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Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis
Elvis Presley's Graceland
Elvis Presley’s Graceland
© EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved.
Elvis Presley™ © 2020 ABG EPE IP LLC

Yay! The gates of Graceland are open again! I consider Memphis my hometown. I grew up here, went to high school here then came back here again after living a few other places. And I am ashamed to say that I never visited Graceland until recently. It seemed to be a place that tourists visited, but native Memphians only went if they were hosting out of town visitors. Friends who had been in the past did not seem too impressed, so I was not motivated to go. But boy, was I missing out! Things have changed.

Thank you to David Beckwith of the Beckwith Company for the complimentary tickets in exchange for this blog post!

A few years ago Elvis Presley Enterprise completely rebuilt and enlarged the tourist area, and it is now a definite must-see if you visit Memphis. Elvis Presley is known as the King of Rock and Roll, so for many seeing Graceland is on their bucket list. Over half a million people visit Graceland each year. I wondered if it was going to be a cheesy tourist trap, but despite there being some souvenir shops it did not feel overly touristy at all.

Glady's Diner at Elvis's Graceland
Try one of Elvis’s favorite sandwiches: Peanut Butter and Banana

Living in Memphis means that I’ve heard of lots of stories about Elvis from people who knew him personally. My husband’s mother went to school with Elvis and said he was always talking about how much money he would make someday. Well, his ambition sure paid off! I have always been a fan of his music, but you will appreciate it even more when you hear the back story to his songs and success.

My friend Denise told me that her dad, Ray Harris (nicknamed Ace) owned a car dealership with Elvis’s dad. Elvis loved cars and was always hanging around the car shop. So whenever my friend would come visit her dad there, Elvis would pick her up and carry her around and play with her.

She said he would always head over to the Cats Drug Store and sit in his flatbed and sing. Her dad spent time with the Presley family in the mansion some. In fact, he was the one who provided the Cadillacs for the burial service, and he was actually with Elvis’s dad, Vernon, when Elvis died. So this put to rest the rumors that Elvis had not died but was alive and well in Hawaii. It turns out that Al Strada, who looked a lot like Elvis, was actually who people were sighting.

My friend Denise sings in the church choir with me and has a beautiful voice. Back in the day she looked a lot like one of Elvis’s singers named Cathy Westmoreland. Cathy was leaving, and my friend was told she could fill in and that the “audition” was just a formality. But then Elvis died the week before she was to audition.

She describes Elvis as a “very sweet man, very kind.” She tells the story of how one time Elvis was at the car dealer and a customer, an African American lady, was walking around and around his car looking it over. He told her, “You can’t have that one, because it’s mine. But go pick out another one you like.” He bought this total stranger a car. When word got out the car dealer was flooded with people who were hoping they would run into Elvis there so he could buy them a car too!

The gates of Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee
Painting of the Gates of Graceland

Elvis’s Graceland is so much more than a big old house. It was the private retreat of the true King of Rock ‘n Roll. It was where his family actually grew up and spent their time together. You can explore his life and legacy by viewing his home and estate while listening to and reading about his fascinating history in the various museum experiences.

There are several different tour options available. And you are in luck, because they are back open now and it will be less crowded due to reduced capacity (25%) during their re-opening. They are doing everything they can to protect the health and safety of their guests, and you can enjoy more space on your tour now due to social distancing protocols. However, you are highly encouraged to buy your tickets in advance, since they are allowing fewer guests in at a time.  

Elvis's pink cadillac in front of the Graceland Mansion
Pink Cadillac in Front of the Graceland Mansion
© EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved.
Elvis Presley™ © 2020 ABG EPE IP LLC

Graceland Mansion

The area of town where Graceland is located has changed over the years and is now not considered a great part of town. Unfortunately like many large cities we have our fair share of crime. But I was pleasantly surprised at the secure gated parking lot. There is a fee for parking, but there is ample space. It is a very safe and secure attraction that you can feel confident visiting.

Your ticket will be for a specific tour time, and if you want to see everything you need to allow about 4 hours. We went in March right before the coronavirus lockdown, so it was unusually not crowded at all. I would imagine that the summer months and Elvis week would be the most crowded times.

Your tour starts with a short video that was really interesting. Then you will board a shuttle bus to go across the street to the Mansion. You are given an iPad and headphones (all cleaned) which allows you to explore the personal side of Elvis Presley with an interactive tour of the Graceland Mansion, hosted by John Stamos and featuring commentary and stories by Elvis and his daughter, Lisa Marie.

The mansion is not enourmous by today’s standards, but you will not be disappointed. As outlined on their website, the tour of Graceland Mansion includes the living room, his 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 Meditation Garden. Elvis purchased his home when he was only 22, and every item in the home is an original from when Elvis lived there.

Dining Room at Graceland Mansion
Dining Room at Graceland Mansion
Living Room at Graceland Mansion
Living Room at Graceland Mansion
TV Room at Graceland Mansion
TV Room at Graceland Mansion
I’m not sure I’d be comfortable watching TV with that creepy little monkey in
the room, but hey that’s just me.
The Pool Room at Graceland Mansion
The Pool Room at Graceland Mansion
Look at the multi colored fabric all over the walls and ceiling. So 70’s!

One of my favorite rooms to see was the famous “Jungle Room” mentioned in Marc Cohn’s song “Walking in Memphis.” The room started out as a practical joke. Elvis bought all the strange furniture to annoy his dad. But then he decided to keep it, because the room has character. There is even green shag carpeting on the ceiling! That is one part of the 70’s I do not miss. They put shag carpet absolutely everywhere.

The Jungle Room at Graceland Mansion
Jungle Room at Graceland Mansion

The rest of the 14 acre estate is interesting as well. You see his dad’s office, the swimming pool, the horses, and what is called Meditation Garden where the family graves lie. It is all really an emotional journey through Elvis’s life, and when you get to his grave it makes you pause and think.

Vernon Presley's office at Graceland
In front of Vernon Presley’s office at Graceland
Elvis's swimming pool at Graceland
Elvis’s Swimming Pool at Graceland
Elvis built his own racquetball court at Graceland.
Elvis’s Racquetball Building is restored to how he had it when he lived at Graceland.
Meditation Garden at Graceland
Beautiful Stained Glass in Meditation Garden at Graceland
Gravesite of Elvis Presley at Graceland
Burial Place of Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley’s Memphis

Across the street from the mansion (the side the ticket office is on) lies what is called Elvis Presley’s Memphis. This state-of-the-art entertainment and exhibit complex is over 200,000-square-feet in size and allows you to chronologically follow Elvis’s life and music.

You will be surrounded by all sorts of things Elvis loved and experience the sights and sounds of the city that inspired him. Elvis’s roots are in Memphis, and it is interesting to learn about the city that influenced his life and career. There is no official tour for this part, so you can spread out and tour at your own pace however you want.

Below are some of the exhibits you will encounter:

Elvis the Entertainer Career Museum

Here you will find hundreds of artifacts and incredible photos from significant events in Elvis’s life, as you tour the extensive Graceland Archives. Included in this exhibit is his amazing collection of gold and platinum records, his spectacularly dazzling jumpsuits with his signature Elvis flare, and other clothing, memorabilia from his movies, and more! This museum is the world’s largest and most comprehensive Elvis museum in the world. There was so much to see from practically all aspects of his life. Elvis truly started a music and pop culture revolution.

Elvis's Memphis Hollywood Exhibit
Elvis made 31 films as an actor.
© EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved.
Elvis Presley™ © 2020 ABG EPE IP LLC

A video on their website shows a lady putting on white gloves to pick up one of Elvis’s jeweled belts. Made of real gold and silver and covered in jewels, it weighs 20 pounds! She also introduces us to an enormous 16 carat diamond ring with the initials TCB (Taking Care of Business). And there is always his famous tiger suit. So flamboyant and extravagant. No one knew how to take care of business like Elvis did!

Elvis's Memphis Career Exhibit
Viva Las Vegas!
Elvis Presley's gold records
Some of Elvis’s Many Gold Records
There is another display in this building with a 40 foot tall wall filled with his records and awards, many of which were awarded after his death.

Presley Motors Automobile Museum

If you love cars, make sure you include this exhibit on your ticket. It is amazing! Elvis loved cars, and in this exhibit you can walk around and see some of Elvis’ favorite automobiles, including his iconic Pink Cadillac, 1973 Stutz Blackhawk, 1956 Cadillac Eldorado, 1975 Dino Ferrari, Mercedes Benz limousine, Rolls Royce sedans and more. I had no idea he was so into cars!

Elvis Presley's pink cadillac
Elvis’s Pink Cadillac
Elvis Presley motors
Elvis loved cars!
Elvis Presley's cadillacs
One of Elvis’s Famous Cadillacs
Do I make a good car model or what?
Elvis Presley's race cars
Elvis had some pretty cool race cars too.

Elvis Discovery Exhibits

There are several huge buildings with themed discovery showcase spaces that give you a peak into several important parts of Elvis’s life and what influenced him as a person and a performer.

Elvis Discovery Exhibits include:
  • Presley Cycles Exhibit
  • X’s & O’s: Elvis and His Love of Football – New!
  • Icons: The Influence of Elvis Presley Exhibit
  • Elvis’ Tupelo Exhibit
  • Hollywood Backlot
  • Private Presley Exhibit
  • Archives Experience
  • Lisa Marie: Growing Up Presley Exhibit

X’s & O’s: Elvis and His Love of Football – NEW

Who’s ready for some football? Elvis loved football! Whenever he had the chance he was either out playing a game of touch football or watching a game on TV. This exhibit inside the Haberdashery celebrates Elvis’s favorite sport and has several items that are on display for the first time ever at Graceland. You get to see some of his handwritten plays, sports equipment, pictures, and more.

Lisa Marie: Growing Up Presley

I really enjoyed this exhibit, which is located inside the Haberdashery. It is all about Lisa Marie Presley. There are personal items from her childhood including her record player, roller skates and clothing, and some interesting things from her musical career. The exhibit looks at Lisa as a daughter and mother as well as her charity work and career. It gives visitors a glimpse into how she continues to carry on her dad’s legacy at Graceland. I found it very interesting.

Lisa Marie Presley
I love this picture!

Hollywood Backlot

This is where you can see a film set. They have actual sets used in the CMT show “Sun Records.” I found this interesting, because I have a friend who got a part singing in that show which was all about the “Million Dollar Quartet.” The sets include the WHBQ set and the Sun Studio set, and you can also watch scenes from the show that were filmed in these sets. I grew up listening to DJ Rick Dees on WHBQ radio every morning before school.

Sam Phillips Recording Studio
Sam Phillips Recording Studio Set
Elvis Presley Sun Records
Sun Records as Part of Elvis Exhibit
Sun Studio Memphis, Tennessee
The Famous Sun Studio in Memphis

Presley Cycles

In addition to cars, Elvis had lots of motorcycles. In this exhibit they have his motorcycles and even his John Deere tractor on display! And for the first time on display at Graceland you can see Elvis’s ski boats.

Elvis Presley's motorcycles
Some of Elvis’s Motorcycles

Icons: The Influence of Elvis Presley

This exhibit was awesome! Elvis was a true music pioneer whose influence paved the way for many of today’s artists and celebrities. This exhibit has items from 25 artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John and Dolly Parton. It was like a huge music museum from all your favorite artists. I was not aware this new exhibit existed, so it was fun for me to explore. There are so many music artists who were influenced by the music of Elvis!

Icons: the influence of Elvis Presley Dolly Parton
I love Dolly Parton.
Icons: the influence of Elvis Presley Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake is from Memphis!

Elvis’s Tupelo Exhibit

Tupelo, Mississippi, not too far from Memphis, is known as the birthplace of Elvis. This exhibit has some interesting childhood photos and rare artifacts from Elvis’s early days. You can see the Presley family’s clothing, personal photos and receipts from their early days in Tupelo.

Elvis Presley Tupelo, Mississippi
From Elvis Tupelo Exhibit at Graceland

Private Presley: Elvis in the Army

Elvis served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960. In this exhibit, visitors can learn more about Elvis’ service to his country as you walk through his induction and time spent in the service. I was especially interested in his time spent in Germany, because I lived and worked in Germany for four years running a youth program for U.S. children whose parents were stationed there in the Army. Some special artifacts displayed include Elvis’ Army fatigues, dress uniforms, army foot locker, suitcases and more.

Elvis Presley in the U.S. Army
Elvis sure made a handsome soldier.

There is also an artifacts section where you can see all sort of things from Elvis’s past.

Elvis’s Custom Jets

A short walk away, and you can climb aboard Elvis’ customized jet, named after his daughter Lisa Marie, that features a living room, conference room, sitting room, and private bedroom, as well as gold-plated seat belts, suede chairs, leather covered tables, 24-karat gold-flecked sinks and more. All on an airplane!

You can also look inside Elvis’ smaller Lockheed Jet Star, customized by Elvis with a yellow and green interior. He loved those 70’s colors, didn’t he?

Elvis Presley's custom jet Lisa Marie
Elvis’s custom jet named after his daughter

So have I convinced you to visit? With all of the new exhibits it really is much more than a house now. Whether you are a casual Elvis fan or fanatic or neither I encourage you to spend a day at Graceland the next time you are in Memphis.

Note: It is currently best to buy advance tickets.

From their website:

“Due to reduced tour capacities, guests are strongly encouraged to purchase tour tickets in advance to ensure they receive their preferred tour time. In addition, purchasing in advance allows you to skip the ticketing lines and proceed directly to your tour at your assigned tour time.”

Maybe you want to check out Elvis Week August 8 -16, 2020 which has lots of special activities for Elvis fans. Book early though! Christmas at Graceland is November 19, 2020 – January 8, 2021. This is another time there are extra special events planned. And of course there is always January 7-10, 2020. This will be a big Elvis Birthday Celebration.

BUY TICKETS

Where to Stay

The Guest House at Graceland

The Guest House at Graceland is very close to the property and has 450 rooms, two restaurants, spaces for meetings and special events and a 464-seat theater for live performances and movies. I have not stayed there before, but I did tour the lobby and eat at one of the restaurants. It was very nice. There are many decorative touches that are obviously uniquely Elvis.

Wherever you stay or whenever you come to Graceland, make sure to come back to this post and leave a comment below. Please share this post with others, and I just want to say, “Thank you. Thank you very much!”

I am excited to announce that I have been nominated by Cindy at Trip to Tale Travels for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Thank you so much Cindy! (You have a great name, by the way.) The Sunshine Blogger Award is for new bloggers who people find interesting, creative, and inspiring. It recognizes bloggers who bring positivity and creative content to the community of blogging. Those nominated are to answer 11 questions and then nominate 11 other bloggers. I am so grateful to be included in this honor.

This blog is a new adventure for me and something I have wanted to do for a long time. I’m a teacher, and I love to write and tell stories. I have also always loved taking pictures and creating beauty with art. My hope is that my blog will inspire others to find the beauty and joy in the things they love too. No matter what are circumstances are, there is always something we can be grateful for.

Again, a huge thank you to Cindy at Trip to Travels for reading my blog and thinking of Banjo and Layla when making your nominations. Here are my answers to the 11 questions that Cindy at Trip to Travels has asked me:

Why did you start your blog?

I have always wanted to start an online business to supplement my teaching income, but I never really knew what to do. I stumbled upon an awesome online course on how to start a blog and the rest is history. I love to write and tell stories, and I love taking pictures – especially when traveling. I want to work from home one day, so this was a great fit for me. I am excited to share some of the joys I find in life with others and maybe help someone along the way. There is so much negative on the internet. I think it is important to share the little things that make me happy – things like singing, travel, family, my dogs, and great food!

Layla

What is one thing your readers should know about you?

I am a full-time middle school teacher and am doing the best I can to try to juggle both teaching with excellence and overcome the learning curve of starting a new blog. Please stick with me, and I promise you will see more and better content and more of a social media presence once the beginning of the school year busyness calms down a little. Also, you can rest assured that I always aim to blog with integrity and respect for my readers.

What is your favorite “hometown” dish to eat?

Other than home cooking, Memphis is known for barbecue. They even have a World Famous Barbecue Contest at the Memphis in May Festival every year. My favorite barbecue restaurants are The Rendezvous and The Commissary. But I love all things Italian. There are several authentic Italian restaurants in town. My favorite pizza place is a tiny spot in Collierville, TN called “Ciao Baby.”

What has been your favorite travel adventure?

This is a tough one. When I was single I lived in Germany for four years, so I got to travel all over Europe. I loved living in Germany, and when visitors would come I loved taking them to the traditional walled city of Rothenburg. One of my favorite countries is Italy. I could just eat and drink my way through the entire country (see my favorite food above). I worked with a youth organization in Germany, and one of the coolest places we took kids in the summer was a series of five scenic villages in Italy called Cinque Terre. I love animals, so I also loved the African safari I went on at the tale end of a mission trip. With my husband I think our favorite vacation so far has been Yellowstone. You can check out my six day trip report with pictures and video here.

What are your 5 must see or do items for your hometown or surrounding area?

(1) Shelby Farms Park in Memphis (Cordova), TN – One of the largest urban parks in the United States. Beautiful running, walking, and biking trails, paddle boats, kayaks, horses, disc golf course, zip line, ampitheater, dog park. It is awesome!

(2) The Memphis Zoo – One of the best zoos in the country, hands down.

(3) There is lots to do downtown by the Mississippi River – Rock and Soul Museum, Beale Street, the ducks at the Peabody Hotel.

(4) Anything music – Elvis Presley‘s Home, Live music at Lafayette Music Room or B.B. King’s, free summer concerts at the Levitt Shell, outdoor concerts at Live at the Garden; if you like gospel check out my church Hope Church Memphis – Grammy award winners on the music team. There is always music somewhere in Memphis every weekend – rock, soul, jazz, country, you name it.

(5) I love the Collierville Historic Town Square in my town, a suburb of Memphis called Collierville. It has been listed on several “Best Town Squares in the U.S.” list and is a true hidden gem.

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

I think that teaching middle schoolers all day is pretty crazy – I’m just sayin! I was pretty crazy in my 30’s. I was in a water ski club in South Carolina, and we put on water ski shows for fun. I have always been athletic, although you might not be able to tell by looking at me now. The opening act was a barefoot line, and I was the only girl in the barefoot line. The boat had to travel very fast to hold up the big heavy guys, so I was flying! And with no skis! I was also in the ballet line, did tricks in a doubles act, and was in the middle row on a three high pyramid on the water. But later in my 30’s I moved to Germany without having ever been to Europe before and not knowing the language. That was pretty crazy.

What is your life motto and how has it served you?

One is “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” This is a quote from the late missionary Jim Elliot. I try to invest my time, money, and life into making a difference that will last. Decisions that I make are filtered through this value.

What is the one practical piece of advice you would have for other bloggers?

Be yourself. I will be honest, I have been discouraged many times as I have tried to overcome the technology learning curve. Everything is so new to me, and I would compare myself to others with more social media followers or more traffic to their blogs and lose confidence. I have also gained weight in my 50’s and was embarrassed to be on video, but my husband reminded me that I just need to be me – that others will relate to me being real and authentic. So I am trying to do that – to just be me and accept that it is what it is. Be you. Set small goals and stay motivated, even when things don’t move as quickly as you want.

Who is your idol in your blogging niche and why?

I am really too new to the blogging world to have a particular idol yet, but I owe my new blog to Pete and Heather Reese whose 5 Day Start a Money Making Blog Crash Course got me started. I eventually signed up for more extensive training from them after this initial 5 day course, and I learned so much. The great thing about their courses is that you have access to the material for two years and also have access to the VIP Facebook Group where class members can ask questions and get advice.

What is the one thing about blogging, that you have learned so far, that has helped you the most?

I have learned that it is worth it to take the time to watch tutorials or research how to do something if you are not sure. Sometimes trying to figure something out on your own takes longer and can be extremely frustrating. Also, it is OK to ask for help. I have gotten a lot of help from Pete and Heather Reese‘s VIP Facebook page for those who have taken their courses. I also frequently ask people I know locally who have web design expertise questions when I run into a problem.

Hands down….what is your favorite food and where do you go to get it?

I know this is not very sophisticated, but I love a really good pizza – I mean the brick oven kind with authentic crust and not greasy. The place in my town I mentioned earlier, Ciao Baby, imports their tomatoes from Italy, makes their own cheese, and has all fresh ingredients. There are probably other places like that around, but I think pizza is usually better at small family owned places rather than chain restaurants.

I had fun answering these questions, and I hope you enjoyed reading a little bit about me. I am so grateful to be nominated for this award!

This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.

The Rules

  1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and link to their blog.
  2. Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.
  3. Nominate 11 new bloggers to receive the award and ask them 11 questions.
  4. List these rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and on your blog.

My nominees:

Josh at Us Living Life

Lexi at The One Lex Traveled

Rebecca at Rebecca Talley

Nikki at She Saves She Travels

Jessie at The Rambling Raccoon

Erika at Simply Low Cal

Tara at Life’s A Hike

Rachel at Capturing Your Confidence

Meghan at Full House Frenzy

Cathy at Make Magic and Memories

Denise at The Versatile Scribe

  1. Why did you start your blog?
  2. What is one thing your readers would be surprised to know about you?
  3. What is your favorite restaurant in your hometown?
  4. What has been your favorite travel adventure?
  5. What are your top five things visitors to your hometown or surrounding area should see or experience?
  6. What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
  7. What is your life motto and how has it served you?
  8. What is the 1 practical piece of advice you would have for other bloggers?
  9. What is on your travel bucket list?
  10. What is your most embarrassing moment? Nah, just kidding. 🙂 What do you know now, that you wish you knew when you first started your blog?
  11. What new things can we expect from your blog in the future?