Sun Studios and the Gibson factory are not within walking distance of each other. I'd guess it's probably about 40 blocks from one to the other.
There is a parking structure (don't remember what it costs) across the street from the Gibson factory. In addition, there is also the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum (http://www.memphisrocknsoul.org/) on the ground floor of that parking structure... worth a visit as long as you're in the neighborhood.
Parking is not real good around Sun Studios... it's on-street parking and it can be challenging to get a spot but it's a great place to visit and breathe in some real rock and roll history.
Another museum related to music is the Stax Museum of American Soul Music (http://staxmuseum.com/museum/)… well worth the visit also.
It's been about 20 years since I visited Graceland (http://www.graceland.com/) but I think there's an abundance of paid parking and I'd guess there's plenty of handicap access. There are tours of the mansion as well as other interesting museum exhibits across the street. I'm guessing it's not cheap but that's a once in a lifetime thing that those of us of a certain age just have to do.
Another thing to do is go hang out on Beale Street any evening. There's no traffic at all on the street and there are typically thousands of folks hanging out and having a great time listening to live music and consuming adult beverages. I went to Memphis about two years ago and recall that I was a bit disappointed at BB King's club. The food was good and the live band was good but what disappointed me was that their set list was typical cover-band selections. In the three sets they played while we were there, they only played two songs that could be classified as "blues". I had expected the live performances at that club to have been dominated by blues music.
I'd say it would be worth while booking a hotel in the Beale Street area for two nights to give you enough time to take in the things that you'd enjoy.
Best Regards,
Mike
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Mike Starr, Writer
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On 7/25/2015 11:17 AM, 'Queen of Comps' queenofcomps@cox.net [vpFREE] wrote:
Brad and I (plus my daughter Angela, the Frugal Princess, and her hubby) will be there August 5-8, so we are interested in helpful details about area sightseeing plus any VP info beyond what is in vpFREE2.
I have some specific questions about sightseeing: How far apart is Sun Studios and the Gibson Guitar Factory, walking or driving distance, and what is the availability of parking in that area. Also what is the parking situation at Graceland. Brad is not able to walk long distances any more so we are looking for handicap parking availability.