Elvis' Memphis

Sun Studio
In the summer of 1953, 18-year-old Elvis Presley walked into Sun Studio with the cheap guitar his parents bought him from a hardware store for his 11th birthday. He paid about $4 to record 2 songs, excited to hear the sound of his own voice for the first time. Sun Studio’s owner, Sam Phillips, later paired Elvis with 2 local musicians to record his first single. An “x” now marks the spot on the floor where the King recorded his first record.

Lauderdale Courts
In 1948, Elvis and his parents moved from Tupelo, MS to Memphis in search of a better life. They lived in this low-income housing project until 1952, where they paid $35 per month in rent. Elvis would practice in the basement laundry room and play music for residents in the communal courtyard. For the full Elvis experience, visitors can now stay overnight in “The Elvis Suite,” the Presley’s former home.

462 Alabama
In 1955 the Presley family moved into an apartment at 462 Alabama – right across the street from Lauderdale Courts.

Graceland
In 1957, after a year of incredible record sales and a box office hit (Love Me Tender), Elvis bought Graceland for $102,500. He moved in with his parents and grandmother. Today, the King’s former residence is the most popular tourist attraction in Memphis and one of the most visited houses in the US.

Home of the Blues Record Store
Elvis' hometown record shop. DJ Dewey, the man who first played Elvis' record on the radio, worked here.

Humes High School
Elvis was the first in his family to finish high school, and by his senior year he had already nailed down his signature look: slicked back hair, sideburns, and bright, flashy clothes.

Heartbreak Hotel
Named after Presley's first #1 single, the Heartbreak Hotel in Memphis was designed to emulate the style of the King himself.

Loews State Theatre
Elvis' first job was at the Loews State Theatre, where he worked as an usher.

Overton Park Shell
Elvis was first paid to perform on July 30, 1954 at the Overton Park Shell. He was so nervous that he started to shake his leg to the music, causing the crowd to go wild.

Arcade Restaurant
Even after becoming famous Elvis would hang out at the Arcade Restaurant, the oldest restaurant in Memphis. To really channel your inner King, plop down on the very same booth cushions that Presley would sit on while sipping his malts.