Graceland

The second most-visited home in the United States (behind only the White House), Graceland was home to Elvis Presley during the height of his career. Although the  rock ’n’ roll singer and pop culture icon died in the white-columned mansion in 1977 at the age of 42, touring the wacky rooms of this 17,552-square-foot (1,630-square-meter) estate offers insight into the mind of The King, who is buried in the estate's Meditation Gardens.

For music fans, history buffs, and really any visitor to Tennessee, a Graceland mansion tour is a must-do experience. Travelers wishing to tour the house independently have several ticket options to choose from, including a mansion-only tour (led by John Stamos on an iPad) and a more comprehensive admission ticket that offers access to the Presley Motors Automobile Museum, Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum, and the Elvis Discovery Exhibits. Guided tours of Graceland mansion offer the added benefit of roundtrip transportation from Memphis or Nashville, while VIP tour upgrades include skip-the-line access to the mansion.

Graceland is located in Southern Memphis, just west of the airport. While a guided tour with transport is the most convenient way to visit, it’s also possible to reach the mansion via the free Sun Studio shuttle bus, which runs every hour between Graceland, Sun Studio, and the Rock ’n’ Soul Museum.

It’s best to visit Graceland on weekday afternoons during the shoulder season (September to April) when lines are shorter and the mansion is less crowded. Expect long lines on holidays, summer weekends, on Elvis’ birthday (January 8), and during Elvis Week.

In 1975, Elvis bought a 1958 Convair 880, which he named Lisa Marie after his daughter. For an extra fee, Graceland visitors can climb aboard the fully remodeled jet, complete with gold-plated seat belts, gold-flecked sinks, and suede chairs, and get a look at how The King traveled in style.