All Hail the King: Photo Tour of Elvis Hangouts

Graceland, Memphis

The very name is synonymous with Memphis and rock 'n' roll music, but for the shy young man who bought this home for more privacy in the wake of his meteoric rise to stardom, Graceland was simply home. More than 600,000 people visit Graceland every year, and it is the second most-famous historic home in America, after the White House. Graceland opened its doors in 1982.

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Jones

Birthplace, Tupelo

The tiny two-room house has been restored to that day in January 1935 when Gladys gave birth to twin boys in the front room. The first twin, Jesse Garon, was stillborn. Vernon Presley borrowed $180 and with the help of this brother and father, built the house; the family lived here for 2 ½ years before moving in with Vernon’s parents, as Vernon lost his job. 

Photo courtesy of Sally Walker Davies

Stax Records, Memphis

The tiny Stax Records had a huge impact on music made in Memphis and around the globe - and few realize that Elvis recorded here as well as at Sun Studio. Elvis' Stax sessions in July and December, 1973 produced three albums: Good Times, Raised on Rock and Promised Land; a number of singles resulted from the sessions as well.

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Jones

Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville

The roads Elvis traveled to his place as the original icon of rock were country roads, a fact that is often overlooked, according to the historians at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Elvis was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998; many of his gold records are displayed here as is his gold-bedecked Cadillac.

Photo courtesy of Sally Walker Davies

Coletta's Restaurant, Memphis

Coletta's bills itself as "Home of the BBQ pizza" and was a favorite haunt of the Memphis Mafia; Elvis and the gang held court at the large table in the center room (now, of course, the "Elvis room", decorated with photos and memorabilia) enjoying the homemade Italian food. Their order always included at least one of Coletta's signature BBQ pies.

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Jones

Tupelo Hardware, Tupelo

In January 1945, Gladys Presley brought her son downtown to Tupelo Hardware to pick out a birthday gift. Elvis wanted a .22 caliber rifle. His mama wanted to buy him a guitar. Forrest L. Bobo, the clerk who helped the Presleys, recalled in a letter that "His mother told him that if he would buy the guitar instead of the rifle, she would pay the difference for him."

Lauderdale Courts, Memphis

The humble brick apartment buildings which made up ‘the Courts’ was once home to the Presleys; one can now stay in  #328, the actual apartment where he and his parents lived. Refurbished with a vintage flair, the apartment includes a flat-screen TV and wireless Internet, reproduction photos of Elvis and other Elvis-related items.

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Jones

Johnnie's Drive In, Tupelo

Johnnie's was a hot spot for Elvis and his friends; a Johnnie's cheeseburger and R-C Cola were said to be his favorites. Its specialty is the dough burger, a frankly funky mix of ground beef, flour and water. It's dressed with pickles, mustard, ketchup and onions – none of which can quite mask the unique taste.  

Photo courtesy of Sally Walker Davies

Humes High School, Memphis

While Elvis was said to have played guitar before school or in the school’s talent show, the boy known as polite and somewhat shy wasn’t considered a stand-out student – academically or socially. Tours of Hume High are available by appointment only, at the discretion of the school administration. Our advice: be persistent, and most of all, charming.

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Jones

Lansky's at the Peabody, Memphis

The modest Lansky Brothers store on Beale Street had always been known in Memphis as fashion forward, but when the world discovered that Elvis bought virtually all his clothing at Lansky's, the store became known as 'the store that permanently changed how America dresses.' The store moved to the Peabody Hotel in 1981 and among its many designer brands carries a line of exclusive Elvis-inspired fashions called Clothier to the King.
 

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Jones