A TRIP THROUGH THE WORLD OF ELVIS
With his legendary story hitting the silver screen, take a trip to see the King’s larger-than-life home for yourself
GRACELAND
First stop? Get yourself to Graceland and Elvis Presley’s Memphis Entertainment Complex. Located 14 kilometres south of central Memphis, Graceland has now been declared a National Historic Landmark. It is also the second most visited home in the US.
From the 4.5-metre sofa to the stained-glass peacock panels between the living room and music room, to the exotic decor of the infamous Jungle room, Graceland is just as good as you’d think. There is shag carpet galore along with many other iconic items – including the Jungle room where there is a waterfall wall (yep, a whole wall), stand-up ashtrays, ornate wood carved chairs and overuse of dark green and burnt orange. Elvis also owned five planes in his lifetime, two of which are on display at Graceland, the Lisa Marie and the Hound Dog II. There’s also a racquetball court and the
Trophy Building that tells the Presley family’s story. Behind the Trophy building is Elvis’ kidney-shaped pool and the Meditation Garden and final resting place where Elvis, his mother Gladys, his father Vernon, his grandmother Minnie Mae and his grandson Benjamin Keough are buried.
SUN STUDIO
Now a national Historic Landmark, Sun Studio opened as Memphis Recording Service in 1950 by Sam Phillips. Often known as the birthplace of rock'n'roll, many music careers were launched here, including that of Elvis, BB King, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash.
If you want to learn more about the part Memphis played in the roots of soul music or rock'n'roll and its influence on Elvis, then you'll want to visit the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum. Created by the Smithsonian Institute, it explores Memphis' musical history, up to its musical heyday in the 1970s and its global musical influence. With the help of an audio guide, visitors can explore seven galleries featuring more than 30 instruments, 40 costumes and 100 songs.
MEMPHIS ROCK ‘N’ SOUL MUSEUM NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM
The National Civil Rights Museum should be at the top of anyone's list of things to see in Memphis. Located in the old Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated on April 4, 1968, the museum features historical multimedia presentations on the civil rights movement. You'll be selfguided through films, artefacts, oral histories,and interactive media that helps put the events of the period into context for a better overall understanding of the movement. You'll also be able to see MLK'S motel room, where he spent his final hours.
MUSIC ON BEALE ST
Beale Street in Memphis is three blocks of nightclubs, restaurants and shops in the heart of downtown Memphis, and a melting pot of blues, jazz, rock'n'roll, and R&B. Take a stroll down this iconic neon row and hear live music spilling out of its many bars and restaurants every day of the week. It's one of the coolest places in Memphis!