Memphis is one of the great Southern cities. There’s soul on every corner. The food, the people, and the vibe speak to a storied fabric of a place built on trade, wealth, poverty, politics, and, of course, music.
An Elvis-themed trip seems more appropriate than ever now, as January 8 marks the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s ninetieth birthday and Memphis is celebrating all year long. There’s deep history to explore here surrounding music, the birth of rock, and its imprint on twentieth-century America. And there’s also the modern experience of people who become icons—how they lived and the places that immortalized them.
Elvis was a changemaker for Memphis. He offered the town its own brand of sound, which was quickly embraced and ran like wildfire across the airwaves. Touring the places where he created parts of America’s great songbook is a lesson not only in the power of talent, but also for those who take a chance on the young and the avant-garde who herald cultural change. Maybe a trip to Elvis’ Memphis is what we all need this January.
Graceland
It’s more than a mansion. The 14-acre private estate is a time capsule of 1960s interiors. Its grounds and Colonial Revival exterior feel entirely different, stately and classically picturesque. Additionally, touring its many outbuildings provides a fascinating look at how celebrities create enclaves to work, play, and live away from the public eye. Elvis and much of his family are buried here. Chatting up superfans near the memorial patio offers its own brand of hyper-tourism.
The Elvis Presley Memphis Entertainment Complex offers hours of engrossing fun, from restaurants and movie theaters to exhibits, car collections, and exquisite shopping. During 2025, enjoy the 90 For 90 exhibit of 90 curated artifacts selected from Graceland’s 1.5 million objects, including Elvis’ checkered boots first worn onstage in Las Vegas in 1972.
Sun Studio
Local musicians run the tours at Sun Studio, and the reception area feels as iconic as the rest of the studio. Its founder, Sam Phillips, may have immortalized everyone from B.B. King to Johnny Cash here, but the stories of Elvis in the studio hit home, especially when standing on the same linoleum (with the actual microphone) used to record two dozen hits between 1953 and 1955, including “That’s All Right Mama.” Get to Sun Studios early to reserve a time-marked tour; your ticket makes a great souvenir to bring home.
The Beauty Shop and The Arcade
“Look Good. Eat Good.” is the adorable catchphrase at Priscilla Presley’s favorite curl-and-dye shop, now a chef-driven restaurant, The Beauty Shop. Open for lunch and dinner, the midtown eatery in the Cooper-Young district has been lovingly preserved and includes original Belvedere hair dryer chairs. Don’t skip on the notable cocktail program.
The Arcade claims to be Memphis’ oldest cafe; it opened in 1919, and for several years, orders were cooked atop potbellied stoves. Dozens of movies have been filmed here since, but most visit to eat like The King. The Arcade claims to be Elvis’ favorite diner and guests can sit in the very seat he frequented. Breakfast is served from 7a.m.–3p.m.
Lansky Bros.
The men’s clothier inside The Peabody Hotel outfitted many musicians at the top of their game, including B.B. King, the Beach Boys, and of course, Elvis. There are blue suede shoes to buy at Lansky Bros. and beautiful blazers, altered on site. Elvis bought his favored sports shirts here and the walls are studded with guitars, jackets, and more from The King and other famous friends. This is a great place to purchase higher quality Elvis T-shirts.
Don’t miss out on seeing the Peabody’s famous ducks while visiting Lanksy Bros. They parade through the lobby at 11a.m. and 5p.m. each day, and happy hour at The Peabody is a lively affair.
ARRIVE Memphis
The 62-room boutique hotel is in the city’s South Main Arts district. Its lobby is the heart of the hotel; it plays coffee shop in the morning and cocktail bar at night and offers lots of stylish yet comfortable seating. Across from the first-floor elevator bank is the hotel’s own nod to The King—it makes a great photo opp.
On the wall is this verse from “One Night of Sin”:
