Day 26 - National Civil Rights Museum & Graceland

Memphis - Nice warm day.  Started off with the National Civil Rights Museum, which was established at the location where Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated on June 4th, 1968.  The Balcony in front of Room 306 of The Lorraine Motel, where he was staying.  The Lorraine Motel was one of the few that welcomed colored people back then, and was run by an African-American couple.  Astounding that even as recent as in 1968 there were hotels in America that allowed only whites to stay.  Their history is indeed very recent.  A very eye opening and humbling experience.  Spent more than three hours in there and didn't know how the time flew.

After lunch, went over to Graceland.  Best time to visit is at the end of the day - around 4pm when the crowds are gone.  Then you would have almost two hours to explore.  It's Elvis and family everywhere.  There was a short pre-tour video and then you are taken to the mansion via a shuttle bus.  You are given an iPad with headphones for a self-guided tour of the mansion.  Good arrangement, you know what you are seeing and how it came to be there and was used.  The tour ends with taking the shuttle back and walking over to see his planes (You can actually go inside the planes and look). Took the whole two hours to finish everything and we were one of the last ones to drive off the parking lot.

Day stats: about 30 miles

The Lorraine Motel - Home of the National Civil Rights Museum

Blues Hall of Fame, Memphis, TN

Graceland, Memphis, TN

Formal Living Room

Dining Room

Pool Table

Bar

Media Room

"Jungle Room" / Family Room

Another View of Family Room

Backyard

Riding Area

Stereo TV presented to Elvis by RCA

Graceland Front View

His Plane

Inside the Plane - Seating area

Inside the Plane - Bedroom