A Visit to Elvis' Birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi

Graceland is a mecca for Elvis fans like my sister.  Ticket sales from Graceland are the primary reason Elvis ranks high on the list of top earning celebrities who've passed.  I think Michael is the only celebrity who outranks Elvis' earnings.  

A few blocks from Graceland on a quiet street in Memphis sits a small 4-bedroom, 2-bath ranch style home.  Elvis bought the home in 1956 when he was just 22 years old.  I surprised my sister with a visit to his home on Audobon Street a few years ago.  She was so surprised as she'd only visited Graceland and had no idea about this lesser known Elvis Must See. 

This year, we added another notch on our Elvis Sites with a stop in Tupelo, Mississippi to visit Elvis' birthplace.

Elvis' father, grandfather and uncle built the small, two room house where Elvis and his twin brother were born.  

The Elvis Birthplace features a replica of the home, the family's church and even a car like that his parents owned. 

Elvis and his family lived in the house for about 3 years before the family fell on hard times and were unable to pay the mortgage.

The house reminds me of my grandma's house in Kentucky down to the little wooden swing on the front porch. 

I have so many fond memories of sitting on that porch swing.  I remember long talks with my grandma waving at her neighbors as they passed by.

I remember swinging like crazy when the grown ups weren't watching until one would yell out "Stop swingin' in that swing like that."

My favorite memory is of that one time just before my grandma passed.  My cousin and I drove up to visit my grandma and brought the kiddos with us.  The twins had so much fun swinging on the swing and my grandma would take turns swinging them to sleep.  

I imagine Elvis' mom and grandma swinging with him in that swing.  Something about a porch swing.  

My sis just HAD to sit in the swing.  "Take my picture."  "Take my picture."  She just had to have her picture taken.  

You should've heard her as she imagined Elvis as a little baby swinging back and forth in the swing.

There are several historical markers around the site.  Each marking a special time in the life of the famed entertainer. 

One of our favorites was the path of stones marking various times in his life.  

There are markers commemorating the births of Elvis and his twin brother, Jessie. 

The grounds are beautiful and a wonderful place to reflect on a place that played an important role in the lives of Elvis and music lovers everywhere.

If you're ever just outside of Memphis and looking for a place to stretch out be sure to check out the Elvis Birthplace.  

You can walk around the property for free and check out the gift shop or take in the Grand Tour.

Grand Tour includes a tour of the house, museum and the church and kids under 7 get in free and admission for children and adults is $8 and $18 respectively. 

Visit www.elvispresleybirthplace.com for more info and be sure to check out more pics from our visit on @3Boys_OldLady on Instagram.

Have you visited the Elvis Presley Birthplace?  

Have you ever visited Graceland?

What are some of your favorite music themed places to visit?