Hit the Road: Why Tupelo, MS Should Be Your Next Summer Getaway
Pack your bags for a road trip to Tupelo, MS. This charming Southern town offers incredible local eats, a lively music scene, unique shops, and cozy boutique stays. Image: Visit Tupelo
If you’re looking for the perfect summer road trip destination, Tupelo, MS, has you covered. Whether you’re traveling solo or with a partner, family, or friends, hit the road for this unexpected getaway that blends Southern charm, culture, and comfort. With a vibrant culinary scene, live music, unique attractions, fabulous shopping, and cozy accommodations, Tupelo is easily one of our favorite spots for a summer escape.
With more than 200 restaurants, Tupelo’s dining options are sure to satisfy every craving. Start your morning with a fresh smoothie bowl or loaded toast at The Popsy Bowl. Need a cup of joe? Visit Lost + Found Coffee Company, where baristas craft dynamic roasts that keep locals and visitors coming back for more. For a true taste of the South, visit Romie’s Grocery for a traditional Southern meat-and-three.
If you’re looking for international flair, Sao Thai delivers authentic Thai cuisine packed with bold flavor. Don’t skip the city’s best burgers at The Stables Downtown Grill, located in a former livery stable. And no visit to Tupelo would be complete without a stop at Johnnie’s Drive-In, the city’s oldest restaurant, where you can sit in the famous Elvis booth.
To start planning your own foodie tour of the city, click HERE for more local favorites.
As the birthplace of the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll, it’s only fitting that Tupelo is home to 16 incredible music venues offering ample opportunities to hear great live acts. Blue Canoe is a laid-back, funky joint and Tupelo’s home for original live music.
The city’s newest spot for live music is Backline Music Hall, a 100-capacity venue perfect for enjoying music in a more intimate setting. Meanwhile, Downunder offers acoustic sets alongside craft cocktails and international pub grub, making it a fun spot to enjoy live talent in a low-key atmosphere.
Tupelo’s attractions are second to none, offering a mix of history, culture, and fun for all ages. Visit the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum to see the home where he was born, a museum that chronicles his life, and the original church where he was influenced by gospel music. For an interactive twist, explore the All Shook Up: Elvis’ Tupelo Experience passport. Simply download a pass HERE and check in at key locations to earn your free #MyTupelo pennant, which is redeemable at the Tupelo Visitors Center.
Other must-see attractions include the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo, spanning 210 acres and home to more than 260 animals. Be sure to check out the Bison tour, which brings you face-to-face with a variety of animals, including buffalo, zebras, water buffalo, and Watusi cattle.
For a truly one-of-a-kind culinary stop, make time for Queen’s Reward Meadery, Mississippi’s first and only meadery, where you can sip small-batch meads ranging from crisp and dry to rich and sweet. With monthly special events and curated experiences like cheese and mead parings, Queen’s Reward Meadery is the perfect place to raise a glass during your road trip. (SB Tip: Don’t miss their deliciously decadent frozen mead slushies!)
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to love in Tupelo, as well. The Natchez Trace Parkway, headquartered in Tupelo, is a 444-mile scenic byway and one of the most visited national parks in the country. Explore the hiking trails around the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center at milepost 266 or the Chickasaw Village Site at milepost 261.8, the future home of the Chickasaw Heritage Center.
In addition to the Parkway, Tupelo features several recreational parks. Ballard Park is perfect for families, solo travelers, or anyone looking to unwind outdoors, with multiple playgrounds, a walking track, a picturesque lake, and ample green space. Veterans Memorial Park is a beautiful lakefront park, featuring an aquatic center, disc golf course, splash pad, walking trails, and the Vietnam Veterans Replica Wall Memorial.
History continues to come alive through Tupelo’s Heritage Trails Enrichment Program. These trails preserve Tupelo’s deep history through the interpretation of major sites along the Chickasaw Heritage Trail, the Civil War Trail, and the Civil Rights and African American Heritage Trail. Each one explores specific people, places, and events that shaped Tupelo’s story, offering visitors a deeper understanding of its rich cultural heritage.
After soaking in the local history, spend your afternoon exploring Tupelo’s vibrant present across three distinct shopping districts. The Downtown District includes local boutiques like the Caron Gallery, where shoppers can peruse and purchase artwork by Mississippi artisans. For antique lovers, Relics Antique Marketplace offers two floors with more than 117 booths filled with antiques, collectibles, and repurposed items.
The Midtown District boasts charming gift shops, a florist, and home furnishings, perfect for picking up a keepsake. Meanwhile, the Barnes Crossing District is Tupelo’s home for popular national brands and restaurants.
If relaxation is on your itinerary, treat yourself to a facial, massage, or salt glow at Creative Touch Salon & Spa. Then, pop in for a pilates, yoga, or barre class at Haven Studio, or relax with one of their tailored esthetics services.
For a laidback afternoon or evening, head to Spring Street Cigar Bar, Tupelo’s only premium cigar shop. Tucked into a downtown building across from the historic courthouse, it offers a welcoming space to enjoy a fine cigar and relax with a balcony view of Downtown Tupelo.
When it’s time to rest, Tupelo has more than 2,200 hotel rooms, ensuring a comfortable stay. Newer properties like the Home2 Suites and Tru by Hilton, near the Barnes Crossing District, offer easy access to the city’s attractions, shopping, and delicious restaurants. Hotel Tupelo, a boutique hotel, is located in the heart of Downtown and features 79 rooms, two suites, and local touches that make it a unique lodging experience. Click HERE to explore all of Tupelo’s accommodations.
Start planning your summer travel to Tupelo today with a visit to tupelo.net. Imagine what you can do here!
This article is sponsored by Visit Tupelo.
Brianna Goebel
Brianna is StyleBlueprint’s Associate Editor and Sponsored Content Manager. She is an avid fan of iced coffee and spends her free time reading romance novels.