magoo
New member
Who did you go with etc?
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Anyone been on a Gracelands package?
- Thread starter magoo
- Start date
I've been to Gracelands but it was over 20 years ago. THE place to go is Sun studios though, I was quite bowled over by the history of that place.
Don't go. Tacky american and OTT. My overriding memory is of shabbiness and sales staff trying to sell you everything adorned with the word Elvis. None of it relevant !!!! Just look from outside and have your pic by the gates!!! Other than that a lovely area of the world
JJ McClure
Go Jags
Wasn't an Elvis fan when we went to Memphis so didn't bother with Gracelands. Although I've since grown to love The King I still wouldn't want to go purely based on the fact that Memphis is one of the grimmest cities I visited.
Grim, you should try Detroit. I went there for a holiday a few years back and US immigration did not believe anyone would want a vacation there. They gave me a right grilling. I ended up educating them about their own city.
Cheeky Monkey
Well-known member
- Jul 17, 2003
- 23,868
Grim, you should try Baltimore, I went there a few years back and even the prostitutes couldn't believe anyone would want to vacation there.
Geriatric Seagull
New member
Went about six years ago. I agree that Gracelands is quite tacky but if you're in Memphis, it's not to be missed. Also agree about Sun Studios - it's not just what you see but the commentary that goes with it. Get there early morning (about 10?) and if you're lucky there won't be many there - that way you almost have the guide to yourself.
And Memphis itself is quite a place. Around Easter you can see NBA Basketball, second level Baseball and there's the music in Beale Street. Enjoy it!
And Memphis itself is quite a place. Around Easter you can see NBA Basketball, second level Baseball and there's the music in Beale Street. Enjoy it!
When I was in Memphis, I figured 'oh well best go'.
I got on the bus, and met up with half a dozen middle aged Aussies.
We were chatting away, until one of the Aussie wives decided we'd missed the stop!.
So she smacks (really hard) the back of the fella sat in front, saying 'have we missed this Elvis thing'.
Within a matter of seconds, Gracelands happens to appear at the crest of the hill.
That included the house, the visitor centre, the jumbo jet, the thousands of people.
Somehow I don't think conversation with me is exciting enough to miss that lot.
I also had a great night in Beale Street, BB King was playing in his club.
I got on the bus, and met up with half a dozen middle aged Aussies.
We were chatting away, until one of the Aussie wives decided we'd missed the stop!.
So she smacks (really hard) the back of the fella sat in front, saying 'have we missed this Elvis thing'.
Within a matter of seconds, Gracelands happens to appear at the crest of the hill.
That included the house, the visitor centre, the jumbo jet, the thousands of people.
Somehow I don't think conversation with me is exciting enough to miss that lot.
I also had a great night in Beale Street, BB King was playing in his club.
Franks Wild Years
New member
Ive not however Im currently working in a show called Million Dollar Quartet featuring Elvis, Johnny Cash, carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. If you love rock n roll you'll love this. On at the Noel Coward Theatre Londons West End.
Raphael Meade
Well-known member
never done gracelands but sun studios is well worth a visit!
there's some fun neighbourhoods to hang out in in memphis too, though some of it is a little shady.
some great bbq spots in town too.. corky's and central bbq are both worth a rib or two
there's some fun neighbourhoods to hang out in in memphis too, though some of it is a little shady.
some great bbq spots in town too.. corky's and central bbq are both worth a rib or two
When you say Gracelands 'package', is that the 'package' Elvis was doing at the time of his demise?
Insel affe
HellBilly
Correct.
Sun studio, I chills down my spine in that place, being in the same place as Cash, etc
side note did you know in between being sun studios twice it was a scuba diving shop !!! Its bloody land locked !!
Insel affe
HellBilly
Ha, so feckin true.
the wife is from Detroit, and her family now live in Grosse point so we fly in there and boy do i get a grilling
" sir how long you staying ?"
"How much money have you?"
"What prison were you in?" Tattoo will prompt that question
"are you here just to get a green card do you want to live here?"
"Why are you here"
They give my wife a harder time, because they cant belive anyone would want to live anywhere else other than the USA MAN !! not to mention the indefinate leave to remain sticker in the back of her US passport " Take a LOOK OUTSIDE" ...."its Detroit, Not feckin San Fran"
The last time we went it blew there minds that we had a daughter and her dad was British her mother from the USA and she was British............ why would you want her to British they said to me.............. You cant say owt because, you would just get dragged into the office for about 4hours.
God its funny, but sad. Having said that I Love Detroit and the rest of the USA (Not as much as home though)
Oh boy, so it's not just me then
"Why you here Buddy?"
"Vacation? No one comes here for vacation"
"What's there to see?"
"But why Detroit?"
To placate the security guys I had to explain I've travelled a lot of the US, have a lay interest in urban history, told them I planned to visit Motown, Ford plant and that big American history museum...the one with the Rosa Parks bus. I then foolishly mentioned I was moving on to a friends wedding. Alarms bells seemed to ring at this point and I asked twice if it was me that was getting married. I've got a B1/B2 visa as well. Hard work.
That said I agree Detroit is an interesting place with some great friendly people and a fascinating music legacy. I'll even go as far as to say it has the best corned beef hash.
Spot on, you certainly feel something in that studio. I was speechless for most of my time in there. Which for me is quite something.
The French Mistress
New member
- Jun 24, 2007
- 1,279
Great place, but the owner's dead.
fork me
I have changed this
I did Gracelands a few years ago (OK a lot of years ago, 1994 to be precise!).
Yes it's tacky, yes it's American hype, but it IS Elvis. Go. I loved it.
However, Memphis is a shit city, especially when Nashville is only just down the road (relatively speaking - it's an hour or so drive away). Nashville was awesome to go out in of an evening, and cheap motels are incredibly easy to find.
My advice, go to Memphis during the day, do Sun Studios and Gracelands, but stay in Nashville.
Yes it's tacky, yes it's American hype, but it IS Elvis. Go. I loved it.
However, Memphis is a shit city, especially when Nashville is only just down the road (relatively speaking - it's an hour or so drive away). Nashville was awesome to go out in of an evening, and cheap motels are incredibly easy to find.
My advice, go to Memphis during the day, do Sun Studios and Gracelands, but stay in Nashville.
Icy Gull
Back on the rollercoaster
- Jul 5, 2003
- 72,015
Nashville and the Country Music hall of Fame are a must if you have the time. Have a look at the Madison Hotel in Memphis, also make sure you go to the Stax Museum and if you are into guitars, the Gibson factory is next door. They have tours too.
Stax Museum of American soul music artists records exhibits merchandise in Memphis
Gibson Locations - Factory Tours
Ignore the negative comments re Gracelands, it is tacky in the same way that most of 60's and 70's Americana is tacky. But it is an interesting place and is actually a really nice house, much smaller than the massive pretentious pillars at the front door would have you believe. The aircraft and car displays are also worth seeing. I was lucky enough to be there in low season ( February) and there were no more than 10 other paying guests in and around the house, which may have helped my enjoyment I confess. I expected to absolutely hate the place. The halls full gold/platinum records on the wall are pretty impressive too.
Stax Museum of American soul music artists records exhibits merchandise in Memphis
Gibson Locations - Factory Tours
Ignore the negative comments re Gracelands, it is tacky in the same way that most of 60's and 70's Americana is tacky. But it is an interesting place and is actually a really nice house, much smaller than the massive pretentious pillars at the front door would have you believe. The aircraft and car displays are also worth seeing. I was lucky enough to be there in low season ( February) and there were no more than 10 other paying guests in and around the house, which may have helped my enjoyment I confess. I expected to absolutely hate the place. The halls full gold/platinum records on the wall are pretty impressive too.
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