Awesome place, tour, and employees. Well worth the money and time. Love it.

11/11/07 This tiny place has a lot of history and we had a great tour. Out tour guide was really enthusiastic and knowledgeable.The tour is not too long so it's great that we had time to fit Sun Studios in . Sun studios is where a lot of big names like Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis cam through. At the end of the tour everyone takes pictures with the original microphone used in the studio. The tour is only $9.50 so it shouldn't break your budget. read more

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Awesome. Simply awesome. If you are a fan of American Rock & Roll music, you need to see this place. This is where it all started. Enter into the building on the corner and you'll be in the Sun Café, which was actually a separate restaurant back in the 50's, but is also the place where Elvis Presley signed his first contract with Sam Phillips and Sun Records. Buy your ticket for $14.00 to take the tour of the studio. It's a must-see. The tours start every hour on the half hour, so if you get there early, there is a small soda fountain counter where you can get a soda or milkshake, and there are a ton of pics and memorabilia to browse through, as well as a pretty good gift shop. Once your tour starts, your guide will take you upstairs into a small museum. You'll spend about 15-20 minutes up there while your guide will play some music, and tell you about the history of Sun Studio, and music in general. After seeing he museum, you will head down another set of stairs, emerging into the original front room of the actual Sun Studio. The room looks as it probably did in the 50's. Through another door, and you will be in the actual studio where rock & roll was born. Again, your tour guide will play music and tell stories. Once the presentation is finished, you are left to take pictures in the studio and, one of the coolest parts, take photos with an original Sun Studio microphone from the 50's. The microphone that you will be able to hold and pose with was used by the studio back in the early days, and was very likely used to record some groundbreaking music. From what I understood, the microphone was owned by Sam Phillips, and was donated back to the museum with the stipulation that it not be put behind glass, but be available for visitors to hold and photograph. Very cool. Also in the studio is a piano that was played by Jerry Lee Lewis (and others), and a drum kit that was left by the band U2 after they recorded parts of the Rattle and Hum album. The tour is worth every penny of the $14.00. Shout out to our tour guide, I think his name was Mark. Awesome tour and narrative! Thanks for a great afternoon! read more

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Great tour and tour guide! Zac was funny, personable, and very welcoming. He's passionate about the studios history and the magic it created! Thank you Zac for making our trip to Memphis much more memorable :) I definitely recommend this tour to those who travel to Memphis and have a soft spot for rock and roll! read more

Sun Studio - Studio session!!! - Museums Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

The tour is fine, but honestly doesn't do the history of the place justice. You basically stand in two rooms while a tour guide tells you a bit, but it's pretty sparse of a tour. I would love to see the museum expanded and more opportunities to learn about the amazing history! read more

Awesome muesuem and tour. If you get the chance, well worth the relatively cheap price and short wait. Such a rich history of music and culture, but it's still happening. read more

Fabulous tour! Mark was tour guide and was extremely knowledgeable with a great sense of humor. You could tell he loves what he does and loves the music. read more

During my trip to Memphis I obviously had to stop in Sun Studio. It is outside of downtown Memphis where a lot of other attractions are. The place is tiny and when you go inside there are a ton of people sitting and standing all waiting to go on the tour and/or who have just left the tour and hanging out. It's a tad claustrophobic. There are a few tables and some counter seating as they have a small cafe. I didn't look at the menu so I'm not sure what they offer. Along all the walls is their mercy which ranges from tees to long sleeves, kids clothing, mugs, glassware , cds, hats, and then they have smaller items like guitar picks, pins, buttons, etc. by the cash register. Their tours are every half hour their are $2 discounts for students, military and AAA. There is no sign displaying this inside and so I got charged a regular adult price. I was kind of rushed to buy as soon as I walked inside. Their tickets do go to helping a local school and their music department which is awesome! There also is a small record room where they have records from their artists available and 45s then they have like "rare" ones on the wall that are a bit more expensive. The tour was great, our tour guide was super funny and really informative. You go through the whole history upstairs then learn a lot more about Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash downstairs - the money makers. The whole tour was well timed and I loved all the addition of music clips from all the artists. At the end you get to take a picture with the famous microphone. Our tour guide did mention at the end that tips are appreciated. That always kind of turns me off when places tell you that want you to tip them. Overall though, a great stop if you're in Memphis for some music history! read more

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First off the staff is amazing and so awesome! Geoff, much appreciated man! So friendly and just plain genuine. Great place with such rich history! Guided tour with an awesome tour guide! Plenty of merchandise for sale, from mugs, shirts, pins to keychains. Bur 3 shirts get the 4th free! Yes count me, got me, my lady, our bun in the oven and then some. Coffee and drinks are for purchase as well!Highly recommend and a must see when coming to Memphis. read more

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For the price of admission and to enjoy a piece of history then this is a must do. The tour guide was engaging and enthusiastic and clearly emersed himself in this. Easily walked or get an Uber. read more

Did a tour with the family and had fun! Great place with a ton of history. Graham was the tour guide and he was awesome!! This is a must do.

Aaaaaaamazing!!! The history alone in the building and the knowledge of the people and musicians who have entered the building. Breathtaking! So worth the stop even if you cannot do the tour. read more

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Love this historic place. Staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. Krista is a great tour guide. She shared some history we didn't know and her love for the space was evident. Also had a lovely welcome from Lisa. Will do this tour again. read more

On my trip to Memphis, I was able to go to basically the birthplace of one Elvis Aaron Presley into the world of music. This place was amazing and in pristine condition like it was back in 1954, when it first opened. When you first walk in, you are in the gift shop, where you buy your tickets. Finally, your tour begins and you walk through the history of Rock and Roll in the City of Memphis. The pictures in there are amazing, and finally you go into the recording studio where many people have recorded over the years, including a "Million Dollar Quartet," of Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis, that was not released until the 1970s; because, Presley was under contract with another company at the time. All in all, it is a great 45 minute tour of the birthplace of Rock n Roll. read more

Great tour and history lesson. To see where all this amazing music was recorded was unbelievable. I love how they have left all the original decor. read more

Awesome history, staff very knowledgeable. It's just great to see where it all began for Elvis and so many musicians in that era.

This place is legit! Still authentic and all original. They did a good job of telling the story. I am not particularly a music buff, but found the whole place fascinating. Staff was more than friendly. They were appropriately concerned with Covid precautions. I felt safe the whole time. Would go back. read more

This was 10 times better than Graceland. I did the VIP tour of Graceland and we had a not so knowledgeable guide who didn't really know the history. And Graceland is Disneyland- just doesn't seem authentic. This is the real deal. The guide (Graham) was phenomenal. He was a musician and clearly lives and breathes this stuff. We got to touch stuff (like the original Sun Studio microphone), and I even had a little jam on one of the guitars sitting around the place. Very very cool. Absolutely unmissable for any music fan. read more

I will preface this post with the fact that I had never heard of Sun Studios. During my recent visit to Memphis Tennessee I heard that sun studio was one of the places to visit while in town. The birthplace of rock 'n' roll they called it. When I got there it was not busy. I arrived around 3 o'clock and was told that I could purchase a ticket for the 5 o'clock showing. I decided wait the two hours in the restaurant café area they have adjacent to the studio this is were you also purchase the admission tickets. As each 30 minute showing started the café would fill up and then empty out. At 5 o'clock I lined up with all the other 5 o'clocker's and we went up to the second floor where we were able to look at the history of how sun studios came to be. We had BB King and Elvis Presley and several other artists. Some of whom I've never heard of. The nostalgic feel of the place is not to be lost. It kind of has a musty smell which added to the atmosphere. After about 20 minutes of looking at this area and reading through all the different memorabilia we went downstairs to the recording studio. This is where they had the secretaries office, the beautiful guitars, and were lots of musical history has taken place even today. I believe it was a U2 drum set that was left behind and we played recordings of all the different things that have happened in that studio. I walked away with the Tremendous feeling of privilege to have had the opportunity to visit sun studios. I certainly recommend it even if you don't know what it is. If you're visiting Memphis or you have an afternoon to killing you've never been I would recommend you go. $14 entrance is not bad read more

We walked from our hotel to Sun Studio in time for the last tour of the day. Our tour guide was Zach and he was excellent. This was our favorite tour in Memphis by far! Highly recommend making this a stop if you are in town. read more

So much history. The tour is a little pricey but well with it. Definitely a must for anyone in town visiting Graceland or just for your average music fan. Gift shop is excellent. They also offer a free ride from Graceland to Sun Studios & back which is super convenient. Loved this place. read more

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Rude rude rude . What Happened to that southern hospitality? Certainly not today, a rather quiet Monday in November off season. This was on my bucket list to visit. Sunday they closed before we got there. Stopped by today at 2:50 pm .a courtesy the cruise bus people gave me to stop by and take a few pictures. I was told it was for the tour people only.. A gentilman said he was going to go in just as his wife was there. I asked him if he could click a few pix. Just so l could feel that l was there, the guard said no. I asked for a manager spoke with a smiling woman who said, you're wearing.e down. Another older man said No. Seemed they get there money from selling their tours.l get that the business part. But all l wanted was a picture or two. Wow. Let's just say business first and leave my memorable experience as that. read more

We arrived at Sun Studio at about 10am and managed to join the first tour of the day at 10:30am. Thankfully, because our guide was Zac! Though young, he was passionate about the music produced at Sun Studio and soon, we started our tour at the 2nd of level... The story of Sun Studio started with Sam Phillips, who started his own recording service known as the Memphis Recording Service. Due to his love and passion for blues, he bought his own recording equipment and started to record the blues music that he really loved and enjoyed. With artistes such as blues legend, BB King recording at then Sun Records, the little known Elvis Presley also wanted to have a shot at stardom by recording there. So Elvis decided to record two songs "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin" for a fee of $3.25. Unfortunately, during his visit, Sam Phillips went out for a game of golf. However, he was noticed by Marion Keisker, Sam Phillips' assistant. In reality, she was far more than an assistant. In the story of how Elvis got his big break, Marion Keisker played an instrumental role. She is also often known as the first person to have recorded Elvis Presley. After recording, this most iconic conversation, took place at Sun Studio... Marion Keisker: "What kind of singer are you?" Elvis Presley: "I sing all kinds." Marion Keisker: "Who do you sound like?" Elvis Presley: "I don't sound like nobody." She then left a note to Sam Phillips which read , "Good Ballad Singer". However, Sam Phillips at that point in time, did not like Rock n Roll and did not care much for ballads. Hence, he gave little attention to Elvis. However, Elvis did not give up. Eventually, he was given a chance to record with Scotty Moore (guitar) and Bill Black (string bass). However, after an uneventful session, as everyone was about to pack up, Elvis started to play "That's all right" by Arthur Crudup, just after midnight. It was an upbeat version of the song which Scotty and Bill didn't really know. But as a passionate Blues lover, Sam Phillips knew the song and once Scotty and Bill started to join Elvis, Sam started to record. Before the night was done, Elvis' first hit was recorded. read more

Sun Studio - 2bearbear @ Sun Studio Memphis - Museums Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Went for a tour. The parking is free, but not easy to find. Walked in and some young hipster guy in glasses greeted me. Before I could tell him that I wanted to take a tour, an old lady walked in and the young hipster in glasses turned his full attention to her. He knew her by name cause she brought people for group tours on a regular basis. The young hipster in glasses BLEW ME OFF to help the old lady who walked in AFTER ME. Oh, and the older black woman and young obese chick who were also behind the counter? They didn't pick up his slack. Instead, they yucked it up with the old lady too. Stood there like an idiot for 30 seconds hoping someone with a general sense of customer service would be willing to take my money. Never happened. Walked out. Sun Studio SUCKS. Don't go there. read more

I was excited to see this little piece of important US history. I was taking my family - and this was to be a good example to show them about some of the history of music - and how those who recorded here back in the day influence the artists of today. We took the free shuttle from Graceland and the driver called ahead and reserved tickets. We were pleasantly surprised that our daughter who is 12 was free - so for three of us, it was 36.00. A bit steep for what we get with the tour. The tour guide (I forget her name) was nice, upbeat, and seemed knowledgeable. I think it helped that she is also a musician so I can see how it would be easy to be excited about this stuff. She explained everything in a logical manner that was easy to understand. The tour itself was interesting. She went through the history of the Studio and played music clips so the audible learners could make the connections to what she was saying. Nice touch. We then went into the actual studio (the majority of the tour is upstairs in a big room filled with artifacts that are behind glass) that is still used today ($200.00 per hour). They had a bunch of really nice guitars that session musicians can use when they come to record. They have a drum kit that belong (s) to U2 as they recorded some of the tracks from their Rattle and Hum album. The coolest part is the piano that Gerry Lee Lewis played - remains in the studio as well. At the end, the tour guide, oh so shamelessly made an open canvas for tips. I'm not really sure how I feel about that. I know people are typically cheap - but I question whether that was necessary. Overall, it was a good experience. I'm not sure how the kids felt about it. For me - the price was a bit steep - but I would have wondered if I had not gone through it. That said, I wouldn't go back. read more

Overall, we enjoyed our visit, but the rules for buying tickets are ridiculous. You can only purchase day of and by the time we got there (after walking 30 minutes to get there), the next open times were 2 1/2 hours later. And there's no where to go nearby. We decided to buy the tickets and come back later, but I can't fathom why you can't purchase tickets online in advance. The restrictions seem pointless to me and certainly aren't COVID friendly. When we returned for our tour, it was good but the place is tiny. There were 20 people per tour which is apparently 1/2 the normal tour size, but it was difficult to see the exhibits in the upstairs room with folks standing in front of them. I can't imagine it at full capacity. There's more space in the actual studio and the info from the tour guide in both areas was interesting. But this was the most expensive tourist visit we had in Memphis out of all the places we visited and I don't feel it was worth the money. I'm glad I did it, but I'd be hard pressed to recommend it to others for the price. read more

Amazing experience! My girlfriend and I are both musicians and really enjoyed the experience. Nothing was roped off - it was just like being in the studio when Elvis was there. Our guide was funny AF and very knowledgeable... We talked to the owner for a while he was super nice and we chatted for a while. I would go back in a second!! And recommend it to EVERYONE!!!!!!! Thanks for preserving this amazing place!! read more

Sun Studio - Museums Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

One of the best tours I went on while in Memphis!! Very friendly staff!! Great information and history lesson!!

What a fun place to visit! Graham was a great tour guide. We heard a history of rock 'n roll, saw great memorabilia and Graham was a great storyteller, plus we heard some of the recorded music and it was topped off with Graham's own piano performance. I highly recommend. read more

Informative tour, friendly staff, enthusiastic tour guide. We were there Thursday after Christmas so not a big crowd which was perfect since the studio is so small. Plenty of time is provided to take pictures and browse around the facility. Cheap ticket, short tour but any longer would be boring and too much of a lecture in history. We enjoyed the soda bar area while waiting, the souvenirs were as expected price-wise. For any Elvis fan this is a must! read more

Sun Studio - Sun Studio street view - Museums Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Great tour, so glad we stopped in on a whim. Do note that kids under five not allowed to go on the tour!

If you are an Elvis fan, you will know the stories about his first recordings and the contemporaneous event that happened here, about which theatrical productions have been made. That said, this is a very small museum with a still operating recording studio. However, you don't go here for the trinkets. You should go here to soak in the ambiance and enjoy the residual energy from so long ago. It still feels very warm and fun! They have a large selection of CDs and vinyl available. Until I got home, I didn't appreciate what I had purchased. It appears to have been completely remastered and the music sounds fabulous. I wish I had known so I could have bought several more CDs. If you are looking for fancy displays, go to the other museums. But if you want the real deal, go here. read more

Pros: Surreal to stand in the spots of music legends as you listen to the hit songs they recorded from those spots. Remember to pay tribute to the lesser known people who gave these artists a shot. Enthusiastic tour guides. Cons: Prepare for the crowds. read more

WOW, to stand in the room where some of the greatest "unknown" artists were recorded was mind blowing. We took the tour (well worth the $20) and learned SO much about the owner Sam Phillips and the passion he had to record local artists of the time. He was a true professional who didn't let the color of someone's skin stop him from appreciating the music. Standing in the room where Elvis was recorded was something We'll never forget. read more

A trip to Memphis is all about the music, yes? And where did rock music begin, at Sun Studio, duh! I thought this tour rocked! I liked the snippets of music, the cool souvenirs and most of all the actual room where it all began. I had seen the musical "Million Dollar Quartet" and this made it so real! Our guide was a complete showman himself, he really sold the tour. I can't imagine giving the same talk and making it so fun. I learned a lot and had a great time plus it gave me good background before visiting Graceland. Join Elvis, Johnny, Carl, Jerry and me while we rock around the clock. read more

My first trip to Memphis all I wanted to see was Sun Studios. I remember squealing with delight at the sight of the tiny little building as we rounded the corner. There was the one and only Johnny Cash's smiling, painted face greeting me on the side of the building. I guess now would be the point in which I state I am not what you would call an Elvis fan, but I love me some freaking Johnny Cash. I adore Sun Studios. I get chills every time I enter through the doors, and I've been here a lot. The sheer magnitude of music history that resides in this building is humbling, and there is no other way to describe it. Just being inside the place makes you tingle with musically inspired greatness. That's all I'm gonna say. It's 10 bucks - there are no excuses to skip out on this tour. I will advise you to order up a milkshake and pop a squat at the counter. You won't regret that decision either. read more

It was so fun to see the studio, walk around the building, and even see a microphone that Elvis Presley used!!(and I'm sure more musicians used) they told stories of the studio and you get to learn about the history and everything! read more

The Sun Studio tour should be required for Memphis citizenship, right alongside the vehicle emission check. If you can stand in a room crammed with people from all over the world, many dragging jaws on the floor, and not be excited about your town, then you are hereby sentenced to remedial culture studies in a back room of the MLGW office on Summer. I try to get through Sun every couple of years, just sit in the back, watch the tourists fawn, and feel like an heir in some coolness conspiracy that more powerful and visible cities are still trying to manufacture. Sun is so much more than Elvis's mic stand. There's something here for everyone. The blues and vernacular beginnings, the accidental discovery of guitar distortion, the racial door-crashing of Sam Phillips... there's enough fascinating history here to fuel discussion among academics, much less thrill fans of Johnny and Elvis. And it's not all old. This place still gets dusted off occasionally for established legends seeking an inspirational shot in the arm (Tom Petty), as well as promising up-and-comers (The Walkmen). The tour itself is pretty short on frills, but it works, and I guess the wait lines don't allow them. The tour consists of only ~45 minutes in two rooms, and the physical facility provides limited impact. (I honestly would expect more memorabilia considering the pop culture importance and recent history of the place, but knowing Memphis's historical aversion to history, I shouldn't be surprised.) So the tour primarily relies on storytelling and setting. I've always had enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and fun leaders. Some of the best stories are not necessarily included in the tour, so stay within earshot of your leader and probe them with some questions of your own. Stories will come out, such as the legend of Bob Dylan walking unannounced into the recording room, kneeling to kiss the floor, and walking out without a word. Sun Studio oozes grit, blue-collar resolve, Americana. You will find no party rooms for entourages. The legends who came through here were traveling light and still hungry when they moved on. With few exceptions, their legends ballooned much later. It's quintessential Memphis: taking the "mundane" for granted. It's like our own low-culture Sistine Chapel, except you get to take the art with you. Any music lover's trip to (much less residence in) Memphis that doesn't include Sun is incomplete. read more

This was a fun attraction here in Memphis. It's not a long walk from the downtown hotels like the Peabody and there are shuttle packages that include here and Graceland. If you drive yourself - parking is available in back and it is a tiny nightmare. Depending on your car size and how crowded it is the lot is a tight fit. We have a tour guide, Jason, who was charming and knowledgeable and made the history interesting as well as lively. Tours are on the half hour and I think this is a must see in Memphis. read more

This place is old, and it's, like, 3 rooms. And yet it kicks colossal amounts of A. How does it do this? Magic, probably. No, that was glib, but it really is through a form of magic - the magic of stories. The guides here are top notch, we had a young dude with glasses who brought the history of this juke joint alive for us, artifact by artifact, anecdote by anecdote, and had us following him around like the Pied Piper, hanging off his every note. Word. Whatever, he was good. At the end you get to cradle (and tongue kiss, if no one's looking) one of Elvis' old microphones. Go the kiss. Double dare ya. read more