It's Elvis week..and the local son got his start at the Sun Recording Studio. Fortunately, after the initial demise of Sun and subsequent businesses taking over the building, it has been lovingly restored to it's original glory...even the recording studio (still active) has the old engineering room in tact. The number of musicians who have recorded here include BB King, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and many others (obviously Elvis as well). There is a wonderful guided tour by a young gal who is Brazilian but just enamored with Memphis and it's musical glory...and it showed. One the pics that I'll remember is an impromptu gathering of Johnny Cash, Elvis, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis...they all happened to be at Sun one day and started to jam...fortunately the engineer had good sense to push the record button. About a 45 minute tour.. and well worth a pilgrimage. Guessing half of the tour were from outside the USA, so they obviously understood the magnitude this studio had on early rock and blues. read more

You get to see the studio, which is still actively recording today at night. The tour guide Jeff was very animated. Highlight for me - They let you hold the microphone that Elvis sang in, and you can take a picture with it. read more

Amazing! When friends tell you, on your first (in many year) trip to Memphis to make sure to check out Graceland, ignore them please, and come here, to see where the art was created, not just a place that has 3 televisions in the wall. The tour guide was charming, incredibly knowledgeable, and was a pretty good singer to boot. If this is the quality of tour all the guides have, make sure to visit anytime. And where else could you stand in the exact spot Elvis recorded music? Oh, other places too? Okay, but this one's pretty cool. read more

Okay, I know it is CHEESY! But after seeing Million Dollar Quartet on stage, how could I not go to Sun Studios. I love the history here.... The museum has some great photos in it and you can buy Lots of merchandise here. I adore that fact that you buy your tickets for the tour and then you can get a Milkshake or Malt, etc. We had Vanilla shakes that were quite tasty and the atmosphere is priceless. If you are in the are go for the shake and stay for the tour...LOL read more

Amazing stuff! Honestly, possibly the coolest part of our trip through Dalton, Chattanooga, Nashville and Memphis. DO YOU HAVE A BABY? Just heads up that they are not allowed on the tour, and don't judge them. It makes sense. You'll see. BUT, they are super cool about it. One, they'll let you go one at a time, and the one that stays back with the baby gets free snacks and sodas in the mini-cafe. And two, you get the tour for free. Yeah, free. My only issue is that they definitely overbook the tours. My tour had 50 people on it. Now that is enough people to fill the actual studio so completely that you really lose the sense of wonder and awe that they try and impart upon you. But you'll still get that feeling. The place is exactly as it was in the 50s, from the lighting to the walls to the floor. Go. You will only regret it if you don't. read more

Can't add much others haven't. If you are in Memphis and love musical history, go. The tour guides are informed and clearly love the history they're sharing. And if you're not excited to be in the place Elvis recorded just a teeny bit, why are you even here? Best tip: hop on the shuttle at the R & B Museum downtown that goes to Graceland, see Graceland and the shuttle will swing by Sun Studio on the way back, then return downtown. And it's free. Just throw some bucks in the driver's tip bucket. read more

Real History here! It was amazing how much history has and continues to be made here! The 7 and 8 year olds found this place to be as interesting as the adults did! The tour guide slowly goes through its history in a way that you one can follow along without a hitch! When we went into the actual recording room it is the original room from the ceiling to the floor! The piano where the Million Dollar quartet sat and played on is still there with a large picture of all four at the piano! Any historian and or musician would truly appreciate being here! The tour takes approximately 45 minutes and it truly goes by fast! There are of course, many Sun Studio souvenirs available for purchase! read more

The tour of Sun Studio was only 'so - so.' Sorry, but I've been to the Rock and Roll Museum in Cleveland (among others) where I think the standard is set-and the crowded few rooms we saw, just did not cut it for me. The tour guide, resembling Elvis (?) was charming and knew a lot but I did not think the tour was worth it-if you know anything about music that is, Unfortuantely I did not get to STAXX but I think Sun is trading on its 'nostalgic' and historic value. I MUST SAY, however, that VIC_-the cashier for the tour was terrific--he not only had charm, but he knew about many things-and he sold me one of my all time great hats-at a discount. So thank you VIC!! BUT I would have to say that although I did not think i was an Elvis fan, i came away from Graceland totally moved-not so from Sun. Sorry. read more

I actually like this place better than I did Graceland because this is where it all happened, not only for Elvis, but for so many others. You will be shocked on what the number one song ever to come out of the studio, and it is not from Elvis. Nick Redmond was our tour guide and this dude has a lot of knowledge and a lot of energy. You will get to see the very spot where Elvis recorded Thats Alright Mamma, and get to take a picture with the microphone that he used. The gift shop offers many different items and some original records and memorabilia for purchase. After you are done with the tour be sure to tip your guide, they are starving artists and they do a great job. When you are ready to leave stop up at the bar and get a chocolate malt, they are awesome, I didn't like the strawberry one, but the chocolate was awesome. read more

See all

Too bad a bunch of snotty little college kids giving the tour can ruin such an historic spot for music. Being barked at and spoken down too by pubescent, cocky douche bags is not my idea of fun. Way over priced for what you get. read more

See all

If you love music, this is a must. Great history, and we stood where so many of the greatest made their first recordings. Tour guide was knowledgeable, and fun. Love sun studios. read more

Love the history. Our guide was a blast. Worth the wait and it is not as crowded as it feels when the tour starts.

Great place to visit, had a really good time on the tour. Not just for tourists

Went here while visiting Memphis, which is pretty much a must-do activity if you're in the area. Our tour guide, Graham, was incredibly nice, funny, entertaining, and really gave the entire experience life. He, along with the other guides, were quick to offer other recommendations of what to do and where to eat. Definitely cannot recommend this tour enough! read more

This tour was phenomenal, & it all started with the friendly service of Lisa & Plez. This place will not function without the two of them! Lisa has been here twenty-two years and when we first talked to her she was making 15 milk shakes. This gal needs a raise! read more

We did this on an early Friday afternoon in May and it was pretty busy then. The tour is only an hour long and is a good deal for just 12.00. The tour guide does a nice job telling you the history of Sun Studios and guides you through cronologically. The only draw back is that the rooms are small and it gets a little crowded which makes it hard to see all the artifacts. It's great for fans of blues or any music for that matter. I would stay away on Saturday and Sunday tours. read more

Any fan of American music needs to make a visit to this place. I can go on and on about the history of the place, but you can read about that elsewhere. Upon your visit you will be greeted at the bar/giftshop where you can buy your ticket and wait for the next tour. On the tour you will see a collection of artifacts and mementos from the history of the studio and its artists as well as learn about the history of the studio itself. The conclusion of the tour is a visit to the famed recording studio itself where you can see where it all happened and snap a pic with a microphone used by Elvis. Seeing where Elvis got his start was a nice juxtaposition to what we would eventually see at Graceland. read more

My dad loved coming here because he loves this kind of music so I'm giving this five stars for him. I like the little shop coffee shop area when you first enter it's cute and the staff are nice. Um the tour was good even for me who is not interested at all. We were a little concerned when we thought there was going be like 50 people on the tour, but it actually worked out just fine. You never felt cramped or that you were stomping on other people just by looking at things. It really is a nice slice of history if that's important to you. We had a girl lead our tour I think she said her name was Clara. I know she's from South America or at least I'm pretty sure that's what she said. She was actually interesting to listen to and she was very sweet anyone who questions so if you get a tour with her consider yourself lucky. read more

You look at the to-do list for Memphis TN and you see 3 music museums (Sun, Stax and Rock and Soul) and you think to your self, is it really worth it? Is there really that much 'music stuff' to look at? And the answer is yes. Go to each of them, they are each fabulous, each of them are worth the entrance fee and each of them has a whole different mojo. Another reviewer says that this place is old, it really is - and you can tell, it's creaky, it's musty, corridors and stairwells are narrow, but know what else it is? It's HISTORY and you can *feel* it as soon as you walk in. 12pp, tour was 40 minutes, plus the waiting time for your tour to start during busy periods (35 mins for us) Parking is limited and to get in to the parking lot there's a VERY narrow side-street to maneuver down, or you have to circle round, which may be easier. Stop outside for a moment for a photo-op, you're standing next to a major piece of history - don't waste the opportunity! While we waited for our tour to start, we ordered some drinks, since they didn't have any diet drinks, I had a surprisingly delicious strawberry milkshake and hubby had a great rootbeer float, pricing was great and the server was chatty and interesting while we waited. Firstly - I really don't get the negative reviews, maybe those people didn't *get* Sun Studios? You'd standing in HISTORY people! Does that not give you chills? It felt surreal to me, to imagine that people like Elvis and Johnny Cash stood in that room, recording their hits? That is nothing short of EPIC. Secondly - you get to have your picture taken with one of the original five microphones used in 'The era' of recording, how awesome is that! Guided tour and our tour-guide, Rae/Ray was great, she was knowledgeable, fun, funny and a great storyteller. I was thrilled and amazed to hear that 4-5 times a week, in the evenings, this recording studio still records for modern artists - this is excellent, and now i'm curious to find out who still records here! read more

If you're a music fan of any degree you owe it to yourself to make a pilgrimmage to Sun Studio. The place oozes history and the tour is quite well-done. It begins in a little museum above the studio and then goes down through the front office and ends in the actual recording room. At the end of the tour it's breathtaking to think of the number of amazing artists who stood in that very room. Stand on the black duct-taped X where some guy named Elvis recorded "That's Alright Mama" and kicked off a revolution of sorts which caused innumerable parents to utter the phrase "turn that stuff down". The studio continues to churn out quality music to this day. The online tour is actually decent if you can't walk the line to the real deal. However, every music fan owes it to themselves to make it here at some point in their life. read more

This was pretty fun. It was neat to hear that after Sam Phillips left the space, no one really touched the original recording space. The only gripe I have is that the tours could be a tad smaller. There were a lot of people on ours, and some of them were just plain rude (well...that's not Sun's fault...) The people working there just seem...cool too. If I were to move to Memphis, these would be the kind of people I'd want to hang out with, and they seem to know a lot about the music that was recorded there. read more

The tour was about 30 minutes and just $12/adult, and the guide was super engaging! Jane was absolutely adorable. The tour was very informative and lively, which we enjoyed. At the end of the tour, we were able to sing from one of Elvis' microphones. It was a unique experience, and I'm glad we didn't miss out. The Taylor Diner was great too. Sodas are sold in the old-school bottles, which kind of makes you feel like you're back in time. I'd suggest checking it out if you're in the area. Also, they provide a complimentary shuttle to Beale Street, Graceland and other area attractions until 6PM. You can park in the free lot behind the studio and cruise around Memphis worry free. read more

If any of you out there know me personally, you know I am a crazed Johnny fan. I have visited Sun Studio twice. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. If you go to the state of Tennessee and care about music at all- there is no excuse. I have been to Tennessee twice an driven from Nashville to Memphis and back both times. Its only about 3 hours each way and so worth it(watch out for highway patrol!) The studio is quaint, has great gifts, souvenirs and records. The tour is fantastic...if you love Elvis. Which I do but Johnny is my guy...so this tour was OK in that aspect. 75% of the time they talk about Elvis. But still, the staff is very friendly, informative and its just something else to be in the same studio that all these amazing people created some of the best music ever. I will go every time I can!! read more

See all

Very interesting place to go check out the place of the birth of rock n roll. We had a cool dude that obviously loved all the history behind the music give us the tour. Kinda surreal to stand right where these dynamic musicians recorded. Where the King got his start. And to know he might not have in the end if it hadn't been for the need of a lead singer and all his nervous energy making the typically country band play faster and create a new sound. Remarkable. read more

I wasn't really expecting much at this place and was only really doing to the tour due to the great shuttle that Sun provides between Graceland, Rock n Soul museum and Sun Studio. However, the tour was short but was informative. It is rare that you get to stand in the same spot as many great American icons like Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis etc. The place still has the same vibe and feel that it must have been like in the 50s. In a bonus feature, the connecting diner offers limited snacks, but makes an awesome shake. As a side note, the shuttle to the three distant stops was a great addition. It is nice to leave the car parked. read more

See all

We did the three tours during our Memphis mini-vacation: Gibson, Graceland and Sun Studio. Nice photo ops with the original storefront and large guitar outside. Plenty of souvenir options in the cafe area where you get tickets and wait for the tour to start. Very cool being in the studio in original condition and being able to see an original microphone from the recording days....plus the opportunity to have a picture taken with it. Song selections throughout the tour helped bring the history to life of the studio. Great guides. read more

We had a wonderful, personable, approachable and knowledgable guide. It was amazing to walk the same halls as the fathers of Blues and Rock and Roll. read more

Sun Studio - The ghosts of the worlds greatest artists live here. - Museums Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

See all

No children under the age of 5 allowed on tours- they did offer snacks and drinks to the parent that stayed back. We didn't accept. read more

This place has such a special energy. I am 25 years old and I must say I got emotional while visiting Sun Studio and hearing and seeing the tracks, artifacts, and studio which are still intact, where some of the best artists of all time stood and performed. The tour guide was AMAZING! Such an excitement that makes you want to quit your job and move to Memphis to go work at Sun Studio! I don't want to ruin the excitement for anyone; just know that this is as close as you will ever get to the moment where Rock 'n Roll was born. read more

I'm not a music fan really. Or a history fan. But I will say this place is cool. And worth the money. If you wanna see more, check out my YouTube channel at BigPhilEXP read more

This was a highlight of a great trip. We really enjoyed taking the tour. The tour guide was super insightful and knowledgable. She made it fun! It's not very long, but well worth the $12 price. I would highly recommend you do the tour. I hope to be back soon! read more

Sun Studio - Museums Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

If you are a fan of the great, early electric blues, rockabilly, and rock & roll that came out of Sun studios in th 1950's, you owe it to yourself to make a pilgrimage here, just to stand on the very spot where all those great artists made history. However, you are probably not going to learn anything that you don't already know from the rushed, 30 min. guided tour ($12 fee), which barely glosses over the musical milestones that occurred here. The upstairs office is filled with cool artifacts in display cases, like Elvis' beat-up, tooled leather-covered Martin D-18 guitar, and the amplifier with a ripped speaker cone that Ike Turner used to invent guitar distortion on "Rocket 88", as well as lots of Sam Phillips' old recording and disc-cutting equipment. The recording studio downstairs is unchanged from the old days, except for large photos and posters covering the walls. They don't allow you to look inside the control room. The gift shop has the usual swag: t-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, etc., most of which is made in China. However, they still have a lot of authentic vintage pressings by Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, Carl Perkins, Howin' Wolf, and other Sun artists. If you are a collector of vinyl records, these original 45 rpm singles sell for $30 and up. read more

Really old, nostalgic piece of history that holds such a warm spot in my heart. Sam Phillips created a scene all by himself. His love of the blues and rock-n-roll resulted in the creation of Sun Studios. The thought of one man changing the face of the music industry is remarkable. Artists such as Ike Turner, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley rolled through Memphis and changed the face of rock-n-roll. RIDICULOUS!!!! I loved it, and I bought 3 t-shirts to prove it. Hahaha... read more

What bad can someone say about this place?! Here is where all good music was born, nothing else to say. I loved it and it gave me chills to stand in the same place where so many songs, singers, idols where born. I'll keep bringing all my visits from out of town to this place, until now everybody had come out with a smile and so much more love for Memphis and its history. read more

Loved my $12 tour! It was really informative for someone like me that really didn't appreciate the rock-n-roll era. They had some cool exhibits of old machines, the radio booth where Elvis made his debut and other memorabilia. Check the times on the website for tours. We went on a Monday afternoon, but had to wait around for the next tour time because the early one was booked. You can wait in the common area- they serve old fashioned shakes and other goodies. read more

I went on the Sun Studio tour last Friday, and the place was full. Tour buses were parked outside, Miss Lisa was busy making milkshakes and the local musicians that work the counter were up to their elbows in ticket stubs. That's one of the best things about Sun - most of the people that work there as tour guides are part of the local music scene. Everyone that I met was just so completely excited about Memphis and Memphis music. The tour itself is crammed full of stories about Sam Phillips, the Memphis Recording Service, Sun Studio and Sun Records. There's also plenty of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee and Carl Perkins. If you're from Memphis, there's still plenty to learn. I had no idea that a dollar folded between the strings and the frets made the brushed snare sound on Johnny Cash's "Walk the Line". Also, you should know that this isn't your mama's rock'n'roll tour. Visitors are encouraged to sing along, dance, play air guitar, etc. whenever the mood strikes them. I managed to keep it in check, but several people on my tour couldn't resist singing along to "That's Alright Mama". That seems to be a common theme at Memphis museums - there's a lot of encouragement for singing and dancing. read more

This along with Graceland were at the top of our list of attractions to see in Memphis. Be warned that there can be a long wait to get in but the place is littered with tour buses and foreigners not knowing what's going on. As a result, ignore the line and just go through the door and head to the other two cash registers to get your ticket straight away. We got a ticket for a tour an hour later which allowed us to explore the area briefly. Sun studio is good but not great but at least the cost of the ticket is 1/3 of Graceland. They focused too much on ep and not enough on jc. read more

Sun Studio - Museums Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

This unassuming building located on an unassuming street block, features one of rock's most important landmarks. When I first saw the place, I had to do a double-take and make sure it was in fact Sun Studios. Once I saw the iconic logo with the guitar and the vinyl disc, I knew this was the place! You must take the tour, it's great fun. I'm telling you I felt the presence of music's legends roaming around the studios (getting goose pimples just thinking about it). They also sell cool souvenirs in the studios front shop. read more

Wow. What a great experience. The tour guides are full of information and as a bonus, are all talented local musicians. Be ready for impromptu musical performances, and to touch a mic that Elvis, Howling Wolf and Jerry Lee spat in. Seriously though, if you're a fan of blues or rock n roll, don't miss this place! read more

The people who wrote bad reviews of Sun Studio are nuts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was amazing!! I guess they don't realize the history in this building or they are not music lovers. The fact that you can tour this historic place is awesome. The staff was very friendly, and our tour guide was amazing. The studio is small, but it is what it is. People need to stop complaining. Amazing!! read more