Visit Graceland from the UK: Escorted Tours to Memphis

Graceland, at 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard in Memphis, Tennessee, is the mansion Elvis Presley bought in 1957 and called home until his death in 1977. It opened to the public in 1982 and is a National Historic Landmark. For music fans from the UK, it is the one place where you can walk through the front door of the King's own home, and then stand quietly in the garden where he is buried.

At Travelling Time we have been taking music lovers to Memphis for nearly 30 years, and a guided visit to Graceland is part of ten of our escorted tours. This guide tells the story of the house, explains how UK visitors can get there, and shows you which of our tours include it.

The story of Graceland

The house was built in 1939 in the Colonial Revival style and was already known as Graceland when Elvis found it. By early 1957 he was one of the biggest stars in the world, and he wanted a home with more space and privacy for himself and his family. He bought Graceland that year, and it was his home for the rest of his life.

Over the years Elvis made the house his own, and the rooms visitors see today are full of his personality. The Jungle Room is a den with an indoor waterfall and a Hawaiian theme, and in 1976 it was turned into a makeshift recording studio. You can read more about those sessions in our guide to where Elvis recorded in Memphis. In the basement, the TV Room is where Elvis liked to watch three television sets at once.

Elvis died at Graceland on 16 August 1977. He is buried in the Meditation Garden next to the mansion, alongside his parents, Gladys and Vernon, and other members of his family. It is a peaceful, moving spot, and for many visitors it is the heart of the whole visit.

Graceland opened to the public as a house museum on 7 June 1982. In 2006 it was declared a National Historic Landmark. Across the road from the mansion, Elvis Presley's Memphis is the entertainment complex with exhibits about his life and career, including his car collection and his aeroplanes.

How UK visitors can visit

Memphis is in the south-west corner of Tennessee, on the Mississippi River. Most UK visitors reach Memphis by a connecting flight through a major US hub.

You can plan a visit to Graceland yourself, arranging your own tickets and transport, and it is a good idea to check the official Graceland website for current opening times before you go. Or you can join one of our escorted tours, where the Graceland visit is already part of the itinerary and the travelling between cities is taken care of. Some of our tours start in Memphis, while others begin in cities such as Nashville, New Orleans or Chicago before arriving in Memphis. Having a friendly guide alongside you, and a coach full of fellow music lovers to share the day with, makes it a real pleasure.

Visit Graceland with Travelling Time

These Travelling Time escorted tours all include a visit to Graceland.

Totally Tennessee: 12 nights. Memphis, Nashville, Pigeon Forge and Chattanooga, with a day visit to Brownsville and more. Graceland and Sun Studio on day 2. New dates coming soon. Register your interest on the tour page.
Memphis, Mountains & Music Cities: 11 nights. Nashville, Muscle Shoals, Pigeon Forge and Memphis, with a FAME Studios tour. Graceland and Sun Studio on day 8. Next departure 20 September 2027.
Music Cities - Southern Style: 14 nights. New Orleans, Memphis, Muscle Shoals and Nashville, with 4 nights in Muscle Shoals. Graceland and Sun Studio on day 4. Next departure 25 May 2027.
Southern Style: 12 nights. Nashville, Muscle Shoals and Memphis, with a visit to Elvis's birthplace in Tupelo. Graceland and Sun Studio on day 12. New dates coming soon. Register your interest on the tour page.
Bourbon, Beale & Broadway: 10 nights. New Orleans, Tupelo, Memphis and Nashville, with a visit to Elvis Presley's birthplace in Tupelo. Graceland and Sun Studio on day 5. New dates coming soon. Register your interest on the tour page.
Soundtrack of the South: 13 nights. New Orleans, Orange Beach, Muscle Shoals, Memphis and Nashville, including Elvis Presley's birthplace in Tupelo. Graceland and Sun Studio on day 10. New dates coming soon. Register your interest on the tour page.
The Ultimate American Music Tour: 15 nights. Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Louisville, Memphis, Muscle Shoals and Nashville. Graceland and Sun Studio on day 9. New dates coming soon. Register your interest on the tour page.
Rock and Roll to Ragtime: 12 nights. Memphis, Austin, San Antonio, Houston and New Orleans. Graceland and Sun Studio on day 2, along with a visit to Dyess, Arkansas, where Johnny Cash grew up. New dates coming soon. Register your interest on the tour page.
Midwest & More!: 12 nights. Memphis, Branson, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas and Fort Worth. Graceland and Sun Studio on day 2. New dates coming soon. Register your interest on the tour page.
Rhythm, Roots & Cowboy Boots: 15 nights. Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Memphis. Graceland and Sun Studio on day 12. New dates coming soon. Register your interest on the tour page.

Prefer to talk it through? Call us on 01738 643 737 or email info@travellingtime.co.uk. Arrive as a guest, leave as a friend.

While you are in Memphis

Sun Studio: where Elvis made his first recordings in 1954 and the "Million Dollar Quartet" gathered. Read our Sun Studio guide. On every tour above, Sun Studio is visited on the same day as Graceland.
Beale Street: live blues, rock 'n' roll and soul in the evenings.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music: built on the site of the original Stax studio, a perfect companion to the Elvis story.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit Graceland from the UK?

Yes. Memphis is usually reached from the UK by a connecting flight through a major US hub. You can arrange your own trip, or join one of our escorted tours, where the Graceland visit is already part of the itinerary and the travel between cities is taken care of.

Is Graceland worth visiting?

If you love Elvis, or simply love the story of American music, we think so. Graceland is a real home rather than a museum built for the purpose, and the Jungle Room, the TV Room and the Meditation Garden bring the man behind the legend to life. It is even better with good company and a guide who knows the stories, which is why we pair it with Sun Studio on the same day on all our tours.

Which Travelling Time tours include Graceland?

Ten of our escorted tours include a visit to Graceland: Totally Tennessee, Memphis, Mountains & Music Cities, Music Cities - Southern Style, Southern Style, Bourbon, Beale & Broadway, Soundtrack of the South, The Ultimate American Music Tour, Rock and Roll to Ragtime, Midwest & More! and Rhythm, Roots & Cowboy Boots. Details of each are in the list above.

Are flights included?

No. Our escorted tours are tour-only, so flights are not included. We can book flights for you as an extra, or you are welcome to arrange your own.

How big are the groups?

Our escorted tours typically have 20 to 30 guests, and can run with as few as 8. The maximum is 50. Private groups can be any size.

Is my money protected?

Yes. Travelling Time is a Member of Protected Trust Services (6332) and as such all your travel arrangements are 100% financially protected. All of our air holidays and flights are protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL 7516).

If you would rather travel independently, our bespoke Fly Drive Plus itineraries can also take in Memphis.