Head for the Hills
72 hours traipsing around Tupelo and Corinth
Day 1: Corinth
What to See and Do: Located in the northeast corner of the state, Corinth has been dubbed “Mississippi’s Gateway City,” and harbors a lot of history. At the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center, exhibits depict the city’s role in the War Between the States. Make a stop at the Verandah-Curlee House (c.1857), which served as military headquarters during the Civil War. Located within a historic train depot, the Crossroads Museum presents artifacts from the Civil War, when Corinth was known as the “Crossroads of the South” for its strategic railways. The Black History Museum of Corinth preserves local African American heritage with emphasis on education and religion. What’s old is new again in the revitalized SoCo District, packed with local shops including clothing and gifts.
Where to Eat (and Wander): V Taco is a casual taco shop and margarita bar with a rooftop deck. In downtown Corinth, Smith offers an upscale dining experience, plus grab-and-go selections. Recently opened by the folks behind Corinth favorite Vicari Italian Grill, Conservatory by Vicari serves lunch with an all-afternoon gelato bar, plus wine and small plates in the evening. A beautiful rooftop patio complements the third floor dining room.
Where to Stay: Step back in time at The Oakley House, a beautiful log cabin near Tishomingo State Park that sleeps four comfortably. Located in nearby Olive Branch on five wooded acres, Andover Plantation Bed & Breakfast is an English manor inn offering elegant accommodations that combine the spirit of days gone by with modern creature comforts.
Day 2: Tupelo
What to See and Do: Start your Tupelo visit at the can’t-miss-it Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum. The museum encompasses the modest home built by Elvis’s father, a statue of Elvis at thirteen, a memorial chapel, a walk of life, fountain of life, and the Assembly of God Church that Elvis attended as a child. Next, stop by Tupelo Hardware Company, where Gladys Presley bought her son, Elvis, his first guitar as a tenth birthday gift. A Tupelo icon, this family-owned store is still in operation today. Continue tracing the legacy of the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” on the self-guided Elvis Presley Driving Tour, which reveals fourteen sites significant in the musician’s life.
Where to Eat (and Wander): Serving Mediterranean fare with an Italian influence, Amsterdam Deli & Grill is a must-visit Tupelo dining destination and a hotspot for live music. Café 212 is a local hotspot serving gourmet sandwiches, homemade soups, and salads. Clay’s House of Pig (CHOP) specializes in delicious ribs, “sammiches” and BBQ nachos made with homemade rubs and sauces. What makes CHOP’s barbecue extra special (and delicious) is its smoking process: every cut of meat is smoked with hickory, charcoal, and pecan on a smoker hand-built by Clay’s father.
Where to Stay: The Courtyard by Marriott, the Hilton Garden Inn, and Best Western Plus Inn & Suites are all tried-and-true options here.
Day 3: Tupelo
What to See and Do: Get to grips with the local art scene by following the Off The Wall Mural Project throughout town, and by visiting the Caron Gallery, which hosts workshops and demos by Mississippi artists. The Gumtree Museum of Art, housed in a 1900s bank, also offers a thorough overview of Tupelo talent. Get a taste of sunshine at the first meadery in the state, Queen’s Reward Meadery, which makes mead from Mississippi honey.
Where to Eat (and Wander): Head to Forklift Restaurant for farm-to-table Southern cuisine and handmade craft cocktails. Located in the oldest gas station in Lee County, King Chicken Fillin’ Station serves all kinds of chicken so you can “eat like a king,” as the sign and mural suggest.
Where to Stay: