The unforgettable to-do list for a trip Graceland
It’s the legendary home of the King of Rock and Roll and the ultimate pilgrimage for any music fan.
1. Marvel at the Graceland Mansion
Elvis lived here, with his family, for more than 20 years. An audio tour full of personal stories from Elvis and his daughter Lisa Marie will lead you around the property. Much of the house is still styled in its 1960s and 70s heyday, especially the opulent Polynesian-style Jungle Room with green shag carpet and intricately carved wood. The Trophy Building houses a huge collection of Elvis’ gold and platinum records, alongside some fascinating memorabilia. To see all of his iconic jumpsuits from the 1970s, head to the refurbished racquetball court.
2. Pay your respects at the Meditation Garden
Elvis and other members of his family, including his beloved mother Gladys, are buried in a Meditation Garden adjacent to the mansion. There’s a gently tinkling fountain and Elvis ballads are piped through speakers as millions of fans come here to pay their respects to the late icon.
3. Check out his car collection
Elvis loved cars and had a passion for collecting rare, expensive or customised vehicles. More than 15 of these beauties are collected in the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum on-site including a pink Cadillac, a 1975 Dino Ferrari, a 1973 Stutz Blackhawk and the pink Jeep from the movie Blue Hawaii.
4. Hop aboard the opulent jets
The King of Rock and Roll also had a thing for custom jets. He spent close to $1 million refurbishing a 1958 Convair 880 with living areas, a conference room and bedroom, and named it after daughter Lisa Marie. Special touches include gold-plated seatbelts, suede chairs, leather-covered tables and 24-carat gold flecked sinks.
5. Learn more at the unique exhibitions
The tour’s not over yet. There are a number of one-of-a-kind exhibitions on show at Graceland, which include photography, movie memorabilia, items from his childhood, documentaries, concert films and more. A new exhibition has just opened this year to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the release of his first film, Love Me Tender.
6. Bed down at the Heartbreak Hotel
You can’t come to Graceland and not spend the night at the Heartbreak Hotel, just across the road. It’s a retro-rock styled boutique property with more than 130 Elvis themed rooms and suites. We suggest the 1970s-style Burning Love suite, decorated in lots of rich reds to celebrate Elvis’ status as a romantic idol.
Have you ever been to Graceland? What about the US in general? If so how was your visit? Let us know in the comments section, we’d love to hear from you.
Related links:
Guest House at Graceland set to open to Elvis fans in October
Rare footage of Elvis’ 1967 wedding uncovered
Songs that have defined the ages