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Elvis Presley Birthplace, Tupelo

Elvis Presley Birthplace, Tupelo is one of the featured travel destinations in Mississippi. This guide is being expanded with practical visitor information, travel tips, nearby places, maps, FAQs, and more.

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Quick Facts

State: Mississippi. Type: historic birthplace house and museum complex in Tupelo, Lee County. Address: 306 Elvis Presley Drive, Tupelo, MS 38801. Elvis Aaron Presley was born here January 8, 1935. Site sits within a 15-acre park; listed on the Mississippi Blues Trail. Draws roughly 50,000-100,000+ visitors annually per different sources.

About This Destination

The Elvis Presley Birthplace preserves the modest two-room "shotgun" house in Tupelo, Mississippi, where Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935, to Vernon and Gladys Presley; his twin brother, Jesse Garon, was stillborn. Vernon built the house himself, with help from his father and brother, for a reported $180. The Presleys lived in the home only a few years before financial hardship forced them to move, and in 1936 a devastating tornado struck about eight miles outside Tupelo, killing hundreds, though the family and their house were unharmed. Today the birthplace sits within a 15-acre park that has grown to include a museum documenting Presley's early life, a chapel, and the Assembly of God Church building where the family worshipped, along with an "Elvis at 13" statue. The site is included on the Mississippi Blues Trail, tying it into the state's broader musical heritage tourism, and remains a pilgrimage stop for Elvis fans and music history visitors alike, drawing large numbers of visitors annually according to tourism sources.

Location

The site is located at 306 Elvis Presley Drive, Tupelo, Mississippi 38801, in Lee County in northeastern Mississippi. It sits within a 15-acre park setting in Tupelo, a small city that also lies along the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Climate & Weather

Tupelo has a humid subtropical climate typical of northeastern Mississippi, with hot, humid summers and mild winters; because the birthplace complex includes both outdoor park grounds and indoor museum/chapel spaces, weather affects outdoor strolling more than the indoor exhibits.

Best Time to Visit

Spring and fall generally offer more comfortable weather for exploring the 15-acre park grounds between the house, museum, chapel and church buildings than the height of summer heat and humidity.

History & Background

Elvis Aaron Presley was born January 8, 1935, in a small two-room shotgun house built by his father, Vernon, with help from his father and brother, at a reported cost of $180. His twin brother, Jesse Garon, was stillborn. The Presleys were a poor family, and financial hardship eventually forced Vernon and Gladys to move from the home when Elvis was still young, after struggling to keep up payments. In 1936, a powerful tornado struck roughly eight miles outside Tupelo, killing hundreds of people in the area, but the Presleys' house and family were spared. Decades later, the birthplace was preserved and developed into a museum site, expanding over time to include a chapel and the relocated Assembly of God Church building where the family had worshipped, along with a museum documenting Presley's early life and a 15-acre park setting; the site is now recognized on the Mississippi Blues Trail.

Things to Do

Visitors tour the original two-room birthplace house, furnished to reflect the period, and explore the on-site museum's exhibits on Presley's early life and music career. The relocated Assembly of God Church building, where the Presley family worshipped, and an on-site chapel are open for visits, and the park includes an "Elvis at 13" statue commemorating his childhood in Tupelo. A virtual tour option is also available through the official website for those unable to visit in person.

Things to Visit / Highlights

The original birthplace house is the centerpiece of the site. The on-site museum documents Presley's childhood and rise to fame. The Assembly of God Church building where the Presley family worshipped and an on-site chapel are also part of the complex, along with the "Elvis at 13" statue within the 15-acre park.

How to Reach

The birthplace is located at 306 Elvis Presley Drive in Tupelo, Mississippi, reachable by car via local roads in Tupelo; the city also lies directly along the Natchez Trace Parkway, making it a natural stop for visitors driving that route.

Timings / Opening Hours

As of research, the site was open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., according to tourism-board listings; confirm current hours directly with elvispresleybirthplace.com before visiting, since one source listed slightly different hours (9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays).

Entry Fee / Ticket Price

Specific current ticket prices were not confirmed from an official source during this research; tickets are reportedly sold at the front desk of the Elvis Presley Birthplace Welcome Center. Confirm current pricing directly at elvispresleybirthplace.com or by phone (662-841-1245) before visiting.

Duration Needed

One to two hours is generally enough to tour the birthplace house, museum, chapel and church buildings within the 15-acre park.

Hotels & Accommodation Nearby

Tupelo, as a regional city, offers a range of chain hotels and motels typically found in small-to-mid-size Southern cities, providing options within a short drive of the birthplace site.

Food & Restaurants Nearby

Tupelo has a variety of local and chain restaurants typical of a regional Mississippi city, offering casual and Southern dining options within a short drive of the birthplace park.

Nearby Visiting Places

Tupelo sits directly along the Natchez Trace Parkway, making the parkway's Mississippi sites, including its main visitor center, a natural nearby stop for visitors combining both attractions.

Nearest Transport (Airport / Rail / Bus)

Tupelo Regional Airport serves the local area; a personal or rental vehicle is the most practical way to reach the birthplace site and get around Tupelo.

Safety Tips

As with any historic house museum, follow posted guidance on what can be touched or photographed inside the original birthplace house and church buildings. For any emergency, dial 911.

Things to Carry

A camera or phone for photos at the birthplace house and the "Elvis at 13" statue, comfortable shoes for walking the 15-acre park, and cash or a card for tickets and any gift shop purchases.

Travel Tips & Suggestions

Because the site sits directly along the Natchez Trace Parkway, it pairs naturally with a stop at the parkway's nearby Tupelo visitor center for a combined half-day or day itinerary. Calling ahead (662-841-1245) or checking elvispresleybirthplace.com is worthwhile to confirm current hours and ticket pricing before visiting, since sources showed some variation in listed hours.

Help Line / Emergency Contact

Dial 911 for any emergency. The Elvis Presley Birthplace's general visitor line is 662-841-1245.

Official Website / Visitor Info

Elvis Presley Birthplace - https://elvispresleybirthplace.com

Map

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly was Elvis Presley born?

In a two-room shotgun house at what is now 306 Elvis Presley Drive in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935.

What is included in a visit to the birthplace site?

The original birthplace house, an on-site museum, a chapel, and the Assembly of God Church building where the Presley family worshipped, all within a 15-acre park.

What are the site's hours?

Tourism-board listings show Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; confirm directly with the site since sources showed minor variation.

How much does it cost to visit?

Specific current ticket pricing was not confirmed from an official source in this research; check elvispresleybirthplace.com or call 662-841-1245 for current prices.

Is the birthplace near the Natchez Trace Parkway?

Yes, Tupelo sits directly along the parkway, and the parkway's main visitor center is also located in Tupelo.

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