Arts, culture, and entertainment: put them all together and you have the perfect weekend getaway. Offering opportunities to explore the Natchez Trace Parkway, various heritage trails, a curated collection of vibrant murals, and a live music scene that features 16 live music venues, Tupelo is a small city with a big cultural footprint well worth getting to know.
Scenic adventures await in Tupelo! Centuries of history await along the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway. One of the top ten most visited national parks in the country and the fourth-most visited national park service site, the Parkway is headquartered in Tupelo. Hike the Blackland Prairie section, at milepost 266 near the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center. Explore the many walking trails and get into nature while enjoying beautiful scenery.
Tupelo is the place for immersive cultural experiences, too. Explore the city’s heritage trails to learn more about the Civil War, Civil Rights & African American heritage, and the Chickasaw First Americans who called Tupelo home.
A statue of Chickasaw Chief Piominko stands in Tupelo's Fairpark.
Art is celebrated in Tupelo. The Gumtree Museum of Art introduces visitors to Tupelo's dynamic art scene. Since 1985, the museum has served as a center for visual art and offers educational opportunities. Presenting rotating exhibitions and special events throughout the year, the museum remains free and open to all. If you adore public art, set your sights on the It’s Electric: Neon Lights and Mural Sights Tour—a guided tour that visits 20 public art sites showcasing iconic neon signs, vibrant murals, and other hidden art treasures around town.
Of course, no visit to the birthplace of Elvis Presley is complete without some live music, and Tupelo’s live performance venues have you covered. The 10,000-seat Cadence Bank Arena hosts nationally known musicians in an amped-up arena setting, while Downunder is the place for enjoying acoustic sets over craft cocktails and international pub grub. Tupelo’s newest venue, Backline Music Hall, hosts touring artists from across the country alongside exceptional local and regional talent. Visit tupelo.net/events to check out live music events happening all over town.
After a big day, check in to Tupelo’s first boutique hotel, Hotel Tupelo, which welcomes guests to downtown’s historic Fairpark District with a blend of mid-century modern sophistication and authentic Southern charm. Its 79 rooms are designed with a nod to Tupelo’s unique music heritage and feature local flourishes created by Mississippi makers. Hotel Tupelo’s in-house restaurant, Jobos, boasts surf and turf dishes and acclaimed artisan cocktails, too.
Visit tupelo.net to start building your personal itinerary…and imagine what you can do here!
