Graceland, like the Eiffel Tower or Taj Mahal, doesn't really need introduction. Elvis fan or not (come on, it's the King - how can you not?), Memphis is the birthplace of rock ‘n' roll and a mix of rocker cool, country roots and old-school southern charm.
Swedish hipsters, Japanese families and road-tripping teenagers - up to 4,000 visitors a day make the pilgrimage to Graceland and expect numbers to swell on 8 January (Elvis' birthday) and on 16 August (the anniversary of Elvis' 1977 death). While you'll meet your share of Elvis evangelists, most people stop through Memphis and Graceland because... well, why wouldn't you? It's legendary. Then there's the city of Memphis, full of musical history, funky neighbourhoods and romantic boutique hotels.
Graceland and Elvis
Along with Graceland itself, a well-preserved mansion in all its ‘70s splendour, you also can check out the stage costumes and bling lifestyle accessories that made Elvis not only a musical icon, but a fashion one as well. You also can see the music memorabilia, cars, and private planes of the King, along with special exhibits like Elvis In Hollywood.
Tickets (adult) for Graceland start at $30USD for the standard mansion tour although we recommend upgrading to the $34 platinum tour. All tours are comprehensive and come with an audio guide. There's also a VIP tour at $69 for the most ardent of fans. For more information and for tickets visit elvis.com/graceland.
Heartbreak Hotel (and yes, it really is at the end of Lonely Street)
The Elvis themed suites at the Heartbreak Hotel are fabulous. Live in your own diminutive version of Elvis' home with the Graceland Suite or stay in the stylish ‘50s and ‘60s inspired crash pad that is the Gold & Platinum Suite, complete with a gigantic Elvis record for the dining room table. While Graceland and the Heartbreak Hotel are located on the outskirts of Memphis, it's still worth a stay even if just for one night ("One night with you"... sorry). The hotel also offers an hourly shuttle service to the sites of Memphis.
Prices start at $549 per suite (which sleep up to eight) and special packages with room and Graceland tour also available. For more information visit elvis.com/epheartbreakhotel or ring +1 877 777 0606.
Where else to stay
The Inn At Hunt Phelan (533 Beale Street) is a 177-year-old antebellum mansion turned luxury B&B in Downtown Memphis. Just a 10-minute walk from the hubbub of Beale Street, this pretty boutique hotel offers plenty of old fashioned southern charm and is perfect for couples. Rooms feature heavy four-poster beds, big antique bathtubs and plenty of gorgeous views over the seven-acre estate.
We were bowled over by the knowledge and generosity of the staff, especially our waiter/sommelier, Parks. Despite our protests of being too full, Parks insisted on giving us complimentary strawberry cake for dessert, claiming we'd regret not tasting even just a bite. He was right - it was to die for.
Prices for rooms start at $165. For more information visit huntphelan.com or ring + 901 525 8225.
What to do
Along with Graceland, Memphis is home to Beale Street, the (admittedly touristy) strip filled with blues bars and places to eat rib-sticking food and party the night away. Get your blues kick at BB King's Blues Club, Blues City Café and the Juke Joint. Don't miss a visit to A. Schwab's, a dry goods store and blast from the past, which has been going since 1876.
Sun Studio (706 Union Avenue) is another shrine to visit on a musical tour of Memphis. This is where Elvis first put his voice to record in 1953 and you can visit the actual studio and even cut your own track and sing in a microphone that has been used by the King and Johnny Cash.
The Stax record label was home to soul legends such as Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding and Booker T and the MG's. There is now a museum where the label stood (925 E. McLemore Avenue).
The Memphis Rock ‘n' Soul Museum (191 Beale Street) was created by the famed Smithsonian Institution and aims to tell the story of the musical pioneers who overcame the barriers of the time to create the music that shook the world.
If you're still mad for more music, visit the Gibson Guitar Factory (145 Lt. George W. Lee Avenue) and see how the famous guitars are made.
Memphis is also home to the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel (450 Mulberry Street), where Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated.
For shopping and nightlife, head to the cool Midtown neighbourhood, which is famed for its antique shops, vintage stores and thriving music scene.
Where to eat
This is the city where they consider macaroni and cheese a vegetable - meat is king in these parts (along with Elvis). For the best barbecue not to mention bags of atmosphere head to Cozy Corner (745 N. Parkway), an unpretentious fast-food type place that Elvis surely would have loved. On Beale Street, try Alfred's On Beale, Dyer's Burgers and BB King's Blues Club, which all excel in southern staples like ribs, burgers and barbecue (the latter also do great entertainment). The aforementioned Inn At Hunt Phelan is a popular restaurant with both locals and hotel guests. The food (think duck breast with sweet potato and calvados sauce) and wine (try the 2006 Shooting Star Lemburger) is perfect for a romantic dinner for two.
In Midtown, try Beauty Shop (966 S. Cooper Street), a former beauty salon frequented by the young Priscilla Presley, which now is a hip eatery.
Tupelo
Elvis was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, about a one-and-a-half hour drive south of Memphis, where you can tour the tiny two-room house Elvis was born in along with the restored Assembly Of God church where he undoubtedly got his love for music.
Don't miss getting a juicy burger at Johnnie's Drive In (where Elvis liked to hang out) or visit Tupelo Hardware, where his mother bought him his first guitar.
If driving yourself isn't an option, P's Luxury Transportation (Tel. +1 901 649 8451) can give you a full Tupelo tour, including a visit to the junior high Elvis attended starting from $175. Travel in a large and very comfortable Escalade (very bling, too - we're sure Elvis would approve). Our driver and owner of P's was charm personified and also does regular taxi jobs in the Memphis area.
What to pack
Style here is laid back and portions are generous, so make sure to wear clothes that aren't clingy and that you feel comfortable in. Alternatively, pack the Spanx.
Getting around
A car is essential for any trip to Memphis and the surrounding area, as public transportation is scant, bordering on non-existent. Hire a car, or alternatively P's Luxury Transportation (Tel. +1 901 649 8451) provides taxi service for the Memphis area.
For further information on travelling around Memphis and the surrounding area, visit deep-south-usa.com.
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