Graceland, Elvis Presley's mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, remains a shrine to the King of Rock 'n' Roll, as well as to American popular culture. It's one of the country's most popular tourist locations and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. Since opening to the public, its history and nostalgia have made Graceland a "must-see" for millions of people visiting or passing through Memphis, or anywhere nearby in Tennessee and northern Mississippi for that matter. Today, its appeal remains as strong as it's ever been.
Graceland
Graceland, Elvis' home until his death in 1977, has been open to the public for tours since 1982. The mansion is open year-round (except Tuesdays from December through February, Christmas and Thanksgiving). Tour tickets include an audio tour through part of the mansion, a walk through the Reflection Garden where Elvis is buried, and self-guided tours through The King's car collection and his private jets. There's also an exhibit depicting Presley's movie roles. All told, you can expect to spend between 2½ to 3 hours at Graceland on the tours. It's important to note that flash photography is not allowed on the mansion tour and the upstairs portion of the house (which includes Elvis' bedroom and the bathroom where he died) is closed to the public.
Accommodations
The most convenient place to stay for a Graceland vacation is...well, Graceland. The Elvis Presley Heartbreak Hotel is a 128-room boutique hotel located across from the mansion, on Elvis Presley Boulevard. Each room features Elvis Presley photographs and there are four Elvis-themed suites. If you're a camper (either tent or RV), you can set yourself up in the Memphis-Graceland RV Park and Campground. Located behind the Heartbreak Hotel and convenient to all of the Graceland sites, the RV Park and Campground offers 50-amp electrical outlets and free wireless Internet access. In addition to the two official hotels, there are various other hotels and motels located along Elvis Presley Boulevard and in the immediate area.
Golf
Elvis may be The King, but he's not the only attraction in Memphis. Golfers have no fewer than 24 courses in the Memphis city area on which to play. There are five courses in the southern Memphis/Graceland area alone. The Cherokee Valley Golf Club, just across the border in Olive Branch, Mississippi, received a four-star rating from Golf Digest. Fox Meadows Golf is a 6,545-yard par 71 public course in Memphis. River Bend Links is a Scottish-style links course just across the border in Mississippi, and Plantation Golf Club and The Links at Cottonwood also provide golfing opportunities in Mississippi, a short drive from Graceland.
About The Author
Brian Moritz is an award-winning journalist living in upstate New York. Since 1999, he's written for the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Fort Worth Star Telegram, St. Anthony's Messenger, the Portland Press-Herald, the Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin and The Times Herald in Olean, N.Y. He's now a graduate student at Syracuse University.
