Tab Takes On... Graceland

     Despite the prices of the entrance fee and the parking fee, going to Graceland is definitely worth it! There is lots to see and a selection of tours to choose from. Give yourself at least 4-5 hours to see everything and give yourself a break from the crowds.

     We took the Platinum tour and it was great. We received I-Pads that helped the Mansion tour along. We felt rushed at times because our group was so large, but that is to be expected in locations like this. Be sure to keep up with the I-Pad to get more information about the mansion and its historical significance. (My hubby's messed up halfway or so through the tour.) You have to listen to John Stamos' voice the whole mansion tour but it is worth it. The mansion is across the street from everything else.

(My hubby happened to somehow get me in this picture as well)

     From the mansion, everything else is do at your own pace. There is a lot to take in and lots to learn. I appreciated the fact that one of the buildings has a sensory room for kids and adults with sensory needs of replica fabrics that Elvis wore and had in his mansion and such. His records were on display as is many of his personal belongings and many family mementos. As a newlywed, I also liked seeing Priscilla's wedding dress. The car museum is also a must see.

Their wedding attire

     Even though repairs were being made and additions were being added to the Graceland experience while we were there, we weren't really inconvenienced and felt it was truly a once in a lifetime trip that was worth taking. We did not do the airplane tour but the planes can be seen from the road. We took plenty of pictures and will have plenty of memories. Now if we could just get those Elvis hits out of our heads!

Tab Takes On.... Woodlawn Cemetery

     We visited this cemetery because of the many celebrities buried here. Most were easy to find, but a few we wanted to see we did not find. There were a few that we found out were buried here after our arrival as well.
     Visit the office when you first arrive in order to get a map. It makes finding some of the graves easier to find as most are not labelled as celebrities that are easy to pinpoint from the road. George Jones' is the only one that is super easy to find for the way it is designed. Don't forget to sign his guest book in the office as well (and look to see who signed it above you because people from Ireland and Northern Ireland had signed above us).
     There is also a replica of Jesus' empty tomb there as well but we were actually disappointed by it. It seemed to modernized and not very surreal. There was no emotional connection to it for us.
     Overall, if you want to pay respects to some legends, and their families, this is a must-see stop. There are a few grave markers that seem to be missing, but it is well kept for its large size.

(more pictures will be later posted on the Facebook page)