Elvis Presley
Nashville Fan Guide

Elvis plays the upright piano at RCA Nashville (later Studio B) in 1961

As a local tour guide, I get a lot of requests for Elvis Presley Nashville stories, or ‘Elvis locations’.  As such, I have a few items that please those tourists taking in the Nashville experience.  This page is NOT meant to be a complete reference guide to Elvis in Music City.  I’m NOT an expert on ‘The King’.  It is primarily meant to provide some basic information to the casual Elvis fan who wants to grab some photos and say “We were there!”

If you have additional Elvis information about his Nashville exploits, submit them using the email link at the bottom of the page.

OK, here goes!  You can do Elvis on the cheap, or you can visit the attractions.  If you’re a fan, you can get some nice photos and have fun and never spend a penny!  But if you want to see Elvis’ ‘solid gold Cadillac’, stand where HE stood singing over 250 songs at Studio B, or see the stage where he performed his one and only time at the Opry, then you’ll have to take the tours at those attractions.  That’s totally up to you and your budget.  My favorite place to visit in Nashville is ‘Studio B’.  I’ve been dozens of times and always get excited when I get to return.  Most of their guides use Elvis as the focal point of their tours, and where else can you sit at the piano where he sat, and stand on the spot where he recorded all those songs.  You’ll love it!

The ‘Downtown Nashville’ and ‘Music Row’ segments are easily walkable.  In fact, you could walk between the two if you’re so inclined.  If you decide to take the Studio B tour, you’ll actually ride a small bus from the Country Music Hall of Fame to the property (included with your admisstion), so you’ll have to do your other Music Row sight seeing at a separate time.  

Downtown Nashville

Country Music Hall of Fame (225 5th Avenue South)  It’s here that you’ll find many rememberances of Elvis, including his HOF plaque and his “solid gold” Cadillac.  Admission required.   Website

Hatch Print Gallery located in the walkway between the HOF and the Omni Hotel.  Here you can pick up your own copy of the famous Hatch poster of the 50’s promoting Elvis.  Check out the history of the Hatch book on sale, which includes the also famous picture of preacher Bob Gray of Jacksonville, Florida, holding their poster whle denouncing Elvis.  Store entry is free, additional charge for the tour.  Website

Ryman Auditorium (116 5th Avenue North)  The home of the Opry from 1943-1974.  Elvis made his one and only appearance on the Grand Ole Opry on October 2, 1954.  His appearance wasn’t successful, but we certainly remember it today!  Read about it.  Lots of photo ops, additional charge for the tour.  Website

Sun Records Diner (105 3r Ave South)  Filled with photos of artists affiliated with the original Sun Records in Memphis, Elvis’ first recording home.  In addition to ‘The King’, lots of Jerry Lee, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and others.  Plus the music is all period, so you’re likely to hear some Elvis while you’re having lunch.  Website

Music City Walk of Fame (121 4th Ave South; across the street from the HOF)  Dedicated to stars from all genres of music who had connections to Music City and made a significant contribution to the music industry.   (It’s definitely diverse.  From Bill Anderson to Jimi Hendrix, and from the Fisk Jubilee Singers to Peter Frampton diverse!!)  Website

Municipal Auditorium ‘Ticket Wall’ (417 4th Avenue North) Nashville’s original concert venue.  Elvis appeared there and his July 1, 1973 concert is highlighted on the outdoor ‘ticket wall’.  And it’s the perfect height for you and a photo op!

Bicentennial Mall Court of Three Stars (600 James Robertson Parkway)  This is a many faceted park dedicated to the history of Tennessee.  The ‘Court of Three Stars’ is located at the back of the park and consists of 50 towers containing 95 bells, representing the counties of Tennessee.  As you walk around the court, you’ll see names of musicians affiliated with Tennessee, including Elvis.  Make sure you arrive at the Court around the top of the hour.  At the top of the hour, the 95 bells will play a song affiliated with the state, then sound the hour bells, then play several more Tennessee songs.  Don’t be surprised if one of them is  “Love me Tender”.  Website

Downtown Attractions Map

Music Row (inc. Studio B)

RCA Studio B (1611 Roy Acuff Place) Perhaps America’s best known music studio and where Elvis recorded roughly half the songs from his career.  Some nice photo ops on the outside, but if you want the full effect you’ll have to take the tour.  During the tour, make sure you get your photo made sitting at the 1942 Steinway Piano that Elvis played all those years ago.  Tour available through the CMHOF  Website

McGavock Street Studios (1525 McGavock St) The studio where ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ and other hits were recorded is no longer there.  Learn about the studio

Spence Manor (11 Music Square East)  Where Elvis and many other stars stayed while visiting Nashville.  (No, the Beatles never did, no matter how many articles you see that say they did!)  Make sure you peek through the fence at the guitar shaped pool inspired by Webb Pierce.  Spence Manor on Facebook

Elvis ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ Guitar (corner of XX and XX)  Great photo op with this guitar that was part of an art exhibit from 2005.  On permanent display at this location along with the Roy Orbison painted guitar.  Check out the back of Elvis’ guitar for a Hank Williams tribute.  And a half block up the street you’ll find two guitars painted and dedicated to Johnny Cash.  See ALL the original painted guitars

Music Row Attractions Map

Other places to visit

Madame Tussaud’s wax museum at Opry Mills Mall has Elvis!

Submit your comments or other Elvis information to us.  We’d love to hear from you!

I dedicate this page to the hundreds (if not thousands) of Elvis fans who’ve asked me about him over the years.  One Sunday in 2017, I was booked on a bus load of Elvis fans who’d been to Tupelo and Memphis, and who were winding up their tour with us in Music City.  Sunday mornings are a double edged sword in Nashville.  Attractions aren’t open, but you don’t have the traffic you normally have.  That day, we totally targeted Elvis.  We walked around Music Row, visited his plaque at the Nashville Carillon, talked about his recordings, and more.  It was on that morning that I realized there needed to be a simple guide to ‘Elvis in Nashville’ and this is it.  Thanks to that group out of Lexington, Kentucky which prompted this page!

Seems like I spend a LOT of time with ‘Elvis’!!!

At Zac Brown’s ‘Southern Ground’ Studios with Elvis Tribute Artist ‘Jason Whited‘ and the best of the Titans!	At the American Bus Association Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.  ‘Elvis’ from the Legends Show in Myrtle Beach!	With Travis LeDoyt! This guy is AWESOME! Check him out on Facebook