Sun Studio

Die-hard music lover or not, it’s fascinating to take a guided tour of the famous recording studio’s headquarters and see where legendary performers like B.B. King and Roy Orbison laid down their first hit singles. Sun Studio is especially famous for the Million-Dollar Quartet recording, performed by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. Tour the studios with an advance-purchase ticket, during an excursion with transportation included, or in conjunction with other Memphis music-themed sights on a city sightseeing tour.

• Music fans and those interested in Memphis music history won't want to miss Sun Studio.

• Plan to spend one to two hours here for a tour and exhibition visit.

• Check out the 1950s-style Sun Studio Soda Shop and Record Store for additional nostalgia or a souvenir.

• Kids ages 5 to 11 years old can visit (with accompanying adults) free of charge; kids under 5 are not allowed.

• Entrance for guests with limited mobility is free given that half of the tour is not wheelchair-accessible.

• The site’s first-floor café and record stare are wheelchair-accessible.

Located right in downtown Memphis, Sun Studio is easily accessible from anywhere in the city. There is a free shuttle that runs between Sun Studio and Graceland, as well as the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, allowing you to visit some of Memphis’s key music-themed sights with ease. Parking is free.

Sun Studio is open daily from 10am to 6pm with guided tours offered every hour on the half hour. Crowds are the lightest first thing in the morning. Sun Studio ticket sales start at 10am daily.

Sun Studio has been called one of the most significant musical history sites in the US, along with nearby Graceland—the former home of Elvis Presley. The Elvis-themed tours of the city are a must for hard-core fans, but for those seeking a more general tour of Memphis music, don’t miss Beale Street, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum.

The tour of Sun Studio, aka the Birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll, lasts 45 minutes. You’ll need to arrive 15 minutes before your tour starts to get tickets, which are first come, first served. You might want to stick around after your tour to visit the gift shop.

No, you don’t need to book your visit to Sun Studios in advance. Tours are only available on a first-come, first-served basis, so you’ll want to arrive at least 15 minutes early to secure a spot. You can only book private tours for groups of 20 or more in advance.

A guided tour is the best and only way to see Sun Studio—they run all day and last 45 minutes. Tours grant you access to the recording studios used by the likes of Elvis and Johnny Cash. You can visit the gift shop without joining a tour.

Sun Studio tours typically start at 10:30am and run every hour at half past. The last tour of the day usually starts at 4:30pm, except on Friday and Saturday, when there’s an extra 5:30pm tour slot. The studio is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and tours don’t start until 12:30pm on New Year’s Day.

Yes, you can take photos at Sun Studio. You’ll definitely want to bring your smartphone or camera to get some shots of the legendary space, hailed as the Birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll. If you’re a professional photographer and want to take commercial or journalistic shots, you’ll need to get permission ahead of time.

A tour of Sun Studio is definitely worth it. It’s the only way you’ll get access to the recording studios, and going as part of a tour means you’ll have a guide with you to provide narration and answer any questions you might have.