If you are looking for a fun and exciting place to visit, look no further than Tupelo. This charming town has something for everyone. Tupelo, Mississippi, is a fascinating city with a unique mixture of art, history, culture, and stunning natural beauty.
From great restaurants to interesting museums, there is something for everyone. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at some of the best things to do in Tupelo. So, pack your bags and get ready for an adventure.
You will also find lots of opportunities to snap stunning photos thanks to the city’s abundance of stately monuments and vibrant street murals. Here is a comprehensive list of the greatest activities in Tupelo, Mississippi.
Visit the Elvis Presley Museum and Birthplace for a Tour
Tupelo is home to Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, whose birthplace it is. The singer’s family spent $180 on materials to construct the house. Several years after Elvis was born, the family had to relocate due to financial difficulties.
The house, which is located in Elvis Presley Park, has been transformed into a museum. The park includes a chapel, Elvis Presley’s childhood church, and several sculptures of the late singer. It is a popular tourist destination in Tupelo for the hundreds of devoted admirers who go there each year. Tupelo’s top tourist attraction, this place is visited by tens of thousands of people each year.
Check out the Oren Dunn City Museum
Tupelo, Mississippi, and the surrounding area are the focus of this museum, which is located in Ballard Park.
The museum’s permanent exhibits include a wide range of topics, including the historic Battle of Tupelo, notable agricultural and industrial accomplishments, the devastating hurricane of 1936, and Chickasaw history.
In addition, there’s a model railroad, a railway car, and other area artifacts on display. Dogtrot and Dudie Burger Festivals are held in the museum each year, in May and October, and are very popular.
Numerous events are held here throughout the year, such as toy displays, fossil shows, geology exhibits, and summer camps.
In addition to a lake, the park in which the museum is located has a playground, picnic places, and hiking routes.
Take a Look at Stunning Murals
Street paintings in Tupelo, Mississippi, are widely regarded as some of the best in the country. Tupelo’s street art is one of the city’s most popular attractions, so be sure to check it out.
Graffiti artist Ryan Christenson painted the 1950s Elvis Mural at Tupelo Elvis Festival in 2018. It’s one of the city’s greatest murals.
Another is the mural depicting a book stack. Reed’s Department Store, a well-known Tupelo family company, was the subject of a mural created in 1997 by a local artist in the city.
Another interesting sight nearby is the Buy Local Produce Mural. Local artists, students from high schools, and their art instructors collaborated to create this mural.
It has a beautiful farm with an assortment of fruits and vegetables, a beautiful garden, and a farm tractor.
Keep in mind the Coca-Cola Wall Art, Jailhouse Rock Elvis Mural, Icehouse Elvis Mural, and Chickasaw Heritage Mural.
Enjoy a Long, Scenic Drive Along Natchez Trace Parkway
Located in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, the Natchez Trace Parkway is a three-state beautiful route.
The Mississippi River, ancient mounds, gorgeous clifftop vistas, lovely streams, parks, captivating waterfalls, farms, hiking paths, an abandoned village, a reservoir viewpoint, old cemeteries, and more are all part of the area’s diverse natural beauty.
Here, you may participate in a broad variety of outdoor leisure activities such as hiking and camping. One of the most important historic routes in the United States was the Old Natchez Trace. This road follows a portion of it. Tupelo’s Parkway is a popular tourist destination. Take a leisurely trip and pause to take in the breathtaking natural beauty of the area.
Take a Look and Explore the Tupelo Veterans Museum
Veteran-owned and maintained, the museum displays artifacts of the world wars and civil wars as well as the Korean and Gulf wars as well as the Vietnam wars.
Exhibits include military uniforms, weaponry, pictures, relics, miniature fighter planes, jeeps, a letter signed by Abraham Lincoln, a fedora worn by Harry Truman, and much more.
The museum acts as a tribute to the brave men and women who dedicated their life in the service of their nation and the rest of the globe during World War II. You will get the opportunity to meet the owner, Tony Lute when you visit.
Survey the Tupelo National Battlefield
Make sure to include this on your Tupelo bucket list if you’re a history fanatic. During a two-day fight in July 1864, the Union army defeated the Confederate army at Tupelo National Battlefield, a Civil War historic site.
The Union army (led by General AJ Smith at the time) was concerned about disrupting her “march to the sea” operation in Georgia.
Tactically, they stopped supplies from being sent by railways. When you go to the site, you’ll notice graves, monuments, cannons, and a commemorative plaque. You are welcome to stop by at any time of day or night, seven days a week.
Experience a Wide Range of Wildlife at the Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo
There are many enjoyable activities in Tupelo, including a trip to the Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo. There are around 260 species in this 200-acre zoo, including multiple buffalos, the largest giraffe in the United States, camels, zebra, capuchin monkey, Burmese python, lemur, blackbuck, African grey parrots, peacocks, Arctic foxes, llamas, deer, horses, rose tarantulas, and many more.
This zoo’s unique selling point is the ability to feed and touch all of the animals on the premises. Children will like the park’s coloring competitions and parties, which are free to attend.
Experiencing a Live Show at BancorpSouth Arena
The BancorpSouth Arena is the next greatest thing to do in Tupelo, Mississippi. Tupelo’s hockey and indoor football teams used BancorpSouth Arena, which opened in 1993, as their training facility.
BancorpSouth Arena, formerly known as BancorpSouth Center and Tupelo Coliseum, is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena located in Tupelo, Mississippi.
Its name was inspired by BancorpSouth, a multi-state commercial banking firm established nearby. It’s great for a wide range of events, including art exhibits, musical concerts, comedic performances, parties, and sporting contests.
Intriguingly, Toby Keith, Goo Goo Dolls, Aerosmith, Elton John, and the Florida Georgia Line have all played here. Attend a performance in this arena and you’ll be sure to have the time of your life.
Indulge your Artistic Side at Gumtree Museum of Art
Located in Tupelo’s historic downtown, the Gumtree Museum of Art is a well-known visual arts gallery.
A variety of exhibits and collections may be found at this 1982-founded institution. In addition, high school students’ artworks are shown here many times a year.
Every year in May, Gumtree has a festival that incorporates a variety of works by local artists, music, and other live acts, as well as wonderful food booths.
At this event, you may talk to the artists while admiring their work. The festival’s mission is to honor local artists and the art they create. At this event, you may immerse yourself in the colorful local culture while also admiring outstanding pieces of art.
Walk around Main Street in Downtown Tupelo
Since a new mall was built a few miles away, Tupelo’s Downtown has become a target for other retailers looking to gain market share.
In 1990, the Mississippi Main Street and the National Main Street Center helped revitalize Tupelo’s Main Street with the help of local shop owners and municipal officials from all around the state.
The Fairpark District, once nicknamed “Tupelo’s Front Porch,” was the catalyst for Downtown’s transformation. The federal and local governments, as well as major financial institutions, are all located in Fairpark.
Throughout the year, the downtown area hosts up to 15 different special events. There are around 80,000 people that visit downtown Tupelo annually to participate in wine tastings, chili cook-off competitions, and the Tupelo Elvis Festival.
Take a Long, Beautiful Drive
In Tupelo, the Natchez Trace Parkway is one of the most popular tourist attractions. Topping Tupelo’s list of must-see attractions is the Tupelo Parkway.
Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee converge on Natchez Trace Parkway for a scenic drive. Many ancient sites, lush fields, the Mississippi River, and picturesque clifftop vistas are just a few of the area’s many attractions.
More than only beautiful waterfalls and rivers may be found in the area. There is also an abandoned village, an old cemetery, a reservoir viewpoint, and a host of other attractions.
A wide variety of outdoor activities are available, including hiking and biking, as well as camping, picnics, birdwatching, and so on.
Slave traders and soldiers all utilized this route in the past. The Old Natchez Trace is virtually exactly what this road is following.
So, take a lengthy trip and make a few pits stops to take in the region’s breathtaking natural splendor.
Enjoy Some Retail Therapy at Barnes Crossing Mall
It’s hard to beat Barnes Crossing Mall when it comes to shopping in this part of the state.
Over 12 million people come each year to enjoy the varied mix of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.
Tupelo’s shopping center is located in a prominent position in the city. The mall is owned by David Hocker & Associates, which also maintains the property.
There are more than 90 specialty retailers, five anchor tenants, and a 600-seat food court in the mall.
Major anchors of the retail center include JCPenney and Barnes & Noble as well as two Belk sites. Cinemark and Dick Sports are also present in the shopping mall.
Chickasaw Village Site Takes You Back in Time
Tupelo, Mississippi, was formerly home to the Chickasaw people. Local historians claim that in the 1700s, this region was home to several Chickasaw forts and settlements.
Signs and paintings illustrating what the neighborhood may have looked like today have been installed.
Trails for hiking and jogging are available in this area. There is a six-mile-long trail called the Blackland Prairie Trail that connects to the Parkway Visitor Center and the Old Town Overlook.
To go over a road and a stream, you’ll have to walk on the parkway at certain places. On an educational half-mile walk, you’ll be able to see plants and their use by the American Indians. Trails for hiking and horseback riding may be combined into a loop.
Trace State Park is a must-see for Nature Lovers
Recreational activities at Trace State Park in Tupelo include disc golf, hiking, picnics, and water activities.
It is situated about seven miles west of Tupelo and seven miles east of Pontotoc on Mississippi Highway 6. The 565-acre Trace Lake State Park is named after the neighboring Natchez Trace path, which runs through the park.
The park is home to a vast tranquil lake, a golf course, deep woodlands, picnic spaces, playgrounds, campsites, and invigorating hiking routes, amongst other attractions.
Visitors to the lake may enjoy fishing and water-skiing if they so want. If you’re looking to go out into nature, this is a great spot to do so while still being near the city.
Because Trace State Park is a popular tourist destination, making a reservation in advance is highly recommended.
Make the Most of Your Time at Paradox Games and Escape Rooms
Paradox Games and Escape Rooms provide a break from the drudgery and monotony of everyday life.
Bring your family and friends along to solve brain puzzles and uncover mysteries in search of hidden riches.
Take on the role of a super-spy or spend the day as a guest of Harry Houdini in one of Paradox’s immersive adventure games.
They provide fun activities for people of all ages, so you’re sure to have a great day. For example, they have the Houdini task and the Office of Secret Agent 22 task. It’s best to book ahead of time since this is a popular tourist destination.
Conclusion
We’ve already had a wonderful time together. To sum it up, Tupelo has it all: intriguing museums, thrilling parks, and historical landmarks, as well as stunning murals and sophisticated restaurants.
In addition to these, there is a wide range of other outdoor activities to choose from, such as hiking, fishing, skiing, water disc golf, and camping.