Elvis’ private jet is just one highlight of his luxurious estate

Seven wonders of Graceland, Memphis

There’s plenty to sift through among the 18,581 square metres of the Graceland complex in Memphis. Here’s how to make the most of a visit to Elvis Presley’s former home.

The VIP ticket costs extra, but it helps to beat the queues for the exhibits.

Jump the queues

In life, Elvis Presley was the king of rock and roll. In death, he’s the overlord of killing time. If the thought of waiting at least an hour for the shuttle to the Graceland mansion (and then more faffing when you arrive) gets you all shook up, it’s worth splashing out for VIP entry.

The $US139 ($206) Elvis Entourage VIP ticket isn’t cheap, given the current exchange rate, but it allows you to skip the queues and includes front-of-the-line access at the king’s former digs.

Spot the wildlife

The Peacock Room at Graceland.

Elvis loved animals and kept pet horses, a squirrel monkey and a chimpanzee, which would be enough to get him cancelled these days.

“There are animals in every room: poodles, giraffe, fish, monkeys, owls, lions, doves, snails, rabbits, peacocks, seagulls, dragons, bears, leopards, horses and dogs,” says one of the ground staff as we arrive. Every room in Graceland except the bathroom is decorated with some sort of animal figurine or statue. See if you can spot them all.

3 Admire the retro tech

The media room is very cushy.

The colonial-style mansion was sold to Elvis in 1957 when he was just 22. Among its 23 rooms, eight bedrooms and bathrooms and five staircases are examples of the world’s earliest models of both home and kitchen tech.

Elvis kept a TV in every room, including three in the media room. He also had the latest kitchen gadgets, including a now-retro microwave, a mint green KitchenAid dishwasher and, in the media room, a built-in jukebox.

Get the best shot

The stately Graceland mansion.

Given the crowds, it’s almost impossible to get a clean, front-on shot of the Graceland mansion from directly outside.

For a more artsy photo without all the heads, wait until you exit. Once you’ve toured the Meditation Garden, where Elvis and Lisa Marie Presley are buried, you’ll come across a leafy side-view of the mansion, its white columns in view.

See the last car Elvis drove

The king owned more than 200 cars, including Rolls-Royces and Cadillacs.

The king owned more than 200 cars in his 42 years. His collection includes Cadillacs (a pink 1955 and a purple 1956), a 1963 Rolls-Royce and a gaudy 1973 Stutz Blackhawk III that he had customised with red leather interior, 18-carat gold-plated trim and a telephone. He was photographed in it on the day he died.

Go inside Elvis’ jet

Elvis’ private jet, a 1958 Conair 880 named Lisa Marie.

Nothing says “I have too much money” like gold-plated airplane seatbelts. There’s a lot to wrap your head around at Elvis Land, and not everything’s worth your time – but don’t miss Elvis’ jets.

A walk through this 1958 Conair 880, named Lisa Marie, is a jolt back to the golden age of flying. The customised beast features a bed with a gold-plated seatbelt, a living room, conference room, suede chairs and 24-carat gold-flecked bathroom sinks.

Eat Elvis’ favourite snack

Get a killer sandwich at Gladys’ Diner, one of the on-site eateries in the massive Graceland complex.

No trip to Graceland is complete without sampling one of the artery-clogging delights that gave rise (and width) to Elvis’ dad bod.

There’s a handful of dining options onsite, including a smokehouse named after his father, Vernon. Gladys’ Diner is where to head to sink your teeth into the fried peanut butter and banana sandwich that was so close to the king’s heart.

The writer travelled as a guest of Brand USA and Graceland. See https://www.graceland.com.