Take a rock ‘n’ roll rollercoaster ride through Elvis Presley’s legendary mansion in Memphis, Tennessee
If there’s one thing you don’t do, it’s just “visit” Graceland. No, you embark upon a pilgrimage…a rhinestone-studded, hunka-hunka-burning adventure through the sacred halls of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. When you cross those iconic musical gates in Memphis, Tennessee, you’re not merely entering a house, you’re stepping into a glittering time capsule where sequins, shag carpets, and peanut butter banana sandwiches reign supreme.
On the steps at Graceland Mansion
The Road to Memphis
If you’re expecting Graceland to be in the middle of nowhere, well, you’re in for a big surprise. We found it’s a sprawling 100+ acre property on the busy aptly named Elvis Presley Boulevard, not far from the Memphis International Airport. Whether you arrive by car, plane, or pink Cadillac, you’ll notice the excitement builds as you see more and more Elvis-themed billboards en route.
First Impressions
As you approach Graceland, you’re greeted by a crowd that looks like it walked out of an Elvis impersonator casting call. There are mutton chops, blue suede shoes, bejewelled jumpsuits…and we saw that just in the car park! We chose to book VIP tickets online to avoid a heartbreak hotel of a line which turned out to be a good thing. We jumped the queues and were ready to enter the mansion in next to no time, before being shuttled to a private waiting room to relax before the start of the mansion tour.
The Mansion
What struck us first about Graceland, is that it isn’t as large as we had expected. At least not compared to today’s celebrity mega-mansions. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in personality. There’s a lot of velvet!
The Dining Room – Elvis sat at the head of the table, Noritaki dinner setting, TV just out of camera view
The Basement – decorated in yellow and black with three TVs (because Elvis liked to watch all three channels at once)
The Jungle Room – There’s faux-fur-covered chairs, carved wood furniture, and a green shag carpet on the floor AND the ceiling
The Pool Room – another popular room with Elvis
Outbuildings and Extras
The Graceland experience is certainly not limited to the house. Just step outside and you’ll find buildings that house more than 1 million pieces of Elvis memorabilia!
The Trophy Building: Walls lined with gold and platinum records, movie costumes, and more awards than you can shake a blue suede shoe at.
The Racquetball Building: It’s not open for tournaments, but you can see Elvis’s racquetball gear.
The Meditation Garden: The final resting place of Elvis, his parents, daughter Lisa-Marie, Benjamin (Lisa’s son), and his grandmother. It’s a quiet, contemplative part of the tour, and the setting is beautiful.
The Car Museum: Here you can check out the impressive collection of cars and motorbikes, and with a VIP ticket, we walked through Elvis’s custom jet, the Lisa Marie (complete with gold coloured bathroom taps).
A small selection of a very large costume collection
The final resting place of Elvis and his family
The car and motorbike collection is massive!
Elvis Week
If you visit during Elvis Week (every August), be prepared for an absolute spectacle. Fans from all over the world flock to Memphis, donning sideburns and capes, and paying tribute with candlelight vigils and karaoke contests. It’s part family reunion, part rock concert, and entirely unforgettable.
Souvenirs, Snacks, and Southern Hospitality
No Graceland trip is complete without a stop in the gift shops, where you can purchase anything from Elvis bobbleheads to replica sunglasses. And when hunger strikes, don’t miss the numerous on-site diners. Our lunch pick was a couple of hotdogs served with fries, a pickle on the side, plus a soda.
Whether you’re a diehard Elvis fan or a casual listener, we think Graceland is well worth the trip. Just remember to leave your blue suede shoes at the door, but don’t be afraid to shake, rattle, and roll through the hallway. You’ll have a rock ‘n roll blast.
Elvis (plus Grant & Linda), have left the building…thank you, thank you very much!
For more info: www.graceland.com