Why Tupelo is a must for the weekend road tripper—11+ reasons to go now

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For a truly one-of-a-kind music experience that draws people from around the world, we in Huntsville need only make an easy, 2.5-hour drive down to Tupelo, Mississippi.

It’s a place that fits the description “small town, big stage,” perhaps better than anywhere, starting in the 1950s, when native son Elvis Presley put Tupelo on the map as he rose to fame as an international superstar.

But does Tupelo have a modern live music scene now? Oh yes. You’ll find live music around town almost every day of the week and places that have attracted household names, including Alabama Shakes, Gary Clark Jr., Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Sturgill Simpson, Diplo, Mikky Ekko and Rae Sremmurd.

You’ll also be delighted with the many other ways you can tune into the city through food and festivals, too.

Read on to learn more and make a plan to go!

Over 200 restaurants + 16 live music venues

Although the city’s population today is about 38,000 people, they’re all spoiled for choice when it comes to good food and music, with over 200 restaurants and 16 live music venues. In true Southern tradition, there’s plenty to share—head on over and pull up a chair.

Some tasty pairings with tunes include:

• Acoustic sets, international pub grub + arcade games at Downunder
• Great live music on the patio at Romie’s Grocery, a longtime, Southern-style meat-and-three
• Laid-back sets over brunch at Tupelo’s locally-owned Brick and Spoon
• Singo music bingo nights at Queen’s Reward Meadery, the only meadery in the world where mead is made with 100% Mississippi honey.

The little place big names love to play

Standout venues like Blue Canoe host national and international talent across many genres on its Cathead Stage since 2011.

A few things to know when you go:

🎸 Music: Starts at 9:30PM on weekends + 7:30PM during the week
🍔 Eats: Full, casual menu with a highly rated burger + desserts
🍻Beer: Over 100 to choose from, 35 on tap

The Elvis experience in Tupelo

As you’d expect, Tupelo has many excellent attractions, notable sites and public artwork to commemorate significant places and times in Elvis’ life. Here are our tips for exploring them all:

⭐️ Start your Elvis’ Tupelo experience at the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum, where you can tour the original, two-room house in which he was born, the church he attended and a museum chronicling his life.
⭐️ Go beyond the property with the Elvis’ Tupelo Driving Tour, which will take you to 15 sites significant in his life
⭐️ Explore the many ways Tupelo commemorates Elvis by downloading the All Shook Up: Elvis Tupelo Experience digital passport, which includes 21 places, from themed eateries to public art.

Upcoming Tupelo festivals

If you’re like us, you appreciate the added energy of visiting during a lively community event. Here’s what’s coming up this spring and summer:

• Tupelo Blue Suede Cruise, April 30-May 2, brings classic cars, live music + a retro vibe outside Cadence Bank Arena.
• Tupelo Elvis Festival, June 3-6, welcomes visitors from around the world to revel in the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll’s lasting impact.
• Lee Williams Legacy Fest, July 24-26, celebrates the iconic gospel tunes of its namesake legendary musical artist.

Visit tupelo.net to plan your next vibrant getaway and imagine what you can do there!

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