Known as the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley dominated best-seller charts and was a teen idol of the 1950s. Elvis’ career ended in 1977, but fans can step back in time to the days of his stardom at Elvis’ Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tennessee.
Graceland served as Elvis Presley’s personal oasis from his peak popularity in 1957 to his death only 20 years later. It’s open to the public and is the best place to discover Elvis’ music, his story, artifacts and a glimpse into his home life.
These 14 things to do in Graceland will have you packing your bags for Memphis, Tennessee, whether you’re an Elvis Presley fanatic or not.
1. Take a Tour
The best way to experience as many Graceland attractions as possible is to explore the 120-acre estate on a guided tour. Several tour options are available, including more affordable audio-guided versions and the top-notch Ultimate VIP Tour with an expert guide.
Booking a tour ensures you don’t miss out on any of Graceland’s highlights. We suggest upgrading to one that includes Elvis’ automobile collection.
2. Snap Photos at the Gates of Graceland
The famous, custom-built music gates at Graceland serve as the ultimate backdrop for photos. Designed by Abe Saucer and built by Memphis Doors, Inc., the gates were installed in 1957, less than a month after Elvis bought the home.
3. Sign the Graceland Wall
Fans have been signing the fieldstone wall surrounding Graceland since 1957, and you can still do it today. In the early years, workers at Elvis’ home attempted to keep the wall clean. The fanfare eventually became too overwhelming to keep up with, and the messages stayed.
4. Visit Elvis’ Burial Site
Elvis and his family are buried at Graceland in the Meditation Garden. Fans can pay their respects while touring the grounds.
5. Cross the Street to Elvis Presley’s Memphis
Elvis Presley’s Memphis is a 200,000-square-foot exhibit and entertainment complex across the street from Graceland. It includes the Presley Motors Automobile Museum, the Entertainer Career Museum, interactive experiences and much more.
6. Eat Like Elvis
Southern cooking is the specialty around Graceland. Two locally beloved restaurants named after Elvis’ parents are located at Elvis Presley’s Memphis: Vernon’s Smokehouse and Gladys’ Diner. Elvis was known for his love of the grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich, and visitors can try it at Gladys’ Diner.
7. Experience the Interactive Graceland Exhibition Center
The Graceland Exhibition Center was opened in 2019, and it’s a welcome addition to the city of Memphis. The Exhibition Center offers regularly changing educational and interactive exhibits such as “Muhammad Ali: Greatest of All Time” and “National Geographic Presents: Earth Explorers.”
8. Step Aboard One of the King’s Planes
The Hound Dog II and lavish Lisa Marie are two of Elvis’ planes at Graceland. Visitors are invited to step aboard and experience what it was like to fly in luxury with the king.
9. Spend a Night in Style
The Guest House at Graceland is a luxury resort steps from the Graceland Mansion. Guests enjoy included tour tickets with their stay, unrivaled Southern hospitality, a 464-seat theater and the excitement of living life like a rockstar.
10. Embark on a Graceland Excursion
Elvis fanatics know he wasn’t born on the grounds of Graceland, and many want to see where his life began. Taking the luxury motorcoach tour to Tupelo, Mississippi, with a Graceland Archivist is a recommended way to experience Elvis’ birthplace.
11. Visit Sun Studio
The Elvis things to do in Memphis span beyond Graceland and throughout the city. Fans who want to dive further into the star’s life and the history of music in Memphis should visit Sun Studio.
Sam Phillips founded the studio on Union Avenue in the early 1950s. Elvis Presley entered the studio in 1953 to record a vinyl for his mother. Other legendary musicians discovered at Sun Studio include Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. You can learn about them and more about Memphis music history here.
12. Discover the Life of Lisa Marie
Lisa Marie Presley is the only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, and her exhibit is one of the newest at Elvis Presley’s Memphis. Learn about her childhood, her music career and her unique life story as a Presley.
13. Learn How Elvis Transformed Today’s Music
Elvis Presley remains relevant because his life and music continue to impact musicians and performers. Younger visitors can see how Elvis influenced today’s favorite artists, such as Blake Shelton and Post Malone, at the “ICONS: The Influence of Elvis Presley” exhibit at Elvis Presley’s Memphis.
14. Take Home a Souvenir
No visit to Graceland is complete without taking home some Elvis memorabilia. The gift shop at Graceland includes nearly every souvenir a fan could desire, including jewelry, t-shirts, home décor, beach towels and more. There’s even a haberdashery where fans can buy replicas of Elvis’ outfits.
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Living in Memphis means you have constant access to all the things to do near Graceland. The city is known for its iconic Beale Street, Memphis-style barbecue, the Memphis Grizzlies NBA team and countless other attractions that make it an exciting place to live.
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