It is advisable to purchase your tickets online before you come. You have a choice of how much you want to see on your visit. The basic house tour was $38.75 for adults. You can save if you are a senior or if you have AAA or if you become an Elvis Insider. A variety of other options are also offered depending on how interested you are and how much you want to spend.
A large parking lot is located across the street from the mansion. Parking was $10 per vehicle and $15 for large vehicles. You then walk through the blue canopy into the main building where you pick up your tickets. You will have your purse checked, are handed a self-guided audio tour, have your photo taken, and then have to climb onto a bus that will shuttle you across the street to the mansion.
If you are expecting something the size of Tara you will be disappointed. By today's standards, this is hardly big enough to even be called a mansion. It is smaller than most new home construction. You walk in through the front door and enter the foyer. On the stairs leading upstairs, there are three of Elvis' favorite guitars. The tour will not take you upstairs into the bedroom and private areas of the house. In life this was private and they have decided it should remain so.
The formal living room is on the right and it is the first room you walk into. At the far end, you will see the grand piano. There are pictures on the wall and in many ways, it seems as if family members will be down soon to sit on the 15-foot white sofa. The decor looks as if it is still 1977, and the reality is, time has stood still here since the day Elvis died.
You are guided by your audio tour through the dining room, the pool room, the basement, the kitchen, and the jungle room. It isn't a long tour and before you know it you are back outside and standing in the carport where Elvis parked some of his famous vehicles.
The tour continues to the office that his father Vernon kept in the rear of the house to the trophy room where you will see his many awards, Grammys, platinum records, and costumes he wore both during his performances on the stage and in the movies. There is a lot to see in this building and it is very interesting. On display are the clothes that both he and Priscilla wore on their wedding day as well as some of Lisa Marie's baby clothes.
While you are on the grounds you will see Lisa Marie's swing set which looks like any other swing set from the 1970s. It is no more elaborate than what any other little girl would have had in that time period.
The Racquetball court has been converted into a museum housing some of his later costumes and awards.
The last stop is the meditation garden and this is where Elvis is buried with his parents, twin brother, and his grandmother. It is a very serene place and no one was talking much. The whole area was surrounded by flowers that are sent almost daily by adoring fans. Elvis has not been forgotten by the hordes who loved him in life.
For anyone who grew up in the era of Elvis, Graceland is a must-visit. Even if you are too young to have known him in life, this is the story of a simple and good man from Mississippi who had a big talent. He shared much of what he received and was adored by many. He never forgot where he came from, which was Tupelo, Mississippi. From a poor working-class family, Graceland became home to his parents as well as his grandmother.
His plane the Lisa Marie can be visited with a more extensive ticket as can his automobiles. Depending on how much you want to spend, how big a fan you are, and how long you have you could really almost spend the day doing just this. Needless to say, there is a gift shop and you can purchase a mug, postcards, tee shirts and lots of other items. Even a cookbook with the all too famous fried peanut butter and banana sandwich recipe.
It is expensive to visit Graceland but it is expensive to maintain a collection like this. If you are a fan, don't hesitate. It is not as luxurious as you may expect but it is much homier and you get to know the real man as well as the rock and roll icon.
Not my cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteBut in the states, he is still "The King". People literally worship him.
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