18 Locations Each Elvis Presley Fan Must Go to
Ever since visiting Graceland for the primary time final 12 months, I’ve develop into completely FASCINATED by the life and story of Elvis Presley. My husband and I have been itching to get out of city, and deliberate a weekend street journey to see the highest spots that formed Elvis’ character, life and profession. If you happen to’re an Elvis fan (or perhaps a fan of American popular culture on the whole!) that is one journey I extremely advocate you’re taking. Listed here are the spots to go to, together with tricks to make your street journey successful. Let’s rock and roll!
Natchez Hint Parkway
Residing minutes from the long-lasting entrance to the Natchez Hint Parkway in Nashville, Tennessee, we determined to take the scenic path to Elvis’ birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi. Just a little over a three-hour drive from Nashville, it’s a completely stunning route, even in February. There are many historic pit stops alongside the way in which, together with the remaining resting place of Meriwether Lewis (of the Lewis & Clark Expedition) together with many different memorials. If you happen to’re a historical past buff, be sure to do your homework beforehand to be sure to see all of the websites that curiosity you, or else simply benefit from the stunning winding roads and pastures alongside the Natchez Hint Parkway!
Tupelo, Mississippi
Positioned in Northeast Mississippi rather less than two hours from the Tennessee state line, Tupelo is a metropolis with a captivating Primary Road, vibrant murals, distinctive eating places, music, a number of historical past and naturally, it’s most famously referred to as the birthplace of Elvis Presley. Listed here are three key spots we hit in three hours, however we simply may have spent extra time there, and may’t wait to go to once more quickly – perhaps throughout their annual Elvis Pageant!
Johnnie’s Drive In
Established in 1945, Johnnie’s Drive In is dubbed as “Tupelo’s oldest restaurant,” and was a spot Elvis frequented as a baby with buddies, so naturally we needed to go to! Pulling into city, our sport plan was to hit Johnnie’s proper when it opened at 10am to snag the Elvis Sales space. Strolling contained in the small diner is like stepping again in time, with loads of Elvis memorabilia. Whereas their important menu is BBQ, it was too early for us, so we ordered egg sandwiches and soaked within the atmosphere. Subsequent time I’ll get a milkshake! The server was extraordinarily gracious and sort and took images for us (she stated she was used to folks wanting images in and across the diner). Just a few notes, Johnnie’s is a cash-only joint, and as many Southern spots, they’re closed on Sundays, so be sure you plan round these particulars if you wish to hit this Elvis joint in your journey.
Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum
Lower than two blocks away from Johnnie’s is the Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum, full with the home the place Elvis was born, as nicely the Presley household’s church, a museum, park grounds and loads of picture ops. Every exhibit gives an insightful glimpse into the primary 13 years of Elvis’ life. The 2-room, 300 SF home was in-built 1934 by Elvis’ father, Vernon, after borrowing $180 to construct alongside his father and brother, and on January 8, 1935, Elvis was born. Tragically, Elvis’ twin, Jessie, was stillborn. The Presley’s lived on this shotgun home for 3 years, then bounced from place to position till they left for Memphis in 1948. Strolling via the house, you actually get a way of what it was wish to dwell in that point interval, in poverty in the midst of the Nice Despair. Throughout the garden is the First Meeting of God church, a bit of Southern church that Elvis grew up attending, the place he first started to sing and was fascinated by the quartet singers. The church exhibit features a 15-minute recreation of a service to see what it was wish to attend again within the 30’s and 40’s, the place the providers usually lasted as much as six hours – with out air con! Fairly fascinating. The museum has a pleasant walkthrough of Elvis’ life, together with many artifacts, from his time in Tupelo to Memphis, and ends naturally – in true Elvis style – with an in depth present store stuffed with merchandise. Though we didn’t have time to stroll via the grounds and canopy each inch (we had a busy agenda forward!) we actually liked visiting and extremely advocate testing this historic landmark. Once you do make the journey, attempt to get there as early as attainable to keep away from crowds and take images with out anybody lurking within the background!
Tupelo {Hardware}
After we soaked in a lot historical past on the Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum, we took the quick cruise to Primary Road to go to Tupelo {Hardware}, the positioning the place Elvis’ mother, Gladys, purchased him his first guitar for his 11th birthday in 1946 for $7.75+tax. Based in 1926, this enterprise has been a staple of Tupelo for nearly a century, with the unique hardwood flooring and identical look and character from the 40s. If you’re there on a weekend, be sure you get there on Saturday earlier than midday (and know they’re closed on Sundays)! PLEASE study from our mistake, as a result of we realized the onerous means. Strolling as much as the doorways at 12:18pm, the lights have been off and the doorways have been locked. We missed one of many spots we have been trying ahead to as a result of it didn’t even happen to us that it might shut so early within the day on a weekend! After our disappointment, we strolled up and down Primary Road, which was stuffed with character with loads of cute boutiques and eating places. We additionally walked by the Lyric Theatre, a film theatre Elvis would experience his bike to as a baby. Tupelo was charming, and we will certainly be again to purchase a guitar from Tupelo {Hardware} — earlier than midday!
After we noticed all of the websites we may presumably see that morning, we hopped again within the automobile and made the two-hour journey to Memphis.
Memphis, Tennessee
Solar Studio
The world famend birthplace of Rock n’ Roll, Solar Information Studio, is positioned at 706 Union Road in Memphis. Based by Sam Phillips in 1952, Elvis first walked via the doorways in 1953 to report an acetate for himself. Though he was shy and considerably timid, his persistence paid off. After a 12 months of repeatedly popping within the studio to see if Sam and his assistant, Marion Keisker, knew of any bands searching for a singer, Marion pushed Sam to deliver Elvis in to report with two native musicians, guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Invoice Black. After a couple of preliminary conferences and an extended session, they recorded his first track “That’s Alright Mama” in 1954, and his fame actually skyrocketed from there. He was an in a single day sensation in Memphis, and his recognition unfold like wildfire throughout the U.S. quickly after. If you happen to’re on the town, I feel the hour lengthy tour of Solar Information is a should. Whereas nonetheless an lively recording studio, they host a number of excursions a day. Tickets are first come, first serve, so be sure you pop in to safe your tickets for this musical historical past tour! The tour begins upstairs with an unbelievable show of music historical past and memorabilia, and ends within the recording room, the place Elvis recorded his first hit report, together with the likes of B.B. King, Johnny Money, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. On the finish of the tour, I requested our superb Solar Studio information if he had any enjoyable/distinctive Elvis tales, and boy did he! He shared that his Nice Aunt was on the facet of the street in Memphis after her tire blew. Subsequent factor she is aware of, a purple Cadillac pulled up behind her – it was Elvis! He modified her tire, gave her a hug and went on his means. Simply after I thought I couldn’t love him extra!
Professional tip, when you have time to kill earlier than your tour, stroll over to Excessive Cotton Brewing for a couple of beers. Whereas the taproom has nothing to do with Mr. Presley, it’s a very enjoyable, relaxed place with an awesome collection of beers (we liked the Scottish Ale). Being there was unsuspectingly one among our favourite pit stops, and it actually the spot after an extended day of driving!
Peabody Memphis Resort
Within the coronary heart of downtown Memphis lies the historic Peabody Memphis Resort, two blocks from the additionally historic Beale Road. Opened in 1869 and famous as a Nationwide Register of Historic Locations, the Peabody is certainly price a go to (and completely price a keep!!) You’ll be entranced by the elegant, ornate foyer, the place you may seize a drink within the lounge and other people watch, whereas listening to the piano enjoying within the background. I used to be blown away by our fashionable suite, and may’t wait till we keep there once more! And we are able to’t overlook about quirky and lovable custom of the well-known Peabody Geese. The parade of geese are walked to the foyer fountain every day at 11am, and marched again upstairs to their lodging on the royal rooftop at 5pm. It’s so endearing, and attracts a crowd with out fail each time! The Peabody is host to quite a few bars, eating places and outlets, and is steps from Beale Road and different main points of interest. I can’t wait to return and I’m certain you’ll find it irresistible too.
Lansky Bros
One other Memphis custom is Lansky Bros, which opened its doorways in 1946 at a storefront on Beale Road (which is quickly closed). Nicknamed the “Clothier of the King,” the signature type of Lansky threads captured Elvis’ consideration lengthy earlier than his rise to fame, who in flip offered extremely publicity for his or her store. They opened one other location inside the Peabody Resort in 1981, which remains to be open in the present day, and the positioning of many movie star sightings! Any Elvis fan ought to positively pop in, and maybe purchase a colourful piece that Elvis himself can be proud to put on!
Beale Road
Dwelling of the Blues and one of the iconic streets within the U.S., Beale Road is filled with blues golf equipment, eating places, loads of neon signage and memento outlets! Strolling up and down the well-known avenue, you’ll hear the music of blues bands streaming out via the home windows of every membership (sort of like Broadway in Nashville). I’ve strolled Beale a couple of occasions now, and every time now we have to hit the identical place to get their well-known ribs: B.B. King’s Blues Membership, and now we have by no means been disillusioned. The leisure is all the time nice too. Whereas you’ll have to pay a $10 per individual cowl on the door, it’s positively price it to take a seat again, take heed to a blues band, and eat some scrumptious ribs! Whereas that is positively a touristy spot that I hold coming again to, there are such a lot of extra BBQ and blues joints that I hope to discover sooner or later. However as soon as I discover one thing I like, I keep it up!
Lauderdale Courts
A few five-minute drive from the Peabody Resort, you’ll discover Lauderdale Courts – now referred to as Uptown Flats – the low-income housing advanced that Elvis and his mother and father moved into as soon as they acquired approval from the Memphis housing authority. The Courts have been in-built 1936 as one of many first Works Progress Affiliation (WPA) initiatives, led by FDR throughout his presidency. The Presley’s lived there from 1949 – 1953, and this residence marked the second longest place Elvis referred to as house, apart from Graceland. This was a pivotal time and place for Elvis and the event of his musical expertise. It was right here he made a number of new buddies, picked his guitar, and had his eyes opened to the unbelievable musical alternatives of the Memphis blues scene. It’s a bit of difficult to search out, because the advanced is intensive, (plug in 185 Winchester Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105 to your GPS!) however as soon as we discovered the Historic Landmark signal, we parked, snapped a couple of images and appeared across the exterior of the place Elvis fondly referred to as house throughout his teen years. Need to step contained in the Presley residence? The Presley residence was restored to its unique state, and is open for excursions and even out there for in a single day stays sure occasions of the 12 months, so make certain do to your homework if you wish to totally expertise this American landmark!
Humes Excessive College
I’m kicking myself for not driving by this website on our intensive journey, however Elvis’ highschool is a fast five-minute drive from Lauderdale Courts, so it is best to make the drive when you’re there! When Elvis moved to Memphis at 13, he began eighth grade at Humes. Shockingly, Elvis was very shy, unpopular, and was appeared down upon for his flashy type and “greasy” ducktail coiffure. He was really one among a form and knew who he was, proper from the beginning! Whereas he had buddies on the Courts, he didn’t develop into common till his friends watched him take middle stage on the Humes Excessive College expertise present his senior 12 months (as much as that time nobody at college knew he even sang!). For sure, his recognition took off from there!
Overton Park Shell
Ten minutes east from Lauderdale Courts lies the Overton Park Shell, an open air amphitheater the place Elvis made his live performance debut, the place he opened for nation singer Slim Whitman in 1954. The Overton Park Shell was additionally in-built 1936 as a part of the WPA (identical to Lauderdale Courts!). A spot the place they nonetheless host outside concert events in the present day, I can solely think about how excited, but extraordinarily nervous Elvis will need to have been to play his first live performance in his personal hometown. Elvis had extreme stage fright, which triggered himto shake his legs loads, which made the group go wild. He thought they have been making enjoyable of him till his bandmates identified the group was loopy for his strikes, and the remaining is historical past! We went through the day, and whereas utterly empty, it was enjoyable to stroll round and picture what the younger 19-year-old was feeling throughout his large debut. I positively advocate driving by this landmark!
Memphian Theatre
Elvis LOVED the films, and was recognized for renting out complete theatres late at evening to observe motion pictures along with his tight knit circle of buddies, the “Memphis Mafia.” After a fast google search, we realized the Memphian (now referred to as the Circuit Playhouse) that Elvis frequented was proper down the road from the Shell, so we needed to test it out. We have been solely aspiring to see the theatre’s façade, however fortunately a church service was ending up inside. We walked in, sat down within the seats and imagined the scene of Elvis and buddies watching the newest motion pictures of the 60s, with one among his signature Cadillacs parked out entrance. We even noticed one of many seats labeled with Solar File’s “Marion Keisker” so we knew we discovered the proper place! Whereas I wouldn’t say this can be a must-see, it positively continues to color the image of a younger Elvis, and I’m glad we went. They host excursions on the weekdays, so I would give {that a} shot the subsequent time we’re on the town!
Graceland
The second most visited home in the US (subsequent to the White Home!), Graceland is an absolute should go to for all Elvis followers. Elvis bought the 13.8-acre property as a house for his mother and father and himself in 1957 for $102,500. It was one of many (if not THE) proudest moments of his life, and in addition the place the place he unexpectedly handed away in 1977. Right now, the Graceland campus has expanded to 120 acres, and is now additionally house to his airplanes, and expansive reveals that embody his automobile assortment, his time within the U.S. Military, his film profession, and naturally, his music profession. That is the positioning that had me utterly mesmerized by Elvis Presley after my first go to. I’ve been 3 times prior to now 12 months and I study extra every time. Be ready to spend a minimum of 4 hours at Graceland (however even 4 hours isn’t sufficient). Make sure to take a look at my submit on Graceland for some ideas and methods if you’re making the journey quickly!
Bonus: RCA Studio B in Nashville
If you happen to additionally make Nashville part of your journey, and are up for much more Elvis historical past, a visit to RCA Studio B will actually make your Elvis bucket record full. Organized by the Nation Music Corridor of Fame, this one hour tour to the studio in Nashville’s famed Music Row is a very distinctive expertise. As with Solar Studios, RCA Studio B remains to be an lively recording studio, and has additionally been utilized by different well-known musicians, from Waylon Jennings, Charlie Daniels and Dolly Parton to Carrie Underwood and Martina McBride. After a fast bus experience from the museum (together with a powerful intro and quantity of information from the tour information), you arrive on the studio to see the place Elvis recorded greater than 200 songs, together with Caught on You, Are You Lonesome Tonight?, It’s Now Or By no means and Bridge Over Troubled Water. My favourite half was listening to Are You Lonesome Tonight? within the studio at midnight, simply as Elvis had recorded it in 1960.
Further Credit score: Nice Books to Learn!
- Final Prepare to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley
- Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley
- Me and a Man Named Elvis
- Elvis & Me
After strolling Elvis’ paths, I left feeling impressed by his American dream – reaching from poverty through the Nice Despair in Tupelo to being one of the well-known folks in historical past. Regardless of being “on prime of the world,” Elvis additionally battled many inner struggles as any human being, together with loneliness, grief, disappointment and insecurity. No matter these battles, he was a respectful, sort, religious, and down-to-earth man – a minimum of as down-to-earth as you might be as a world icon – and had an unbelievable humorousness and curiosity. Only a few extra or the numerous explanation why his story is so fascinating, inspiring, and relatable. To this present day, Elvis Presley nonetheless captures the hearts of individuals world wide – together with mine – even after his passing virtually 50 years in the past. I hope this information provides you an awesome thought of what to see and analysis as you intend your final Elvis street journey, and would love to listen to about your adventures or any ideas you may have for me – as a result of we can be making this street journey once more sooner or later!
