Who doesn’t have a “hunka, hunka” burning love for Elvis? I have a running list of “bucket list” items on my master Google MyMaps, so whenever I am going to a destination, I can take day trips to any nearby “must-see” places. This was exactly what happened when I found myself planning a trip to Memphis, TN in September 2019. I zoomed out of the area and noticed I had a pin on Tupelo, MS: Elvis’ birthplace! I knew instantly that my weekend in Memphis was now turning into an ultimate Elvis roadtrip! Here’s my itinerary for chasing Elvis from Memphis to Tupelo!
Memphis
Memphis, TN is famous for so many things: Beale Street, blues music, BBQ, and of course- Elvis Presley. Elvis moved to Memphis in 1948, when he was in the 8th grade. He loved it so much that it was home for the rest of his life. Memphis is the perfect place to start out your Elvis road trip, as you can get a glimpse of his life in his glory! These are the top Elvis highlights in Memphis!
Graceland
No visit to Memphis is complete without a visit to Graceland! Here you can tour Elvis’ home, his property, and get a glimpse of his life off-stage.
Overall, my time at Graceland was amazing and well worth the stop. It did however, feel very “hyped up” and I felt like they were squeezing every tourist dollar they could out of me. It’s important to have that expectation and keep it in the back of your mind. My advice is to plan ahead and pick your “must-sees”. You don’t need to do everything (if you do, it’ll cost quite a bit), but rather just pick a few highlights that interest you.
No matter the package you pick, a tour of the house is included. I really enjoyed the tour because it was self guided and you could spend as much time in each room as you wanted. A complementary audio tour is available and is narrated by none other than John Stamos! The house is very well maintained, and most of the furniture are originals. My personal favorite part of the house? The Jungle Room!
Airplanes
The access into Elvis’ airplanes is also included in every Graceland admission package- and is well worth the visit! You’ll have the ability to tour the insides of his two planes: The Lisa Marie and the Hound Dog II. The Lisa Marie was my favorite- it is a mini Graceland in the sky! There is a full bedroom, dining room, and sitting area. I would love to one day know the luxury of laying on a bed while on a plane!
Sun Studio
The iconic Sun Studio is located in downtown Memphis, just a few steps off of the world-famous Beale Street. Sun prides itself on being “The Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll” after many artists such as B.B. King, Johnny Cash, and of course- Elvis, got their starts here. The studio offers behind the scene tours that last about 45 minutes. During the tour you’ll be able to see the studio that these artists and more recorded their first tracks. In fact, it is still a fully operational recording studio by night (after the tours conclude during the day).
Tupelo
Elvis is the star of this small city in Northern Mississippi! Under a two hour drive from Memphis, you can cruise down Highway 22 all the way back to Elvis’ roots. I personally really enjoyed visiting Tupelo after Memphis. A lot of people who visit the two cities prefer to do them in opposite order, so they can progress through his life. I rather enjoyed first seeing his life in all his glory, and then taking a step back to see where he got his start. I felt like it gave me much more perspective and appreciation for his beginnings!
Elvis’ Birthplace
Elvis’ Birthplace is the attraction that most think of when they hear “Tupelo.” The grounds are free to walk around on and open to the public. However, if you want to enter the museum, church, or his childhood home you will have to pay admission. After just exploring the Graceland property, I opted to skip the church and museum and just enter the house.
The house, as you’ve learned in all your history classes, is small. The first room is the bedroom/family room (where Elvis was born), and the second is the kitchen/dining room. That’s it. None of the furniture inside was ever owned by the Presley family, but the museum was able to find replicas so you actually feel like you are in the Presley house in the 1940’s.
Downtown Tupelo
Elvis is the king of two things: Rock n Roll and Tupelo, Mississippi. Large murals, posters, and other statement pieces dedicated to the King line the streets downtown. Take a stroll down Main Street and you will not be disappointed. You can even walk into the famous Tupelo Hardware Store. This is where back in 1945, Gladys Presley bought a guitar for her son Elvis as a birthday gift!
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