Elvis bought Graceland in 1957 for 100,000 dollars after his first year of superstardom.
The Graceland Mansion
Elvis Looked So Handsome When He Was Young
Graceland is now Memphis' most visited attraction and is a shrine to the 'King Of Rock 'N Roll'. The tour of the house is the main attraction. This is self-guided tour with an IPad and is really interesting. You are taken from the main building in a bus to the Graceland mansion. As you walk around the mansion you listen to the music, his interviews and learn about his life, and his main loves - music, and his daughter Lisa Marie.
The Beautiful Living Room
The Jungle Room
The jungle room has become famous over the years and is a big Elvis fan favourite due to the eccentric design based on Elvis' favourite holiday place - Hawaii. Intricate wood carvings, toy, stone and wood animals and green carpet on the floor and the ceiling too (great for insulation - after all, it became a recording studio) make this room a must see.
The Awards In The Racquetball Building
The Costumes
Elvis was also known for stage clothes, including his rhinestone-studded jumpsuits which you can view here.
Gold and Platinum Records In The Trophy Room
The Trophy Room contains many of the gold and platinum records that he was awarded in his lifetime and also posthumously. Not including reissues this included 102 single awards, 30 EPs and 70 albums on RCA, as well as 9 other awards on other labels when he was alive and also a number after his death.
Elvis appeared to give his time and money generously to support a number of charitable causes and especially supported the Memphis community. After leaving the army he performed three charitable concerts raising a significant amount of money for Memphis charities and for a USS memorial in Arizona. These are things I never knew about Elvis and which I found out on the tour.
After touring the mansion, the final stop was the Meditation Garden, here is where Elvis, the rock n roll legend, as well as members of his family, were laid to rest.
After the tour of the mansion, you take a bus back to the main building. From here you have the chance to go to the souvenir shops, have something to eat in one of the cafes, and visit the automobile museum as well as see the two aeroplanes he owned.
Elvis purchased this plane above, in April 1975 and named it Lisa Marie after his daughter. He spent more than $800,000 having the jet remodelled. Inside the customised jet. there is a living room, sitting room, small meeting area and private bathroom. The quality and detail of the fixtures and furnishings are luxurious - the sinks are inlaid with 24-carat gold and the chairs covered in soft suede, whilst the tables are covered in the best leather.
One Of His Two Planes, Named After His Daughter Lisa Marie
Elvis purchased this plane above, in April 1975 and named it Lisa Marie after his daughter. He spent more than $800,000 having the jet remodelled. Inside the customised jet. there is a living room, sitting room, small meeting area and private bathroom. The quality and detail of the fixtures and furnishings are luxurious - the sinks are inlaid with 24-carat gold and the chairs covered in soft suede, whilst the tables are covered in the best leather.
There is also a smaller plane here too that was primarily used for taking Elvis’ manager and his staff from city to city on his concert tours.
Elvis ' Famous Pink Cadillac
The next stop was the automobile museum. Elvis owned 15 different cars and a number of bikes. You can view his famous pink Cadillac, Harley Davidson motorbikes, the pink jeep from Blue Hawaii and much more. He also had a collection of motorised toys including a dune buggy.
There is a number of other additional exhibits that are free or that you can pay for, that are included in the VIP and platinum tours. There is even the 'Heartbreak Hotel' on site in Graceland for those that want to stay close.
Graceland provides a valuable insight into the world of one of the biggest music legends that have existed. The tour of the mansion on the Ipad with earphones was excellent and there is even a kid-friendly option.
A trip to Graceland is well worth the admission price, expect to spend at least half a day here to see everything you want to see and leave informed and entertained.
I've been to Graceland, Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee and I'm so glad I have. He was a true legend. R.I.P. Elvis Aaron Presley.
Oh my god I'd love to be able to go to Gracelands, I'm a huge Elvis fan!
ReplyDeleteMadeFromBeauty.co.uk
Hope you get the chance to visit one Samantha, you will love it!
DeleteOh wow. That looks stunning. Every single photo is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh wow - what an absolutely amazing experience! Our big holiday this year is to Disney World - I can't wait! H x
ReplyDeleteWow what an absolutely amazing looking place to visit and spend some time - wonderful photos. x
ReplyDeleteIt was incredibly interesting. Thanks for the comment about the photos :)
DeleteThis looks like such a cool place to visit! Glad you had a good time!
ReplyDeleteLots of love Em xxx, emilyrosevass.com
It is a cool place Emily, that's for sure.
DeleteWow, I'm not a fan of Elvis but this is incredible to see. My husband would absolutely LOVE to visit there one day xxx
ReplyDeleteI honestly think you don't even need to be a massive fan to enjoy Graceland. If you love celebrity culture it will appeal too. It really offers a great insight into his life.
DeleteI really want to go to Graceland it looks so cool and elvis was a true legend. I watched a documentary the other day where they went in the no go areas it was so interesting X
ReplyDeleteMiss Kitty Kaos - Adventures Of A Riot Grrrl
I would have loved to have seen that. Do you know what it was called Kitty?
DeleteWhat an amazing experience - It looks incredible - Elvis was such a legend. I love the plane and his cadillac, and reading some facts I didn't know, thank you. Kaz x
ReplyDeleteThe plane was amazing. It was great seeing inside Lisa Marie.
DeleteHe died so young but like the other greats that died too soon-Micheal Jackson, Whitney Houston, David Bowie- he will always be remembered.
ReplyDeleteHe will Ana.
DeleteWow this looks so fascinating! Great post :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to send my mother in law to Graceland- she is an absolute Elvis fan.
ReplyDeleteI remember sending her to a exhibition at the o2 in London last year- she loved it :)
It really is a great place to visit, she will love it Sarah.
DeleteI was actually quite underwhelmed by Graceland, I expected it to be much bigger!! The decor was just as crazy as I had imagined though haha
ReplyDeleteYes it's not as big as you imagine, but it is rather awesome though :)
Deletewow what an amazing experience! I'd love to go here as well x
ReplyDeleteElvis is a true legend and I was surprised to read that although it is big it is not as big as you would expect.
ReplyDeleteI think I might just have to add this to my list of "places to visit in my lifetime"
It was really interesting, you have to go one day!
DeleteWow looks an amazing place - my friend is a huge Elvis fan and planning to go to Graceland next year.
ReplyDeleteI imagine it was an amazing experience for you. Like you say I don't think you need to be an Elvis fan to appreciate it, I just like learning about 'people' in particular.
ReplyDeleteExactly Sabrina.
DeleteIt must have been a wonderful experience. It's a lovely place and considering its history and emotional character it's even more impressive.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating place to visit. I think I prefer the outside of his mansion to the inside, just not to my taste at all, sorry. I see why it is a shrine for Elvis fans.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating place to visit. I never knew he had a plane named after his daughter. It has a very distinctive style. Thanks for linking to out and about
ReplyDeleteInside the plane it was really luxurious for the day.
DeleteThis was my dad's choice of our road trip and I'm so glad we went. The house is amazing, we only did the house tour we didn't do the automobiles. I'm still a little on the fence about the audio tour, took me a while to figure out i could stop and start it as I was going through the rooms. ♥ HWY29
ReplyDeleteWe were so glad we went too!
Deletenice
ReplyDelete