"600,000 people visit Graceland annually," said Libby Perry, a Graceland spokesman. In 2016, Graceland welcomed their 20-millionth visitor.
Graceland will reopen to the public Thursday, two months after the Elvis Presley mansion shut its doors to tourists in response to the threat of the novel coronavirus. To her surprise, the 3,000 tickets available to visit Graceland the very first day sold out. "Of course," Perry said. If you feel comfortable, come here for a fun, safe experience." In addition, "Guests are highly encouraged to wear masks, as well." Graceland has laid off some employees since the pandemic hit, but still employs close to 700 people on its campus (which includes the Guest House at Graceland Hotel), according to Weinshanker.Graceland sits empty while closed due to COVID-19 concerns Wednesday, March 25, 2020, in Memphis.
Believe It or Not!, Elvis bought the Memphis mansion for $102,500 in 1957 when he was only 22 years old.
And now, almost 40 years later, Graceland is one of the most visited private homes in the United States. In 2006, Graceland was declared a National Historic Landmark by the Department of the Interior. Memphis' signature tourist destination, the former Presley home and its associated attractions — including the Elvis Presley's Memphis complex of exhibits, shops and restaurants, located across the street from the mansion — had been something of a pandemic holdout, not closing its doors until March 20, several days after movie theaters, the Memphis Zoo and most museums had shut their doors.Officials originally planned to reopen Graceland on April 3, but the increasing number of local COVID-19 cases put an end to such optimism. SL: Besides seeing Graceland all lit up in twinkle lights and garland each Christmas, what is the most popular time of year to visit? Graceland receives around 600,000 visitors each year, compared to The White House and The Biltmore Estate which both receive approximately 900,000 visitors per year. Presley died in 1977 at his mansion, a 13.8-acre estate known as Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. This week marks the 39th anniversary of Elvis Presley's passing, but he is anything but forgotten. About 500,000 tourists from all over the world visit Graceland each year. We want to let people know we're open, Memphis is open. "The reduction in attendance means that Graceland likely will operate at a loss this year, said Joel Weinshanker, managing partner of Graceland Holdings and majority owner of Elvis Presley Enterprises. (America's most visited home is the White House, which gets about 1.25 million visitors annually.) Even though you can’t enter the gates of Graceland on your own, make sure you check out the front wall of Graceland. When Priscilla Presley opened Graceland, the home of her ex-husband, Elvis Presley, to the public on June 7, 1982, she had no idea how many people would come.
And now, almost 40 years later, Graceland is one of the most visited private homes in the United States.
"We are committed to the health and safety of our guests and associates and have been diligently working to ensure your visit is everything you’re dreaming of! "Graceland typically receives between 500,000 and 750,000 visitors a year. Graceland has five sets of stairs.
In 2016, Graceland welcomed their 20-millionth visitor.First-time visitors may not realize that tourists are not allowed to walk directly through the Graceland gates and up the driveway to the entrance to Elvis Presley’s home. 3. The plan calls for all Graceland workers to wear masks while on the job. 4. To open Thursday, Graceland had to develop an extensive "COVID-19 Protocols" plan, which had to be approved by Mayor Jim Strickland's office and the Shelby County Health Department. Along with the famous rock and roll gates, Elvis had an Alabama fieldstone fence installed soon after purchasing Graceland in 1957. "People want that sense of comfort, and driving gives them that sense of control, they can arrive when they want and leave when they want. Today, Graceland belongs to Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis’s daughter, and the total economic impact on the city of Memphis from Graceland visitors is estimated to be $150 million per year or possibly much more.. Elvis was a seventh-degree black belt in karate. All these years later, do visitors report feeling Elvis's presence at Graceland?