November 1, 2023

GRACELAND

3764 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116

“Graceland is a mansion on a 13.8-acre (5.6-hectare) estate in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, once owned by American singer Elvis Presley. Presley is buried there, as are his parents, paternal grandmother, grandson, and daughter.

Graceland was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on November 7, 1991, becoming the first site recognized for significance related to rock music. It was declared a National Historic Landmark on March 27, 2006, also a first for such a site.” – Wikipedia

Growing up in the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, Elvis has always been a part of my life.  I remember friends in college being ecstatic because they got tickets to go see Elvis in concert.  And I remember friends being devastated when he died.  So, I guess Graceland has always been on the list of places I wanted to see.  Graceland is so much more than a mansion; it is a huge museum paying homage to the King of Rock-n-Roll.

The tour of Graceland starts with the mansion.  Visitors are given headphones and an iPad-like device which leads you through the first floor of the house.  The house is preserved just as it would have been the day Elvis died in 1977.  By today’s standards the house is rather modest, but in Elvis’ time it was lavish, with bright colors and shag carpeting.  After the house visitors are taken through the carport to Vernon Presley’s office.  Vernon was Elvis’ father.  The tour also takes one through the Trophy Room and Racquetball House before taking you to the Memorial Garden, where Elvis and other family members are buried.

After the mansion, one can explore museums which seem to feature almost every aspect of Elvis’ life.  There is one displaying the automobiles he owned, one that displays the origins of his recording career, one honoring his military enlistment, and one highlighting his television specials.  His performance outfits are on display almost everywhere, but the his famed jump suits have their own massive display area.  And when you are finished with indoor museums you can go check out two jets that belonged to Elvis.

This is the type of museum where you could go several times and each time you would probably see something new.  But, with the price of admission being one of the highest I’ve experienced in my travels, one isn’t likely to return too soon.