When it comes to rock ‘n roll, no one does it like The King himself, Elvis Presley. His legacy of hip-shaking, heart-throbbing, one-of-a-kind voice resonates across generations.
The fan base for Elvis is countless, attracting hordes of people from all over the world to the one city attached to his name forever—Memphis, Tennessee.
While many big names were made in Memphis, like B.B. King, Furry Lewis, Memphis Minnie, Rufus Thomas, and Albert King, it will always most-endearingly be considered the town of the Big E.
So, if you want to walk where Elvis walked and rock where Elvis rocked, then you have to head to Memphis, Tennessee.
Traveling to the “Birthplace of Rock and Roll” you’ll want to visit all the highlights of Elvis’ journey—from where he was first heard on the radio in 1954, to where he passed away on August 16, 1977.
The iconic Sun Studio is known for its intimate role in Presley’s humble beginnings. This recording studio where Elvis once played is now a museum.
Every hour you can take a tour for only $12 and learn the history of rock n’ roll while standing in the very room Elvis sang some of his earliest hits such as “Blue Moon”.
You can also take a photo with the famous microphone of Sun Studios and enjoy an old-fashioned milkshake in the lobby.
Sun Studio is located at 706 Union Avenue and is open daily from 10am-6pm.
Check out the bandshell at Overton Park where Elvis would perform before he became ridiculously famous.
You won’t see any Elvis impersonators here, but you will see some incredible performances from musicians all over the world in the summer through the fall.
The concerts are free and stellar bands play every Thursday-Sunday in May, June, July, August, and September.
Overton Park is located at 2080 Poplar Avenue.
Head over to The Arcade Restaurant and grab some lunch at the oldest restaurant in Memphis and where Elvis was a regular.
If it’s not too busy, you can sit in the Elvis booth near the back of the diner, which looks the same as it did in the 1950s.
The restaurant is known for their sweet potato pancakes, but offers a variety of tasty southern diner food that will satisfy the belly and the taste buds.
Located at 540 South Main Street, you can stop by any day of the week from 7am-3pm.
Don’t forget to participate in the Candlelight Vigil if you are visiting during Elvis Week, which if you’re a true fan you definitely will be.
Pass by Elvis’ grave with other die-hard fans and pay your respects to The King, then hang out in the streets and hear his legendary songs play in the background while others talk about his life next their homemade shrines.
The procession begins at 8:30 pm on August 15th and doesn’t end until everybody there has had a chance to pass by Elvis’ final resting place.
Get the Elvis look at Lansky Brothers. This clothing store opened in 1946 on the popular Beale Street, but was later moved to the lobby of the Peabody Hotel.
In some of Elvis’ most memorable performances—like his concert in Chicago in 1957 or the unforgettable Aloha in Hawaii of 1973—he was seen sporting some pretty snazzy threads.
It may be tough to pull off the gold suit and sequined bell bottoms now, but Lansky Bros will certainly have something outside the box to rock at your next office party. Peabody Hotel is located at 149 Union Ave.
Want a picture with Elvis Presley? You won’t be able to stand side by side with the legend himself, but a statue on Beale Street is the next best thing.
The detailed sculpture has Elvis gripping his beloved guitar and sporting that famous curled lip that drove all the girls wild.
So throw on your new get-up from Lansky Bros and strike your best Elvis pose. You’ll want to show all your friends that you got to stand with the legend.
Take a ride in a vintage pink Cadillac with driver Tad Pierson to your next destination. Along the way, he’ll show you the other musical landmarks that don’t get as much appreciation.
And you’re sure to feel like a real cool cat as you pull up in a pink Cadillac to hear some of the hottest blues in Memphis!
Graceland is last but not least on your memorable journey of Elvis’ life. This mansion sits on a beautiful 13.8 acre estate where Elvis lived with his wife Priscilla and their daughter, Lisa Marie.
Owned by Elvis’ daughter now, you can take tours of the second most-visited home in the United States—with the White House at number one with more than 650,000 visitors a year.
Although it may be a bit crowded, you won’t want to miss out on feeling that “hunk-a-hunk of burnin’ love” as you saunter from room to room. Graceland is located at 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard.
If you are a die-hard Elvis Presley fan, these places are surely already on your bucket list. If you’re just kind of a fan, then take this trip of a lifetime and fall in love with The King of Rock n’ Roll.
Memphis is so much more than great BBQ, and you’ll just have to see it to believe it. So grab your rockabilly mixed tape and hit the open road towards the place where music shakes your soul.
Please let us know in the comments section if you have a memorable experience in Memphis, or if you plan on heading to the city soon!
