What to Expect on a Graceland Tour in Memphis
Wondering whether a Graceland Mansion tour is worth your time? Here’s how I found the experience, and whether I’d recommend a visit…
Elvis Presley is, undeniably, a huge mega massive part of not just musical history, but pop culture as a whole. And I love me some pop culture. So when I had the chance to visit his home on a Graceland tour in Memphis, I was actually very excited to check it out.
The Graceland mansion gives you a glimpse into the life of the King of rock and roll, from the rooms where he lived with his family to the famous Jungle Room. You can also explore exhibitions featuring his stage costumes, cars and personal belongings, as well as visit the spot where Elvis and members of his family are buried.
Whether you’re a lifelong Elvis fan or simply interested in music history, Graceland is an interesting stop when visiting Memphis. Here’s what you can expect from your visit…
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Graceland Quick Guide
Getting there: It takes around 10-15 minutes to drive from Downtown Memphis to Graceland
Price: $85 adults / $49 children (for entry to the mansion and additional museums). VIP Packages are also available.
Tour length: It’s a self guided tour, but allow around 1-1.5hrs, plus additional time to check out the rest of the exhibits in the Graceland complex.
Parking: $10
Facilities: Restaurants in the Graceland Complex include an American Diner, Memphis BBQ joint and a grab and go kiosk.
Accessibility: The Graceland Complex and Mansion are mostly wheelchair accessible, however the two basement rooms are only accessed via stairs.
If the music scene is what’s brought you to Memphis, you can book a full day Memphis and Graceland tour, to learn everything there is to know about the city’s rich musical history with an expert guide.
Elvis Presley superfan? Take a tour from Memphis to his birthplace in Tupelo!
What you’ll see on a Graceland tour
We began our tour by climbing aboard a little bus from the visitor centre to the mansion itself, and were met with a white pillared, two story exterior that I instantly imagined as the front entrance of my dreams. Stepping through to the entrance hall and peering into the living room area, we saw how well-preserved everything was.
Despite being one of the most famous musicians in the world, Graceland felt surprisingly homely in places, with rooms that gave you a glimpse into his life away from the stage.
For me, what really struck me was how easily I could imagine the King living out his days there – playing on the piano, listening to records, having a game of pool. I found myself imagining what it must have been like when the house was full of family and friends, with Elvis going about his daily life, completely unaware of just how much of a landmark his home would eventually become.
The pool room and kitchen
Speaking of pool, Graceland’s pool room is severely fabulous. It’s literally decorated from floor to ceiling in the most outlandish pattern material, with matching sofas, embellished cushions and bright prints adoring the wall. Elvis sure did have pretty epic decorating tastes…
We also got to check out the kitchen, which preserved the fabulously retro 60s vibe perfectly. Although, at the time, it was actually one of the most cutting edge kitchens around…and then we came across the famous ‘jungle room’ – which has to be seen to be believed.
Think green shag carpeting, carved wooden furniture and tropical fabrics. Not your usual American mansion decor, but I was quickly realising that Elvis wasn’t your usual American mansion kinda interiors guy.
The Presley family graves
Without a doubt, one of the most sobering aspects of the tour was seeing Presley and his family’s graves. Adorned with flowers and trinkets from all over the world, it felt like the end of a pilgrimage for Elvis fans paying their respects.
The amazing outpouring of love and remembrance for this man, almost 40 years after his passing, just speaks wonders of his incredible influence. Standing there and seeing the tributes left by people who had travelled from all corners of the globe really shows how he meant so much to so many people. Honestly, I felt a little choked up at the experience, and it was one of the most memorable parts of the whole visit.
All the memorabilia
After being pretty bowled over by the Presley family resting place, we ventured back inside to explore some of the expansive collection of memorabilia on display at Graceland.
We took in records, awards and all sorts of personal items documenting Elvis’ rise to fame, giving a real sense of gravity to how much of a SUPERSTAR this man was. We took in a hella massive gold and platinum disc collection; seriously, this man gained a lot of accolades.
And if you thought the music collection was impressive, the outfits were something else. From his signature jumpsuits to the elaborate costumes he wore on stage, there was no mistaking that Elvis knew how to make an entrance.
The sheer amount of artifacts on display is pretty staggering, and it’s a reminder that Graceland is about much more than just the mansion itself.
Finally, we got back on the bus back to the visitor centre. We hadn’t added any extras onto the tour (you can get upgrades on the basic ticket that include further exhibitions and a tour of Elvis’ aeroplanes), so we had a wander around the gift shop and picked up an ice-cream before heading back to our campsite. Which, conveniently, was right next to Graceland!
Is the Graceland tour worth doing?
The whole Graceland tour lasted around an hour and a half, and it includes an interactive iPad element that was really informative and immersive. Packed with clips, photos and a great narration through the house, it really did make the tour even better than if we’d just been looking around.
At $85, it’s definitely not the cheapest activity you can do in Memphis (but you can offset the cost with these epic free things to do in Memphis). But if you have any interest at all in Elvis Presley or music history, it’s somewhere you’ll probably want to tick off the list.
It’s somewhere I just had to visit, and I’m so very glad I did.
More Memphis:
- 10 Free Things To Do in Memphis, Tennessee
- Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous, Memphis
- A Schwab’s Curiosity Store
Previously on my East Coast USA trip: It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia | Sightseeing on Two Wheels in Washington, D.C. | Falling in Love With Nashville | An Hour in Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame | Exploring New Orleans | Universal Studios and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter | My Honest Thoughts on Miami
The highlight of my Graceland trip: the photo of me standing next to his private plane, which I captioned “I am beside myself”. Best ever. In fact, I’m going to restore that as my Facebook profile photo. Also, you gotta love a place that will give you a Lisa-Marie discount with a straight face.
Lis / last year’s girl x
Aha no way, I never knew they did that – that’s so cool! And I LOVE the captioning, haha!
It’s not an official thing, but if you don’t ask you don’t get, right? 😉 x
This looks amazing. I think it’s great you went around his house, looks like you had a fab time
This looks amazing, I’d love to go and visit Graceland x
My husband would love to go here. It looks incredible like I thought it would. It must have been an amazing visit and one you won’t forget
Oh wow, like you I’m not the biggest Elvis fan, but this does sound awesome. I’d have definitely rocked those red shoes too haha! Was it a bit eerie at the graves though?
How cool! Graceland looks awesome. I know somebody who did something similar and the time of her life, I’m sure she’d love this post. Fantastic photos as well! x
This looks just amazing and would definitely be on my list to do should I ever get to x
This has been on my wishlist since i dont know when! I would love to take my mum who was the hugest Elvis fan!
What am amazing experience, something to tick off the list of “things one should do”.
I would like to go to Graceland for the cultural experience. I can’t say I am a die hard fan either but that guy sure had a lot of talent.
I remember one of exes loved Elvis and had almost all his CD’s, one day home alone I started listening to the said exes CD collection and I feel in love with Elvis songs and still love them today so would be awesome to visit Graceland
I know my parents and nan have done this within a tour that they did and it’s something I’d love to go myself as well x
Oh how fantastic! I think my aunt and uncle would love this, they’re massive fans.
Memphis isn’t somewhere I’ve ever thought of visiting!
Ive always wanted to go on tour here, I am an Elvis Presley fan and so is my mum
i don’t really know about elvis but it’s always interesting to see his achievements and the way he lived
OMG that monkey – that thing is terrifying haha. This must have been amazing to experience first hand.
Charlotte x
http://www.foxsocks.co.uk
To be honest, I wasn’t overly impressed when I went. I am glad I went, but it’s a proper tourist trap.
Looks like it would have been an interesting experience! That monkeys given me the creeps.
I know what you mean about not being a huge fan but not feeling you can miss it when he’s such a huge part of musical history.
That seems a really good price for the tour – I expect they get inundated. Good of you not to post spoilers too!
I would love to visit Graceland! It seems like such a fascinating place to go, and full of so much to see. That pool room seriously is epic! X
Sounds like you had an great experience I would love to visit there and it’s really fun. Btw I really love these photos
Fascinating to get a taster of what lies inside Graceland…I want to see the jungle room now! It’s incredible the influence Elvis still has. What a man. I’d like to visit one day. Thanks for linking #citytripping