Elvis Presley Graceland
Simply put, Elvis Presley is a major icon in American music. His music career spanned over twenty years—from the 1950s to the 1970s—and boasts more record sales than any other artist in music history. Some of his most memorable hits include “Viva Las Vegas” and “Jailhouse Rock.” He also appeared in 31 different movies and made television appearances throughout his career. Although Elvis's life was tragically cut short in his Graceland Memphis home in 1977, Elvis fans remember his life and legacy by watching Elvis movies, listening to his music, or taking Graceland tours.
Graceland is the name of the Memphis, Tennessee, mansion where Elvis lived and died. After Elvis's death, the Graceland mansion was converted into a museum and declared a national landmark. The Elvis Presley Graceland museum contains memorabilia from Elvis's career, including gold records, awards, artifacts from Elvis movies, famous Elvis Las Vegas sequined jumpsuits, and a large collection of luxury cars. A satellite radio station streams Elvis music throughout the Graceland Memphis estate. Elvis, along with his parents and his grandmother, are buried in the Meditation Gardens of the Elvis Presley Graceland estate.
Graceland tours are available throughout the year. Highlights of Graceland tours include a jungle-themed room, a scale model of Presley's childhood home in Mississippi, and an extensive trophy collection. The upper floor of the Elvis Presley Graceland mansion, which is off limits to the public, contains Elvis's bedroom, which has remained untouched since his death. The Elvis Presley Graceland estate also contains a Lockheed Jetstar airplane, the personal jet that Elvis used for touring. After the tour, check out one of the many gift shops on the estate that sell Elvis music, t-shirts, and other souvenirs. The estate also has several restaurants. One of the restaurants serves peanut butter and banana sandwiches—Elvis's favorite.
If you can't make it to the Graceland Memphis estate, head to Las Vegas where the circus troupe Cirque du Soleil puts on an exciting Elvis show centered on Elvis’s career. The show guarantees a fun night of Elvis music and dancing with a backdrop of professional dancers and impressive lighting. Tickets aren't on sale yet, but they're expected to be very popular once they're released to the public. Be sure to get yours early to ensure your first choice of show times.