I'm Going to Graceland!!!

[nkjzmom]

Thanks to all of the DISers who offered advice/help for our attempt at a spring break trip to the Gulf. We just couldn't find anything that A) we could afford, and B) we liked. So we decided to camp out here at home and take some fun day trips to places we've never been.

Graceland is one of them and as it is 4 hours away we'll probably stay one night there in Memphis. I've visited some websites, gotten basic directions, and am working on booking a room. But now I am turning to the pros and asking if any of you have visited there and would you share some advice/tips with me? We'll have our kids with us...8 and under.

Thanks,
Amy

 

[AngieBelle]

You'll be near my hometown! hehe. I live (when I'm not away at school) in Germantown, about half an hour from Graceland! I haven't actually been there since I was 10 though. I really like the whole downtown Memphis area just cause I'm very much into history and that area has lots of history.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I'm going to Memphis this month for a conference ( staying at the Peabody ) I would love advice on what to do within walking distance ( or taxi ride ) of the Hotel

 

[shep]

DW is going this weekend..

Amy--have you ever went to the Smokey Mountains??
Very nice...Our favorite weekend place to go..

 

[tar heel]

You'll have to do a trip report when you return! Graceland is one of those places that I fully intend to go some day that my dh wouldn't be caught dead at. I find Elvis fascinating even though he had a few little "problems." There's a serious two-volume biography (Last Train to Memphis and ???) that is really good.

We have an older friend who is the niece of "Grace," who originally owned the house. She is horrified by what Elvis did to the house.

 

[DixieAmos]

Say hi to Elvis for me and have a lovely time. every time I wear my blue suede boots I think of Elvis.


Love always
Veroncia

 

[vickitricki]

Hey,

Graceland is wonder***l, I totally loved it, and felt his presence int he house alot. It could be done in half a day, but i used a day as i lingered, Young kids won;t find it great thouhg, they won;t 'take it in', but i am sure they would love the diner!!!

 

[snels]

I have never been to Graceland. It sounds like a very interesting place to see. Have fun.
Sandy

 

[JasonLyons]

thank you very much

 

[browneyes]

My brother and my SIL are going there this month. I've never been. I'm afraid if I go, Elvis will appear and blow my theory out of the water.

Have a good trip. When are you going?

 

[believe]

As Shep said I am going this weekend. I will let you know of anything interesting. We are staying at the Heartland Hotel that connects directly to Graceland, it is Elvis themed. We have reservations for Graceland and I am trying to get reservations for the Elvis Presley restaurant, they just reopened today.


vickitricki, I would love any tips you have. I leave tomorrow morning.

 

[nkjzmom]

Thanks for all of your great responses.

Shep, we've been to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. I didn't like Pigeon Forge as much...it was so commercialized. But the Smokeys are beautiful. DH really wanted to go someplace warmer this time but we waited too long.

Believe, have a great trip and let me know what you think! I would love to stay in the Heartbreak Hotel sometime. Which tour are you taking? We'll probably choose the shorter one with the kids. The whole reason I thought this might be fun is our 8yo DS did a show in school this year and sang and danced to many of Elvis' songs and has really enjoyed everything he's learned about him. I personally have always been in love with Elvis. My grandma was lucky enough to see him in concert a few times...needless to say we ALWAYS listened to Elvis records. He's my earliest memory of music and dancing.

browneyes, we're set to go at the end of March, either the 26, 27th.

Judy, you may want to contact the Peabody and ask for their suggestions. We plan on going to Beale St. and Mud Island which seems to be a developing riverfront on the Mississippi. I think there are alot of shops right across from Graceland. Here's the website I found my info at....

http://www.elvis.com/default.asp

Hey.....DIS meet at Graceland!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who wants to come? Lilo and Stitch......Graceland......what could be better?????

Amy

 

[shep]

Originally posted by nkjzmom


Shep, we've been to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. I didn't like Pigeon Forge as much...it was so commercialized. But the Smokeys are beautiful. DH really wanted to go someplace warmer this time but we waited too long.
Amy

Need to stay in Townsend..It isn't too commercialized YET..
But it is about a half hours drive from Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge and 1 mile away from the Park entrance
We stay at the place Buckalew's family used to own...Best Western--Valley View--very nice

 

[believe]

That is the website that I received my information from. I also have the AAA book for the area.

We are doing the Platinum tour. It should be all adults unless my sister decides at the last minute to take her 6yr old daughter.

My Mom and sister seen Elvis in concert. My sister caught one of his scarves, but someone took it from her. My Mom is still upset with her about that. My other sister has the same birth date as Elvis, this was a highlight in my Mom's life. My Mom is a huge Elvis fan.

 

[perdidobay]

I live just northeast of Memphis and Graceland. I've never been inside Graceland.
The area around Graceland is a not so pretty part of town. It is very tourist trap looking right around Graceland, but fairly safe. If you go to Beale Street be sure to go to Peabody Place. It is a very nice mall with neat stores, restaurants, movie theatre, etc
http://www.peabodyplace.com/entertainment/index.html
On Beale Street,
http://www.bealestreet.com/
don't miss Schwab's general store..it's more a fun museum than store!
Elvis Presley's menu is good, if it hasn't changed!http://www.elvis.com/epmemphis/menu/default.asp
Mud Island is a neat park about the Mississippi river. kids like it
http://www.mudisland.com/museum.asp
The Memphis Zoo is really really nice....has great kids area too.
http://www.memphiszoo.org/
For shopping and a neat carousel, go to the Wolfchase Galleria
http://www.wolfchasegalleria.com/smt/servlet/SMTMall?mid=840&pn=ENTRY&rs=0
they have a Disney Store...a few Dis'ers work there!
hope this helps!
Have a great trip everyone!

 

[nkjzmom]

Perdido Bay....THANKS!!!! What great sites! We plan on going to Beale St, Mud Island, and Elvis' restaurant, but I did not know about the zoo. I'll definitely look into that. The zoo down in Birmingham is free on Tuesdays....maybe this zoo will have some special also.

Do you recall which DISers work in that Disney store? I'd love to meet them! My family will think I'm crazy but hey...it's a small world after all!!

Amy

 

[perdidobay]

I should be thanking you for that pic of my favorite elf you have up
The zoo has free admission after 2 pm on Tuesdays, but only for TN residents. If you are a member of the Birmingham or Montgomery Zoo, you can get in free with your membership card.

DIS'er mrsdon works at the Disney store here, I've never meet her, just "chatted" in a pm. she was really sweet!
I'm glad to be of help, if you have any more questions!
MJ

 

[nkjzmom]

Thank you, thank you!

As for the picture....the pleasure is all mine!!! hehe

 

[nativetxn]

I've never visited Graceland. Have a wonderful time

 

[vickitricki]

Ok..tips..

The tour will take you t othe restaurant, and you can walk in and order....well in 2000 you could! They aloowed you a few hours as shuttles come and go, I used this time to explore beale street, as i ate in the diner!

My one thing in the whole thing was to get a photos outside the closed gates....I waited until about 4.30pm and the guy closed them for me to getm y shots as it was closing at 5 and was quiet.You can get a offical photo in front of the painting, I got one on my cameras, and didn;t buy the other....the 'real' gates were for me!! LOL

Only buy the souvineers at the graceland complex. I took my time \atthe house, stayed backa fter my tour as well. I was dissappointed in the condition of the horses thouhg, very skinny.....