Private Nashville to Memphis Day Trip: Graceland & Sun Studio

Tour Graceland and Sun Studio with a guide who knows Tennessee history

A private day trip from Nashville to Memphis for up to seven guests, with a Tennessee guide, touring Graceland mansion and Sun Studio. The itinerary includes a downtown Memphis mini-tour, then your choice of Beale Street, the Bass Pro Pyramid, the Peabody Hotel, the National Civil Rights Museum, or other Memphis attractions. The full day runs 12 to 14 hours, with 3.5 hours of driving each way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each5 stops

1. Graceland3h
2. Sun Studio1h
3. Beale Street2h
4. Peabody Hotel Duckspassing by
5. National Civil Rights Museumpassing by

Nashville to Memphis Graceland tour

• Travel from Nashville to Memphis
• Tour Elvis’ Graceland mansion and complex
• Tour Sun Studio recording birthplace
• Drive through downtown Memphis
• Visit Bass Pro Pyramid observation deck
• Explore Beale Street live music clubs
• See ducks at The Peabody Hotel
• Visit National Civil Rights Museum
• Enjoy optional BBQ or other activities

The experience

The drive from Nashville to Memphis takes 3.5 hours each way, and a Tennessee guide travels with you the whole time, sharing stories and history along the route. You'll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi on board, so the hours in the car are part of the experience, not dead time. Once you arrive in Memphis, a mini-tour of downtown sets the scene before you head to the main attractions.

Graceland is the centerpiece: you'll tour Elvis' mansion, his private planes and cars, and the Memphis entertainment complex built around his legacy. Sun Studio comes next: the actual studio where BB King, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded some of their first songs. Both require separate tickets you'll purchase on the day, but the guide handles the logistics and knows what to expect at each stop.

After the core sites, you choose how to spend the rest of your time. Beale Street is packed with live music venues, bars and restaurants. The Bass Pro Pyramid sits on the banks of the Mississippi River with a glass elevator to an observation deck and bar at the top. The Peabody Hotel is famous for its ducks. The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel tells a crucial part of American history. You can grab BBQ, wander, or mix a few of these together. The guide will help you fit what matters most into the afternoon.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Nashville.
• an in-person English-speaking Tennessee guide for the full day.
• a downtown Memphis mini-tour.
• WiFi on board.
• and an air-conditioned vehicle for the round trip.

Information

Lasts 12h–14h, runs every day with no fixed time, from US$ 809.10 per group, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate1 group tour ›

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Matt Black Nashville

Is this one for you?If you're staying in Nashville without a car, this pickup-included tour solves the logistics of reaching Memphis and back in a single day. The private van seats up to seven, so a family or small group travels together without joining strangers, and a guide who knows Tennessee handles the route and the stops so you can focus on Graceland, Sun Studio and whatever else Memphis offers.

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Top questions

What's included in the private transportation from Nashville?

The tour includes pickup from your Nashville location, the round-trip drive to Memphis in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi, and a Tennessee guide for the full day. The guide stays with you throughout, providing context and handling the route so you don't have to navigate or drive.

Do I need to buy tickets to Graceland and Sun Studio separately?

Yes, Graceland and Sun Studio tickets are not included in the tour price and you'll purchase them on the day. The guide will walk you through both sites once you're inside, but entry fees are separate.

What is Sun Studio and why is it important to rock and roll history?

Sun Studio is the original recording studio in Memphis where some of the first rock and roll records were made. BB King, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis all recorded early songs there, making it the birthplace of the genre.

How much free time do I have to choose my own activities in Memphis?

After touring Graceland and Sun Studio, you have the afternoon and early evening to pick from several options: Beale Street for live music and dining, the Bass Pro Pyramid for river views, the Peabody Hotel to see the famous ducks, the National Civil Rights Museum, or BBQ and other spots around the city. The guide helps you decide what fits the time you have left.

What's the Peabody Hotel Ducks and why do people visit?

The Peabody Hotel is a historic Memphis landmark famous for its resident ducks, which are part of a daily tradition at the hotel. It's a quirky, well-known Memphis sight that many visitors include in their day.