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A visit to Sun Studios (Unsplash)📷 Joshua Ness theexplorerdad, CC0

Sun Studio

Memphis, TN

History

The small recording studio where early rock and roll records were made, now run as a guided museum. The tour is built around stories of the musicians who recorded here; book a time slot ahead, as the room is small.

Sun Studio stands at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis. Sam Phillips opened the Memphis Recording Service here on January 3, 1950. The studio sees itself as the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, since "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats was recorded here in 1951. Blues and R&B artists such as Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King and Rufus Thomas recorded here, followed by rockabilly and country musicians such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Elvis first came in August 1953 at the age of 18, and on July 5, 1954 he had his breakthrough with "That's All Right". On December 4, 1956, Presley, Lewis, Perkins and Cash met for the famous "Million Dollar Quartet" jam session. After the label was sold in 1969 the building stood empty; in 1987 it reopened as a studio and visitor attraction, and it has been a National Historic Landmark since 2003. Allow about an hour for the tour.

Nearest town
Memphis, TN
Category
History & culture
GPS
35.1389, -90.0373

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. Hot in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Sources

Nearby

Cars, The Lorraine Motel, National Civil Rights Museum, Mulberry Street, Memphis, TN (53700186466)© Warren LeMay from Chicago, IL, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0
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Rowan Oak – Bailey Woods 2018 1© Fredlyfish4 · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Campsites nearby

  • Graceland RV Park and CampgroundMotorhome stopover
    6 mi from Sun Studio
    Motorhomes
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Motorhome stopover · MemphisMotorhome stopover
    7 mi from Sun Studio
    Motorhomes
    OSMAdd to trip
  • T. O. Fuller State Park CampgroundCampsite
    8 mi from Sun Studio · 45 pitches
    TentsCaravansElectricity
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Agricenter Rv ParkMotorhome stopover
    13 mi from Sun Studio
    Motorhomes
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Memphis KOA JourneyMotorhome stopover
    14 mi from Sun Studio
    Motorhomes
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Dogwood Ridge CampgroundCampsite
    14 mi from Sun Studio
    Caravans
    OSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Tennessee · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Sun Studio?

Sun Studio is in Memphis, TN, at GPS 35.1389, -90.0373. It is about 61 mi from Oxford.

Can you camp near Sun Studio?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Graceland RV Park and Campground, about 6 mi away; within 25 mi there are 9 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

What is there to see near Sun Studio?

Places worth a stop nearby: National Civil Rights Museum (1 mi), Graceland (6 mi), Delta Cultural Center (53 mi) and Rowan Oak (61 mi).

When is the best time to visit Sun Studio?

The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)