Field Guide: Mississippi Delta
Where to eat like a local, feel the soul of the blues, and stay the night in "the most Southern place on earth."
Known as the “Cradle of American Culture,” the Mississippi Delta may be best known as the birthplace of the blues, but there’s much more to this eclectic area than just its ubiquitous musical legacy. The Delta is a celebration of the vivacious musical communities and the artists who inhabit them; the fertile farm lands; and the immense cultural, historic, and artistic impact that the Delta has had on the state and around the world. Much like the mighty Mississippi River that flows through it, this eighteen-county region has a creative pulse running through it that’s as vibrant as its homegrown, internationally recognized blues heritage.
Today, the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area is the only area in the United States to receive an additional “National Treasure” designation from Congress and the National Park Service for its irreplaceable contributions to the American story and much-needed preservation efforts to ensure its existence for future generations. Here you will find a plethora of interactive museums and galleries to learn about the fascinating and complex Delta history.
Cleveland has made a name for itself as the Delta’s top purveyor of all-things artistic. As one of the South’s most charming college towns (home to Delta State University), the city punches above its weight in terms of cultural, social and educational opportunities for its residents. The halfway point on Highway 61 between Memphis and Vicksburg, Cleveland came to life during the late nineteenth century, when the railway helped transform it into a commercial center amid the Delta’s cane thickets and alluvial floodplains-turned- cotton fields.
Immerse yourself in creativity, community, and true Southern hospitality in Clarksdale.
Greenwood has its own distinct personality within the Mississippi Delta landscape. In this thriving yet humble town surrounded by miles of flatlands.
Greenville’s location along the Mississippi River has made it an attractive spot for generations. First inhabited by Native Americans, Greenville’s indigenous history still runs deeply through its veins. Be sure to check out the Museum of the Mississippi Delta to learn more about the Delta’s first inhabitants, agriculture, and art. Experience the great outdoors on the banks of the river or take a hike through forty-five acres of forest habitat at the Yazoo River Trail and Arboretum.
Small-town Indianola has a pretty gigantic claim to fame—B.B. King. Arguably one of the world’s most well-known and critically-acclaimed bluesmen, the “King of the Blues” was raised in Indianola.
Sponsored by Visit Mississippi