In honor of the King of Rock n’ Roll, we’ve put together a list of must-dos in Memphis for every die-hard Elvis fan. Put on your blue suede shoes, perfect your hip swivel, and boogie woogie to these three iconic Elvis-focused places/events in Memphis.

Get Your Mojo Working at Graceland

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Of course, we had to include the spectacular home and final resting place of the King himself. Elvis bought the impressive estate in the spring of 1957, when he was just 22, for $100,000. The purchase came on the heels of his first network television appearances and chart-topping record sales. Throughout his lifetime, Graceland served as a place of rest and privacy for the King. Even though he maintained homes in Los Angeles, he always considered Graceland to be his primary residence. Today, millions of visitors flock to the shrine of this musical icon. The iPad tour, narrated by Elvis fan and actor John Stamos, takes visitors through the mansion and outer buildings. One of the highlights of the tour is the famous Jungle Room, featuring green shag carpeting, carved Polynesian wood décor, mid-century furniture, and vines creeping up the walls. They even have an annual candlelight vigil where Elvis fans can pay their respects. If you’re looking to stay overnight, consider the swanky Guest House at Graceland hotel once you’ve disembarked your flights to Memphis, and you’ll be just around the corner from Graceland.

You may also enjoy: Honky Tonking (Trust Us, It’s a Thing!) in Downtown Nashville

Shake, Rattle, and Roll at Sun Studio

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Image via Flickr – CC BY 2.0Mr. Littlehand

Dubbed the “Birthplace of Rock n’ Roll,” Sun Studio was the place to record in the 50s and 60s. Visitors can tour the studio’s original location on Union Avenue to glean insight into the early days of Elvis’s music career. In 1953, an 18-year-old Elvis sang a demo for Sam Phillips (the owner of the Memphis Recording Service, which would eventually become Sun Studio). Phillips wasn’t impressed, but Elvis continued to hang around, until a year later he finally got another chance. It was during this session that Elvis recorded his rendition of the blues classic “That’s Alright, Mama,” thus launching his career. Elvis was in good company at Sun Studio (and the label Sun Records), alongside legends like Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Ike Turner, Roy Orbison, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Get All Shook Up at Images of the King World Championship Elvis Tribute

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Every year, Elvis impersonators from around the world flock to Memphis during the week of the anniversary of Elvis’s death to pay homage to the King with their own performances at the Images of the King World Championship. The competition takes place at the Holiday Inn Memphis Airport and includes six concerts and four rounds of competition over a 6-day period. The event also includes a St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital Benefit Concert, during which top Elvis tribute artists perform to raise money for a wonderful cause.

Have you been to any places in Memphis that a true Elvis fan would enjoy? Let us know your recommendations in the comments section.

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About The Author

An insatiable foodie, art collector, and international literature aficionado, I have traveled throughout Europe, Asia, the U.S. and Canada. For the past fifteen years, I have written about my adventures for various travel and literary publications. I am the owner of Lucidité Writing (www.luciditewriting.com) and Bouchard Design Co.