Weekend Guide to the Mississippi Delta

The Mississippi Delta makes for a great weekend getaway. Named for the floodplains between the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, the region is where American music was born from the songs of sharecroppers.

This post contains affiliate links.

Today, there are blue markers on Highway 61 that denote significant music history. Rent a car in Memphis, preferably something classic like a pink Cadillac, and drive south, stopping at the area’s famous juke joints and hot tamale stands. If you don’t want to rent a car, you can also book a Mississippi Delta day trip from Memphis.

Each town has its own attraction, but some have more traditional “things to do” than others. I’ve also included places to eat and stay where applicable, focusing on the area’s musical ties. Smaller towns like Rolling Fork and Belzoni haven’t been included, but are worth exploring.

The Mississippi Delta begins in the lobby of The Peabody Hotel in Memphis and ends on Catfish Row in Vicksburg.

– David Cohn, Where I Was Born and Raised

Memphis

Memphis is actually located in Tennessee, but it’s on the border with Mississippi and Arkansas and has played an important role in both blues and American history.

What to Do in Memphis

As the quote above suggests, visit Peabody Hotel to see the lobby where Elvis signed his first recording contract and where the Peabody Ducks make their daily march to and from the lobby fountain.

Music lovers should pay tribute to The King at Graceland and his contemporaries like Otis Redding at the Stax Museum. Sun Studio is open for tours and is where greats like Johnny Cash recorded.

Visit the music venues of Beale Street and see where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated at the National Civil Rights Museum. Learn about other important music landmarks on the Mojo Music History 90-Minute Bus Tour.

Where to Eat in Memphis

Memphis is known for its dry-rub barbecue and there’s no shortage of places to try them. Charlie Vergos Rendezvous is one of the more famous establishments, but so are Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Q and Corky’s Ribs & BBQ, both located outside of Memphis proper. Central BBQ is another great option and a local favorite.

The Beauty Shop is Priscilla Presley’s former beauty shop with dishes like pork chops with pickled peaches and bacon-wrapped steak frites. 

Hog & Hominy combines flavors from the South and Italy. They serve wood-fired pizzas as well as pasta dishes like biscuit gnocchi and their own take on Canadian poutine.

Where to Stay in Memphis

Perhaps no hotel is as well known in Memphis as the Peabody Hotel and for good reason. It was one of the first in the city and remains one of the crown jewels of the South.

The Hu Hotel is a trendy downtown boutique hotel, while the Guest House at Graceland is right across from the home of the King. Arrive Memphis and Central Station Hotel are two boutique hotels.

Tunica

Tunica was named for a Native American tribe, which lived in this area. Until the 1990s, it was the poorest part of the nation but the rise of the gaming industry changed it all. But there’s much more to see and do than the inside of the casinos.

What to Do in Tunica

Start your journey at the Gateway to the Blues Museum, located in a historic train depot. It provides visitors with the history of the blues and its impact on the region. Enjoy interactive displays that let you create your own blues song and exhibits featuring famous musicians’ instruments. 

Tunica County River Park has miles of walking trails along the Mississippi and also has its own museum devoted to the wildlife of the area. 

Tunica Museum covers the county’s rise from Native American settlement to the present. Exhibits feature artifacts like dugout canoes and mementos from now-closed casinos.

Where to Eat in Tunica

Blue & White Restaurant is an old gas station that serves up doughnuts the size of your head along with Southern favorites like biscuits and gravy.

 The Hollywood Cafe was mentioned in both John Grisham’s A Time to Kill and Mark Cohn’s “Walking in Memphis.” It also claims to be the original home of the fried dill pickle.

Jack Binion’s is one of many restaurants within the Horseshoe Casino, featuring the brand’s classic steakhouse fare with stylish red interior design.

Where to Stay in Tunica

Tunica’s casinos have some five-star hotels attached to them, so no need to worry about finding a great place to stay. GoldStrike Casino Resort is a part of the MGM family and has top-notch service and amenities.

Also nearby are the Sam’s Town Tunica and Horseshoe Tunica Casino and Hotel as well as other budget-friendly casinos and chain hotels. Hollywood Casino also has an RV park.

Clarksdale

Clarksdale was originally a Choctaw and Chickasaw settlement. Today it is known as “ground zero for the blues” and has some of the most well-known juke joints in the region. Visit during one of the festivals for the full experience.

What to Do in Clarksdale

Visit the Delta Blues Museum to learn about the town’s blues history and see exhibits on important artists from the area. One of the most impressive items on display is the cabin where Muddy Waters lived on Stovall Plantation.

Ground Zero Blues Club is owned in part by actor Morgan Freeman. This legendary club is covered in graffiti from visitors and has some of the best Delta tamales you’ll find on the trail.

Quapaw Canoe Company navigates the Mighty Mississippi and other nearby waterways in canoes for day or overnight trips. They also have outposts in Vicksburg and Helena, Arkansas.

Delta Bohemian Tours brings visitors to important Blues Trail landmarks in Clarksdale and beyond, hosted by a resident of the area in a Jeep.

Where to Eat in Clarksdale

The must-eat dish is Delta hot tamales, so be sure to stop by Ground Zero or Abe’s BBQ. Hick’s Famous Hot Tamales is another favorite outside of town for its hot tamales and catfish.

Mekari Roasting Company has locally roasted coffee and light bites. Nearby, Yazoo Pass has coffee and sandwiches with healthy options.

Hooker Grocer is another favorite, named for a blues musician and set in a former commissary. It has burgers, pasta, and weekly meat and three feasts.

Where to Stay in Clarksdale

Clarksdale has lots of funky places to stay for music lovers and visitors. Shack Up Inn is perhaps the most beloved, made up of restored sharecropper flats. It has its own restaurant and music venue.

Delta Bohemian Guesthouse is a funky inn where each room has a different design. Chateau Debris is another eclectic option in the area with themed rooms, an onsite art gallery, a full kitchen, and a cozy front porch.

Travelers Hotel is set in a historic building with stylish rooms, Malin + Goetz toiletries, a bar, and daily coffee. Auberge Hostel is the first hostel in Mississippi, with a second location in New Orleans.

Blues Hound Flat, The Hooker Hotel, and The Squeeze Box are self-serviced apartments above the main street in Clarksdale. The Lofts at the Five & Dime and the Sunflower Lofts are residential-style apartments for rent.

Greenwood

Greenwood is a small town that was the site of a number of protests during the Civil Rights Movement and where B.B. King performed his first live broadcast. It has since served as a backdrop for movies like The Help and is home to Viking ranges.

What to Do in Greenwood

Viking Cooking School is one of the top things to do in the town where the stovetop company is based. The classes book up weeks in advance. The Museum of the Mississippi Delta, providing information on the region’s ecosystem and history.

Detour to the north to the town of Money see the historic maker at Bryant’s Grocery, where Emmett Till was accused of whistling at a white woman. Just down the street is blues legend Robert Johnson’s grave.

Where to Eat in Greenwood

Lusco’s is an old-school Italian eatery with private curtained booths that previously had a speakeasy. Giardina’s Restaurant at The Alluvian has also been open since the 1930s and has steaks and pasta.

Crystal Grill is another classic for its heaping steaks and sides. Named after the chef’s grandparents, Fan and Johnny’s crafts regional favorites like fried catfish and duck ravioli.

Where to Stay in Greenwood

The Alluvian is the boutique hotel created by the Viking team, with its own spa, yoga studio, and restaurant. There are 45 rooms and suites with plush linens and local artwork. There are also chain hotels in Greenwood like the Hampton Inn.

Tallahatchie Flats, on the other hand, is renovated shacks steeped in blues history. Each of the flats is decorated differently with rustic quilts and artwork.

Indianola

Indianola is a former Choctaw village that is now known as the home of legendary musician B.B. King. In 1891, it was home to Minnie M. Cox, the first black female postmaster in the country.

What to Do in Indianola

Perhaps the most significant stop in Indianola is the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center. It discusses the history of the late musician and the Mississippi he grew up in as well as displays featuring his instruments. There’s also an Indianola walking tour as well as Club Ebony, a famous music venue.

Where to Eat in Indianola

The Crown Restaurant is a favorite, featuring a shop as well as Southern dining. The Blue Biscuit is another crowd-pleaser, located across the street from the BB King Museum, with a more casual atmosphere.

Pea-Soup’s Lott-A-Freeze is a unique spot resembling a drive-in with a diner feel. Nola brings New Orleans flavors to the Mississippi Delta with gumbo and shrimp and grits.

Where to Stay in Indianola

The Blue Biscuit Bungalows are attached to a beloved restaurant near the center of town. The Quality Inn Indianola is close to downtown and has free breakfast.

Vicksburg

Established in 1719 by French settlers, Vicksburg was once the home of the Natchez people. After an attack on the port in the Civil War, the city was the site of the Confederate surrender to Ulysses S. Grant in 1863.

What to Do in Vicksburg

Vicksburg National Military Park pays tribute to the fallen soldiers on both sides of the Civil War, a must-see for history buffs. Included in this National Park Service-run facility is the U.S.S. Cairo Gunboat and Museum and the Vicksburg National Cemetery.

The Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum is where Coca-Cola was first bottled outside of its home state. The Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum tells of the river’s impact on the area.

The Old Court House Museum has artifacts from the Civil War. The Vicksburg Civil War Museum provides an honest look at the conflict that literally tore Vicksburg apart. A number of historic homes also offer tours throughout the year as well as scenic drives and ghost tours.

Where to Eat in Vicksburg

For more upscale dining, try 10 South, a rooftop bar, or their sister restaurant ROCA Restaurant & Bar. Goldie’s Trail Bar-B-Que has pit-style pork featured in countless publications. The Tomato Place is a roadside stand known for its BLT sandwiches.

Walnut Hills Restaurant provides an old-school experience in a historic home with famous fried chicken. Anchuca is a restaurant and inn with shrimp and grits. Locals flock to Beechwood Restaurant and Lounge for steaks and live music.

Key City Brewing is the city’s only brewery, with house-made beers, sandwiches, and wood-fired pizzas. The best spot for brunch is Relish Bistro, which has rotating specials and is open for dinner. Or grab Czech pastries from Bohemia Cafe and Bakery.

Where to Stay in Vicksburg

Duff Green Mansion is a historic home that has cozy rooms set around a courtyard. Oak Hall is a 1910 home turned inn with stylish rooms and streaming televisions.

Ameristar Casino and Resort is another favorite, offering AAA diamond-level service. There are also a number of campgrounds and RV parks in the area, including at Ameristar.

Cleveland

Named for President Grover Cleveland, Cleveland was founded in 1869. It served as an important stop on the Louisville, New Orleans & Texas Railroad.

What to Do in Cleveland

Start your trip at the Delta Center for Culture and Learning for the history of the region and an exhibit featuring life masks of dozens of blues performers.

Hazel & Jimmy Sanders Sculpture Garden is located on the campus of Delta State University and features unique art pieces. Learn about a former Red Sox player from the region at the “Boo” Ferris Baseball Museum, also on the Delta State University campus.

Dockery Farms was a cotton farm where a number of blues performers worked. The Grammy Museum honors the significance of the music of artists in the region in modern American music. Get your GRAMMY Museum Mississippi General Admission before you go.

The Martin & Sue King Railroad Museum contains a model train and artifacts from Mississippi’s railroad history. Be sure to stop by McCarty’s Pottery, a family-run artisan company in nearby Merigold.

Where to Eat in Cleveland

Delta Meat Market has been nominated for a James Beard award for its take on modern Southern fare. Bar Fontaine has rooftop views and an incredible menu of Italian favorites.

Airport Grocery is a local favorite for its fried pickles and barbecue nachos. There’s no better soul food in town than The Senator’s Place, owned by a local senator.

Where to Stay in Cleveland

Cotton House Hotel is the region’s first boutique hotel and is a part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio collection. Stylish rooms feature record players, cozy bathrobes, and top-of-the-line toiletries. Read our review.

You can also take advantage of local rentals like the colorful Right Side of the Moon Retreat or the charming studio-sized cottage near downtown.

Greenville

Greenville was home to the Natchez people before the arrival of Europeans. It was established in 1824 in honor of Nathanael Greene.

What to Do in Greenville

Birthplace of Kermit The Frog Museum in neighboring Leland is a museum devoted to Jim Henson, a native, and his most famous creation. It has one of his Kermit the Frog puppets, photos of his life, and Muppets artifacts.

The area also has its own museum to the blues, the Highway 61 Blues Museum in neighboring Leland. The Winterville Mounds date back to the early days when the Native Americans inhabited the area now known as Greenville.

Cypress Preserve is a nature preserve devoted to the majestic trees. There are 16 acres of trails, including elevated boardwalks to spot wildlife.

Where to Eat in Greenville

Doe’s Eat Place is one of the most famous restaurants in the Delta, known for its hot tamales and steaks the size of your head. Guests enter through the kitchen.

Downtown Grille is in the heart of Greenville and has a diverse menu of dishes like steaks, hot chicken, and lamb kabobs along with wine, beer, and cocktails.

Fratesi’s in Leland is a roadside gas station that has been family-owned since the 1940s. It’s a great spot to grab a breakfast sandwich or their famous olive po boy.

Where to Stay in Greenville

Harlow’s Casino Resort & Spa has deluxe rooms and suites while Tru By Hilton Greenville offers amenities like a fitness center, breakfast, and a game room.

The Lofts at 517 are set above downtown shops in a former Sears building with full kitchens and living rooms. Nearby rentals include the rustic Cabin on the Bogue along with the Bayou Road Guesthouse.

Camping is also available at Warfield Point Park, a riverfront park that offers ATV trails and disc golf courses.

Yazoo City

Known as one of the first places where blues was played, Yazoo City was first incorporated as a town, then known as Manchester , in 1830. It’s named for the river and Native American tribe.

What to Do in Yazoo City

Sam Olden Historical Museum features the history of the town and surrounding area, including displays featuring fossils, information on Casey Jones, and famous Yazoo City residents.

Blue Front Cafe in nearby Bentonia is the place to see blues music. Glenwood Cemetery is home to the final resting place, and much of the legend surrounding, the “Witch of Yazoo.”

Where to Eat in Yazoo City

Ubon’s Restaurant’s barbecue recipe has been passed down over generations and won awards. Hall of Fame Restaurant is run by Football Hall of Fame member and Yazoo resident Willie Brown.

P Reaux Cajun Mudbugs offers Cajun crawfish and other seafood. Grab your morning coffee and donuts and kolaches at Yazoo Donuts, set in a former KFC.

Where to Stay in Yazoo City

The Main Street Hotel is the only local hotel in town, spread across the upper levels of four of the downtown storefronts. They have themed rooms and balcony access.

Closer to the highway are chain hotels like the Hampton Inn and Best Western. “Paradise” is one of the few rentals, with two bedrooms, a hot tub, and a full kitchen.

There are also a number of campgrounds and RV parks in the area, including Perry Farms and Delta National Forest.

PIN IT

My trip through the Mississippi Blues Trail was organized and sponsored by Visit the Delta and Visit Mississippi. Plan your own trip to the Mississippi Blues Trail on their website.