Graceland, Tennessee
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
During your RV road trip through Tennessee, you’ll definitely pick up on the importance of music. It will seem like just about every town has some sort of live music venue where folks can gather to sing and dance the night away. Although many rock, country, and blues stars are linked in some way, shape, or form to Tennessee, none is so famous as ‘The King’ himself, Elvis Presley.
Although he was born in Mississippi, Elvis made his home at the Graceland mansion in Memphis. After his passing, the nearly 14-acre estate was made into a museum in 1982 where his fans could learn about the more intimate aspects of his life and feel a connection on a deeper level. Today, Graceland could probably be considered more of an entertainment complex than a simple museum, offering an immersive Elvis experience with modern interactive exhibits, restaurants, a concert venue, and even a hotel.
Most everybody is familiar with Elvis’ life when a camera was around, but the opportunity to see how the rock star lived his everyday life will give you a new perspective. Painstaking efforts have been taken by Graceland staff to preserve and restore the mansion to how it appeared at the time of Elvis’ passing in 1977. Take a tour, and walk through the famous Jungle Room, where Elvis recorded most of his last two albums or admire the wild, fanned ceiling in the pool room where many informal conversations were shared between Elvis and his friends.
There are many different levels of tours, each of which provide different levels of access to Elvis’ estate and memorabilia. If you want to access Graceland mansion, you will have to jump up to the second tour tier, The Elvis Experience, which includes access to his custom planes. For the true die-hard fan, jump all the way up to the Ultimate VIP Tour which gets you a dedicated expert tour guide, a private show-and-tell session at the archives, and access to a special VIP exhibit with unique Elvis items.
Those that are at least a little familiar with Elvis will know that The King loved his cars. In particular, he was a big fan of one of the symbols of American luxury: Cadillac automobiles. Elvis will forever be tied to the famous 1955 pink Cadillac Fleetwood Series 60, a car that many consider to be the most famous in the world.
At the Presley Motors Automobile Museum at Graceland, you’ll be able to see the pink Cadillac as well as some of his lesser-known car collection. The King also owned a Dino Ferrari, a Stutz Blackhawk, and a red MG convertible that was featured in one of his films, “My Blue Hawaii.” You may also be surprised to see an assortment of motorcycles that Elvis also enjoyed.
Within the huge complex, you’ll find the primary museum that focuses on Elvis’ career accomplishments as a musician. Here, you will see the absolutely massive wall of gold and platinum records awarded to Elvis for the popularity of his work, the most of any artist, living or dead. Case after case of guitars and microphones, some used during famous television appearances or concerts, will captivate even the casual Elvis fan.
Particularly of interest in this museum is the showcase of Elvis’ fashion. Indeed, Elvis’ unique style was one of his hallmark traits that helped his popularity soar. The leather jumpsuits, sometimes gold, sometimes covered in rhinestones were one his well-known fashion statements and you will see many different versions here at the museum.
Within the entertainment complex, you’ll find a variety of new and exciting interactive exhibits. So much more than a standard museum, the Discovery Exhibits allow you to participate in the fun and the history of Elvis’ legacy. Test your Elvis knowledge with a challenging quiz, see how Elvis’ famous suits would look on you today, put yourself on an album cover, and so much more.
One of the most tailored exhibits is the virtual golf cart experience. Elvis absolutely loved tooling around the Graceland grounds on his golf cart. Here, you’ll be able to drive a golf cart simulator yourself around Graceland to explore and play, just like The King used to do.
What better way to pay respect to the King of Rock ‘n Roll than by enjoying some great music? Over the years, Graceland has become a loved and respected concert venue for many of the country’s most popular musicians. Some artists will even play an Elvis cover to pay tribute to The King.
There are two concert venues at Graceland, the more intimate 464-seat Guest House Theater and the new Soundstage venue that features large video screens and a powerful sound system. As an added bonus, each concert ticket purchase comes with free base admission to Elvis Presley’s Memphis after 3 PM so you can make a whole afternoon/evening out of it.
The RV park at Graceland is obviously the closest you could possibly stay (just a two-minute walk to the gates). Unlike onsite camping at some tourist destinations, the grounds at the park are well maintained. Campsites are equipped with full hookup access with both 30- and 50-amp service. For additional fun, campers have access to a relaxing swimming pool. A camp store is also available and is fully stocked with all of the essentials. If you like camping near a major city for lots of dining and other entertainment options, this is your best bet for quick access to downtown Memphis.
Down south in Mississippi (eight miles), Elvis’ birth state, the Memphis Jellystone Camp Resort is a great option for families with little ones in tow. There are plenty of full hookup and water/electric-only sites, but the real draw is the abundance of activities. Take a dip in the pool, zoom down the waterslides, hunt for gems at the sluice box, cast a line at the fishing pond, zoom around on pedal bikes, or play one of the many outdoor games.
Also, down in Mississippi (six miles), the Southaven RV Park is a close and practical choice that will provide you with everything you need. Full hookup campsites are met with free cable and Wi-Fi, laundry, shower facilities, a business center, and a dog walk. The grounds are simplistic (cutting down on noise from activities), however you will be just minutes from Memphis and all its fun if you’re looking for action.
Just ten miles to the south, also in the town of Southaven, the EZ Daze RV Park is ready to welcome you into a spa-like environment for total relaxation. On top of the swimming pool and indoor hot tub, the park offers access to an onsite massage therapist to help relieve all aches and pains that can come with an active vacation. Your RV campsites will also come with full hookup access, making this one of the most comfortable options around.
To the west, you’ll find Tom Sawyer’s RV Park just over the border in Arkansas (16 miles). Seated on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, the 76-site campground has awesome river views and offers spacious pull-through sites with full hookup access. Anglers will be particularly pleased with access to a lake as well as two stocked fishing ponds. For more exploring, you will also be near access to the famous steamboat tours that cruise up and down the Mississippi. One thing to note about this particular campground is that you should check in with them about the current river stage before you arrive. Due to the very close proximity to the water, the grounds are occasionally flooded.
Graceland has done their best to be a one-stop-shop setup. What this means for you is that you’ve got a nice variety of dining options. For a quick cocktail and snack, the Lobby Lounge is a nice way to enjoy a break from exploring the museums. For a sandwich or coffee on the go, the Shake Rattle and Go counter has got you covered. There are also two proper sit-down restaurants offering a wide variety of American favorites. Delta’s Kitchen provides service for all meals and has a steakhouse feel for dinner (chicken, salmon, steaks, chops, etc.). The EP Bar and Grill, however, is more casual and focuses on flatbreads, sandwiches, and tavern-style appetizers.
It may come as no surprise that your best dining options outside of Graceland can be found just up the road in downtown Memphis. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to some of the city’s famous smoked BBQ ribs. You can find a bunch of restaurants down on the much-ballyhooed Beale Street. If BBQ isn’t what you’re in the mood for, don’t worry. As a major U.S. city, Memphis will have just about anything you’re looking for.
No matter where you stay, your visit to Graceland is sure to give you a new perspective on the life of ‘The King.’ Don’t miss out on this fascinating piece of American music history on your RV road trip through the great state of Tennessee.