Mississippi is reputed to be a state for “all those who are wanderers at heart”, so why not wander and explore the Magnolia state with a road trip? From discovering the life of the King of Rock & Roll to hitting a stop on the Mississippi Blues Trail to sipping a beer at one of the best beer bars in America, Mississippi will enthrall and surprise you every stop on the way.
“And when you smile the world is brighter, you touch my hand and I’m a king,” are famous lyrics sang by the legendary Elvis Presley, which is why the first stop on your Mississippi road trip is Tupelo, Mississippi. Elvis fans rejoice because this is the birthplace of the King of Rock & Roll. Visit the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum which attracts more than 50,000 annual visitors per year and hear about Elvis’ origin story and life in Tupelo, Mississippi. Tour Tupelo to see Elvis everywhere. Take photos with the “Elvis Homecoming Statue”, discover the 25 Elvis-themed guitars around town on the Elvis Guitar Trail, or try imitating Elvis’ signature moves in the “Jailhouse Rock Elvis” mural in downtown Tupelo. When you’re in Tupelo, Elvis reigns supreme.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Tupelo Inn & Suites.
If you enjoy seeing plays come to life and listening to blues, jazz, and soul music, then you’ll enjoy your second stop in Columbus, Mississippi. Start off your Columbus, Mississippi tour at the Tennessee Williams House Museum & Welcome Center, the first home and literary landmark of the renowned Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Tennessee Williams, whose plays Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof are immortalized today. Afterwards, head over to “Catfish Alley”, a stop on the Mississippi Blues Trail for its Northern Mississippi influence on blues, jazz, and soul music in the 19th and 20th centuries. Blues artists like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Little Richard all crafted tunes and performed in this hub and epicenter of music – Columbus, Mississippi.
Book your stay at Best Western Executive Suites.
Drive through 10,000 years of history on the Natchez Trace Parkway with a stop in Canton, Mississippi. The Natchez Trace Parkway traverses three states, including Mississippi, and is a 444-mile road scenic road. Though you’ll only experience a small part of the Natchez Trace Parkway with this road trip, it is impressive nonetheless. The National Parks Service reports, “It follows the ‘Old Natchez Trace’ a historic travel corridor used by American Indians, ‘Kaintucks,’ European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and presidents.” While in Canton, Mississippi, visit the Cypress Swamp, milepost 122.0 on the Natchez Trace Parkway, where you’ll be surrounded by water tupelo and cypress trees growing deep in the swamp waters.
Book your stay at Best Western Canton Inn.
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, nicknamed “Hub City” because of all the railroad crossings that used to go through it, is still a hub today. Check out the craft beer scene in Hattiesburg, starting with Southern Prohibition (SoPro) – proudly brewed in downtown Hattiesburg. You can catch the brewing process with a behind the scenes brewery tour and tasting. Order a Suzy B blonde ale or Crowd Control imperial IPA to taste local flavors and year-round classics. Then head over to Mahogany Bar, named Top 100 Beer Bars in America and selected as Best Beer Bar in Mississippi by Thrillist. With over 145 beers in house, including all 9 Mississippi breweries, you can’t go wrong with a brew here.
Book your stay at Best Western Premier University Inn.
Located on the Gulf Shore, the small beach town of Gulfport, Mississippi is your last stop on your Mississippi road trip. Celebrate with a cruise with Ship Island Excursions, who have been welcoming visitors aboard their ships for nearly 100 years. Take a trip to Ship Island, located 11 miles off the coast of the Mississippi in the Gulf of Mexico, it is one of the last undeveloped barrier islands and part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. With unmatched, beautiful, emerald waters for swimming and shelling, spot dolphins on your way and enjoy your final destination of Gulpfort, Mississippi in pleasant relaxation.
Book your stay at Best Western Seaway Inn.
