Elvis’ Graceland tops Best Iconic American Attractions poll
Written by admin on September 12, 2013 – 5:24 pm -Elvis Presley’s Graceland has topped USA Today’s Best Iconic American Attraction list, as voted for by its readers. The public had four weeks to vote on 20 nominees, including attractions such as the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore and the White House. Graceland amassed nearly half of all votes.
Elvis at the Graceland gates in 1957
Elvis’ daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, says:
“It was my childhood home. I was born in Memphis and it was my home… It’s got a very special energy there, when you go. It’s like a time capsule: nothing’s been changed or moved since 1977. It’s like a time warp and the energy is still very much there. You can feel it. It’s from the essence of that time period. It’s a very special place.”
Elvis purchased Graceland in 1957 and lived there until his untimely death in 1977 at the age of 42. The mansion was opened to the public in 1982 and continues to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
Graceland was designated a National Historic Landmark in March of 2006.
The following attractions featured on USA Today’s list of Best Iconic American Attractions:
- Graceland – Memphis
- Mount Rushmore – Keystone, S.D.
- National Civil Rights Museum – Memphis
- Grand Canyon – Arizona
- Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island – New York City
- Las Vegas Strip – Las Vegas
- 9/11 Memorial – New York City
- Golden Gate Bridge – San Francisco
- The Alamo – San Antonio
- Cable Cars – San Francisco.
Tags: Best Iconic American Attractions, Elvis Presley, graceland, Graceland Best Iconic American Attraction
Posted in Awards, Elvis |
