’s beloved, outré mansion is the second-most visited private home in the us, beaten only by the white house. here are some tips on making the most of a visit to the former residence of the king..

Living room at Graceland, featuring the white piano bought by Elvis in 1957.

Pay your respects for free

Time it well and you can visit Graceland ’s grounds without spending a dime. Every morning (aside from Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, when the site is closed), from 7.30am to 8.30am, fans can pass through the gates free of charge for an hour of quiet contemplation at Elvis’s graveside.

Plan around peak season

The party kicks off from 5-8 January for Elvis’s birthday celebrations, where crowds flock for a cake-cutting ceremony sometimes hosted by his ex-wife, Priscilla Presley. There are events all across Memphis, too, but plan ahead as hotels book up lightning fast. The bustle returns for the week surrounding 16 August, the anniversary of Elvis’s death, when celebrations go all out, with tribute artists in bejewelled jumpsuits and a moving candlelight vigil.

Hop on the shuttle

Combine Graceland with a visit to Sun Studio and stand in the precise spot where Elvis first belted out That’s All Right. A free shuttle whisks guests between the two landmarks every hour.

Bring the kids

Graceland is family friendly. A new entertainment complex includes interactive attractions such as an LED dancefloor quiz and a photo booth. Inside the mansion, children gravitate towards the hyper-themed rooms, including the Jungle Room, with its green carpet and neon-lit indoor waterfall.

Arrive fashionably late

Dodge the queues by visiting after 2pm, when things start to wind down, but there are still a couple of hours to take it all in before the site closes at 4pm. 

Sample a peanut butter and banana sandwich grilled in bacon grease — one of Elvis’s favourite eats — at the on-site Gladys’ Diner.

Published in the US Cities 2023 guide, distributed with the March 2023 issue of  National Geographic Traveller (UK)

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A Travel Guide for Visiting Graceland on a Budget

 Taylor McIntyre/TripSavvy

Graceland, the legendary home of Elvis Presley in Memphis, Tennessee, is viewed by some as a solemn experience, while others are motivated by amusement or curiosity. Whatever your reason for visiting, no one can deny that a stopover is a unique experience that attracts people from around the world. Fortunately, a value-packed Graceland tour can be done with some advance planning.

Admission Costs

Knowing what you'd like to see at Graceland can help you save money on tickets. Different tour packages cater to different visitors, from the history buff who's a casual Elvis admirer to the full-blown Elvis fanatic.

Basic admission (starting at $41) covers the Mansion Only Tour, which is audio-guided. The Elvis Experience Tour includes exhibits of his wardrobe, automobiles, gold records, and other features. An Elvis Entourage VIP ticket adds front-of-the-line admission privileges and access to the Elvis Presley's Memphis Entertainment Complex museums and exhibits. An airplanes tour can be added on to those three ticket options for an additional cost. The most extensive and pricey selection is the Ultimate VIP tour, which includes everything the other tours offer plus a meal voucher, access to the Ultimate Lounge, a Graceland archives session, and more.

Children under 6 are free on all tours except for the Ultimate VIP Tour, though that has no charge for kids under age 2. Although there's a small fee, online orders could spare you long waits in line, allowing you to pick up tickets at will-call and be ready for your Graceland experience.

Money-Saving Tips

A few tricks can help you save at Graceland, whether you are in Memphis just for Elvis or simply want to stop by and pay your respects.

If Graceland is your main focus, you might want to consider becoming a member, which can help you cut back on costs if you are a frequent visitor .

If you'd like to visit the graves of Elvis and his family, walk up to the Meditation Garden at Graceland for free between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. (except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day). And you can always pull off Elvis Presley Boulevard and take a selfie outside the famous mansion.

Big Elvis fans will come here just for Graceland, but for most people, it is a half-day adventure at best. Regardless, look at some of the other attractions in the area and make your trip to the city memorable. One good stop is to Sun Records, where Elvis cut his first demo record . According to legend, they asked Elvis which artist he sounded like, and he answered: "I don't sound like nobody." Soon enough, they discovered a new sound that swept the nation at this unassuming Sun Studio at 706 Union Ave.

See more Memphis music highlights using the free hourly shuttle running daily on a first come first served basis. The shuttle travels between Graceland, Heartbreak Hotel across the street, Sun Studio, and Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum. If you stay downtown, you can start out at Memphis Rock 'n' Soul and visit both Sun Studios and Graceland without spending on gas or parking.

Rock 'n' Soul also offers a discount on a Backstage Pass, which includes admissions to Graceland, Sun Studio, Stax Museum, and the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum.

When to Visit

The peak time for visitors is the annual Elvis Week in early- to mid-August when there are scores of special events such as concerts, movie screenings, and an Elvis Expo (off-property in downtown Memphis) of memorabilia. Reservations during this time are highly recommended, as individual events sell out months in advance.

For less stress and more value, go on a weekday and avoid times when school is not in session. The two busiest times are the August "Elvis Week" and January 8, which was Elvis' birthday.

Travel Arrangements

As you search for flights and Memphis hotel rooms, consider Graceland's location only 4 miles from Memphis International Airport (MEM). Although it's close to the airport, don't try to see the mansion on a layover. Traffic can be intense and waits at Graceland are often long. Security lines at MEM can become busy when travelers on business or holiday trips show up at the airport. Cabs are available to and from the airport.

Staying at The Guest House at Graceland is one option with discounts including admission to Graceland, seeing landmarks, and other Elvis-related events. Also, the Graceland RV Park and Campground is a less-expensive way to camp out within walking distance to Graceland and enjoy bike trails.

Hotels in the area around Graceland can be run-down or expensive. But the proximity to I-55 means you can reach a bargain room in another part of the city fairly quickly (unless it's rush hour). Some chain offerings are good values in the Bartlett area and just across the state line in Mississippi.

How Tours Work

The mansion and the visitor pavilion/parking complex sit on opposite sides of Elvis Presley Boulevard. Transportation across the street to the grounds and a headset enabling a self-guided tour of the property are included in the admission fee. The additional options available with the higher-priced tickets are on the pavilion-side of the boulevard: the jumpsuit, automobile, and airplane exhibits. You will be reminded at every turn that security cameras are watching you and that indoor flash photography is prohibited. The second floor of the mansion is off-limits; these rooms were Elvis' private quarters.

This is not the most elegant nor largest mansion you will ever see. You may be struck by the relative simplicity of Elvis' life, given his status as a world celebrity. Check out the "Jungle Room," furnished with outlandish carpeting, furniture, and kitsch, and the simple swing set he set up for his daughter Lisa Marie in the backyard. Everything here was left largely the way it looked at the time of Elvis' death in 1977.

Basic Information

Hours of operation vary by season, with longer hours during the summer months. It's possible to rent sections of the facility for private parties, and some people even get married here.

Elsewhere in Memphis

Memphis is known for more than Graceland. If you are staying downtown and using the free shuttle between Graceland and other attractions, you can maximize your time and money and have some other worthwhile visits. Highly recommended: the  National Civil Rights Museum , on the site of the former Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

A lesser-known but fascinating attraction is a five-block-long scale model of the lower Mississippi River at  Mud Island River Park , which is connected to downtown by a sky bridge. Anyone with a love of travel or geography will enjoy this site.

Downtown Memphis is home to Beale Street , which bills itself as the "home of blues and the birthplace of rock n' roll" and has two blocks of places to enjoy Memphis barbecue or live music. 

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Tips to help you take care of business when visiting Elvis' home

Planning a visit to graceland here are some helpful hints, for novice and veteran visitors alike — for memphians as well as for out-of-towners..

Five letters, two syllables and one word that echoes eternally — or seems to, if you live in Memphis.

Aug. 16, 2021, will mark the 44th anniversary of the Memphis death of the 42-year-old King of Rock 'n' Roll. 

Hundreds, perhaps thousands of people will be here for the preceding evening's "Candlelight Vigil" at Graceland, to pay their respects to Elvis, to join the millions who have visited the mansion since it opened for public tours on June 7, 1982.

Since that date, which arrived less than five years after Elvis' death, the home that is said to be visited by more people than any other in the U.S. with the exception of the White House has been joined by an increasing number of complementary attractions, including a performance venue (the Soundstage), a museum complex (Elvis Presley's Memphis), a hotel (The Guest House) and more, in addition to the expected eateries and souvenir shops. 

Where "Graceland" was once simply the Whitehaven mansion retreat that Presley purchased in 1957, "Graceland" now can refer to an entire Elvis Presley Boulevard campus.

The choices can be daunting. So here are some helpful hints, for novice and veteran Graceland visitors alike — for Memphians as well as for out-of-towners. A "Graceland Survival Guide," if you will.

In this guide:

• What to see at Graceland
• Food options in Graceland
• Best souvenirs
• Tips for visiting
• Activities for non-Elvis fans
• Other Memphis music spots
• Best restaurants in the area

How much do tickets to Graceland cost? What are the hours?

Graceland is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. An Elvis Week exception occurs Aug. 15, when the gates reopen at 8:30 p.m. to enable fans to pay their respects to the Presley family by taking part in the "Candlelight Vigil" procession that leads up the driveway and to the gravesites in the Meditation Garden. The gates are expected to remain open until everyone in line has taken part, which typically occurs in the early morning hours of Aug. 16, the day that marks the anniversary of Elvis' death in 1977. 

The exhibits at Elvis Presley's Memphis open at 9 a.m. and generally stay open until 4 p.m. 

The Graceland Exhibition Center (currently home to "Inside the Walt Disney Archives") is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Graceland ticket prices seem to be available in as many options as there are recordings in the Elvis discography. If you say "All I want to do is visit the mansion," you're out of luck. The cheapest ticket option that includes the mansion is the "Elvis Experience Tour," which costs $75 for an adult, with "adult"  being rather liberally defined as 11 and older. The cost for a kid age 5-10 is $43. The "Elvis Experience" includes access to Elvis' two jet airplanes and to the Elvis Presley's Memphis complex.

At the top of the price chart, an "Ultimate VIP Tour" ticket is $190. Meanwhile, many other ticket packages are available, and Elvis Week is full of events that require separate tickets. However, there is no charge for participating in the candlelight vigil.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit graceland.com .

ELVIS WEEK 2020: An Elvis Week unlike any other thanks to COVID-19: 'We're a part of Elvis history right now'

Back to the top of this guide

What all does Graceland include?

Graceland Mansion:  Still the centerpiece of the Elvis experience, fans can tour Graceland Mansion with the benefit of an interactive iPad tour hosted by John Stamos and featuring commentary and stories by Elvis and his daughter, Lisa Marie. The mansion tour allows visitors to take in the living room, Elvis' parents’ bedroom, the kitchen, TV room, pool room, the famous Jungle Room, his father’s office, the newly enhanced Trophy Building, the Racquetball Building — newly restored to how it looked in 1977 — and the Meditation Garden.

Elvis Presley's Memphis:  Opened in 2017, Elvis Presley's Memphis is a 200,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art entertainment and exhibit complex. Boasting a variety of curatorial and special offerings, it promises to let fans experience "Elvis’ life and career like never before — his roots, his influences, and his artistry." 

Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum:  A heavily immersive experience, the Career Museum offers hundreds of artifacts and photos from significant events in Elvis' life. Fans can tour the extensive Graceland Archives, including Elvis’ massive collection of gold and platinum records, jumpsuits and stage clothing, memorabilia from his movies, and hundreds of other one-of-a-kind pieces. 

ELVIS ON TV: All Elvis, all the time: The Elvis Presley Channel will be streaming soon

Presley Motors Automobile Museum:  Fans will delight in viewing a collection of some of Elvis’ favorite automobiles. This includes unique and iconic cars like Elvis’ Pink Cadillac, a Stutz Blackhawk, a 1956 Cadillac Eldorado, Dino Ferrari, Mercedes Benz limousine, Rolls-Royce sedans and much more.

Elvis' Airplanes:  No trip to Graceland is complete without a tour of Elvis' customized airplanes. The Lisa Marie includes a living room, conference room, private bedroom and features gold-plated seatbelts, leather-covered tables, and 24-karat gold-flecked sinks. Elvis’ smaller Lockheed JetStar, the Hound Dog II, is also on display. 

Elvis Discovery Exhibits:  A collection of themed exhibits showcases Elvis’ passions, personal influences and his impact on the history of rock 'n' roll and continuing influence on the pop culture landscape. Among the current exhibits are the Presley Cycles Exhibit, X's & O's: Elvis and His Love of Football, Icons: The Influence of Elvis Presley Exhibit, Elvis’ Tupelo Exhibit, Hollywood Backlot, Private Presley Exhibit, Archives Experience, and the Lisa Marie: Growing Up Presley Exhibit.

Immersive and Interactive Experiences:  Graceland has recently introduced 10 state-of-the-art, immersive experiences that offer fans dozens of interactive, shareable moments and one-of-a-kind customized photos and videos that can be downloaded and shared with friends and on social media. Some of the current interactive experiences include the “Elvis Yourself” Virtual Dress-Up Experience, the Elvis Album Covers Photo Booth and Elvis: Front Row — An Immersive Concert Experience.

ELVIS' RECORDINGS: 1976 Jungle Room recordings: Elvis' last sessions show hint of genius | From The CA archives

Graceland Mississippi Excursions:  For those looking to adventure a little farther and dig a bit deeper into regional music history, Graceland now offers day-long guided, luxury motorcoach tours of major Mississippi landmarks and museums as a complement to the Elvis experience in Memphis. The luxury coach experience offers trips to the city of Elvis' birth, Tupelo, Mississippi, and a separate Mississippi Delta Blues tour.

To purchase tickets Graceland tours, exhibits and packages, visit  graceland.com/ticket-information .

What are the food options at Graceland?

AT GRACELAND

Visitors have four options on the property to grab a quick bite to eat.

Vernon's Smokehouse features authentic Memphis barbecue fare, including pork ribs, chicken and beef brisket. In addition, classic Southern cuisine and Elvis' favorite home cooking — including meatloaf, catfish and barbecue spaghetti — are served.

Gladys’ Diner serves up classic American cuisine, including burgers, hot dogs and pizza. Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches, one of Elvis' favorites, are also on the menu.

Stop by Rock 'n' Go for coffee, freshly-made sandwiches, salads and snacks. The café offers a full line of espresso drinks made to your specifications. The menu also includes smoothies, iced coffees and shaken iced teas.

Be sure to also visit Minnie Mae's Sweets for hand-dipped ice cream, Root Beer floats, candy and more. Choose from 16 ice cream flavors.

All four restaurants are located at 3717 Elvis Presley Blvd.

ELVIS HISTORY: An A to Z guide to Elvis' roller-coaster ride of a life | From The CA archives

AT THE GUESTHOUSE AT GRACELAND

You don’t have to be a hotel guest to dine at The Guesthouse at Graceland , 3600 Elvis Presley Blvd. The two restaurants in the hotel are open to everyone.

Delta's Kitchen offers a la carte or buffet breakfast featuring contemporary versions a traditional Southern breakfast. At night, the restaurant turns into a finer dining Southern-inspired restaurant featuring steak, double-bone pork chops and fresh fish.

EP’s Bar & Grill is a casual gastro-pub just off the hotel lobby. You’ll feel right at home in this Memphis-inspired setting with lots of Southern flair and plenty of TVs to feed your sports cravings. There is even a pool table. The menu includes everything from gourmet burgers to seared salmon. The bar features a selection of Elvis-themed cocktails. 

Best Graceland souvenirs?

After your trip to Graceland, you will want to bring home a memory from the experience. Here are five of our favorite items available at the Graceland souvenir shops.

Elvis Presley TCB Sunglasses ($25) are a replica of the sunglasses Elvis wore. They are available in gold or silver.

“Elvis Presley's Graceland: The Official Guidebook” ($25) is a collectible hardcover tour book filled with Elvis and Graceland photos and information. It’s a must-have for all Elvis fans and Graceland visitors.

Graceland offers dozens of items with Elvis’ signature TCB slogan. A pair of TCB Socks ($9.99) will keep you “taking care of business” long after your visit.

ELVIS MOVIES: Elvis Film Festival: Movies fit for a King | From The CA archives

An Elvis Bobble-Head ($29.99) is a fun way to remember your trip. This mini replica of the King is perfect for a desk, bookshelf or mantel. 

And, you can’t leave Graceland without taking home some Elvis music. The souvenir shops offer a large selection of CDs. We recommend “ELVIS 30 #1 Hits.” Released in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Elvis' passing, this album  presents a career-spanning serving of the King's chart-toppers.

Tips for visiting Graceland and Elvis Presley's Memphis

Beyond the exhibits: Graceland during the summer and during Elvis Week in particular is a fun and fascinating place to visit even for those on a budget. Don't want to spend much money? Loaded with both quality and kitschy representations of the King, with import record albums, with examples of the ways in which an artist and celebrity can be made into an icon and "brand," the souvenir shops function as Elvis and Americana exhibits in their own right. "Elvis tribute artists" sometimes perform impromptu mini-concerts on sidewalks and in parking lots, and Elvis Presley Boulevard outside Graceland on "Candlelight Vigil" night is an outdoor folk-art gallery, as fans create mixed-media tributes to the King in the street, using chalk, candles and other items.

Planning your visit: Give yourself plenty of time to explore Elvis Presley's Memphis, the sprawl of restaurants, shops and museums located across the street from the Graceland mansion. Opened in 2017 and perhaps still underappreciated, the best of the exhibit spaces devoted to costumes, vehicles, music and movie memorabilia and other artifacts from the Graceland archives compare favorably with similar showcases at the Country Music and Rock and Roll halls of fame. 

GRACELAND MEDITATION GARDEN: Gladys Presley's Elvis-designed tombstone returns to Graceland

"Free Morning Walk-Ups":  All year 'round, from 7:30-8:30 a.m. daily, early risers can take a free-admission walk up the driveway of Graceland to the Meditation Garden on the south side of the mansion and visit the burial sites of Elvis; his mother, Gladys; his father, Vernon; and his grandmother, Minnie Mae Presley. (The garden also contains a memorial to Elvis' stillborn twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley.) During Elvis Week, the walk-up is especially interesting, as the driveway and garden are filled with wreaths and flower arrangements and artwork and other fan-made tributes to the King. What's more, Graceland adds free-admission evening walk-up hours to the Elvis Week calendar: The times are 6:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 11-14 and Aug. 16, and 7-8:30 p.m. Aug. 17. (Why no special hours for Aug. 15? Because that's the night of the "Candlelight Vigil," the annual ceremony and procession to the garden that marks the anniversary of Elvis' Aug. 16, 1977, death, and which usually attracts hundreds of fans.)

Things to do for the non-Elvis fan

"Inside the Walt Disney Archives":  At the Graceland Exhibition Center through Jan. 2, "Inside the Walt Disney Archives" collects more than 400 paintings, posters, dolls, props, costumes and other artifacts from the House of Mouse and some of its affiliated companies (including 20th Century Fox). Kids who love Disney cartoons as well as serious adult connoisseurs will get a kick out of such props as Julie Andrews' "Mary Poppins" carpet bag, a Donald Duck animation cel, a Hugh Jackman "Wolverine" costume and a "light cycle" from the world of "Tron."

INSIDE LOOK: What to expect at 'Inside the Walt Disney Archives' at Graceland

"Icons: The Influence of Elvis Presley":  So, you're indifferent to Elvis? You prefer Springsteen, Hendrix, Sam Cooke or KISS? You're in luck. "Icons: The Influence of Elvis Presley" is an exhibit at Elvis Presley's Memphis that features clothing, instruments, stage costumes and other items that once belonged to or were used by everyone from Dolly Parton to Post Malone, including Buddy Holly, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Jimi Hendrix, Justin Timberlake and Gene Simmons of KISS, to name a few.

Presley Motors Automobile Museum: Vrrrrooooommmm! Sure, Elvis owned 'em. But you don't have to be a Presley fan to get a charge (from an alternator or otherwise) from collector's item cars and other motor vehicles on display at the Presley Motors Automobile Museum at Elvis Presley's Memphis. A pink Cadillac, a pink Jeep, a 1973 Stutz Blackhawk, a 1975 Dino Ferrari, the red MG from "Blue Hawaii," motorcycles and go-carts and dune buggies and more.

The Wall: The brick-and-stone wall that separates the grounds of Graceland from the sidewalk and street has through the years functioned as a journal, a condolence card, an art canvas and a billboard for Elvis aficionados to express their feelings about the King. The words carry special meaning for fans, of course, but anybody who walks its length should be impressed by these hand-scrawled expressions of love and loss, which testify as surely as does a Facebook post to the human need to be heard.

Soundstage at Graceland: Located across the street from the Presley mansion, the 1,500-seat Soundstage at Graceland has become one of the Memphis area's premiere entertainment spots since it began hosting concerts regularly in 2019, in partnership with the Live Nation booking agency. Whether your taste in music is country (Tanya Tucker) or punk (X). Shows scheduled for 2021 include Cheap Trick, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, "The Monkees Farewell Tour" (reuniting Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz) and the other Elvis, Costello; past highlights have included Melissa Etheridge, Chubby Checker, the Violent Femmes and the 2020 Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants.

Other Memphis music spots to visit

If you’re visiting Graceland from out of town, here are five other spots in Memphis you need to check out 

Sun Studio, 706 Union Ave.: No visit to Memphis is complete without a trip to the legendary Sun Studio. Known as “The Birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll,” it was the recording home to music legends from B.B. King and Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis. See and hear the history of the studio as part of guided tours that take place seven days a week. For more information or tickets, visit  sunstudio.com .   

Stax Museum of American Soul Music, 926 E. McLemore Ave.: Located on the original site of the Stax Records studio in Memphis, the Stax Museum pays special tribute to the artists who recorded there, as well as other American soul legends, with interactive exhibits, films, stage costumes, musical instruments, vintage recording equipment used at Stax, records, photographs, permanent and changing galleries, and a rare and amazing collection of more than 2,000 items of memorabilia and artifacts. The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday. For more information and tickets, visit  staxmuseum.com .

STAX MUSEUM OF AMERICAN SOUL MUSIC: Stax Museum receives massive archive from late Chicago soul historian Bob Abrahamian

Blues Hall of Fame Museum, 421 S. Main St.:  Opened in 2015, the Blues Foundation’s Blues Hall of Fame Museum offers plenty for both blues diehards and casual fans to enjoy. Featuring a mix of exhibits and in-depth history, the story of the music and the more than 400 Hall of Fame inductees is told through galleries, interactive touchscreen displays and one-of-a-kind memorabilia. Located in Downtown Memphis, the Blues Hall of Fame Museum is open Wednesday-Sunday. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit  blues.org/hall-of-fame-museum .

Memphis Music Hall of Fame, 126 S. Second St.:  The Memphis Music Hall of Fame museum and exhibition highlight a group of musicians from the Bluff City and its environs who were responsible for shaping modern music and changing the world forever. A fun, fascinating and educational exhibition, the Hall features never-before-seen memorabilia, rare video performances and interviews, interactive exhibits, and much more. Located Downtown, at the corner of Second and Beale, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame is currently open Wednesday-Sunday. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit  memphismusichalloffame.com .

Hernando’s Hideaway, 3210 Old Hernando Road: A famed and iconic Memphis nightspot located near Graceland, Hernando’s Hideaway offers food, drinks and plenty of live music. This year’s Elvis Week offerings include performances by Linda Gail Lewis, Rosie Flores, Jason D. Williams, James Intveld and Dale Watson, among others. For a full schedule or to purchase tickets, visit  worldfamoushernandoshideaway.com .

Must-try restaurants in Whitehaven?

Whitehaven is home to Graceland — it's also home to some of the best eats in the Bluff City. Here are some of our favorites.

Trap Fusion (4637 Boeingshire Drive, 901-207-5565) is known for its from-scratch, healthier versions of soul food. Influences of Cajun and Caribbean fare are evident in many of the items at this Whitehaven restaurant that opened in 2019. Dishes like Jerk Chicken Pasta, Fish & Grits and Stuffed Turkey Sandwich have customers returning often.

Even though the sign out front says Valle’s, most people know this Whitehaven restaurant as the “Italian Rebel.” Valle's Italian Rebel  (1636 Winchester Road, 901-345-5164) opened back in 1977. For 44 years, owner Louie Valle has been at the helm of this lunch-only eatery. Valle makes everything from scratch — including breads, sauces and Italian sausage. Stop by for one of the thick-crust, rectangular pizzas and a side of toasted ravioli, or one of the many pasta dishes.

Marlowe’s Ribs & Restaurant (4381 Elvis Presley Blvd., 901-332-4199) may just be the most popular eatery in town for Elvis fans. Located down the street from Graceland, Marlowe’s has been serving Memphians and Elvis fans since 1974. In fact, Elvis even ate here. Ribs, brisket and an Elvis-inspired burger are some of the eats you can enjoy at this vintage eatery. Save room for the Crispy Crème Banana Foster Sundae. It’s Marlowe’s version of his favorite sandwich served as a dessert. And, if staying at a hotel in the area, Marlowe’s fleet of Elvis-inspired pink limousines will shuttle you from your hotel right to the restaurant and drive you back when you finish.

Deep Fried Sweet Spicy Love. With a name like that, you know the chicken has to be good. Lou Martin, the “Uncle Lou” behind Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken (3633 Millbranch Road, 901-332-2367), started selling his now world-famous spicy fried chicken back in 1992 at the Liberty Bowl, where he has been a vendor ever since. In 2001, he decided to open shop at his current location on Millbranch Road. His chicken — which is a favorite of celebrity chef Guy Fieri — is crispy, spicy and sweet all at the same time.

Suga Mama Snoballs (1717 East Holmes Road, 901-474-8711) is known for its Southern-inspired signature flavors. One-of-a-kind snoballs come topped with cheesecake or strawberry shortcakes. The most famous snoball is the Banana Pudding flavor. A banana-flavored snoball is stuffed with banana pudding ice cream and garnished with cookies and whipped cream just like a classic banana pudding. If the mood for something savory, owner Marci Clark also makes killer nachos (we love the seafood nachos) and over-the-top loaded potatoes.

And after all these great eats, if you need a pick-me-up, stop by Muggin Coffeehouse  (1139 Brownlee Road 901-529-7759). The only independent coffee shop in Whitehaven offers a full espresso menu and features fun coffee creations with Memphis themes.  We recommend the Zippin Pippin. Named after Elvis' favorite Libertyland roller coaster, it's a white mocha topped with caramel.

An Unforgettable Visit to Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee

Elvis Presley’s Graceland is a must-see destination for music fans. Make the most of your visit to Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee with this in-depth guide.

Since Elvis Presley’s death in 1977, Graceland has been a place of pilgrimage for fans of all ages. Visitors come from all over the world to see the former home of the King of Rock and Roll.

More than just Elvis’ iconic mansion, Graceland is a museum dedicated to the life and legacy of the music legend. You’ll be able to tour Elvis’ luxurious mansion, cut up close to his airplanes and cars, see his stunning jumpsuits and memorabilia, and more.

Elvis Presley’s Graceland has something for everyone, guaranteeing unforgettable experiences. Are you ready to dive into the history of rock ‘n’ roll and visit the iconic Graceland mansion?

In this blog post, I’ll explain how to make the most of your visit to Graceland. Read on to find out how to plan the best trip to Elvis’ home!

Post Contents

History of Elvis Presley and Graceland

Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1935 and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee when he was 13 years old. He began his music career in Memphis in 1954, quickly gaining a reputation as a charismatic performer with a unique voice and style. He soon became a household name and a cultural icon.

In 1957, Elvis purchased Graceland, a 13.8-acre estate in Memphis, for $102,500. He lived there with his parents, wife, and daughter until his death in 1977.

Graceland played a significant role in Elvis’ life and career. The house saw everything from the birth of his daughter Lisa Marie, to countless recording sessions, to all of his legendary parties. After his death, Graceland became a place of pilgrimage for fans of Elvis’ music.

In 1982, Elvis’ wife Priscilla opened Graceland to the public as a museum, allowing visitors to experience the mansion and Elvis’ personal effects. Today, Graceland is one of the most famous homes in American, attracting more than 500,000 visitors each year.

Planning Your Trip to Graceland

Graceland is probably the most popular thing to do in Memphis. And with over 500,000 visitors each year, you can expect this music mecca to be crowded. Here are a few important things to keep in mind when planning your trip to Graceland:

Buying Tickets: Tickets to Graceland can be purchased online or on-site. It’s typically better to buy your tickets in advance to ensure availability of your desired tour time and to avoid long lines. You can print your tickets or have them available on your smartphone so you don’t have to stand in line.

When to Visit: Choosing the right time to visit Graceland is also crucial. The best time to visit Graceland is during the off-season, typically from November to March, or on a weekday when there are fewer crowds. It’s also less busy in the afternoon after 2 p.m.

Getting to Graceland: The best way to get to Graceland is by car. On-site parking costs $10 and the lot is located right by the visitor center. The only way to get to the mansion is by shuttle from the visitor center. There is also a Memphis Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus that makes a stop at Graceland.

Where to Stay: There are plenty of options for where to stay in Memphis that are near Graceland, like The Guest House at Graceland or the Days Inn by Wyndham Memphis at Graceland . Continue reading for more options.

Where to Stay Near Graceland

You have plenty of options for where to stay near Graceland. Whether you want the full Graceland experience by staying at the estate-run property The Guest House at Graceland or you want a traditional hotel like the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Graceland, you can’t go wrong.

Here are the closest hotels to Graceland:

• The Guest House at Graceland (0.2 miles)
• Days Inn by Wyndham Memphis at Graceland (0.2 miles)
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Elvis Presley Blvd. (0.7 miles)

And here are some vacation rentals near Graceland:

• This home is literally a 5 minute walk from Elvis Presley’s Graceland (0.3 miles)
• “TCB” of Graceland (0.3 miles)
• Spacious Memphis Home – Walk to Graceland (0.3 miles)
• The Retreat at Graceland (0.4 miles)
• The Mini Mansion at Graceland (0.5 miles)
• Memphis Vacation Rental – 1/2 Mi to Graceland (0.5 miles)

More Places to Stay in Memphis

Looking for a different place to stay in Memphis, Tennessee? Check out these other great options.

• Top Hotel: The Peabody Memphis
• Great Value: Comfort Inn Memphis Downtown
• Unique Stay: Big Cypress Lodge

The Graceland Experience

Your visit to Elvis Presley’s Graceland begins at the Visitor Center. You’ll pass through the beautiful white gates and enter what is basically Disney World for Rock & Roll fans.

Beyond the gates, you’ll find souvenir shops, Elvis-themed dining, the ticket office, and an entertainment complex called Elvis Presley’s Memphis that contains exhibits on Elvis’ life and career.

Once you’ve gotten your ticket, you can board the bus to the Graceland Mansion and Elvis’ Airplanes. The bus is the only way to reach the mansion.

After touring Graceland and the airplanes, you can come back to Elvis Presley’s Memphis to see the exhibits like Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum, Presley Motors Automobile Museum, and the Elvis Discovery Exhibits.

Tour Options

You have plenty of options when it comes to booking your Graceland tour:

Elvis Experience Tour — This is the most commonly booked tour. It includes an audio-guide tour of Graceland Mansion, Elvis Presley’s Memphis, and Elvis’ Airplanes. Tickets cost $79.75 for adults and $45.50 for children ages 5-10.

Elvis Entourage VIP — This VIP ticket includes an audio-guide tour Graceland Mansion, Elvis Presley’s Memphis, and Elvis’ Airplanes, and it gives you a VIP shuttle to the mansion, front-of-the-line mansion access, a keepsake backstage pass, an an exclusive exhibit for VIPs only. Tickets cost $135 per person.

Elvis Movie UVIP Tour — This special tour with a private tour guide features insight into the research done by Baz Luhrmann for his film ELVIS. The tour includes an expert guided small group tour of Graceland Mansion, a guided tour of Elvis’ Airplanes, a guided tour of Elvis Presley’s Memphis exhibits, access to Ultimate Lounge and the exclusive VIP exhibit, an exclusive photo opportunity, a personal Graceland Archives show-and-tell session, and a keepsake pass. Tickets cost $195 per person.

Ultimate VIP Tour — This VIP ticket includes an expert guided small group tour of Graceland Mansion, a self-guided tour of Elvis’ Airplanes, access to Elvis Presley’s Memphis, access to the Ultimate Lounge and the exclusive VIP exhibit, an exclusive photo opportunity, a personal Graceland Archives show-and-tell session, a keepsake backstage pass, and the option for a meal voucher for a restaurant at Elvis Presley’s Memphis. Tickets with meal voucher cost $215 per person. Tickets without meal voucher costs $195 per person.

Elvis Presley’s Memphis + Planes Tour — This option does not include Graceland Mansion and only gives you access to Elvis Presley’s Memphis and Elvis’ Airplanes. Tickets cost $49.75 for adults and $28 for children.

We chose to go with the simple Elvis Experience Tour. Since it offers basic access to everything, it’s the best tour and the best price for casual Elvis fans.

Touring Graceland Mansion

For the Graceland Mansion tour, if you choose the non-VIP option like we did, you’ll be handed an interactive iPad before boarding the shuttle bus to the home.

The audio-guided tour on the iPad is hosted by John Stamos from Full House (his character Uncle Jesse was a huge Elvis fan, like Stamos himself, and he actually suggested the name “Jesse” for his character in honor of Elvis’ twin brother who died in stillbirth). The audio-tour also featured commentary from Elvis’ wife and daughter.

The tour begins through the mansion’s front doors, as if you were a guest of the Presleys. The furnishings and decorations span all of Elvis’ time at Graceland, but mostly the home is set up to look as it would in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The first stop is the living room, decorated in a pristine white and peacock motif. You’ll move on to the purple bedroom where Elvis’ mother stayed, then to the dining room and kitchen.

The tour does not go upstairs.

From the kitchen, you’ll catch a brief glimpse of the Jungle Room before heading downstairs via the mirror-encased stairwell. In the basement, you’ll get to see the TV room with its own bar area and the pool room.

Then you’ll make your way back upstairs to get a better look at the famous Jungle Room with its green shag carpet and Polynesian décor.

The tour continues outside to Elvis’ father’s office, past the stables where you may be able to see some horses, inside the Trophy Building now filled with artifacts, past the pool, and through the Racquetball Building.

The tour ends at the Meditation Garden where Elvis and his family are laid to rest.

Touring Elvis’ Airplanes

After touring Graceland Mansion, the shuttle bus will drop you off at Elvis’ Airplanes. You can climb aboard the Lisa Marie, a 1958 Convair 880 that has a living room, conference room, sitting room, and private bedroom.

Then you can peek inside the small Lockheed Jet Star with its yellow and green seating.

Touring Elvis Presley’s Memphis

There’s a lot going on in the 200,000 square feet entertainment and exhibit complex that is Elvis Presley’s Memphis. You’re free to explore the exhibits at your own pace.

Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum lets you see hundreds of artifacts like Elvis’ gold and platinum records, walls full of his iconic jumpsuits, memorabilia from his movies, and more. This museum is the world’s largest collection of Elvis artifacts.

Elvis: Dressed To Rock is part of the Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum. It explores Elvis’ onstage style from 1969-1977 with over 100 pieces of stagewear exhibited in floor-to-ceiling displays.

Making of Elvis Movie Exhibit is located inside Elvis Hollywood Backlot and takes a look at the creative process of Baz Luhrmann’s film ELVIS. There are behind-the-scenes videos of the making of the film, drafts of scripts, props, costumes, and more.

Presley Motors Automobile Museum shows off Elvis’ love of cars. Some of his favorites are on display, including his Pink Cadillac, a 1975 Dino Ferrari, and a 1973 Stutz Blackhawk.

Presley Cycles showcases even more of Elvis’ toys, including his motorcycles, John Deere tractor, and ski boats.

Elvis Interactive Experience lets you take part in dozens of interactive and sharable moments, like customized photos and videos of you and Elvis, a dance floor trivia game, and a virtual golf cart ride around the estate.

Icons: The Influence of Elvis Presley Exhibit celebrates Elvis as a music pioneer that paved the way for many of today’s artists. See how Elvis inspired some of your favorite celebrities.

The Archive Experience gives you a glimpse into hundreds of artifacts from the Graceland Archives.

The King of Karate exhibit inside the Graceland Archives Experience documents Elvis’ love for karate and showcases many of his rarely-seen karate items.

The Welcome To My World exhibit inside the Graceland Archives Experience explores the story of Graceland through photos, personal artifacts, and archival footage.

Private Presley: Elvis in the Army Exhibit tells you more about Elvis’ time in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960.

The Hollywood Backlot exhibit features actual sets used in the CMT show “Sun Records”.

X’s & O’s: Elvis and His Love of Football showcases Elvis’ handwritten plays, sports equipment, and more on display for the first time at Graceland. This exhibit is located inside the Haberdashery.

Lisa Marie: Growing Up Presley features personal items from Lisa Marie’s childhood, music career, charity work, and more. This exhibit is located inside the Haberdashery.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Graceland

Visiting Elvis Presley’s Graceland is a fun experience for fans of the King of Rock & Roll and anyone who is interested in music history.

Graceland is a must-visit destination when in Memphis, Tennessee!

More Things to Do in Tennessee

Make the most out of your vacation to Tennessee! Check out these other Tennessee travel guides to plan your perfect trip:

• A Romantic Weekend in Dickson, Tennessee
• Top Things to Do and See in Nashville, Tennessee
• Incredibly Fun Things To Do in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Ready to visit Memphis, Tennessee? Plan your trip with these tips.

• Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner , my favorite flight search engine.
• Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Memphis using Booking.com.
• Get to Know the City: Find the best Memphis city tours and attraction passes on Viator.

Are you planning a visit to Graceland? Did you find this guide to Elvis Presley’s Graceland helpful? Let me know in the comments!

Paige Watts is a travel expert and author of What's With Atlanta? , a guide to the quirks and charm of the ATL. A life-long traveler, Paige is dedicated to helping you discover the best things to do in the Southern USA and around the world. Her work has been featured in The Culture Trip, Matador, Newsbreak, MSN, NPR, and countless other interviews and podcasts.

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Planning Away

Visit Graceland in Memphis Tennessee – The Best Elvis Presley Experience!

Do you want to visit Graceland in Memphis Tennessee? Are you wanting to plan a trip to Memphis, Tennessee?  If you are an Elvis fan, this will be a dream come true! 

I recently went and was blown away by how incredible Graceland was! 

This trip was special because my dad is a huge Elvis fan, and he even named me Lisa Marie!  I thought this would be a great chance to spend some time with my parents and learn all about Elvis.

In this post, we will cover how to get to Graceland, the cost to visit Graceland, how long it takes to tour Graceland, and what to see and do at Graceland in Memphis Tennessee. 

We had a wonderful time and now I am so excited to help you plan a trip to Graceland! Let's explore all the things you need to know when you visit Graceland.

You will want to save this information for later so be sure to Pin this to Pinterest.

This post may contain affiliate links that will give me a commission at no additional charge to you. 

Where is Graceland?

Graceland was Elvis's actual home, and it is situated on a 13.8 – acre estate in Memphis, Tennessee.  Currently, the home is under the ownership of Elvis's daughter, Lisa Marie Presley.

How Do I Get to Graceland?

If you are flying in, you may want to rent a car . If you are planning to stay in the city of Memphis, there are also shuttle services to Graceland.  

The complete address of the Graceland Mansion is:

3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee

How Close is Graceland to the Airport?

The Memphis Airport is located 2 miles away from Graceland. This drive should only take about 7-10 minutes.

How Far is Graceland (Memphis) to Nashville?

You may want to visit both musical cities while you are in Tennessee.  If this is the case,  you can take a 215-mile drive (about 3 hours) between locations.

Admission to Graceland

There are a few ticket options for Graceland.

How Much Does it Cost to Visit Graceland?

Four tour options range in price.

Basic Admission

The basic mansion tour is an audio-guided tour with prices that start at $41 for adults and $21 for children ages 7 to 12.

Elvis Experience Tour

The Elvis Experience Tour is $73 for adults and $42 for children.  This is the ticket I recommend getting.  There is so much more to Graceland than just the mansion.  This ticket will give you access to all the museums on site.

Ultimate VIP and Elvis Entourage VIP Tours

The Elvis Entourage Tour includes everything that the Elvis Experience Tour has, as well as a front-of-the-line pass and a backstage pass keepsake. It is $112 per person.

The Ultimate VIP Tour is led by a guide and starts at $174 per person; children 2 and younger tour for free.

The Ultimate VIP tour includes everything the Elvis Entourage Tour includes plus:

• Access to ultimate lounge and exclusive VIP exhibit
• Options to purchase special merchandise only available to ultimate guests
• A meal voucher for the restaurant at Elvis Presley’s Memphis
• Exclusive photo opportunity
• Personal Graceland archives show and tell session
• Keepsake backstage pass

If you are a die-hard Elvis fan, this is for you!

Should I Purchase My Tickets Ahead of Time?

Yes, particularly now.  To address spacing concerns related to  COVID -19,  you will need to schedule your tour time when you book your tickets.

How Long Does it Take to Visit Graceland?

You might be wondering how long it takes to tour Graceland. I recommend planning an entire day to visit Graceland.

A tour of the mansion takes about one to one and a half hours. The Elvis Experience Tour, which includes the mansion, car museum, and several other exhibits will take much longer to explore. 

Our Experience

We started our tour at 9:30 am and did not leave until 3:00 pm.  It was not crowded when we went, so I imagine it would have taken much longer with crowds.

To make sure you don’t have to cut your day short, I would definitely plan to dedicate an entire day to Graceland.

Visit Graceland

Is graceland worth visiting.

Absolutely, Graceland is fantastic!  As you visit Graceland, you will fall in love with Elvis!  Elvis has been dead almost as long as I have been alive, and I still loved it!

The Mansion

The mansion is fantastic, it is like stepping back in time!  I enjoyed the audio presentation and touring all the rooms.  Learning all about Elvis was a highlight and actually made me a big fan.

The Museums

After the mansion, we made our way over to the museums.  It was this area that I began to fall in love with 20-year-old Elvis. He was such a heartthrob!  I loved learning about his career, military service, success, and even his personal struggles.

So not that you have a little taste of the overall experience, let's dive in and explore Graceland a little more.

Parking at Graceland

As you visit Graceland, there will be a $10 parking fee.  Your vehicle is secure behind a gated area. 

Free Shuttle

If you are staying at The Guest House at Graceland Hotel located across the street there is a free shuttle that will allow you to avoid the parking fee.

Visit Graceland Mansion

Let's begin the Graceland tour!

Story of Elvis – Film

As you enter Graceland, you will watch a film about Elvis's life.  I loved learning all about him before we entered the mansion. 

You will get a professional photograph directly after the film which you can purchase this $30.  I thought it was worth it! 

Self Guided Audio Tour

After the film, you will then be given a self-guided audio tour device.  This device is an iPad with pictures, music, and is controlled by you which is very nice.  

Shuttle to the Mansion

Now the fun begins! The shuttle will take you to the Graceland estate.  You will be given a briefing and then be able to enter into the house. 

Tour the House

The house is a blast from the past! It is in pristine condition and is exactly how it was when Elvis lived there.  On the main floor are the living area, dining area, and kitchen. 

Also, you will see the staircase leading upstairs but no one is allowed to go to the upper floor.  This is out of respect for Elvis and his privacy. 

The Kitchen 

The kitchen screams 1970! It is funny that Elvis had every new technology available and yet as we look back, they are basic things everyone in America now has in their houses.  

The Jungle Room

The jungle room was an entertaining area designed with green shag carpet.  The carpet is even on the ceiling!  There are wild animals all around and the furniture is one of a kind! 

The movie room is bright and fun.  When Elvis learned that the President of the United States had three TVs to watch all the news channels at once, Elvis decided he needed 3 TVs to watch all sports events at once! 

The Billiards Room

This room is completely decorated with fabric and is very interesting! 

Graceland Estate

After you exit the house you will get to see the rest of the estate.  There is a racquetball court, pool, and horse stable outback.  Elvis's tombstone is also located outside of the home.  

A small museum is on-site.  It focuses on the family history of the Presley family.  Did you know that Elvis was a twin?  I didn't until walking through this museum.   (His brother died at birth.) 

Elvis Car Museum

Elvis Car Museum is awesome, I counted 15 cars!  This made me want to go on an Elvis car tour through Memphis .

In this same building, there is a section of other toys Elvis had such as; motorcycles, tractors, and golf carts.  There is an interactive game you can play in this area.  It is a simulator that will drive you around Graceland in a golf cart.

Elvis Career Museum

This was my favorite area. It was fun and educational.  This museum takes you through the early days of the 1950s.  1950's Elvis is my favorite Elvis. 

The museum starts with how Elvis got his first hit, “It's Alright Mama,” and how his life changed forever. 

Elvis served in the army in Germany during his early career as well.

1950's Elvis

1950's Elvis is a heartthrob!  He was so handsome.  One thing I loved is how interactive this museum was.   There are screens located around where you can take quizzes about Elvis and then get pictures with Elvis.  They are sent to your email.  

Also, there are two areas where Elvis serenades you.  A green screen is behind you as Elvis Sings.  A video is produced and sent to your email.  

1970's Elvis

One thing about Elvis was his many, many outfits.  They are all displayed in this area as well as those of other actors that have portrayed Elvis.  

Elvis had so many hit records and there is a wall completely full of all of his songs.  It is really amazing!   At the end of the museum, you will watch a 1970 Elvis concert. 

Lisa Marie Museum 

There is a Lisa Marie Museum, and I thought I had better mention it since this is my namesake.  The Presley's namesake continues through Lisa and her children.

Places to Eat at Graceland

We got hungry as we toured the museums.  We ate at Vernon’s Smokehouse, but that is only one of a few options at Graceland.  

Vernon's Smokehouse

Vernon's Smokehouse is named after Elvis's father.  We decided to get a little barbeque since we were in Memphis.  It was really good.  You can choose a meat and two sides.  We liked this restaurant and highly recommend it. 

Glady's Diner

Glady's Diner is named after Elvis's mother. It's an all- American restaurant serving burgers, chicken, and of course the grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich!  It actually gets really great reviews. 

Minnie Mae Sweets

Minnie Mae was Elvis's grandma.  If you just want a snack this sweet shop is your one-stop shop.  Ice cream sundaes, candy, and guess what – yes – even, peanut butter and banana cotton candy.  

It has a 1950s dinner décor.  It is super cute. 

Rock N Go Cafe

The Rock N Go Cafe is near the ticket windows as you enter Graceland.  There are grab-and-go items such as sandwiches and salads.

Can I Get Souvenirs at Graceland?

Yes, there are many souvenir shops located at Graceland.  One thing I loved was that each store did not have the same things.  There was a variety of merchandise to choose from.

I love buying souvenirs when I travel.  Snow globes always win in my book!

Can you Get Elvis Souvenirs Cheaper Somewhere Else?

Not really.  We went to a few other souvenir shops in Memphis and even Walgreens but found that it was maybe $1 cheaper than the prices at Graceland.

So if price is something that you are worried about, you should feel okay to go ahead and purchase the merchandise that you like as you visit Graceland.

Elvis's Planes

Elvis actually had two planes.  One was really large and the other was a commuter jet.  His larger plane was named Lisa Marie!

As I boarded the plane, it kind of hit me that Elvis was really rich! Haha!  That plane must have been so nice back in the '70s.  I think they said that each time he flew the plane it cost over $600,000.  That is so crazy!

But I guess that is nothing for the King of Rock N Roll!  Actually, they say that Elvis is still bringing in the dough — he is the highest-paid dead person bringing in 42 million each year!

Where Should I Stay when I Visit Graceland?

The Guest House at Graceland is beautiful.  It is located across the street from Graceland.  The rooms are really nice and are decorated with Elvis décor.

The outside pool area is a great to place relax and have a little fun.  There are outdoor games and beautiful lawn furniture.

The Staircase at the Guest House

There is a replica of the staircase that is in Graceland leading up to the second floor. Since you can’t climb the stairs at Graceland, the Guest House gives you your best chance at getting a similar experience.

I thought the hotel was beautiful, safe, and I highly recommend staying here if you are planning a trip to Graceland.

What Other Elvis Attractions are Nearby?

If you want to get more Elvis, consider driving down to Tupelo, Mississippi, just over an hour and a half drive from Graceland.

You can take a tour of the Elvis Presley Birthplace. 

Elvis's Childhood Home in Tupelo 

Elvis was born on January 8, 1935, in his small shotgun house that his father Vernon built for $180 that he borrowed from his employer.

You can take a tour of the Elvis Presley Birthplace home. It is a 2-room house where Elvis was born with his twin brother, who was stillborn.

A family of little means, the Presleys only lived there for a few years after Elvis was born, but they continued to reside in Mississippi until 1948 when they moved to Memphis.

Historic Site

The property stands in its original location and has been restored to its original condition, decorated with period furniture as well as a replica 1939 Plymouth Sedan that the family used to drive.

This historic museum site of the birthplace of  Elvis Presley also includes a tour of the church building where the Presley family worshipped.

If you can’t make it to Elvis’s birthplace, there are still plenty of ways to spend an amazing weekend in Memphis . A must-see is Sun Studio, where Elvis recorded his first song, “It's All Right Mama”  This tour will really give you an insight into how Elvis got his start.  I really enjoyed this tour!

Sun Studio and its proprietor, Sam Phillips, had quite the run.  This was also the launching point for such musicians as  Jonny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Roy Orbison.

It also lives on in the musical, Million Dollar Quartet, which reenacts the day Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins played together at the studio.

Admission is $15

You will want to purchase your t ickets ahead of time because space is limited because of COVID.

Rock N Soul Museum

The Rock N Soul Museum is part of the Smithsonian Institute Affiliate Program. so you know it is going to be nice.  We went and really enjoyed learning all about the famous musicians that have come out of Memphis.   Of course, Elvis is featured in this cool museum.

Admission is $11

Purchase your tickets ahead of time to schedule a time slot to visit.

Are you Ready to Visit Graceland?

As you get ready to visit Graceland I hope this helps you plan your trip.  Graceland was one of my favorite places in Memphis.  I truly became an Elvis fan after this experience.   I highly recommend going and experiencing it yourself! 

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73 Comments

The whole time I was reading this article I had Paul Simon’s Graceland going through my head.. funny. The interactive aspect of the museum sounds like fun. I want a picture with Elvis and see his outfits and pictures through the ages.

It is so cool! I love getting the photos!

What a great resource! Your photos look amazing and I love the Q& A format!

Thanks! Hopefully it helps plan a trip to Graceland!

I definitely want to do these tours. My mom would love it too!

It is funny because I thought my parents would like it and that is why we went but I loved it too!

I am so in the mood to watch an Elvis movie or two now! My mom was a huge fan so we were also. I definitely want to visit Memphis – especially Graceland! This is such a great post with so much great information. And love that you’re named after Lisa Marie! I have a friend named Delvis (named after Elvis because her mom was a fan).

Graceland was so awesome, you would love it!

My husband and I spent a short time in Memphis years ago and visited both Graceland and Sun Studio. We had SUCH a great time and have often talked about going back for a long weekend! Thanks for sharing – great pictures – it really brought back some fun memories!

We made some great memories too! It was fun to tour around!

My friend has been to Graceland and loved her visit there. I remember watching his movies.

He actually made 13 movies! But I think he was a better singer than actor!

Graceland has always been on my bucket list and now I want to see it even more! I can’t wait to see the Billiards room and the plane- so cool 🙂

It is really cool!

How fun! I really love Memphis. I’d go anytime in a heartbeat. We went to Graceland several years ago. My youngest was two years old at the time. Now she’s eleven. Time certainly flies. We also took my parents with us who are huge Elvis fans, so it was fun seeing Graceland through their eyes.

It is a fun place! It’s fun to go with people who lived it!

We went to Graceland last year and did the VIP tour. Ended up loving Elvis and Memphis. It was such a cool place. Glad you guys and especially your dad had a blast!

I think it was your trip that inspired me to go! I’m so glad we did!

We visited Memphis this past August but didn’t have time to fit in Graceland. By the looks of it you definitely need plenty of time. Looks like a place to add to our list for next time!

Graceland was wonderful but I don’t know if my kids would have enjoyed it as much as I did. Just something to think about!

Graceland is so iconic! Certainly something interesting to explore!

I am ready to visit! I would do the Ultimate VIP tour.

That would be amazing!

We went there last year. I was thoroughly surprised how small the mansion actually was. Were you? I had some idea of a mansion that was bigger than this I guess LOL. I was also surprised as how expansive the museum areas were.

I was too but then I thought well he bought it in 1950 and house were very tiny back then.

I travel through Memphis from time to time and you’ve inspired me to stop by and visit Elvis’ palace. Nice!

You totally should!

Yes so ready to visit Graceland! We’ve been wanting to do a road trip in that direction. It’s on the list!

It will be so much fun!

The pictures just tok me back in time! I love the rustic vintage feel of the mansions- made it looks so classy. Thank you fr sharing this! pinned also for inspiration for when we’re able to travel 🙂

It really is a blast to the past!

Wow. I didn’t realize there was so much to see outside of Graceland. I hope to make it there one day. And I didn’t know Elvis had a twin!

I didn’t either!

I definitely enjoyed our visit to Graceland many years ago, and I’m not even much of an Elvis fan. It was a fascinating time capsule. I still remember the shag carpets!

It is a really cool time capsule!

What a fun place to visit! I haven’t been here but I saw a really cute Hallmark Christmas movie last year that peaked my interest! This is definitely on my list, thank you for sharing!

I saw the set for that!

This looks like a great trip. My family lives in Knoxville, so I visit eastern Tennessee and even Nashville a lot, but haven’t made it to Memphis yet. I need to add it to my bucket list!

We haven’t been to the other side of Tennessee and would love to go.

This is my top place to visit on my list! I love Elvis. It’s good to know what tickets to purchase.

It is such a fun place you will love it when you visit.

I just saw a video that “proves” Elvis is 82 and working as a gardener at Graceland! LOL. I’d go just to see the gardener. Fun article! Thank you!

I will have to watch it!

How cool! This looks like such a fun trip. Elvis is truly an icon! Those rooms are cracking me up- carpet on the ceiling?? So funny!

I know right! He had quite the interior designer!

That is really cool, what a neat experience! I never really considered Graceland when I get to make a Nashville trip, but I think I’ll have to!

It is a little bit of a drive but it is worth it!

Such a fun experience for you! I’d love to visit Graceland too. My parents had the opportunity to visit and loved it all.

It is so fun! You would love it too!

Looks like a fun trip with so much to do and see!

There really is so much to do and see!

I would love to go and bring my mom! I can’t figure out what I liked more- the jungle or billiard room! What a cool trip.

You should go! It is fun to go with your parents that actually lived when we was alive.

What an interesting life and career. And the impact that his style definitely had on the industry. Thanks for sharing.

He was the king and really he did make such an impact on society.

Oh woww! What an extensive post. As if I’m there touring with you. He is definitely rich. The mansion is HUGE and very luxurious. I didn’t know he owned a plane and the price was not even near to the price of the planes now. Thanks for giving us a glimpse of his life.

That plane must have been amazing in the 70’s

There’s a tremendous amount of info here, wow!

Thanks, I hope it helps with planning!

Great post! Very thorough! We went to Graceland a couple years ago with my oldest daughter. We were staying in Nashville, so only had the day there. Miss Sunshine absolutely loved the whole experience! I love looking at the mansion… and the cars! There was soooo much to soak in! After a while, the constant barage of gift shops was a little much… but overall, we had a really great time!

There were a ton of gift shops, but what I liked is that they all had different merchandise.

We visited years ago and loved it! Much smaller than I thought it would be but also so cozy! Would love to go back and explore more – we were only there for a day!

He definitely had unique taste in decor! Such an iconic visit!

Yes, his style was very hip!

I would love to do this tour one day. A big fan here!

It is such a great place!

I’ve always wanted to go, good to know the differences in packages!! Looks amazing!

It is worth a trip for sure!

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I was shocked at how much there is to see here.

It was much bigger than I thought it would be. I thought it was just the mansion.

I love Memphis, but have never checked out anything related to Elvis. I will have to do that some time!

That was my favorite part!

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Priscilla Presley Explains Why Elvis’s Graceland Remains the Second Most Visited Home in America

By Zoey Goto

It’s been 40 years since Graceland mansion first eased open its door to the public, beckoning to the line of curious visitors that they could—at long last—venture past the Corinthian columns and step into Elvis Presley’s private playground. Despite the passing of four decades, remarkably, there’s been no ebb in the steady flow of inquisitive tourists. People still go crazy for the King of Rock and Roll, and he’s especially having a cultural resurgence at the moment thanks to the Baz Luhrmann–directed biopic, called simply Elvis , which is set to hit theaters on June 24. For the film, which features Austin Butler in the titular role, Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla Presley , and Tom Hanks as Elvis’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, Graceland was completely recreated on a set in Queensland, Australia. 

In real life, 600,000 visitors visit the relatively modest Colonial Revival style property on the outskirts of Memphis annually. So what keeps them coming? Arguably, Graceland remains one of the most significant homes of the 20th century, despite being written off as a kitsch fest in some quarters. For lovers of design, what Graceland really offers is an unparalleled catalogue of interior trends from the late ’50s through to the late ’70s, in their purest and most authentic forms.

Elvis Presley outside the grounds of his Graceland estate circa 1957.

Flamboyantly themed rooms, meticulous color scheming, gadgetry, esoteric meditation zones, sumptuous shag-pile carpeting playfully splashed across walls, furniture dripping in gold—Graceland offers a plush ringside seat to the zeitgeist of its era. Its importance to design pedagogy is such that the English Duchess of Cavendish once commented, “Students of the decorative arts should see Graceland as part of their education.”

Inside Elvis Presley’s Graceland living room.

But Graceland also lifts the cloak on Elvis Presley the individual. Throughout his 20-year occupancy, Presley approached the decoration of Graceland in much the same way he created music by blending a pastiche of styles: From the Modern Baroque of a luxury hotel to theatrical Hollywood film sets, from Polynesian tiki bars to the maternal comfort of an all-American suburban ranch.

Lounge area of Elvis Presley’s racquetball court (far right) at Graceland.

Rarely has such synergy between a celebrity and their home existed, with Presley treating Graceland as yet another creative outlet. Having purchased the house for $102,500 at the tender age of 22, Presley wasted no time orchestrating for local decorator George Golden to bring his grand vision to life. Priscilla Presley, who was married to Elvis and lived at Graceland for many years, recalls, “Before leaving for his next film, Elvis left plans for [Golden] on the color and fabric choices and layout of the furnishings. Mr. Golden only had four weeks from start to finish,” due to Elvis’s relentless work schedule.

Elvis Presley’s kitchen at Graceland, which is a perfect snapshot of an affluent home from the late 1950s.

By Katherine McLaughlin

By Perri Ormont Blumberg

Let’s not forget that long before Graceland was a museum, it was a family home filled with life and laughter. Priscilla remembers evenings spent in the piano room. “After returning from late nights at the movies, Elvis and I would go there, and he would spend hours singing gospel music.” Graceland’s dining room also holds a special place for Priscilla, where she and Elvis would gather with a handful of the guys who worked for him. “There was nothing but laughter. So much so, there were times that Elvis would be on the floor laughing to tears.”

The famous Jungle Room at Graceland.

Visitors flock to Graceland to feel connected to an icon whose life still remains shrouded in mystery. As Priscilla says, “Elvis didn’t fit the mold, he marched to his own drum. But when people walk in that front door there is a reverence, respect, a quietness. It’s as if his spirit is there. They come back time after time to experience…him.”

Elvis Presley’s fabric-lined pool room at Graceland.

And perhaps we visit Graceland not just as Presley or design devotees, but also because the house holds a mirror up to ourselves. Graceland symbolizes the American Dream so precisely that Presley’s birthplace shack could fit snugly inside the living room of his mansion, a fact that the King of Rock and Roll himself would often marvel at.

Like a croupier finally revealing their cards, Graceland tells us not only of Elvis Presley the superstar, but it also exposes the aesthetic and material aspirations of the wider culture that spawned him. And for that reason alone, we should all form an orderly line to tour Graceland—one of the greatest homes in America.

By Michelle Duncan

Everything Fans Need To Know About Visiting Graceland, The Famed Former Home Of Elvis Presley

For fans of Elvis, a visit to Graceland is a dream come true - here's everything you need to know before visiting the home of the late Rock King.

Elvis has left the building - so go and tour it! One of the greatest attractions in Memphis, Tennessee is Graceland - the former home of Elvis Presley. It is a stunning mansion on a 13.8-acre estate and is open to the public. One can come and see the museum about Elvis, tour the opulent mansion, see the picturesque gardens, and see and tour his private jet.

Elvis certainly did not live a humble life as King of Rock 'n' Roll. After years of drug abuse, he suddenly died at his home at Graceland at the age of 42. Visiting his home is one of the best ways to really understand this iconic figure of the 1970s. Graceland is the most visited privately-owned home in the US, see here for what you need to know about visiting Biltmore Castle - the largest privately-owned house in the US .

The History Of Graceland

After Elvis died in 1977 his daughter, Lisa Presley inherited it. Since 1982 it has been open to the public as a museum and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991 and even a National Historic Landmark since 2006. For Rock 'n' Roll fans see here for 10 places to stop on the Great American Rock 'n' Roll road trip.

• Address: 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard

The former home to the King of Rock 'n' Roll is the most visited privately-owned home in America receiving an astonishing 650,000 visitors yearly (that rivals end the White House).

• Annual Visitors: Around 650,000

At Graceland, one can see the place Elvis once called home, tour the beautiful mansion, and see the manicured gardens. One can even tour the aircraft he would fly on from performance to performance. The Memphis entertainment complex has artifacts, personal mementos, and costumes on display from Elvis and his family. Some of the things one can see include gold records, classic cars, and jeweled jumpsuits.

Related: The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Has Added An Awesome Pinball Exhibit

Visiting Graceland

Tickets to visit Graceland are available at the Graceland Ticket Office on arrival but are also available to be purchased in advance.

• Tip: Visit On December 1st - 20th And Go On Their Graceland Christmas Tour

Hours Open May to December 2021:

• Daily: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Closed: Thanksgiving Day And Christmas Day
• Reduced Hours: Christmas Eve, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Ultimate VIP Tour

With this tour, one gets a Graceland Mansion Tour with an expert guide for each small group of up to 10 people. Enjoy a self-guided tour of Elvis' Custom Jets and have full access to Presley's Memphis entertainment complex.

• Bonuses: Access to the Ultimate Lounge and Exclusive VIP Exhibit and a Meal Voucher For The Restaurant
• Price Per Person: $190.00 (Under Two Years Old Free)
• Average Tour Duration: 4 Hours (Including Meal)

Elvis Presley's Memphis And Planes

This is a more affordable entry ticket for visiting what there is to see around the mansion. With this ticket, one can visit Elvis' custom jets, have full access to the all-new Elvis Presley's Memphis Entertainment complex, see his automobiles, his wardrobe, his gold records, more.

• Important: This Ticket Does Not Include Access To The Graceland Mansion
• Adults: $47.00 (Aged 11 and Up)
• Youth: $29.00 (Aged 5-10)
• Infants: $0.00 (4 And Under)
• Duration: Average Tour Time 2 to 2.5 Hours

Christmas Tours

Christmas tours at Graceland Mansion come but once a year! These tours feature live tour guides throughout the Graceland Mansion with stories of what it was like to spend the holidays with the King of Rock 'n' Roll.

• Adults: $90.00 (Aged 11 and Up)
• Youth: $58.00 (Aged 5-10)
• Duration: Average Tour Time 3.5 to 4 Hours
• When: December 1st to 20th

There are other tours available that cater to different budgets, these include (for more information see the Graceland website ):

• Elvis Entourage VIP: $124.00
• Elvis Experience Tours: $75.00 to $43.00
• Virtual Live Tours: $98.50
• Christmas UVIP Tours: $250.00

Related: Explore Nashville, Tennessee Like Kid Rock, Taylor Swift, And These 14 Other Stars

Accommodation By Graceland

While one can't stay at the Graceland mansion, Graceland offers two accommodation options for visitors to choose from. After one as explored the mansion and marveled at the legacy of the man who changed Rock 'n' Roll forever, stay at Graceland's AAA Four-Diamond resort hotel called The Guest House At Graceland or at their campground up the boulevard.

The Guest House At Graceland

This is a full-service hotel with some 450 spacious rooms, two restaurants, and even a 464 seat theater for live performances and movies. It is elegant and luxurious and the gateway to visiting the Elvis mansion. For prices and availability see their website .

Graceland RV Park and Campground

While it may be nice to stay at a luxury hotel, many folks a more budget-focused and so Graceland also offers an RV and camping option. It is within walking distance of Graceland is located on 19 acres of ground just off Elvis Presley Boulevard. Check out their website for camping options.

• Full Hook-Up: $52.00
• Water And Electric: $46.00 (RVs and Tents)
• Traditional Tent: $28.00

Next: This Is Where You Can Find Tennessee's Lost Sea (And Yes, You Can Tour Its Cavernous Underground)

This Graceland Virtual Tour Takes You Inside Elvis’ Home

The magnificent mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, known as Graceland was the pride of singer and actor Elvis Presley. He spent his first night there on June 26, 1957, opening the gates to an amazing era of music history that remarkably lives on to this day. Over the 20 years he spent there, the property was “Elvis-ized,” with myriad changes to suit the eclectic taste of “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”

Today, it’s part museum and shrine, a bucket-list destination for millions of fans, as well as Elvis’ gravesite. With more than 600,000 annual visitors, it’s the third-most visited house in the U.S., behind the Biltmore Estate and the White House. 

Ready to take a peek inside? Slip on something comfortable (we recommend “Blue Suede Shoes”), and join us for this Graceland virtual tour!

Entering the Estate

The property is located at 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard.

It’s encircled by a wall constructed of pink Alabama fieldstone, built at a cost of $65,000 and installed shortly before the Presleys moved here. 

Signing the Wall

Today, the wall is covered with graffiti and professions of affection for Elvis.

Don’t worry, there’s still room for your personal contribution, which we recommend you add before entering the gates.

The Front Gates

The gates at the bottom of the curving driveway were installed at a cost $1,339 in 1957. They were designed by Abe Saucer and built by John Dillard, Jr. of Memphis Doors.

Adorned with musical notes and artistic outlines of Elvis playing guitar, they resemble sheet music. 

The Perfect Photo-Op

There are a number of photographs like this one of a beaming Elvis posing with the gates. He would even sometimes stand here and sign autographs for fans.

Just behind the gates to the right is the guardhouse, which was added in 1970.

Entryway to Graceland

At the top of the hill is the Entryway to Graceland. Here, you’re greeted by a pair of white lions, two white iron benches and four imposing Corinthian columns flanking the front door. 

The home’s exterior is covered with a special limestone, sourced from a quarry in Mississippi. It has a tan color that contrasts pleasantly with the green shutters on either side of the eight paned windows. Surprisingly, it exudes an air of subtlety.

The Doorway

A beautiful panel of ornate stained glass sits above the doorway — four flowers around a “P” in a golden circle. The flower pattern flanks the front door as well in thin, vertical panes. 

Extravagant stained-glass artwork is found in many locations throughout Graceland.

A Little Graceland History

Before we step inside the estate, here’s a little bit of history first. The estate received its identity from the original owner, who named it Graceland Farms after his daughter Grace. 

The nearly 14-acre property remained in the prominent Memphis family for several generations, leading to the construction of the 10,266-square-foot Colonial Revival style mansion in 1939.

The King Takes Over

Under the guidance of his parents, Elvis purchased it on March 19, 1957, for the then-princely sum of $102,500. He was just 22, less than a year from his groundbreaking “Ed Sullivan Show” appearance, a breakout star looking for a little privacy and something to grow into.

He’d spent only a year at his previous “Music City” residence (the nearby 1034 Audubon Drive), ultimately realizing the constant crush of fans gathered at the driveway was too much for the neighbors. 

A National Treasure

Graceland, which has 23 rooms, was extensively remodeled by Presley (his mother reportedly vetoed purple walls and white corduroy drapes) and authentically reflects his taste, as well as style influences of the 1960s and early ’70s. 

It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

First-Floor Map

Elvis’ parents, Vernon and Gladys, and his grandmother, Minnie Mae, actually lived with him in the 17,552-square-foot dwelling, which served as Elvis’ headquarters for two decades until his fatal heart attack there on Aug. 16, 1977.

The first floor features a luxurious living room and the adjacent, slightly understated music room. On the other side of the first floor is a formal dining room, with the kitchen tucked just behind it. A ground-level bedroom, accessed from the back of the foyer, was occupied primarily by Elvis’ parents. 

Shall we take a look?

Upon entry into the foyer, you face the staircase to the second floor, which is roped off and closed to the public. To the left, behind a white urn on a mirrored pedestal, is a framed baby portrait of Lisa Marie. Elliptical arch openings on either side lead to the Living and Dining rooms.

To the right of the stairs is a short hallway which ends at a first-floor bedroom. A small table, with a mirror hung above it, is the only decoration on it. As was the case when Elvis was alive, there’s always a vase full of flowers.

The white-carpeted 15-step staircase has a white-and-gold accented railing on the right side, with mirrors covering the left wall. 

Along with the mirrors, there’s a portrait of Elvis as a young man. He’s wearing a white shirt and a placid expression. His hair is noticeably lighter, which suggests he’d recently been discharged from the Army. Elvis wasn’t able to dye his hair black when he was a soldier.

The Chandelier

The chandelier that hangs above the stairs was the third installed by Elvis. It was placed there in 1974.

Atop the stairs, at the first landing, there are blue drapes covering the wall, with gold trimming. To reach Elvis’ bedroom, you turn right to a landing that’s just outside the bedroom door.

Living Room

Immediately to the right of the foyer is the living room. It features white furniture and white carpet, with an open doorway to the music room at the far end. 

A pair of elegant rainbow-hued stained-glass peacocks captures your attention immediately. The artful cacophony of color was the creation of Laukuff Stained Glass. The birds were installed in 1974 at a cost of $9,345, a price that included several other stained-glass pieces. Elvis commissioned them as an ancient Christian symbol of eternal life and resurrection.

Custom-Made Decor

The living room boasts mirrored walls, a white-marble fireplace and a 10-foot, glass-topped, custom-made coffee table. Just inside, to the left, is a portrait of Elvis hung on a mirrored wall above a cabinet with a framed photo of his parents. 

The sofa, while not wide enough to hold Elvis’ famed “Memphis Mafia” collection of friends and advisors, was a spacious 15 feet from armrest to armrest. It was purchased for $1,375 in 1957.

Just beyond the living room, as you pass between the preening peacocks, is the music room. Originally used as a solarium by the previous owners, Elvis transformed the 17-by-14-foot space into a cozy location to entertain dinner guests on the piano. 

Several pianos occupied the room through the years, but the King’s favorite was a 1912 Knabe grand that he purchased in 1957 and had painted white.

The room also contains the ubiquitous television. Elvis had them installed in countless locations throughout the house. 

As an RCA recording artist, he received them for free from the company, which was a leading TV manufacturer. 

Dining Room

The formal dining room is located on the other side of the foyer. It has curio cabinets in both corners, black marble flooring in the center and a carpeted perimeter.

The dining table featured a hidden button, installed on the underside, used by Elvis to buzz the kitchen, which is just through an open door to the right. 

Dining Room Windows

The windows in the dining room, which face the front yard, are nearly floor to ceiling, framed by lush blue drapes with gold tassels. 

A mirror sits between the two windows, partially obstructed by a massive oak cabinet displaying a collection of silverware.

The King of Blue Drapes

Elvis loved blue drapes so much that they didn't just adorn the dining room.

The same drapes are found in the living room and atop the foyer staircase. 

The kitchen has an upscale 1970s look, right down to the appliances. It’s cozy and functional, not grand. There’s a TV (of course) on a small counter and a breakfast bar with stool seats. 

In addition to the TV, two black-and-white monitors provide the live video feed from Elvis’ security cameras. A pair of stained-glass lights hang from chains; their artwork depicts fruits and vegetables.

Top-of-the-Line Kitchen Gadgets

The refrigerator, which held all of the fixin’s for Elvis’ favorite meals, is a double-door model that was uncommon in most kitchens. The oven, a Tappan Fabulous 400, is similarly state of the art for its time. Elvis loved to own the latest gadgets, evidence of which is an early model microwave oven.

Notably, patterned carpet covers the floor. One can only imagine the mess if a griddle-fried, peanut-butter-and-banana sandwich or perhaps BBQ spaghetti (among Elvis’ favorites) fell onto the floor. 

First-Floor Bedroom

Tucked behind the living room is a small bedroom, originally used by Elvis’ parents and later by his grandmother and aunt. 

There’s a bathroom, allowing complete privacy for the inhabitant, despite its proximity to the main quarters. The bathroom’s wallpaper is decorated with poodles in various forms of fun and frolic.

Remodeled in 1974 with a yellow-and-black theme, Elvis had a lightning bolt and cloud painted on the back wall in tribute to the logo he adopted in the 1970s.

A wall in the TV room is embedded with three TVs (inspired by the knowledge that then-President Lyndon Johnson had a trio of sets to simultaneously watch the network news) with a deep-pillowed couch to relax in.

A Closer Look

If you look closer at the TV room, the ceiling and one wall are mirrored, and the carpet is yellow shag. A fireplace adds a feeling of warmth to the room, even if it appears that it was never lit.

Elvis’ collection of vinyl LPs and 45 RPM records sits on a shelf.

In-Home Theater Experience — Complete With a Wet Bar

A pull-down projector screen descended from the ceiling for movie viewing. For sound, there’s high-powered audio equipment located in custom-cut shelves in the TV wall.

A U-shaped wet bar, with yellow Formica countertop and padded elbow-rests, along with shelves of cocktail-related curios, completed the entertainment hideaway. 

Jungle Room

Added by Elvis as one of the first true “man caves,” the jungle room looked out to the backyard. It was designed by Bernard Grenadier, who also created the estate’s meditation garden. 

On the room’s north end was a built-in waterfall wall of cut fieldstone.

The Ultimate Man Cave

The rest of the jungle room features, among other extravagances, faux fur-covered Polynesian-themed furniture, hard-carved chests and cabinets, and lime-colored, shag carpet.

Note that the ceiling is also covered in the same carpet. 

A Temporary Studio Space

There are hanging ferns, mirrors, an array of jungle-themed lamps and a Tiki bar at the far end of the jungle room. Animal figures are everywhere. Elvis had a thing for primates, in particular. His favorite was a chimpanzee named “Scatter” whose previous owner was a Memphis TV personality.

In early 1976, a mobile recording unit was set up at Graceland, and Elvis transformed the jungle room into a temporary studio, from which he recorded “From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee.”

Billiards Room

Adjacent to the jungle room is the billiards room, where Elvis shot pool and relaxed with his crew. Originally a library, Elvis channeled the vision for his personal pool hall from a painting of an 18th-century billiards room. 

The room is covered in fabric — more than 300 yards of it! — including the ceiling. It reportedly took a team of workers 10 days to hang it. The project required the installation of hundreds of special rods so the fabric could extend from the walls in cascading ribbons. 

Other Billiards Room Accents

The stained-glass chandelier above the table’s green felt is surprisingly understated for a man of Elvis’ flamboyant tastes. The colors are blue and green, with a touch of red. 

A rip in the table’s green felt top remains, reportedly from a colleague’s failed attempt at a trick shot.

Second-Floor Map

The second floor of Graceland remains closed to the public out of respect for the family’s privacy. It features a master bedroom and accompanying master bathroom, a small office and a dressing room that was converted into a bedroom for Elvis’ bodyguard. 

In the rear corner, diagonally opposite the master bedroom, is the bedroom that was occupied by Lisa Marie, Elvis’ baby daughter.

Master Bedroom

Unfortunately, we can't show you the luxurious master suite because the only people allowed to enter are Elvis’ former wife Priscilla, daughter Lisa Marie and the Graceland curator. It faces the front yard and was accessed by climbing the foyer staircase and turning right. 

A door at the top of the stairs leads to a short hallway with a black-upholstered leather door that opens to Elvis’ private area. What we do know is his black bed was 9 feet by 9 feet, and beside the bed, which at one time was draped in a red canopy with large gold tassels, sat a red telephone. The bathroom where Elvis died is to the right of the bed as you enter the suite.

Elvis' Upstairs Office

While you can't see Elvis' upstairs office in person, a mock version of it was part of a VIP exhibit at Graceland.

The exhibit titled, "Elvis Through His Daughter's Eyes,"  ran from 2012 to 2014.

Lisa Marie’s Bedroom

The room occupied by Elvis’ daughter looked out on the sundeck above the jungle room with a view of the backyard. 

It contained a circular, faux-fur, canopy bed and a private bathroom.

Racquetball Building

Set aside from the house, the racquetball building was added to the grounds in 1975, coming in at $200,000, nearly twice the price of the original Graceland purchase. 

It was Elvis’ personal sports complex, with a weight-training area on the ground floor, full-size racquetball court, Jacuzzi and dressing room upstairs. His shower was equipped with five gold-plated showerheads.

Racquetball Building Lounge Area

The building also had a lounge area with leather furniture, a bar, pinball machines and a piano for relaxing after a workout. 

The court is exactly as it was the day of his death, save for Elvis’ racquet under glass, just beyond a velvet rope that keeps visitors off the hardwood floor.

Trophy Building

Known today as the trophy building, the wing was built in 1966. Elvis first used it for elaborate slot car racing tracks. 

Later, it housed his growing collection of awards. 

The Hall of Gold

The Hall of Gold is, perhaps, the most striking aspect of the trophy building.

It displays all of Elvis’ Gold and Platinum albums and singles, along with three Grammy Awards.

Elvis Memorabilia to the Max

The trophy building also displays a stunning array of stage costumes, musical instruments and movie memorabilia.

You can gaze at his birth certificate, his junior high report card and Priscilla’s spectacular wedding dress. 

Swimming Pool

Added in 1957, the simple kidney-shaped pool and cut-stone patio was a playground for Elvis and his pals. Measuring 18 feet wide and 36 feet in length, it’s virtually unchanged in the decades since he passed. 

It’s surprisingly basic: white plaster, pale-blue tiles, old-style concrete coping and a diving board without railings or stairs.

Pool Maintenance

Nobody is allowed to swim in the pool, but it has been maintained by Roy Reed for years. Reed has his share of stories, one of which features an opportunistic employee who sold tiny vials of Elvis’ pool water for $1 each. There’s also the tale of Elvis using the freshly dug pool as a temporary donkey pen.  

It’s filled with saltwater and was built at a cost of $8,481.

Meditation Garden

Just south of the pool, the meditation garden was created in 1965 as a contemplative space. Now, it’s Elvis’ final resting place, alongside his parents and grandmother. There’s also a small monument in honor of Elvis’ stillborn twin brother, Jessie.

The garden was converted to its current configuration, as a burial memorial ground, after an attempt to steal Elvis’ coffin from nearby Forest Hill Cemetery. Reportedly, the plan was to hold it for ransom. 

Elvis' Grave

Elvis’ body and that of his mother were brought to Graceland on Oct. 2, 1977.

His father was interred there two years later, followed by his grandmother in 1980. 

The Eternal Flame

Within the meditation garden, there’s a circular pool with five fountain jets, a pergola with Ionic columns and a brick wall with four works of stained glass set in arched openings.

An eternal flame burns above a plaque that includes the words “may this flame reflect our never ending respect and love for you.” 

The Barn and Stables

Built in 1939, the barn is one of the oldest structures on the property. It’s located near the rear property line and serves as a stable for the horses at Graceland.

Horses still graze in the surrounding pastures, reportedly one each for Elvis, Priscilla and Lisa Marie. The barn proudly remains a historic link to the estate’s original identity.

Elvis’ Source of Peace

The presence of the steeds and the stillness of the barn were considered therapeutic and a source of peace for Elvis. His favorite was a golden Palomino quarter horse named “Rising Sun” who was purchased in 1966. Fittingly, he named the barn “House of the Rising Sun.” 

Elvis also owned a black Tennessee Walking Horse known as “Bear.” His daughter, Lisa Marie, rode a Shetland pony named “Moriah” that Elvis led on a halter.

Vernon’s Office

The business of running Graceland was largely the responsibility of Elvis’ father, Vernon Presley.

He worked out of a little building that had the pictured hand-drawn message on a sign affixed to the door. We can't help but love the use of the word "loafing" here.

A Place of Normalcy

Vernon's office is oddly normal — like a traditional office, albeit with a number of Elvis portraits (much of them sent by fans) set here and there. It had wood-paneled walls, a collection of desks, file cabinets, a copy machine and electric typewriters. 

In a departure from the rest of Graceland, the carpeting isn’t shag, or eye-catching. It’s a tight, simple weave in a neutral color.

The Smokehouse Turned Shooting Range

A one-story, two-room brick structure was a part of Graceland Farms before Elvis’ ownership. It was used as a smokehouse by Vernon Presley to cure and smoke pork. At one time, he even raised hogs on the property. 

Later, the humble smokehouse structure was converted into a Shooting Range for Elvis and his gun-loving cronies. At the rear of the building were four thick wooden posts, with a target hung in front of them. 

One of those paper targets, loaded with bullet holes from Elvis’ many firearms, fetched $27,000 at auction.

The ‘Lisa Marie’ Aircraft

Elvis owned five planes. Two are on permanent display at Graceland. The largest is a Convair 880 purchased in 1975 for $250,000. He named it “Lisa Marie” after his daughter. Elvis spent $350,000 refurbishing it, adding two half-baths, a lounge area, conference room, sitting room and a master bedroom with a queen-size bed. 

The custom touches include gold-plated seatbelt buckles, 24-karat gold-flecked sinks, leather-topped tables, state-of-the-art 8-track stereo connected to 52 speakers and a phone system.

‘Hound Dog II’

There’s also a 10-seat Lockheed Jetstar on the grounds. Elvis dubbed it “x.” He purchased it for roughly $900,000 while waiting for the “Lisa Marie” to be refurbished. 

The interior has a funky green-and-yellow theme, and while not as customized as its counterpart, it was still luxurious. He didn’t fly on the jets for very long. Elvis died two years after their purchase, at age 42.

His Legacy Continues

Elvis fans continue to celebrate the life of the beloved rock star. Each year, there are candlelight vigils held at Graceland on the anniversary of his death.

This photo shows fans at his home on Aug. 15, 2017, to celebrate the 40th anniversary.

Elvis still steals the spotlight and holds the crown, but Memphis’s musical royalty reaches far beyond the gates of Graceland

Even if you’re feeling elvis-ed out, bask in the city that defined the sound of a generation..

M EMPHIS — Casual daytime clothes? Check. Fancy evening wear? Check. Essential pair of forgiving stretchy pants in the event of dessert overindulgence? Double check. I was fully packed and ready for a Mississippi River cruise.

But there’s one thing I couldn’t pack or prepare for: the Mississippi’s unprecedented low water levels. As a result of an ongoing drought, the riverboat cruise I boarded last month in New Orleans was unable to dock in several ports along the river. The levels were too shallow in essential destinations such as Vicksburg and Memphis. Life had given me lemons, so I made lemon meringue pie. Instead of moping on the boat over missed ports, I jumped ship in Natchez, rented a car, and started driving north to Memphis. Stretchy pants and all.

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It was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Memphis was originally a blip on my itinerary. A quick jaunt to Graceland at the end of the cruise, and that was it. But now the city would be mine — at least for three days. As a pop music nerd, I was ready to absorb it all. I pulled into Memphis on Saturday night and quickly made my first tactical error: I went to Beale Street.

I had heard complaints about the bars, restaurants, and clubs that pack the historic strip. It’s oft described as too touristy, tacky, and corporate. Beale was a historically Black street where blues and jazz legends once played before the area fell victim to the disastrous concept of urban renewal in the 1960s. Now? The best way to describe Beale Street is touristy, tacky, and corporate. I played pedestrian hopscotch through inebriated crowds as I passed a Hard Rock Cafe, Coyote Ugly, and plenty of other clubs loudly competing for well-lubricated customers. The sole remaining business from Beale Street’s halcyon days, a general store called A. Schwab , was closed for the night.

I was visiting Graceland the following day and decided to salvage the night by watching director Sofia Coppola’s movie “Priscilla” while in Memphis. This was also a mistake. If you have plans to visit Graceland, it’s best not to see a film that makes Elvis look like a monster. The evening wasn’t an entire disaster. My hotel, called Arrive , was fantastic. Located in a former warehouse building, it’s now an affordable, fun, hipster boutique hotel in the arts district. Both the hotel’s coffee shop and bar were always buzzing.

I made the Beale Street mistake (let’s not discuss it any further) and decided that I needed to cleanse my palate. The best way to do that was by gazing upon Isaac Hayes’s wondrous, tricked-out 1972 Cadillac at the Stax Museum of American Soul . Stax was the record label that released albums from Carla Thomas, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, Rufus Thomas, Otis Redding, the Staple Singers, and Hayes. The record company’s original building was razed after it fell into decay. The new building was constructed with the same facade. The museum is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and it’s a must-see. There are thousands of pieces of ephemera and displays of everything from Tina Turner’s dresses to instruments played by some of the studio’s greats.

Stax, plus several other record labels, defined a genre called Memphis soul in the 1960s and 1970s. It’s a buttery smooth version of the pop that was coming out of Detroit at Motown. Memphis soul married gospel, rock, soul, and the blues, all of which were percolating in the city. Even if you claim you don’t know Memphis soul, you do. Think Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together,” Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay,” and anything from Hayes, Carla Thomas, or Rufus Thomas.

Or, step back to the late 1960s when Dusty Springfield came to the United States to record her seminal “Dusty in Memphis” album. “Son of a Preacher Man,” was lifted directly from the Memphis soul playbook. Springfield, who had introduced Motown artists to the United Kingdom, knew a good thing when she heard it. Sure, she recorded her vocals in New York, and the album was a flop when it was released in 1969 (save for “Preacher Man”), but it went on to be a classic.

The Stax Museum carefully lays out the trajectory of the genre, beginning with the interior of a 1906 Mississippi Delta church that was taken apart and reconstructed here. It follows through to the highly experiential Express Yourself dance floor. For a brief moment, I had the dance floor to myself and decided to pigeon-neck my way through Chaka Khan and Rufus’s performance of “Tell Me Something Good” on “Soul Train.” How did I do? Only the security camera knows for certain.

In just three days, I didn’t have time to explore Memphis essentials such as blues music and barbecue. Please don’t judge too harshly. I needed to leave some activities for my next visit. But no matter where you go in the city, all genres are inescapable. One night I was having dinner at a former 1940s beauty parlor that was converted into a restaurant. Fittingly called the Beauty Shop , the original hair dryers are still here, and are used as restaurant seating. This is also the place where Priscilla Presley came to get her hair teased to the heavens and dyed coal black. The restaurant is more than a gimmick. The food is an innovative take on southern cuisine.

After dinner and strawberry cake at the Beauty Shop, I meandered across the street, and there was a life-size bronze statue of Johnny Cash in front of the venue where he had his first public performance. This wasn’t a planned visit. Johnny was just ... there. At least I think he was. I had a few cocktails with dinner.

Before we take a deep dive into the world of Elvis (you knew it was coming), there’s another important stop you should make, and that’s the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Hotel . The museum offers a comprehensive look at the Black experience in the United States. Plan for at least two hours here, but I recommend more. The museum ends in the Lorraine Hotel, where visitors can see the two rooms where Martin Luther King Jr. and his entourage were staying when the civil rights leader was assassinated while he was in the city to lend his support to striking sanitation workers.

The proper warm-up for Graceland is a trip to Sun Studio . It’s your stretch before the Elvis marathon. This is where Sam Phillips set up the recording studio that captured Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats’ song “Rocket 88.″ It’s regarded as the first rock ‘n’ roll single, although I suspect fans of Sister Rosetta Tharpe might disagree with that assessment.

Sun Studio may be small, but it packs a lot of history. The major architects of rockabilly and rock recorded here, including Elvis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Jerry Lee Lewis. That’s just a sampling. Did I mention B.B. King recorded here as well? The highlight is stepping into the recording studio where all the greats laid down their tracks. You can even hold the mic that Elvis used when he recorded at Sun. (I’m not sure if I believed the microphone story, but the charming tour guide did an effective job at selling the myth.)

I was finally ready for Graceland , at least I thought I was. I signed up for the Ultimate VIP tour, which ran just shy of four hours and cost $195. My reasoning was that if I was going to do Graceland, I should do it right. After “Priscilla” and director Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 film “Elvis,” I thought I knew everything I needed to know about the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. As you may have guessed, I didn’t know much. Cut to me holding Elvis’s Department of Justice badge in white gloves. When you sign up to be an ultimate VIP, you’re afforded such luxuries. It’s the badge that Richard Nixon gave to him at the White House in 1970. Naturally, I almost dropped it.

When you visit Graceland, you see more than the mansion that Elvis purchased in 1957 and now remains frozen in its kitschy mid-1970s glory. The treasure trove is across the street at the 200,000-square-foot Elvis entertainment complex. Here you’ll see Elvis’s collection of cars, hundreds of stage outfits, gold and platinum records galore, and his airplanes. There are also temporary exhibits. My tour guide was hoarse and practically whispering by the end of the tour. But when an artist sells a billion records worldwide, stars in 31 films, and has enough money to buy two airplanes, there’s a lot to discuss.

For my final night in Memphis, I stayed at the Guest House at Graceland . The 450-room hotel opened in 2016 and is part of the Presley empire. It’s not as campy as I thought, or hoped, it would be. It’s a solid hotel that averages around $200 a night. There’s a 400-plus-seat theater that shows Elvis movies, concerts, and television specials every night. I got to watch Elvis’s 1968 comeback special.

By this point in my trip, I had my fill of Elvis. So much so that I even skipped the all-you-can-eat buffet of peanut butter and banana sandwiches that is served each night at 9 p.m. at the hotel. I suspect if I had indulged, I would have needed those stretchy pants after all.

Christopher Muther can be reached at [email protected] . Follow him @Chris_Muther and Instagram @chris_muther.

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13 Reasons to Visit Graceland Even If You’re Not an Elvis Fan

Last Updated: February 9, 2021 //  by  Ashley Smith 10 Comments

I’ve lived in Memphis, Tennessee for almost my entire life and never felt like I had any reasons to visit Graceland. Actually, “I’ve never been to Graceland” is practically the subtitle of every Memphian; it should be written under their names on their driver’s licenses next to “Blood Type: Sweet Tea and fry oil”.

I’ve never been a fan of Elvis and never cared to go otherwise. I think it was partially the Elvis-overload all Memphians experience (like how Parisians must get so sick of hearing about that damn tower—it sparkles, whoop-de-do!).

And partially the fact that Elvis was of my parents’ generation—not mine, and partially my desire to rebel against mainstream expectations (“I’m not going to visit Graceland solely because everyone thinks I should have visited because I live in Memphis . And I’m sticking to it.” )

Give me reasons to visit Graceland

Overall, my previous feelings towards Elvis Presley were of simple indifference. I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit an art museum if I didn’t care about art. I wouldn’t make it a point to visit a car museum if I didn’t, indeed, have a need for speed. So why do I need reasons to visit Graceland if I’m not an Elvis fan? Well, I feel ya!

On my most recent trip home to Memphis my dad, who grew up in the same neighborhood as Graceland, made me go. I held on as tightly as I could to my record of being a Memphian having lived to the age of 34 without visiting Graceland.

But seeing as how I was no longer a rebellious youth, it was time to give in. “Don’t be such a stubborn ass,” my grandmother, who shared a doctor with Elvis, would’ve told me.

Combine all that with the fact that Graceland themselves invited me along as their guest during my visit to Memphis and I knew it was time. One does not simply turn down an invitation into the private home of the most famous rockstar of all time. I now had my reasons to visit Graceland .

Yes, Graceland is worth a visit

Now , having finally visited, I can truly say: I couldn’t help falling in love with Elvis! I can’t believe how eye-opening my visit to Graceland was and how much my visit changed my perception of Elvis Presley—the man, the myth, the pelvis.

I’m living proof that you don’t necessarily need to be an Elvis fan to enjoy and benefit from a day at Graceland. Here’s why you should go anyway…

13 Reasons to visit Graceland

1. Visit Graceland because without Elvis, there’s nothing

Elvis Presley is the undisputed King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, a music genre they say was born the day Elvis walked into a Memphis music studio off the street to record a few songs. Whether he knew at the time or not, he was starting a revolution. And I’m not just talking about peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

He was a white man bringing black influence and sound into a lily-white world of poodle skirts, milkmen, and people expressing their emotions through phrases like “golly gee!”. (Embarrassing)

He was hyper-sexual and offended just about everyone’s mother at some point. (If a better way to rebel against your parents exists, I don’t know what it is.) And during a time when everything in the world was so vanilla, so cookie-cutter, and so “everything here is peachy!”, he was raw, authentic, and expressed real human emotion in a way no one else in the mainstream was brave enough to.

Without Elvis paving the way, where would music be today? (Acknowledging that last sentence is a song in itself and moving on.) Would we all still be tucking in our shirts and sleeping in curlers? The jeans I’m wearing surely wouldn’t have their holes in them and you can forget about cleavage! (Someone certainly did… when they made me.)

Before Elvis, there was nothing

John Lennon said, “Before Elvis there was nothing” and “If there hadn’t been Elvis, there wouldn’t have been the Beatles.”… and if there hadn’t been any Beatles, who else would there not have been after that? Without Elvis, what would we be fist-pumping to in our cars today? It certainly wouldn’t be Beethoven; believe me, I’ve tried.

There’s no doubt about it: YOU. LISTEN. TO MUSIC. And unless it’s exclusively classical compositions from the 18 th and 19 th centuries, there’s a hefty chance Elvis had a little sumpin’ sumpin’ to do with it. Visit Graceland to experience how your favorite music got its roots.

The founders of Memphis named it after Memphis, Egypt , the ancient capital on the Nile, with hopes of it one day being the home of great kings. Little did they know, it would actually turn out that way. 

2. Visit Graceland because it’s the 2nd most visited private residence in the country

…the first being the White House, since it technically applies. Though how private is it, really?

Graceland receives an average of 600,000 visitors a year, most of who probably weren’t dragged there by a family member against their wills—just saying. As of May 2016, 20 million people had chosen to visit Graceland since its opening in 1982. They had come from more than 140 countries, every U.S. state, and probably at least  some of them were from Memphis.

Personally, I have a thing for visiting the private homes of celebrities past on my travels—Mark Twain, Frida Kahlo , Marie Antoinette (the Palace of Versailles totally counts!). They give you a better picture of  the actual person (not the persona) than any museum or documentary could. The experience is enlightening, intimate, and, in the case of Graceland, super trippy.

YOU MIGHT LIKE ─ Heading to Memphis? Check out my post on 200 Things to do in Memphis, Tennessee : A Local’s Guide for First-Timers. It’s got everythingggg you could want to do in Memphis!

3. Visit Graceland because Uncle Jessie is your tour guide

Raise your hand if you still have a crush on John Stamos? 🙌🏽 Mmm-hmm, that’s what I thought. Lucky for us, he’s our Graceland tour guide.  Hubba-hubba! Is there any other living celebrity as synonymous with Elvis Presley pop culture as John Stamos? Methinks not.

If you’re my age, you grew up with the Full House character of Uncle Jesse singing Elvis songs to babies, rocking a sweet pompadour, and basically all-out, shamelessly worshipping the King. To me, the two go hand-in-hand like, well, peanut butter and bananas.

John Stamos, Elvis fan

As it turns out, John Stamos himself is a huge Elvis fan—that wasn’t just made up for his character. A character, in fact, who was named in honor of Jesse Garon Presley, Elvis’s twin brother who died at birth. Mind. Blown. Right?

Tours of the Graceland mansion are entirely self-guided, but in the same way a cattle drive is self-guided. You can go at your own pace (to a point—the place is pretty tight) and following behind a bored tour guide is a thing of the past. Here, before boarding the shuttle to the mansion, you’re given an audio guide that is anything but tedious.

Graceland audio guide

The “audio” guide at Graceland is a thing of beauty with a name that’s entirely too misleading as it’s quite visual too. It’s a full-sized iPad whose content follows you from room-to-room.

It shows photos of the rooms which you can zoom in and out of, lets you click on certain parts to learn more, and is fully interactive. It features audio commentary on what you’re seeing, sound clips from Elvis and friends, music, interviews, and more.

The technology of it all is impressive but touring the mansion with the sweet, sweet voice of Jesse Katsopolis in my ear was the icing on my Graceland cake.

4. Visit Graceland because it’s more than just a house

Graceland is known for being the former home of Elvis Presley—and that’s correct. But, golly gee, to visit Graceland is to experience something far grander. In 2017 Graceland reopened after a $45 million facelift (let’s call it the “Comeback Special”) and is now so much more than a small old house with the kind of crazy décor you’d expect to find inside a Wonderland lair.

What you can see at Graceland

If you think Graceland is nothing more than visiting the home of someone you’re not even a fan of to begin with, know this: In addition to the Graceland mansion, the price of admission gets you into…

Elvis the Entertainer Career Museum

Where you’ll find hundreds of artifacts from throughout his career: a wall of gold/platinum albums, his Grammys, some of his first recordings, his guitars, memorabilia from his movies, and, in addition to so much more, my personal favorite, his jumpsuit collection.

Presley Motors Automobile Collection

An entire museum showcasing his car collection, his motorcycle collection, and a collection of his other “toys”, as only a multimillionaire would put it.

• Special exhibits on Elvis in the army, Elvis in Tupelo, Sam Phillips, and Elvis’s influence
• His personal airplanes that you can walk around and through and be jealous of
• Eight themed gift shops
• Two on-site restaurants
• And a partridge in a pear tree

The Graceland Mansion

As far as the Graceland mansion goes, it’s so much more than just the Jungle Room you keep hearing about. The Graceland mansion tour includes:

• eight rooms in the house (+ two of the most badass hallways and staircases ever)
• the backyard
• the offices
• the horse grounds ( with horses)
• the archives building
• the racquetball building
• the pool and meditation garden where he and his family members are buried
• and the front porch for the perfect photo op.
• All that and John Stamos whispering in your ear. Have mercy!

5. Reasons to visit Graceland: time travel

The best kind of travel is time travel, I always say. And there are few places that do it better than Elvis Presley’s Graceland.

Elvis died on August 16 th , 1977 and Graceland remains today as it was on that day. Specifically: mirrored, shag-carpeted, monkey-adorned, mustard yellow, and absolutely stranger than fiction. (I mean, who knew you could do such things with 350 yards of fabric?)

Sure, the décor is cuh-razy but it’s also ah-mazing. Graceland isn’t a movie set or a reproduction of an imagined time period—it’s real life, the way it all was “back then” when the world was ruled by Don Draper and it’s beautiful.

It wasn’t created for tourists, it just is what it is. There’s carpet in the kitchen, mirrors on the ceiling, fabric on the walls, and it all came from the mind of the King himself. If you’re anything like me, you obsess over times gone by and here you can experience one for yourself. Go ahead, pretend you’re January Jones.

6. Reasons to visit Graceland: to be amazed

The shock you’ll experience when you visit Graceland doesn’t end at the 15-foot couch. Or the mirrored staircase, or the yellow room, or the pool room, or the jungle room. It goes well beyond the signatures on the sidewalk, the private racquetball court, and high above the wall of gold records.

You won’t believe the things you’ll see at Graceland: the candy-colored cars, the 24k gold airplane seatbelts, and yeah, what 350 yards of pleated fabric looks like as a wall covering. And you’ll continue to ask yourself, “Why so many monkeys?”

But more than what you’ll see is what you’ll learn. Almost everything John Stamos told me on my recent visit (as opposed to all the other times we chat) had me looking at my brother and mouthing, “What! Do you hear this!?”

You’ll learn things about Elvis you’ve never heard before. Like his status as a police officer, some of the crazy things he did with his airplane, and the fact that Elvis Presley was half a Smith (okay, that one was just for me. Wait–just kidding–there are actually 2.9 million people in the U.S. who might enjoy that fact.). All I can say is: You thought you knew Elvis Presley, but you have no idea.

7. Reasons to visit Graceland: some awesome cars

I am not what you would call a “car enthusiast”. I mean, I have one that I drive and I love it. Still don’t quite understand how to work the sunroof but I dig it. It’s a classic 2018, if that tells you anything.

I do, however, love the old, rainbow-colored cars of yore and can really appreciate a bench seat and an analog radio dial. This, all to say that the automobile museum at Graceland is really swell.

This museum houses Elvis Presley’s favorite cars, the golf carts and go-karts he used to drive around Graceland, his motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc. If it had wheels and went “vroom, vroom”, Elvis owned it.

This museum features, in the words of a non-car-enthusiast: a pretty purple one, a plain ol’ white one that’s actually probably pretty expensive, a Rolls Royce (my dad told me), a black one that looks really fast, and what I would call a mob-mobile, all shiny.

Here you can also see my favorite, my precious, the famous pink Cadillac. Even if you’re not an Elvis fan, if you’re into fancy old cars, Graceland is where you need to be!

8. Visit Graceland to see some of the most iconic artifacts in entertainment history

And by this I’m specifically referring to Elvis’s clothing collection, AKA sequin central, the rhinestone roundup, the jumpsuit jamboree. Inside the Elvis the Entertainer Career Museum you’ll find a hefty collection of iconic Elvis Presley jumpsuits, 88 of them to be exact.

Among them is the jumpsuit—the one that has inspired so many Halloween costumes and Las Vegas wedding ceremonies. To see these—arguably the most famous outfits in pop culture—in person, with nothing but a piece of glass separating your face from something Elvis Presley wore with his own body to change history, is truly awesome. (You can buy genuine reproductions in the gift shop–just FYI for when you’re trying to figure out what to get me for Christmas.)

9. Visit Graceland because it’s a National Monument you can legally write your name on

Graceland was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006—making it one of only four in Memphis. The place where I once won first place in the backstroke division of the county swim meet hasn’t (yet) made the cut unfortunately.

For reasons beyond me, tourists always want to write their names on priceless monuments which is, almost always, SERIOUSLY ILLEGAL FOLKS. But here at Graceland, this practice is not only totally fine , it’s also encouraged. “Bring a sharpie” is literally listed on Graceland.com under “Tips for Visiting Graceland”. You won’t get arrested but chances are you will get honked at.

The Graceland mansion is surrounded by a stone wall and some pretty famous gates and, even while Elvis was still living there, fans would cover these with their signatures, well wishes, drawings, and I’d imagine a lipstick print or two.

Getting tired of cleaning this off on what must’ve been a weekly basis, they decided to just let it be what it be. This practice continues today and there’s even an area out front where you can pull your car over to leave your mark. Can the Eiffel Tower say that?

10. Visit Graceland because you can’t visit Memphis and not go

Not only is Graceland one of the most popular tourist attractions in the U.S., with more than half a million visitors a year it’s far and away the most popular in Memphis so you’d be a fool not to a visit, A FOOL!

Sure, I managed to go 34 years in Memphis without ever visiting (I mean, there’s plenty else to do), but if you’re visiting Memphis for the first time, make sure to also visit Graceland.

So much of what you’ll see and do as a visitor to Memphis, Tennessee will revolve around Elvis Presley—his face, influence, and sideburns are everywhere; you’ll eat at his favorite restaurants and hear his music at all hours of the day; you’ll hear stories of when he hung out here and there; and you may even see the ghost of Elvis on Union Avenue while walking in Memphis.

Would Memphis be what it is today if Elvis lived in, say, Milwaukee instead? Maybe partially, but I honestly don’t think so. Tell anyone around the world that you’re from Memphis and their response is always, “Ah… Elvis!”

Visiting Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower would be foolish. Going to Agra, India and not stopping by the Taj Mahal would be ridiculous. Visiting Pisa and not pretending to hold up a leaning tower would be… well actually that would be the sane thing to do. But visiting Memphis and skipping Graceland would be a hunk, a hunk, of burnin’ disappointment.

11. Reasons to visit Graceland: to be inspired

Elvis Presley is so much more than gold lamé and funky sunglasses and his personal story is incredibly inspiring. Elvis went from being born into a dirt poor family in Tupelo, Mississippi to being one of the biggest rockstars to ever live.

Obviously he had the looks, the talent, and the pelvis, but that wouldn’t have gotten him too far had he also not had serious perseverance and the inability to take no for an answer. He took risks, he never gave up, and he had one hell of a good time as a result.

The story of Elvis Presley is chock full of inspiration we can all use in our own lives. And though I’ve simply reduced these anecdotes into simple descriptive words and phrases, the little stories that make up the story of Elvis are some that everyone should hear. What you may think is simply the tale of an “overnight sensation” is really anything but.

What may be even more inspiring than how he rose to stardom, is what he did with it. Throughout his career Elvis remained a devout philanthropist, with parts of the Graceland experience dedicated to his giving back.

He is known as a truly great and genuine guy to everyone that knew him and he stayed humble, even as he buckled himself into his private airplane with 24k gold seat belts.

Growing up in Memphis you’re told a lot of tales about Elvis Presley from those who were lucky enough to be graced by his presence and they’re always funny, charming, and incredibly down-to-Earth. I can only hope people will talk about me the way they talk about Elvis after I earn my first billion.

12. Visit Graceland because you don’t need to be a fan of his music to appreciate him as the greatest entertainer of all time

We’re not worthy! I wasn’t a fan of Elvis Presley’s music when I visited Graceland but I can still appreciate a game-changer.

Elvis was a man of firsts and of mosts . He was the man behind the first pop album to ever reach over $1 million in sales. His appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show attracted the highest TV rating of any variety show, ever.

He has more Top 100 hits than any other artist, still to this day (108 total, 80 of those in the Top 40). He has the most weeks spent at #1 on the Billboard charts (67). And his televised Aloha from Hawaii concert was the first ever entertainment special to be broadcast live around the world via satellite… to an audience of between 1 – 1.5 billion people—more viewers than that of the moon landing. More people watched Elvis Presley croon in a lei than they did a human being WALK ON THE MOON, y’all.

That kind of success deserves at least a minimal show of respect. None of us will ever reach that level of professional success and celebrity. Not that I think so little of my dear readers, but sitting around reading this blog is not going to catapult you to international stardom. (Unless you’re Dwayne Johnson and you’ve finally decided to stop by and read my blog – Hey! Call me, let’s do lunch!)

13. Visit Graceland because you’ve never seen anything like it

Rebecca Donaldson (“Aunt Becky”) once called Graceland a “crushed velvet amusement park”… like it’s a bad thing? I think what she meant to say was: “HOLY MOLY, feast your eyes on this.”

Elvis was a nester and his home was his favorite place. He molded it and shaped it and covered it in green shag and mirrors. The eccentricity of what you’ll find inside his home came from his own imagination.

To visit Graceland is to get an intimate look into the life and mind of one extraordinary person. The Graceland mansion is one-of-a-kind and special in every sense of the word. It’s outrageous and badass and, in short, won’t be anything like you expected it would be.

Besides his home decorating skills, you’ll be amazed by Elvis’s car/toy collection, the details of his wardrobe, the apparent foreverness of his gold and platinum album collection. (Conversely, I can count the number of awards I’ve won on one hand.) A visit to Graceland is your up-close and personal journey into the fabulous and wild lifestyles of the rich and famous.

14. Bonus for Memphians: visit Graceland because you need to know your hometown boy

I get it… I get it. You’ve never been to Graceland. You don’t have to explain yourself to me. But now that I’ve been I can say, “You really need to go!” I feel almost ashamed that I lived in Memphis so long and knew nothing about our poster boy. Memphis is so much of what it is because of Elvis Presley and I showed him zero respect.

Despite how interested you are in Elvis, I still believe it’s worth getting to know him a little. I couldn’t find exact figures on how much money Elvis Presley brings to the city of Memphis each year, but know that it’s a lot .

With anywhere between 500-750,000 visitors to Graceland each year (I’d be willing to bet about 99.9% of those are from outside the city), that’s a lot of cheese coming in. Add in their hotel stays, their visits to Sun Studio, the Arcade, Beale Street, and literally everything else they do while they’re here and you may be able to buy yourself a new sideburn trimmer. This is money that you, as a citizen of Memphis, Tennessee, benefit from whether you realize it or not.

Besides that, I can’t even begin to tell you the number of times I’ve been asked about Elvis in my lifetime (both by tourists to the city of Memphis and by others on my own travels around the world) and had nothing more to offer as a response than, “I don’t know” and the standard “I’ve never been to Graceland”.

How does that make Memphis look to people in other cities and countries? That someone who was born and raised, went to school and worked in Memphis knows diddly squat about the city’s most famous resident? Uhh, what must’ve been going through their suspicious minds is kind of embarrassing actually. And all it takes to improve this is one simple (yet mind-blowing) visit to Graceland.

But even more than all of that, Elvis loved you, Memphis! Show him a little love back.

Where to stay when visiting Graceland

Part of the recent massive expansion and renovation of Elvis Presley’s Graceland included a brand-new, 450-room hotel just across the street.

It’s got a free airport shuttle, restaurants, bars, a pool, a 464-seat theater for live performances, shuttles to downtown Memphis/Beale Street, themed suites (whose design was supervised by Priscilla Presley), and there’s nothing heartbreaking about it (har har). 

It’s not down at the end of Lonely Street; it’s actually located at 3600 Elvis Presley Blvd – just 6 minutes from Memphis International Airport, 15 minutes from downtown Memphis, and just however long it takes the light to change away from the Graceland mansion.

I haven’t had the chance to stay here myself but I wouldn’t question it for a second—especially since my cousin oversaw the building of it. (Memphis is a small town, in case you haven’t picked that up already.)  Read reviews on TripAdvisor then book your room here ! Now go, cat, go!

Heading to Memphis? Read hotel reviews on TripAdvisor  or  book your room now ! All photos here were taken with:  Olympus OM-D EM-5 Mark II  w/  12-40mm  &  Google Pixel XL What else have I written about Tennessee? Check out  these posts . Like this post? Have questions? Hit me up on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Need more reasons to visit Graceland? Don’t be cruel, let me know below!

But first, pin me ⇣⇣⇣

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About Ashley Smith

Ashley is a historian and Oktoberfest expert & tour guide. She has traveled to 32 countries and specializes in quick trips throughout Europe and the Americas that prioritize hiking adventures, museums of all kinds, cultural experiences, and jam-packed itineraries. She hails from Memphis, TN and currently lives in Boston with her husband and two feline sidekicks.

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Elvis Loved Guns & 23+ Other Fascinating Facts About the King

Posted: March 31, 2024 | Last updated: March 31, 2024

Elvis is still a popular artist all around the world

Elvis Presley may have died 46 years ago (he died Aug. 16 1977), but you would never know it by looking at the data. According to the streaming service Spotify, he averages roughly 16.5 million listeners every month, thanks to the enduring popularity of such songs as “Jailhouse Rock,” “Hound Dog,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and countless others. 

Graceland, his Memphis estate, greets approximately 500,000 tourists every year, making it the second-most-visited formerly private home in the United States. The first most-visited is the White House. Indeed, the saying that “the King is gone but not forgotten” is a major understatement.

Estimates suggest his estate earned roughly $23 million in 2020 alone, with nearly half of that coming from Graceland.

Despite Presley’s continued dominance over American popular culture since his death, there are still a lot of facts about his life and career that many people don’t know. 

Read ahead to find out about some pretty fascinating facts that you may not know about the king of rock ‘n’ roll, even if he’s your hunka hunka burning love.

1. He didn’t write his own songs

While Elvis Presley sang some of the best-known songs in pop history, he wrote exactly  none of them . His first single, "That's All Right," was written and performed by Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, and Presley performed songs written by other artists for his entire career.

2. He had a stillborn twin

Elvis was born on January 8, 1935, approximately  half an hour after  his twin brother Jesse Garon, who was stillborn. Jesse was buried the next day in an unmarked grave.

3. His father did jail time

Elvis grew up dirt poor, supported by a father who mainly worked odd jobs. In 1938, his father ,Vernon, spent the better part of a year in prison for  forging a check for four dollars , but who knows? Maybe it inspired his son to perform “Jailhouse Rock.”

4. He did well in school, but not in one surprising class

Elvis graduated from high school in 1953, becoming the first member of his immediate family to do so. But while he did well enough to graduate, there was one class that he could not master and for which he received the dreaded grade of “F” – music class!

5. He worked some 'real' jobs

Coming from a working-class family, it was natural for Elvis to go out and get a job after finishing school. His first jobs included working at a machinist shop and driving a truck, but in 1954, before he had finished his first year in the workforce, he recorded “That’s All Right,” bringing his blue-collar career aspirations to an end.

6. He was a homeowner at 22

In 1957, Elvis bought his mansion, Graceland, for  approximately $100,000 . He was the ripe old age of 22. 

7. Junichiro Koizumi went there!

If you haven’t heard of Junichiro Koizumi, that’s OK – he was Prime Minister of Japan in 2006 and a huge Elvis fan. He visited Graceland that year with former President George W. Bush, who was himself the  first sitting President of the United States  to visit the mansion.

8. Elvis’ manager, Colonel Tom Parker, was actually a Dutch carnival barker

Elvis’ manager was born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk in Holland. He changed his name to Tom Parker and worked as a carnival barker and later as a dog catcher before starting a career managing country musicians.

9. Elvis was s sergeant in the army

Elvis was drafted into the army in 1957. Rather than demand V.I.P. treatment, he conducted himself as a model soldier and  achieved the rank of sergeant  before being honorably discharged to return to his career.

10. Elvis became more popular after serving in the military

While some might have worried that putting Elvis’ career on hold while he served would do it harm, the opposite was true. The soundtrack to the first movie he made after his discharge, “G.I. Blues,” topped the Billboard chart for 10 weeks and it stayed on the chart for  111 weeks , the longest of any album in his career.

11. He never performed anywhere but North America

No one would debate the fact that even in death, Elvis is a global superstar. What’s more incredible is that he achieved that status  without ever performing anywhere  except in the United States, and a few dates in Canada.

12. He was burned in effigy

Elvis appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1956 to a television audience of 60 million people, but while the performance inspired a lot of audience members to pick up guitars and practice their dance moves, not everyone who saw it was happy. Mobs in Nashville and St. Louis took to the streets in a state of outrage over his swiveling hips and burned him in effigy.

13. He bought FDR’s yacht

In 1964, Elvis bought a yacht called the Potomac, which had previously belonged to former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He donated it to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, who sold it to raise money.

14. He helped get a Pearl Harbor memorial finished

Elvis performed a benefit concert in 1961 that generated  more than $50,000  for the completion of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial in Hawaii, a tribute to the more than 1,000 people who died in the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Construction of the memorial had paused when it ran out of money, but the benefit concert generated enough money to finish it, and it was dedicated a year later.

15. Elvis made his first recording for four dollars

Elvis’ first commercially-released single may have been “That’s All Right,” but it wasn’t his first time in a recording studio. That happened in 1953, when he paid a grand total of four dollars to record a song for his mother as a birthday present The song has never been released publicly.

16. Alice Cooper was tempted to kill him

Elvis was a seventh-degree black belt in karate, and he was eager to show off his skills in a 1971 hotel room encounter with shock rocker Alice Cooper. Cooper said that Presley handed him a loaded gun, which he knocked out of Cooper’s hand with a kick. But Cooper said that in the split second that he held the gun, he was briefly tempted to achieve greater stardom by becoming “the guy who killed Elvis.”

17. He was actually blonde

While every single iconic photo of Elvis Presley depicts him with jet black hair, he was actually fair-haired until his teens. When he got famous, he could afford all the black hair dye he wanted, but up until then, he achieved his signature look with heaping helpings of shoe polish. 

18. He’s the second most highly-paid dead celebrity in the world

Forbes magazine did the math and determined that in the period from October 2018 to October 2019, Elvis  earned $39 million , despite being dead for over 40 years. He would have held the number one spot if not for Michael Jackson, who earned a staggering $60 million during the same period.

19. He’s credited with co-writing songs he didn’t co-write

Elvis never wrote any of his own songs, but he still appears as co-writer on some of them, since his record label demanded that certain songwriters give up partial credit in exchange for having Elvis record their songs. This was reportedly the case with “All Shook Up,” which Presley said in an interview was the closest he ever came to writing a song, since he came up with the title.

20. The movie with the most Elvis songs is not an Elvis movie

Elvis starred in more than 30 movies, but the one that contains the highest number of his songs is the 2002 Disney movie “Lilo & Stitch.” That movie contains five original Elvis songs and two Elvis songs performed by other artists.

21. The Elvis song catalog is really blue

Elvis recorded over 600 songs in his career, and  15 of those songs  have the same word in the title – blue. They include “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” and “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.”

22. He was always a mama’s boy at heart

Elvis’ mother Gladys died of a heart attack in 1958 while he was serving in the army. According to those who knew him and also according to numerous books on the subject, her passing had a devastating effect on him, and he was never the same again afterwards.

23. Graceland is very good to the city of Memphis

Graceland is owned today by Elvis’ daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, and its status as a tourist attraction has been very good for the city in which it resides. The city of Memphis has been estimated to receive  approximately $150 million annually  from tourist pilgrimages to the mansion.

24. Those jumpsuits were really heavy

In the 1970s Elvis began wearing jumpsuits for his live performances, and the jumpsuits were really heavy. They became more so as they were gradually more embroidered and bejeweled. One such jumpsuit weighed in at a hefty 75 pounds.

25. He was pro-vaccination

Vaccine hesitancy isn’t new – when Jonas Salk’s miracle cure for polio was rolled out, people lined up to get it, but teenagers were slow to get the jab. Elvis quite happily rolled up his sleeve and let doctors inject him with the vaccine, and the photograph of the event made teenagers decide to get the shot themselves. Too bad he’s not here today.

26. He liked playing with guns

Elvis liked guns. He really, really, really liked guns. According to a former girlfriend of his, Ginger Alden, he fired a gun at a TV set – hey, we hate commercials too – and also shot a headboard above her while she slept, to “grab her attention.” It worked!

Read more about his antics with guns at the Elvis History Blog .

27. He made one commercial, and it never aired

Elvis filmed a commercial for Southern Maid Donuts in 1954 that consisted of him singing the product’s jingle. The fact that he was paid for this service with a box of donuts is perhaps a sign that he was not yet a household name. The fact that the commercial was never released is probably a sign of the same thing. 

28. He performed in Las Vegas over 800 times

Elvis had performed once in Las Vegas in 1956 and didn’t return until 1969. After that, he performed 837 consecutive shows, until December 1976.

29. His first Vegas show was a bust

Despite racking up hundreds of sold-out shows in Las Vegas in the 1970s, his success in that city was far from guaranteed. He had played there in 1956, when it was still very much the domain of the Rat Pack, and a Las Vegas Sun critic wrote of his performance, “He shakes and shivers like he is suffering from itchy underwear and hot shoes.”

30. Some people think he still walks the Earth

Elvis Presley  died on August 16, 1977 , but that hasn’t stopped legions of fans from entertaining fantasies that he’s still alive. Some of them have even gone ahead and created their own digitally-enhanced versions of what he might look like if he were alive today, perhaps fresh off of hanging out with Tupac Shakur and Harambe the gorilla.

This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.

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