In Tupelo, the legendary echoes of the "King of Rock ‘N’ Roll" meet the unparalleled beauty of the Natchez Trace Parkway. Visitors are drawn to this landmark city in Northeast Mississippi, not only to explore the humble roots of music history at the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum, but also to encounter roaming bison at the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo, or go deep into local heritage at the Oren Dunn City Museum. From vibrant downtown art galleries to scenic forest trails, Tupelo offers a soulful blend of culture and adventure, for those who know where to look.
• One of the best-known landmarks in the Americana Music Triangle, the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum centers around the modest-two-room house in which the "King of Rock ‘N' Roll" was born on January 8, 1935. From this humble beginning, Elvis Presley went on to become the world's most popular entertainer. The house, which Elvis’ father built with $180, is a Mississippi landmark that draws more than 100,000 visitors each year, and is the centerpiece of a park that also includes a museum chronicling Elvis’ life and displaying many of his stage outfits, Elvis' childhood church, and more.
• Spanning 210 acres, the Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo is among the largest zoos in Mississippi and home to over 260 animals. Visitors can take a drive-through safari to feed bison, zebras, and camels from their own vehicles. The park also features a walk-through zoo with exotic species like lemurs and giraffes, a petting zoo, and a playground.
• Housed in a charmingly converted 1937 dairy barn within Ballard Park, the Oren Dunn City Museum delivers a beautifully presented introduction to Tupelo’s diverse heritage. The museum’s eclectic exhibits guide visitors through a timeline that spans from prehistoric fossils and Chickasaw cultural history to the devastating 1936 tornado and the city's rise as a regional hub.
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• The fourth most visited national park in the country, the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway is a superbly preserved historic corridor that runs all the way from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee. Situated at Milepost 266 in Tupelo, the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center serves as the scenic parkway’s headquarters and an introduction to the route’s centuries of history. Stop by the center to explore interpretive exhibits and a 16-minute orientation film. From there, outdoor enthusiasts should not miss the Blackland Prairie Trail, a scenic six-mile segment of the National Scenic Trail popular with hikers. Or bring your bikes and cycle a section of the designated two-lane motor road, which is closed to commercial traffic. Also nearby at milepost 261.8 is the Chickasaw Village Site, a short walking trail with information about the area’s original inhabitants, their dwellings, and their interactions with native flora and fauna. Discover many more attractions along the Natchez Trace at tupelo.net/blog/seven-things-you-must-see-on-the-natchez-trace-parkway/
Springtime offers visitors to Tupelo a unique destination in which to slow down, rejuvenate, and enjoy big-city amenities in a small-town setting. Combine standout festivals, great Southern cuisine, and some of Mississippi’s most interesting “off-the-beaten-path” parks, and Tupelo truly makes a great spring or summer road trip. Plan your getaway today at tupelo.net and imagine what you can do here!
