Digital · Jul 10, 2024

Tupelo: Your Next Epic Road Trip Destination

Photos by @timelessframez, @newtakeonlife & @baysherm

Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, with family, or with friends, Tupelo, Mississippi is an excellent escape. A small town with big city amenities, the city where anything is possible boasts three distinct shopping districts, more than 200 restaurants, unparalleled attractions, and extraordinary things to do. Tupelo is easily accessible on Interstate 22, U.S. Highway 45, and via the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway making your next epic excursion just a road trip away.

Tupelo is home to three distinct shopping districts that offer everything from boutiques to antiques throughout the city. Downtown Tupelo has local gift shops, specialty stores, and art galleries. Visit Reed’s, a 119-year-old department store on Main Street in Downtown Tupelo. The Midtown District houses trendy shops, home furnishings, a florist, and more. Check out the Barnes Crossing District for national brands. Here you can visit Midnite Pottery, a local pottery shop and artist collective to find that special Tupelo souvenir.

The power of possibility is yours when it comes to dining in Tupelo. For something on the healthy side, try PoPsy on the courthouse square. Their local, fresh, and delicious menu boasts smoothies, smoothie bowls, and juices. They also offer a selection of toasts topped with everything from avocado and eggs, to feta cheese, tomato, and almond butter. Visit Charcutie in the Jackson West neighborhood, a charcuterie kitchen and marketplace. Their summer lunch menu includes hot honey chicken salad, chopped Italian salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, and of course, their famous charcuterie. They offer monthly special events, charcuterie classes, custom boards, and grab-and-go selections of their best sellers. Enjoy one of the country’s best burgers at Neon Pig Café, an old-school butcher shop and sandwich shop, with a side of their infamous parmesan fries.

Get outside and enjoy delicious craft cocktails by exploring Tupelo’s Cocktail Trail. Visit tupelo.net/cocktail trail/ to download your digital passport or pick up a passport at one of the seven Downtown Tupelo participating locations. Enjoy delicious, local artisan cocktails at each restaurant, and once you've completed all seven stops on the Cocktail Trail, visit the Tupelo Visitors Center for a free #MyTupelo cocktail shaker.

Speaking of the outdoors, the city has trails for every enthusiast. Check out the Music Bend Nature Trail, which is also a certified Mississippi Arboretum that includes 42 distinct tree species labeled along the trail. Explore the Elvis’ Tupelo Self-Guided Bicycle Tour that takes you to 14 places that were an important part of Elvis’ childhood in Tupelo. Delve into Tupelo’s rich history through its Heritage Trails. Discover the Chickasaw Native American Heritage Trail, Civil Rights & African American Heritage Trail, and the Civil War Trail.

The Birthplace of Elvis Presley, a visit to Tupelo must include a stop at the tiny home in east Tupelo. Tour the home where he was born, a museum that chronicles his life, and the church he attended where he was deeply influenced by gospel music. With many other free exhibits on the grounds of the Birthplace, spend several hours walking in the footsteps of Tupelo’s favorite native son.

Tupelo features something to suit every taste. Visit tupelo.net to explore pre-planned itineraries or create your custom Tupelo itinerary on the site. With so much to enjoy this summer, imagine what you can do here!