"For reasons I cannot explain, there's some part of me wants to see Graceland."

I'm not even an Elvis fan, but I'll be driving through Memphis next week and figure 'why not?'

Any one have suggestions? Should I just do the house tour? Is it worth it to spend the extra $30 or so and see his planes and cars on the tour?

Good place to stay (that isn't too expensive as I've been unemployed for 9 months)?

In the off chance I get serious replies, thanks in advance.

Edit: Also posting in the Travel forum. Texags has a Travel Forum?

[This message has been edited by AgInIrving (edited 7/9/2009 11:30p).]

I'd say if you are traveling by, you would do yourself a service to view it.

He has quite the Mansion there, and the tour is very entertaining.

They do cheese it up with the planes, cars, etc. But if you aren't really interested in that, I would say not to worry about it.

I'm not too familiar with lodging in that area, be sure to look for some pork BBQ before you leave Memphis as well..

[This message has been edited by cr0wbar (edited 7/10/2009 12:27a).]

Thanks! I would probably enjoy the cars and planes even if they weren't Elvis'. And I re-read the pricing options and it isn't much more to do that part of it too. Appreciate it!

I would love to go to graceland...so I have the attitude that "when is the next time you will be in memphis" or you can "I've seen graceland" not everyone can say that

I'd rather light a candle than curse your darkness

We were in Memphis last summer, but all we did was drive by and take a few pictures. There's not much to see from the road, so if you are interested, take the tour. The airplanes and such were across the street.

As for close-by lodging, my memory is telling me that it was kinda not a great area of town. It looked like Memphis has expanded out past where Graceland had probably been on the outskirts of town. Memphis isn't that big of a town, so you could probably stay anywhere and just drive down to Graceland.

Also second the barbeque recommendation. We ate at a place called Rendezvous, which is located in a back alley near Beall Street, but if you're unemployed that might not be your best financial choice.

Graceland is great! The tour of the planes and museum was well worth it to me. And the house is a must. It definitely isn't the greatest part of town these days, but it's safe during the day.

I didn't know all that much about Elvis when I took the tour as a teenager, but it was well worth to see the spectacle of his lifestyle.

You'll also get some awesome decorating tips to take home with you.

Aside from that, not a lot to do in Memphis but harass the ducks at the Peabody and maybe go to the Staxx Records museum on Beale st. if you're a music aficionado.

Check out rates at the Heartbreak Hotel, a decent corridor-style hotel with a VERY nice staff, adjacent to the visitor's center, owned by Elvis Presley Enterprises.

A benefit of staying there is the Beale St. shuttle, it takes you right to Downtown and it runs until 11pm or midnight.

My quick trip would consist of:

4-6pm: Arrive and check in to HH
By 7: take shuttle to Beale St.
Walk a few blocks over to the Main Street Trolley and take the River Front Loop, a great way to see parts of Downtown and especially the river. After a full loop, ask the driver to let you out near Rendezvous. Eat some ribs. Afterwards go over to Beale and find some music to listen to, the place right across from the HH shuttle is actually pretty good.

Catch the shuttle back and the next morning tour Graceland. The burger joint in the plaza and especially the diner near the '68 Special exibit aren't bad. Might be good for a meal between the mansion tour and the cars/planes/Elvis in Hollywood segment.

[This message has been edited by Scotch (edited 7/11/2009 11:50p).]

Thanks all. I ended up reserving a hotel room through priceline. I'll be in East Memphis. I understand that its not that great of an area of town, but TX has reciprocity with TN in the way of Conceal Carry so I'll at least have protection.

I had looked at the Heartbreak Hotel. Almost decided to stay there, but went for a cheaper option (and frankly, I was a little creeped out about the idea of staying somewhere that had a 24x7 Elvis Movie channel).

I definitely plan on doing Beale Street. I love both blues and bbq (even if 'being in rome' requires me to do pork instead of beef) so it should be a fun night.

Will do Graceland the following morning before heading further East.

East Memphis is a better area of town, its just not close to the attractions.