Graceland

Graceland is the Memphis mansion Elvis Presley bought as fame arrived and lived in until his death, now a museum and a place of pilgrimage for fans from around the world. The house, frozen in its 1970s style with the famous Jungle Room, the trophy building of gold records and rhinestone suits, and Elvis's grave in the garden tell the story of the King.

Background

Ruth and her husband Thomas built the 10266 sq ft Colonial Revival mansion in 1939. Elvis Presley bought it on March 19, 1957, for $102,500 and lived there until his death in 1977. The 13.8-acre estate is at 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard in Whitehaven, about nine miles south of central Memphis. It opened to visitors as a museum on June 7, 1982, and receives around 600,000 visitors a year. On November 7, 1991, it became the first site tied to rock music to enter the National Register of Historic Places, and on March 27, 2006, it became a National Historic Landmark. His parents, grandmother Minnie Mae, grandson Benjamin and daughter Lisa Marie are buried here with him.

Source: Wikipedia, "Graceland"

What's there

• The mansion - the house preserved with its 1970s decor and the Jungle Room.
• The Meditation Garden - Elvis's grave, where fans leave tributes.
• The trophy building - the gold records, costumes and cars.
• The wider complex - the entertainment complex with more exhibits across the road.

When to go

Year-round; the anniversary of Elvis's death in August draws huge crowds and vigils. Book ahead for the mansion tour in busy periods.

Things to know

It is a fan pilgrimage, so appeal depends heavily on your feeling for Elvis and the era. The complex has grown very commercial, with tiered ticket options that add up. The mansion tour is timed and can be busy.

Nearby

Downtown Memphis, Beale Street and the Stax and Sun music sites are nearby.