Sun Studio
Adult $20·Child(5-11y) $15USD(For safety reasons, children under 5 are not permitted on the tour. Tickets cannot be reserved online in advance and are only available for purchase in person on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the visit.)
Youth-FriendlySenior-FriendlyIndoorCity LandmarkMust-SeeGuided Tour OnlyGuided TourEducationalHistoryRock Music
Overview
Widely recognized as the 'Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll', Sun Studio is an intimate and legendary brick recording studio in Memphis where music history was permanently rewritten. Opened by Sam Phillips in 1950, this unassuming room launched the world-renowned careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and B.B. King. Passionate and musical tour guides share incredible behind-the-scenes studio outtakes, allow guests to stand in the exact spot where Elvis recorded, and even let visitors pose with the actual microphone used by the King himself.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1-1.5 hours
Best TimeThe legendary 'Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll' is best visited between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM on a weekday. This frames the quietest window to stand on the exact studio floor tiles where Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash cut historic tracks, and hold the actual vintage microphone under soft gallery spot lighting.
Getting TherePerfectly positioned at 706 Union Ave. Drive east from downtown along Union Ave for roughly 1.5 miles to the intersection with Marshall Ave. The iconic brick building features a dedicated free guest parking lot directly behind the studio shell. MATA Bus Route 2 stops outside the front door.
Travel Tips
- This compact rock heritage location operates out of its original 1950s layout with tight interior dimensions, capping tour groups at exactly 20 persons per slot. Online reservations do not exist; ticketing is 100% walk-up only, with midday queues stretching past 2.5 hours—arrive outside the door by 09:45 before opening.
- The secondary artifact gallery sits exclusively on the second level of the vintage brick storefront. Protected under structural heritage preservation ordinances, installing a modern elevator is banned; access is restricted to a steep, narrow 1950s timber staircase, creating an absolute physical barrier for standard wheelchairs.
- The studio's frontage along Union Avenue features heavy traffic and minimal proprietary parking slots. Avoid dropping vehicles in adjacent unlit side alleys or gravel clearings heavily targeted by local auto-burglary crews; ensure zero visible loose change or equipment wires remain inside your dashboard cabins.
Reviews
Positive
- As the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, holding the exact microphone used by Elvis and Johnny Cash delivers a deeply shocking historical impact, living up to the hype.
- The tour guides are exceptionally hardcore and professional, usually being local musicians themselves who crackle with energy while playing rare original tapes for maximum fun.
- The venue runs a free shuttle bus connecting to downtown hubs like Graceland and the Civil Rights Museum, greatly boosting convenience for travelers without cars.
- Group splitting and batch entry are beautifully organized. Staff are friendly and witty, and tight capacity limits ensure everyone gets a great photo and listening slot.
Heads up
- Preserving its raw, historic original layout, the studio space is narrow, and reaching the second-floor exhibits requires a steep wood staircase with zero wheelchair access.
- The small footprint and strict group limits mean guests frequently wait one to two hours for the next available guided slot, creating a high time cost.
- The pure guided tour lasts only about 45 minutes. Compared to the steep individual ticket price, some casual tourists might feel it offers low value.
- The combined first-floor cafe and gift shop is cramped, making it hard to turn around during peak hours, and souvenirs carry inflated prices with few choices.