Sun Studio
Sun Studio
5
10:00 AM - 5:15 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:15 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:15 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:15 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:15 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:15 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:15 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:15 PM
About
Sun Studio - The place where an 18 year old Elvis Presley recorded his first song. It’s well-known in the music industry as "The Birthplace of Rock 'N' Roll" and the most famous recording studio in the world. Opened by rock pioneer Sam Phillips in 1950, this national Historic Landmark is where superstar musicians like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and countless others started their recording careers. Today, Sun Studio still serves as a recording studio in the evenings while hosting public tours during the daytime hours.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- Linda d75 contributionsA lovely experienceThis was one of the best things our family enjoyed on our trip . Such a small studio with lots of history , our tour around guided by Mark who was so knowledgeable was great . I would recommend a trip here , just to see where music history was made .Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 4 October 2023
- abroadwithashleyMinneapolis, Minnesota1,722 contributions#1 Stop in MemphisThis is a tight 40-minute tour and there are set tour times. We came about 45 minutes before the tour started so we headed over to the Edge Motor Museum to wait. You get $2 off per ticket if you’ve been to Sun Studios first and you can leave and come back so it’s the perfect place to wait until the next tour. But back at Sun Studios…the tour was great. Tons of amazing memorabilia and the studio itself is essentially unchanged - I mean the tile work is still there. Truly amazing and truly a place of history. If you’re a guitar/amp person, there’s tons of amazing pieces as well. An absolute must-do in Memphis.Visited June 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 8 October 2023
- Carie V1 contributionGreat venue for music lovers of all kinds!We went back in April and had a fantastic docent named Drew-highly recommend checking out the venue if you love music if any kind and if you can get in on Drews group-he’s knowledge, enthusiastic and his vibe was on point! I do not know this person at all for the record . We just really enjoyed our tour!Visited April 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 11 October 2023
- JT7171Calgary, Canada2 contributionsGreat tour - good valueJosh H was our tour guide - the tour was very informative and interesting. Josh was very passionate and his enthusiasm was infectious. Thanks for the suggestion to search out Conway Twitty's song "Lonely Blue Boy" - love it!Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 11 October 2023
- Batmancop201 contributionsGreat history. Worth the stop.Quick tour of this authentic site. Great collection of items. Our guide was enthusiastic and provided all the rich history we needed to understand the importance of Memphis music. The tour is only 1/2 hour and limited to about 25 people at a time.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 13 October 2023
- Jenifer CWhite Settlement, Texas66 contributionsAn amazing step back into historyOur tour guide did an amazing job of sharing interesting and unexpected stories. Being in the recording room, that so many great artists recorded in left us with goose bumps. The small snippets of music made the experience so much more enriching. We were able to go in at 2:15 PM and purchase tickets for the 4:30 tour. we did call ahead to see if they still had tickets so that we did not waste a trip down there. However, anything you do here is not wasted. You enter in the old Taylor’s restaurant, and then are lead upstairs and shown so many amazing memorabilia, last you head downstairs to hang out in the recording room. A truly memorable experience!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 14 October 2023
- lunaleaBethlehem, Pennsylvania13 contributionsGoosebumpsThis tour was fascinating and well done. The tour guide (a woman) was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the history of sun studio. Also, we were able to touch the same microphone that so many great musicians have touched and that gave me goosebumps! I highly recommend doing this tour ! ——> I made sure to get there when they opened to buy my ticket (and there was already a large tour group in the building)! I’d say get there first thing to make sure you get the tour time that you want. ——-> There are two (single person) bathrooms available to use before / after the tourVisited October 2023Travelled soloWritten 14 October 2023
- Dave CPipestem, West Virginia4 contributionsUnforgettable. So glad we went!An intimate tour in a surprisingly small and humble museum that includes a modest collection of memorabilia, the seemingly untouched recording studio, and a small gift shop. It is the real thing, and you can even touch the same recording microphone used by the recording artists that made this place historic. Our guide, Graham, brought it all to life with wit, enthusiasm, and extensive personal knowledge. He made the tour a fantastic experience for all 27 members of our group.Visited October 2023Travelled on businessWritten 15 October 2023
- Lori D2 contributionsMust see for music fans!Awesome walk through rock and roll history. Graham (tour guide) gave us a close up look to how Elvis was discovered, the Million Dollar Quartet jam session… Sam Phillips AND Marian should be revered across the world for bringing us so many greats (Johnny Cash, BB King, Elvis and more). Truly a highlight of our time in Memphis! Plus The BBQ Shop for local favorite, The Beauty Shop for dinner, Beale Street, National Civil Liberties Museum and, of course, Graceland!Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 15 October 2023
- Ann K1 contributionJosh Hurles was awesome!This tour was awesome! Josh Hurles did an excellent job telling his stories! He was very knowledgeable and made the tour feel as if the singers were present. Telling the story of Elvis’ first visit actually gave me goosebumps!! Thank you so much!!!Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 17 October 2023
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5.0
12,626 reviews
Excellent
10,165
Very good
1,961
Average
401
Poor
68
Terrible
33
rdsm77
Tucson, AZ395 contributions
July 2020
Area seems sketchy with limited parking behind the building. They are taking temps for Covid, masks required and they're only letting a certain number of people inside at a time. The cashier was delightful. Mark was our tour guide. The tour was very enjoyable. Kids on the tour seemed incredibly bored though. They don't care about Elvis or the other greats. Neat standing in the same spot where such famous musicians recorded music.
Written 8 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian F
Goffstown, United States4 contributions
Feb 2020
The tour is a lot of narration about the history of Sun studios, combined with music samples etc. They have a lot of artifacts upstairs but of course the studio is the main event. Unlike the sound stage version in another museum, you get to go in and walk around and spend time in the actual original studio while you hear more history. Overall a great time.
Written 4 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cindy S
Woodruff, WI14 contributions
Mar 2020
Our tour guide, Mark, being a musician himself, added enthusiasm to his presentation of Sam Phillips story and the story of the greats who came to be recorded to make what we now know as Rock & Roll. The stars aligned in Memphis where black and white came together to make music history. It could not have happened anywhere else; Sun Studio...see it and experience the music!
Written 16 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zann44
Washington, DC21 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We visited Sun Studio while in Memphis for the International Blues Challenge, so our particular tour was full of like-minded folks. Our guide, the personable and talented Lydia, was knowledgeable and managed the capacity crowd with ease and humor. We were surprised by how much we learned on the tour, especially about Sam Phillips’ foresight and good fortune in connecting with the young Elvis Presley. The shuttle bus back to Beale Street was an added bonus.
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy N
Westminster, CO58 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
We visited Sun Studios because you can’t go to Memphis without seeing all things Elvis! The tour was $14 and you don’t need a reservation. Tours begin about every 45 minutes. The front of the studio has an old style soda fountain and gift shop. Once on the tour a tour guide explained the rooms and the memorabilia. It is a very small place. Parking is tricky. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and there is minimal walking. However there are stairs so if you can’t do stairs you may need to ask about any accommodations they can make. I enjoyed the history and seeing it for myself. It was worth the money but I wouldn’t do it a second time as we saw everything it had to offer.
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda H
25 contributions
Apr 2021
Enjoyed seeing the very first place Elvis recorded a song. They have an upstairs display of the history of Sun Records. No elevator however & stairs are steep. Downstairs is the gift shop & famous actual recording area. Tours every 30 min Was $15.00 a person April of 2021.
Written 7 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave T
Huntington Beach, CA14 contributions
June 2022 • Family
Our visit to the legendary Sun Studios was literally a walk back in time. Our guide Drew was a wealth of knowledge and his passion for the subject matter really showed. Throughout the tour, Drew would play songs that correlated with the artifacts and his descriptions helped bring you back to each time period. Standing in the footsteps of so many musical legends gave me goose bumps. This tour was a great warm up for Graceland, which we visited the next day. Tour was about 45 minutes and we were able to buy tickets without reservations. The kicker for me was my 17 year old son (who can be hard to impress) said the tour was “epic” and that made it all worth while. He even bought a souvenir shirt.😉👍🏽
Written 24 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom R
Kitchener, Canada10 contributions
Mar 2020
Sun Studios was the final tour we did in our eight loop of Memphis, Alabama, Chattanooga and Nashville and it was great way to end the trip. The studio had a great vibe and our guide, Graham, brought the stories and history to life with enthusiasm, recorded music and some Memphis boogie woogie. We left we big smiles and chills from the history of early days of rock and Elvis to U2 and Mick . this place had a great vibe. thank you Graham!
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doug W
Wembley, UK1,106 contributions
Apr 2022
This small studio, located about 15 minutes walk from the Peabody in Memphis is unquestionably the most important place in the creation of the music of the second half of the 20th century and is still very relevant to much of the music played today. Owned and run by a white record producer who's taste for the sound of the blues and the rhythms of black artists helped him to first find and record local artists. Some of who like B.B. King, Howling Wolf and Rufus Thomas went on later to become household names in their own right. This taste also then led him to search for white artists who could also play in an similar vein. That search led to the discovery and launching of the careers of some of the biggest stars of the music that became known as rock & roll. Most notably, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison.
The studio is itself is quite small and it now has a dedicated museum on the first floor, and the entrance which was originally a restaurant. Once inside tickets can be bought on the day and there is now has a bar for refreshments , plus an area where people can wait in the friendly and pleasant atmosphere for the guided tours that take place and last about 45 minutes or so. The group size for each tour is about 20 and they are very informative, as the story of the record company and the people involved is narrated. If you have any experience of the music of that era you cannot fail to be moved by the awesome experience of being at the heart of where it all began.
The studio is itself is quite small and it now has a dedicated museum on the first floor, and the entrance which was originally a restaurant. Once inside tickets can be bought on the day and there is now has a bar for refreshments , plus an area where people can wait in the friendly and pleasant atmosphere for the guided tours that take place and last about 45 minutes or so. The group size for each tour is about 20 and they are very informative, as the story of the record company and the people involved is narrated. If you have any experience of the music of that era you cannot fail to be moved by the awesome experience of being at the heart of where it all began.
Written 2 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa B
Mechanicsville, VA142 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
Not me! We learned so much on this tour about the history of the studio and the incredible stories of what has happened in Memphis. We were highly impressed with this tour. Our tour guide Graham was fantastic. He obviously loves what he’s doing and it shows. His knowledge is deep and piano skills amazing (he played for us during the tour). He spent time talking with visitors after the tour and made everyone feel so welcomed. The studio opens at 10:00 but the first tour starts at 10:30. It sold out quickly so I would suggest you arrive at 10:00 or a few minutes after if you want the first tour.
Written 7 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a free shuttlebus from the Sun Studio to the Rock and Soul Museum?
Written 11 April 2023
No all public transportation available charges. It is easier to use Uber or Lyft than trying to figure out the buslines and route schedules.
Written 12 December 2023
I’m travelling with my 6 months old baby. Are we allowed to visit? If not, what are my options?
Written 25 June 2022
Children under 5 years old are not permitted on the tour; however, you can contact the staff and they will facilitate options to care for the child.
Written 26 June 2022
Hello is there a place to park a car?
Written 6 April 2021
Hi, does anyone know what time the first shuttle from Graceland to Sun Studios is in the morning please
Written 22 January 2020
Not sure we used Uber reception at the Graceland hotel will no just send them a email and ask 🤙
Written 22 January 2020
Do the sun studio tickets have to be mailed? Can you not just print them off? If we just turn up are we likely to get on a tour easy enough?
Written 24 October 2019
We just arrived and got onto a tour about 45 min later. There’s enough in the bar area to keep you occupied until the tour time. No need to prebook
Written 27 October 2019
MacCracken
Orlando, Florida
6 contributions
Hi! I am attempting to tour rock and soul, sun studios and Graceland in one day. My Graceland tour is at 1:45pm. Does the shuttle start at Sun, then to Rock and Soul, then Graceland? For example I begin my day at 9:30am at Rock and Soul, take the 10:30 shuttle from there (assuming it goes to Graceland then to sun?)to Sun, and it would arrive at sun at 11:15am? Then I can take the 12:15pm shuttle from sun that stops at Rock and soul and continues on to Graceland at 1pm? Thanks for any help you can give!
Written 9 August 2019
Too much for one day in my opinion, you will need more than an hour at Sun, since you can stay after the formal tour and take photographs in the Studio..although the day we were there, the shuttle wasn’t on time and once it arrived we still had a wot a bit before it left
Written 9 August 2019
Is it advisable to buy tickets for the tour ahead of time?
Written 22 May 2019
If you're planning on going to other museums such as Stax, Rock & Soul and of course Graceland then the best deal is the Backstage Pass which is $84 for them all including Elvis Experience and Airplanes and transport between most places (not Stax).
If you're only going to Sun Studios then you'd be best to phone and ask them to keep you places at the time you want as the guided tours are restricted on numbers due to the size of the rooms.
I've just written lots of reviews about the Memphis attractions which I've been to very recently - have a read as I've put a lot of info on them.
Written 22 May 2019
Hi, Jason. What would you like to know about this attraction?
There are no timings on the tickets, what time do the tour starts, or do you just make your way to the studio and wait in line?
Written 9 May 2019
as said in another about every 1/2 hour, show up and wait in line. Crowded as advised.
Written 18 May 2019
Sun Studio is open 7 days a week from 10am - 6:15pm.
Tours begin at the bottom half of every hour from 10:30 - 5:30
Written 23 April 2019
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