Graceland

Graceland is the former Memphis, Tennessee home and estate of Elvis Presley, located on Elvis Presley Boulevard in the south of the city. Purchased by Elvis in 1957 for $102,500, the colonial-style mansion became one of the most visited private residences in the United States before opening publicly as a museum in 1982. Today the estate spans multiple exhibition buildings covering Presley's career, personal life, and cultural influence. The mansion tour proceeds through the living room with its famous peacock stained-glass windows and white crushed-velvet furnishings, the mirrored television room, the dining room preserved in 1970s decor, and the Jungle Room — a Polynesian-themed space with a waterfall and green shag carpet that Elvis reportedly designed in 30 minutes. The downstairs recreation rooms, including a billiards room and a racquetball building converted into an awards display area, are also included. Elvis's grave lies in the Meditation Garden behind the mansion, where fans leave flowers year-round. Across the street, Elvis Presley's Memphis is a large entertainment complex housing car and motorcycle collections including the famous pink Cadillac, private jets (the Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II), stage costumes, and gold and platinum record walls. August, during Elvis Week commemorating his 1977 death, draws tens of thousands of fans for candlelight vigils and tribute concerts. Weekday mornings outside of summer and Elvis Week offer the most relaxed experience. The mansion audio tour uses tablet devices provided at entry. Photography inside the mansion itself is restricted, though the exhibition buildings and Meditation Garden are fully open to cameras.