Memphis question

[gracie1]

I need some help from you travelers! I have wanted to see Graceland and am looking at doing just a day trip - actually flying into Memphis airport and flying back home the same day. Crazy? Maybe - but I have no interest in seeing beale st or anything else.
So for those of you familiar I need advice. The flight would land at 10:35am at Memphis airport. The returning flight back home departs at 6pm. I hear that the tour of graceland is 2-3 hours, so I am thinking with transportation (using a cab) that we would actually be there on the tour no later than 12pm, and would be done by 3pm, which would still give us time to browse a gift shop or grab something to eat and be back to the airport by 4:30. I know they say to arrive 90 minutes before a flight, but I'm thinking since we would have no baggage to check in that even arriving by 5pm would be fine.
Does this seem like a realistic time frame?

 

[dward1961]

The National Civil Rights Museum and Sun Studio were very interesting also, personally I would not make the trip just for Graceland.

 

[gracie1]

The National Civil Rights Museum and Sun Studio were very interesting also, personally I would not make the trip just for Graceland.

Do you live in Memphis or did you just go there on vacation? Did you go to Graceland?

 

[disneymomto5]

I personally would not go just to visit Graceland, I think you'll be disappointed. I've been to Memphis on vacation and as part of a whole it was fine and I'm glad I went and saw it, but it was a bit disappointing. Just my opinion.

 

[dward1961]

We went on a vacation to Nashville, Memphis then to New Orleans, we are from MA. We did go to Graceland, I think it did take us about 3 hours to see everything.

 

[jmartinez1895]

I think that you might be pushing it. Even though you are not checking bags, there may be a delay clearing security. On a side note, our girl scout troop is going to the " Scouts Rock" even at Graceland at the end of this month. For me, the drive to get there is only about 3 1/2 hours, but we are going up the night before and getting a room so that we can enjoy the area and not rush that morning. We are AAA members and found a great rate for a room that is n Germantown and is only about 20 minutes from Graceland.
If you can only do a one day trip then it is what it is and you will have to budget your time, but if you can spare the extra day, I would recommend getting a room and staying at least one night. I think you will enjoy things more if you are not rushed.

 

[SKTiger]

I lived in Memphis throughout college and for a bit after. While Graceland is a great "see once" attraction, there are so many great things the city has to offer.

As far as your plan - there are several tour options, just the house, the museum or airplanes or a combination of the three. With the base tour, I can see being done in 2-3 hours.

It isn't far from the airport at all so maybe 15 minutes each way counting for lights and traffic, but isn't in a great part of town, you'd definitely want to eat at the airport if that were the direction you were thinking of going.

I'd highly recommend making an overnight trip if possible. Stax Museum, Rock n Soul, Sun Studios, the Zoo and so many more places are uniquely Memphis!

 

[nighttowll]

I don't live too far from Memphis. We visit a lot on the weekends and tend to fly out of that airport when we travel.

While it is by no means my favorite city, I do agree with others that I wouldn't go just for one afternoon. The zoo is very nice, not my favorite in the US, but definitely on the larger and nicer side of the spectrum. I also really enjoyed the civil rights museum when I went with a friend and would definitely recommend that. Mud Island is also an interesting place to visit if you have a few hours to kill, especially if you've never really seen the Mississippi. You can also rent boats and things there or take dinner cruises on the Mississippi. But just a warning, people tend to either love or hate Mud Island. I have never been to Graceland as I don't really care anything about Elvis, but all my family have gone and really enjoyed it.

I think your plan is possible, but personally I'd feel too rushed. You wouldn't have time for any of the extra tours the other poster mentioned, and if Graceland is your priority, you may decide you really want to do those. I'd also be so worried about rushing back for my flight that I wouldn't enjoy myself. I'd be worried about getting stuck in traffic or something. I have the worst luck with that kind of stuff. There would probably be some kind of big wreck blocking all the roads if it was me trying to do it.

However, when life cooperates, you shouldn't have any issues if you get to the airport an hour early, as long as you check in online ahead of time, and don't check any bags. Security isn't that bad in Memphis. The lines don't usually take that long, and the airport while not tiny is nothing like Chicago or other large airports. I have never arrived earlier than an hour and have never had any issues. One time, I walked through security no waiting at all, once it was about 15 minutes. I mean something could always happen, but it is usually not a bad wait.

 

[gracie1]

Thanks everyone for your help! Graceland is the only place we would visit there - we have no interest in seeing anything else. However, maybe we would do one night at an airport hotel and fly back the next day.
Thanks again for all your help!!

 

[SKTiger]

Make sure you check reviews of whatever airport hotel you pick, its not the best area and there have been many police incidents in the area.

 

[Chelley00]

We did a one day stop in Memphis this summer driving back from visiting family in Texas so we could take my mom to Graceland. You can easily spend more than 2-3 hours if you really take your time and look at ALL the exhibits and memorabilia and tour the car museum and planes. There is a lot there, not just the mansion.

Honestly, after walking around Graceland all day I was tired and would not have wanted to have to travel home after that.

Definitely check the tripadvisor reviews on hotels. There are some rather dodgy areas around Graceland. We stayed at the Fairfield Inn in Southhaven which had all newly renovated rooms. It's right off the interstate and there were a lot of restaurants right nearby.

 

[SYDCOLEMOM]

I have lived in Memphis area my entire life. I have never been to Graceland nor do I have the desire to. Its in an awful part of town and really nothing grand. This is just my opinion. I know people come from all over to see Graceland. personally I dont see why anyone would come here on purpose..LOL. There are good parts to the city but its also full of high crime. Even Nashville would be a better choice. Here is Memphis we have Beale Street, a nice zoo and maybe a few other tourist attractions that are decent but definitely nothing worth flying here for - even our airport is an outdated dump.

 

[lindsey]

I would plan overnight. You start across the street to buy tickets, then they shuttle you to entrance. After the self guided tour you have to wait for shuttle to take you back across street. Then you can see the airplanes and other small museums. There is a fast food place and several shops. Personally, I enjoyed all of it.

 

[donkeyandshrek]

I'm from the area too and have never been to Graceland, although I really should take my mom, as she was a huge Elvis fan. What about driving about an hour and a half and go to the birthplace of Elvis In tupelo, MS?

If you are into casinos, there's Tunica, MS which is just South of Memphis with slots and food galore.

The Rendevous on Beale Street is well known for Its ribs. There's also The Peabody Hotel well known for its famous ducks.

Let me keep thinking.....

 

[gracie1]

Thanks everyone for all the info. If we do go, I think we will stay overnight.