It's hard to think about a time before Elvis Presley was the king of rock 'n' roll, but a trip to Tupelo, Mississippi gives you a glimpse of the music legend before he slipped on those blue suede shoes and perfected his iconic hip shake. Located less than two hours away from Memphis, Tupelo, located less than an hour of Natchez, is the perfect day trip for superfans of The King. That's right, Graceland isn't the only place to visit for an Elvis-themed road trip.
TUPELO, MS - SEPTEMBER 26: Rock and roll singer Elvis Presley performs outside to adoring fans on September 26, 1956 in his hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Elvis Presley Birthplace
Norma Watt, aged 17, from Kincorth, Aberdeen, Scotland, part of the Elvis Presley Fan Club of Great Britain, inspects the birthplace of her idol, in Tupelo, Lee County, Mississippi, USA, 27th August 1973. (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
The two-room house where the Presley family resided in the early years has since been turned into a historic museum dedicated to preserving the history of Elvis' childhood. The house, located in the center of Elvis Presley Birthplace Park, was even built by Elvis' father, Vernon Presley. The historic site gives you insight into the superstar's humble beginnings. The Assembly of God Church, The King's childhood church where he worshipped with his parents, is also part of the museum, allowing you to imagine what it was like when Elvis first learned gospel music.
Photo by Mario Tama/Gettty Images
The shotgun house is where young Elvis survived the famous F-5 tornado that hit Tupelo in 1936. Just a baby, he and his mother managed to survive the storm that is regarded as one of the deadliest in United States history. The birth home has been recognized as a historic site by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
There's even a gift shop for you to stock up on Elvis memorabilia.
People visit the birthplace of Elvis Presley on the 30th anniversary of his death, 16 August 2007, in Tupelo, Mississippi. Fans from around the world are gathered in the Memphis, Tennessee area this week to mark the anniversary. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images)
Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum: 306 Elvis Presley Drive Tupelo, MS 38801
Photo Ops for Elvis Fans
Norma Watt, aged 17, from Kincorth, Aberdeen, Scotland, part of the Elvis Presley Fan Club of Great Britain, inspects the birthplace of her idol, in Tupelo, Lee County, Mississippi, USA, 27th August 1973. (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
In addition to the Presley house, there are little things all over town dedicated to the famous entertainer, including multiple wall murals like the 1950s Elvis Mural, the "Home of the King" mural, the jailhouse rock mural and the King's Chicken Fillin' Station's "Eat Like A King" mural.
Fans will also want to visit the Elvis statue in honor of the 1956 Homecoming Concert at the Tupelo Fairgrounds. There is also a statue of Elvis at 13 and the "Becoming" statue, which shows superstar Elvis standing next to himself as an 11 year old boy.
Other Elvis Stops Around Town
There are a total of 12 stops on the official Elvis Driving Tour around Tupelo. Each stop is marked with a bronze marker. Included in the tour is "The Outhouse," which is actually what it sounds like — an outdoor outhouse that was used by members of the community where the star was raised. It's definitely a glimpse into how different things were in the past.
For those wanting to get a little more hands on, you can also experience Elvis' Tupelo Self-Guided Bicycle Tour, which mimics the driving tour.
You can also attend a church service at Presley's childhood church.
Elvis Events
The first weekend of May the town annually holds the Blue Suede Cruise classic car show.
Every June, the town holds the Tupelo Elvis Festival. The event includes concerts, parades and more. One of the highlights is the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist (UETA) pre-qualifier competition that allows winners the chance to go compete in Memphis.
Read More: Visiting Graceland For the First Time? Here's Everything You Should Know
