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It might be hard to believe, but Graceland, the former mansion of rock 'n' roll-legend Elvis Presley is the second most visited home in America. Only the White House receives more visitors each year. Today, over twenty-five years after Elvis's death, Graceland draws visitors from all over the world. Graceland today is Memphis's biggest attraction and resembles a small theme park in scope and design. There are his two personal jets, the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, the Sincerely Elvis collection of Elvis's personal things, the Walk a Mile in My Shoes video and, of course, guided tours of Graceland itself. If your time here is limited to only one thing, go for the mansion tour. The Elvis Presley Automobile Museum includes his famous 1955 pink Cadillac, a 1956 purple Cadillac convertible, and two Stutz Blackhawks from the early 1970s, plus motorcycles and other vehicles. But it's Elvis himself that is Graceland's most revealing exhibit. The collection of many of Elvis's personal belongings is fascinating to say the least. Here you'll see everything from some of Elvis's personal record collection to a pair of his sneakers. Throughout the year there are several festivals and events at Graceland. Elvis's birthday (Jan 8, 1935) is celebrated each year with several days of activities. However, mid- August's Elvis Week, honouring his death on August 16, 1977, boasts the greatest Elvis celebrations both here at Graceland and throughout Memphis. Soulsville Definitely make your way on down to Soulsville, the city's newest museum, which celebrates Memphis's soul-music heritage. Opened in spring 2003, the museum sits near the site of the original (sadly, long gone) Stax recording studio, which during the 1960s and 1970s produced world-famous hits by Otis Redding, Booker T. and the MGs, the Bar-Kays, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Earth, Wind & Fire, and others. Don't miss Isaac Hayes's gold-plated, shag-carpeted Cadillac, which is on display. Also, make sure to take in all the first-rate multi-media exhibitions, beginning with a thrilling video introduction in a darkened theatre that takes visitors back to a place and time when racial divisions deeply divided the American South. Allow yourself at least an hour and a half -- or an entire afternoon, if you're a true soul searcher -- to tour the museum. At interactive kiosks, you'll get a chance to hear hundreds of songs and watch archival video. Stax's ties to Elvis, the Beatles, and Elton John are mentioned. Elsewhere, Aerosmith, Elvis Costello, U2's Bono and many others offer heartfelt tributes to the lasting legacy of Stax (and Memphis's Sun) recording studios. Rock n' Soul Museum As a good accompaniment to Stax, visitors are sure to enjoy the Smithsonian Rock n' Soul Museum. Located in the Beale Street Entertainment District, just a half a block south of Beale Street and Highway 61 (a.k.a. Third Street), on the second floor of the new Gibson Guitar Factory this attraction should not be missed. With rare recordings and videos, archival images and interactive displays, the past century of American popular music is presented in "Social Crossroads," the first exhibition ever presented by the Smithsonian Institution outside of Washington, D.C. Six galleries examine the history of Memphis music and its impact on cultural change. One handy feature of this spot is a complimentary audio-tour with 300 minutes of facts and figures on the greats who changed the world. From field hollers and gospel songs to the turn-of-the-century blues of W. C. Handy, it's all here. Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis and many others. You know their songs by heart. And their memories are kept here. So head to the Rock n' Soul museum and learn why Memphis is the city some musicologists call "The Holy Ground of American music." And when you're finished there make sure to go downstairs for a tour of the Gibson Guitar Factory. See how the greatest guitars in the world are crafted each day. All in all this Memphis attraction offers an unforgettable experience. |