Hotel Accommodations - Reserving Your Room(s)
Because of the generosity of our supporters, there is no cost for accommodations at the Guest House at Graceland for TCCN Organizational Members attending the Conference
• Hotel rooms are reserved through TCCN - NOT THE HOTEL
• Your registration for the conference will alert us to the number of rooms and room nights you and your colleagues need during the Conference
• Do not contact the hotel directly to reserve your rooms
• Sponsors, Exhibitors and Speakers - depending on your specific situation and agreement with TCCN, reservation procedures may differ slightly
• Contact us at 2022Conference@tccnetwork.org for assistance
• Your registration for the conference will alert us to the number of rooms and room nights you and your colleagues need during the Conference
• Do not contact the hotel directly to reserve your rooms
• Sponsors, Exhibitors and Speakers - depending on your specific situation and agreement with TCCN, reservation procedures may differ slightly
• Contact us at 2022Conference@tccnetwork.org for assistance
The Guest House at Graceland
3600 Elvis Presley Blvd • Memphis, TN 38116 General Information
When you visit The Guest House, you’ll enjoy all the luxurious amenities that would make Elvis proud. Inspired by the “make-yourself-at-home” warmth that Elvis always showed his guests, The Guest House at Graceland reflects Elvis’ style and the charm of Graceland. From the Southern colonial features to specialty suites, every facet of The Guest House has a touch of grace and a dash of rock ‘n’ roll that guests will enjoy after exploring Graceland and Memphis. • Complementary Shuttle Service to and from Memphis International Airport • Parking - $5 per night • Graceland Shuttles: runs at the Porte Cochere every 30 minutes (8:30AM-5:30PM) • In-Room Wi-Fi Network: Graceland Guest • In-Room Wi-Fi Password: Last-name and Room# |
Visiting Memphis, TennesseeWe can only scratch the surface by listing some of Memphis' top attractions. To dive deeper in to what the city has to offer, we recommend visiting the city's official tourism website.
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Top-Rated Attractions and Things to Do in Memphis
While country music fans visit Nashville, fans of blues and rock 'n' roll flock to Memphis. These influential music forms originated here, and there are many places to celebrate their roots. Awaiting your visit are: Iconic Beale Street, star-studded Sun Studios, and Elvis Presley's Graceland estate.
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Trolley in Memphis
Foodies are drawn to this city. Plan to sample as much Memphis barbecue as you can, in between visiting attractions like the Rock 'n' Soul Museum and STAX Museum of American Soul. While downtown, catch the Peabody ducks as they make their march down the red carpet at the Peabody Hotel–a favorite attraction for nearly 90 years.
Memphis is also known for its rich history, especially the connection it has with slavery and the civil rights movement. Highlights of the city's involvement in African American history include the Slave Haven–Burkle Estate Museum and the National Civil Rights Museum, which features the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. King was assassinated.
Discover the best places to visit with our list of the top tourist attractions and things to do in Memphis.
1. Graceland: Home of Elvis Presley
Graceland is the former estate of music legend Elvis Presley and is the ultimate pilgrimage for fans of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Elvis purchased the 14-acre property in 1957. Tourists come to tour his former home, view memorabilia, and visit his tomb in the Meditation Garden.
Tours of the mansion include most of the house, from the elegant foyer and living room where Elvis entertained celebrities to the Jungle Room, with shag carpets and Polynesian décor. The Trophy Building, designed to tell the story of Elvis's personal life, displays Priscilla's wedding dress, flashy suits worn by the singer on stage, jewelry, awards, and Lisa Marie's childhood toys.
Tour the office of Elvis's father Vernon, where the star's personal business was conducted, as well as the restored Racquetball Building. A separate structure features a collection of cars, including his 1955 pink Cadillac, a 1956 purple Cadillac convertible, and the red MG he drove in Blue Hawaii.
Visit Elvis's two airplanes, where you can step aboard his lavish 1958 Convair 880 to admire gold-plated seatbelts and leather-covered tables. Admission options are available, including a deluxe package with accommodation at the Heartbreak Hotel across the road.
Address: 3717 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee
Official site: www.graceland.com
2. See the "Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll" at Sun Studio
A visit to Sun Studio in Memphis is a nostalgic experience. This is the recording facility where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, and Roy Orbison began their careers. The studio itself is still used by recording artists, with more recent recordings made by artists such as John Mellencamp. It's a fascinating look into the recording process. A free shuttle service is available from Graceland and the Rock 'n' Soul Museum.
Maximize your enjoyment of this attraction by joining a popular Memphis City Tour with Sun Studio Admission. Enjoy a bus tour of the city highlights, including a stop to see the Peabody Ducks, and a tour of Sun Studio.
Address: 706 Union Ave, Memphis, Tennessee
Official site: www.sunstudio.com
3. National Civil Rights Museum–Lorraine Motel
A short distance south of Beale Street is the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. The building is now occupied by the National Civil Rights Museum, which traces the history of civil rights in the US. Its centerpiece is the hotel room and balcony on which King was killed, marked by a white wreath.
This thought-provoking museum includes excellent interactive displays, as well as artifacts from events such as the Montgomery bus boycott. More than 250 artifacts and 40 films help to tell the story of five centuries of history. Learn about the early days of slavery, the Civil War, and its aftermath, and restrictions on African Americans during the days of Jim Crow.
Address: 450 Mulberry Street, Memphis, Tennessee
Official site: www.civilrightsmuseum.org
4. Listen for the Sound of Music on Beale Street
A stroll down Beale Street, nicknamed the "Home of the Blues," is one of the first places to visit in Memphis. You'll find iconic attractions such as the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum. WC Handy's House is now a museum honoring the "Father of the Blues," who composed Memphis Blues and St. Louis Blues. It's also home to the A. Schwab dry goods store, founded in 1876.
This corridor is where Riley King earned the title Beale Street Blues Boy, aka B.B. King. You'll find many fun things to do such as visiting the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. See its exhibits of local music legends, instruments, memorabilia, and rare recordings.
Be sure to check the historic Orpheum Theatre for performances and shows during your Memphis visit. Built in 1928, the theater features a well-preserved interior and original Wurlitzer organ.
Address: Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee
Official site: www.bealestreet.com/
5. Watch a Parade at the Historic Peabody Memphis Hotel
Memphis is all about entertainment, from the home of the blues on Beale Street to the Soundstage at Graceland. In a category of its own, however, is the famous Peabody Duck March at The Peabody Memphis.
The red carpet rolls out from the elevator to the fountain that graces the lobby. A crowd gathers to watch the ceremony but first, the official in the red jacket festooned with gold braid and epaulets anoints the scene with a speech. A crescendo of majestic music signals the start of a spectacle dating back 90 years in a hotel that opened in 1869.
The performers live on the roof of the hotel in a $200,000 enclosure made of marble and glass. They have their own private fountain, and sleep in a miniature replica of the hotel. Twice a day (at 11am and 5pm), they make the trek from their penthouse digs to the lobby and back again.
Address: 149 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee
Official site: https://www.peabodymemphis.com/peabody-ducks
6. See Giant Pandas at the Memphis Zoo
Established in 1906, the Memphis Zoo is home to more than 3,500 animals representing 500 species. It is one of only four zoos in the country to house giant pandas. Other popular inhabitants include polar bears, sea lions, black bears, bald eagles, and ravens in a naturalistic environment called the Northwest Passage. Cat Country includes predators and prey, such as lions, tigers, cheetahs, and antelopes.
Other habitats feature family favorites such as elephants, giraffes, penguins, primates including the adorable bonobo, and a farm animal exhibit. A must-see is Butterflies: In Living Color, open seasonally from Memorial Day through October. Enjoy food concessions, rides, gift shops, and a discovery center. Guided tours and behind-the-scenes encounters are also available.
Address: 2000 Prentiss Place, Memphis, Tennessee
Official site: www.memphiszoo.org
7. Visit "Soulsville" at Stax Museum of American Soul Music
The Stax Museum of American Soul Music–one of only a handful of museums worldwide dedicated to soul music–is an exact replica of the original Stax Records studio. The museum features "everything soul," including detailed exhibits relating to the stars, the music, and its history. You can see 2,500 artifacts, such as instruments and costumes.
Other highlights are a century-old Mississippi Delta church used to display soul's roots in gospel music, and the Soul Train TV show dance floor.
Soulsville is the neighborhood where the museum is located. Among its most celebrated stars are Aretha Franklin and Memphis Slim. In addition to the Stax Museum, the Soulsville Foundation operates the Stax Music Academy and Soulsville Charter School for aspiring singers and musicians.
Address: 926 E. McLemore Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee
Official site: www.staxmuseum.com
8. Rock Your Spirit at Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum
Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum was created by the Smithsonian Institution to highlight musical pioneers from the 1930s to the 1970s. Explore seven entertaining galleries, each with a digital audio tour that features 100 songs. Exhibits include costumes worn by music stars and more than 30 instruments. The museum's galleries interpret early years of music in Memphis, Sun Records, soul music, rural music and culture, and the disco era.
A visit to this museum is included in the "Backstage Pass" savings bundle when you tour other popular music attractions such as Graceland, Sun Studio, and Stax Museum.
Address: 191 Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee
Official site: www.memphisrocknsoul.org
9. Shelby Farms Park
Shelby Farms Park occupies 4,500 acres–five times the size of New York's Central Park. The park is full of things to do for kids, adults, and dogs. Kids' activities include the Woodland Discovery Playground and Water Play Sprayground.
Experience the Treetop Adventure Course of net bridges, rope ladders, "Tarzan Swings," and ziplines. Adventure seekers will enjoy Laser Tag and paintball games. Paddleboat and kayak rentals are offered, so you can tour some of the 20 lakes. Hop on a rented bike to explore 40 miles of trails, many of which are paved. Take a guided ride on horseback.
The park has a good restaurant with patio seating overlooking Hyde Lake, plus multiple food trucks.
Address: 6903 Great View Drive North, Memphis, Tennessee
Official site: www.shelbyfarmspark.org
10. Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum, Burkle Estate
The Burkle Estate was built near the Mississippi River in 1849 by German immigrant Jacob Burkle. It was the home of the Memphis Stockyards during the era when Memphis was the state's largest slave-trading city. His neighbors who owned slaves were unaware that Burkle constructed cellars and secret passages beneath his simple-looking home. These areas were designed as a safe haven for escaped slaves.
Today, you can explore this history at the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum at the Burkle Estate. During the tour, learn about the message system used to communicate between escapees and Underground Railway operators. Discover how they traveled from one point to the next, and get a feel for the slave culture of the Deep South. Most importantly, learn about the conditions endured by people who were desperately trying to gain freedom.
Address: 826 North Second Street, Memphis, Tennessee
Official site: www.slavehavenmemphis.com