Graceland

[KatieH]

The remora and I are heading to Memphis this coming weekend. I'm undecided about touring Graceland. Part of me feels like it's a must see slice of Americana, another part says save the $100- who cares what Elvis's house looks like.

Anyone been or have any thoughts?

[California Girl]

It costs $100 to tour Graceland???

[KatieH]

OK - $100 was a slight exaggeration - it's $78 for the two of us including transport to Graceland (we won't have a car)

[Cid]

I've never been to Memphis, but if it were me, I would save the money for some great Memphis blues on Beale St.

[California Girl]

OK - $100 was a slight exaggeration - it's $78 for the two of us including transport to Graceland (we won't have a car)

Well, even though I was surprised, I wasn't really surprised , since it costs nearly that to get into Disneyland these days!

[sherban]

I would do it

[XOXO]

I would also do it. Get a bedazzled suit and have fun with it. I have a friend who is a huge Elvis fan. He has limited income and each and every trip he takes is to Graceland. If you ever heard him talk about it I think you would want to go.


Go! And then give us a trip report!

Gina

[Ron in South Texas]

Been there, done that, not worth the money. Unless you're a die hard Elvis fan, you'll probably be disappointed.

[Cid]

I guess its just not my generation. I would be more excited if I was going to Liverpool. I wasn't a big Elvis fan, but I totally get it. He was a great performer in his era. Now he's become a staple of Americana. I'm cool with that.

Years ago I went to NYC with my buddy. He had an internet date and wanted me to disappear for the evening. He had paid for the room and trip so I decided to go to GBGB's by myself. I was thinking of iconic NYC things I wanted to see so I hoped in a cab and went. It was awesome! Just as I had imagined it and better. There was some awesome/awful bands that played. It was one of the places you could "hear the walls talk" as you imagined hearing the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Ramones. To me as a life long musician it was an awe inspiring moment. I'm sure that's how die hard Elvis fans feel when they visit Graceland.....

[stjislgrl]

I visited Memphis 5 months ago, fun town, especially for music lovers.
Graceland is mostly just a house frozen in bad 70s decor. The trophy rooms w/ all the awards & floor to ceiling gold records were an awesome sight. But if your time & money are limited I would skip Graceland unless you're a HUGE elvis fan.
If you want to walk on some hallowed ground, tour Sun Studios for Elvis stuff & early rock & roll history.
I think every American needs to go through the Civil Rights museum where MLK Jr. was killed, very moving, informative, powerful.
Beale St. reminded me of Bourbon St. (just w/out the tittie bars). Best blues I heard was at BB King's club, good BBQ too. Amzing street guitarist just past Coyote Ugly bar, buy his CD (Richard Johnston)!! Beale St. was slow weeknights, great party atmosphere weekend nights. Locals were wanded, purses searched at checkpoints getting onto Beale, seemed tourists weren't checked. Dunno if that all made me feel safer or wary????
If you're downtown near 5pm, go to the Peabody Hotel bar to watch ducks depart a fountain & waddle up the red carpet to the elevator. Far more entertaining than it than it sounds.