Elvis Presley Tour of the South, USA

Mississippi is known as the birthplace of America’s music, so there’s no better place to start your Elvis Presley Tour than at the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame. Located at Jackson Evers International Airport, it was created to honor blues, jazz, country, gospel and rock-n-roll musicians from the Magnolia State. Elvis Presley managed to blend these genres with style and grace. Along with obvious Elvis tributes, you’ll be able to view displays and exhibits from Mississippi artists such as Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty, Faith Hill, Charley Pride and many more.

After a 3-hour drive to Tupelo, stroll through the early life and music of The King at the Elvis Presley Birthplace, which contains a museum, chapel and park. You can visit the house where he lived from 1935 to 1948. Also on site is the Assembly of God Pentecostal Church building where he attended church. A multimedia presentation takes you back to the sounds and services of his youth. The “Becoming” statue depicts a young Elvis playing the guitar backed by an older and much more famous Elvis. There’s also a bronze statue of a 13-year-old Elvis. The birthplace and museum is part of the Mississippi Blues Trail, a collection of homes, churches, fields, clubs and cemeteries spanning throughout the Mississippi Delta and Gulf Coast to the Florida Panhandle. 

With Graceland on the horizon, today is the day Elvis fans live for. After a 2-hour drive to Memphis, step into the life of The King as you see his stage costumes, cars and extravagant lifestyle. The property includes a 450-room Graceland Guest House, the original Graceland mansion and Elvis Presley’s Memphis museum across the street, where you’ll get to see his famous 1955 pink Cadillac.  

In 1953, Elvis walked into Sam Phillips’ Sun Studio, known as The Birthplace of Rock and Roll, to record a song for his mother. By 1954, he was recording “That’s All Right” in the famous studio. There’s an “X” on the spot where he stood during that session. The studio gives tours daily and still holds nightly recording sessions. The studio has seen the likes of blues, gospel, country and rock-n-roll performers such as Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and B.B. King. After a day of touring, you’ll want to visit the clubs, restaurants and entertainment of Beale Street, which has been declared a National Historic Landmark.

Start the day early with a scenic 3-hour drive to Nashville, where Elvis recorded more than 50 sessions at the legendary 8 RCA Studio B, including “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” Famous for developing the “Nashville sound,” Studio B was built in 1956 and has recorded the voices of Dolly Parton, Charlie Daniels, Mickey Gilley, Waylon Jennings and Alan Jackson. The studio is now part of the Country Music Hall of Fame. You’ll want to take in a show at the Ryman Auditorium, the site of Elvis’ only appearance on the Grand Ole Opry in 1954. 

Elvis became a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum features collections, photographs and exhibits from decades of music history. You can check out guitars and musical instruments from the Carter Family, Barbara Mandrell and Bill Monroe as well as photographs, film and video from the early days of country music. Visit exhibits on outlaws and legends, blues and gospel and your favorites from today. After a day of exploring, sit down as enjoy The Texas Troubadour Theatre with a presentation of The Nashville King, an Elvis tribute show that takes you through six eras of music and costumes. 

On your final day, take in the sights and sounds of Music City. Singers, songwriters and creative types from all genres can be seen and heard in the clubs, cafes and music venues of Nashville. The Bluebird Cafe is well-known for its songwriter sessions and events. Music and dining venues include the Tin Roof Nashville, Blake Shelton’s Ole Red Nashville and The Wildhorse Saloon. The Music City Walk of Fame, located along Nashville’s Music Mile, pays tribute to artists who have made contributions to the music industry through their connection with Nashville. Find your favorites and pose with their star. Along with Elvis, you can find Reba McEntire, Jimi Hendrix, Emmylou Harris and Vince Gill.