Step1
Journey to Tupelo, Mississippi, where Presley was born. Stop by the wooden house he was born in, see the nearby bronze sculpture of ‘Elvis at 13,’ and grab a bite at Johnny’s Drive-In, where Elvis used to dine frequently.
Step2
Head to Memphis, where Presley moved with his family in the late 1940s. Hang out on Beale Street, where the blues clubs had a huge influence on young Elvis, and drop by Sun Studios on Union Avenue, where he recorded his first songs.
Step3
Set aside an entire day for Memphis’ Graceland, the famous and ultra-popular mansion where Elvis lived off-and-on for about 20 years before his death there in 1977. Visitors can see his grave, numerous amazing artifacts and tour the extensive grounds.
Step4
Build up your frequent-flier miles by exploring The King’s time in the military. Begin in Fort Hood, Texas, where he underwent basic training, and then head overseas to Friedberg, Germany where he was posted.
Step5
Next, it’s off to Las Vegas, where Elvis starred as Lucky Jackson in 1964’s ‘Viva Las Vegas,’ performed live on a number of occasions, and now has countless impersonators still paying tribute to him. Take a side trip to the Hoover Dam and the suburban city of Henderson, Nevada if you have time, two of the other filming locations for the ’64 flick.
Step6
A short flight or long drive away you can visit Hollywood, where the King made a number of films. Nearby Burbank is a must-see as well, where Elvis made his unforgettable 1968 comeback special.
Step7
Final stop, Hawaii, where Elvis starred in ‘Blue Hawaii’ in 1961 and ‘Paradise, Hawaiian Style’ in 1966. ‘Blue Hawaii’ was filmed on Oahu and Kauai, and ‘Paradise’ was shot on those islands as well as Maui.
Oahu is an essential stop on your Elvis-themed vacation.
Comments
NYLady said
on 2/6/2008 What a great story idea. You haven't lived until you've visited Graceland - it's funky/bizarre/creepy, but in a history-making way.
ewmcguire said
on 11/12/2007 Great article. I love that you start out in Tupelo and end up on a Hawaiian beach.