More Than Elvis’s Birthplace: Where to Play, Eat, and Stay in Tupelo, MS

A little over a 1.5-hour drive from Memphis, Tennessee, is the delightful town of Tupelo, Mississippi. Not just the birthplace of Elvis Presley — although that is a point of pride and a highlight of the visitor experience — this is a place where culture, history, and hospitality intertwine, whether you’re hunting for treasure in an antique market or savoring a perfectly grilled smash burger.

Tupelo has an unassuming warmth and a sense that every corner tells a story amid the leafy avenues and charming storefronts. Whether you’re coming to celebrate the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll or to get away from the big city for a few days, Tupelo is ready to welcome visitors and say “thank you, thank you very much” for stopping by.

Things to do in Tupelo

Walk in the King’s footsteps

No trip to Tuelo is complete without visiting the birthplace of the King himself: the Elvis Presley Birthplace. Towering trees shade the humble, white-painted home, and while the house looks decently sized, stepping inside reveals just how small this two-room abode really is, containing a single bedroom and a modest kitchen area. An immersive exhibit held within Elvis’s local church tells the story of his first introduction to music. You’re encouraged to sing along with classics of the past as you witness firsthand a young boy’s musical journey.

Complete with a delicately curated museum featuring clothing and items that the King touched, the Elvis Presley Birthplace also has a perfect gift shop offering clocks, shirts, and even rubber ducks. The site at large allows you to feel the pulse of Tupelo during his formative years.

A short drive away, you can enjoy the Tupelo Hardware Company. “X” literally marks the spot where 11-year-old Elvis purchased his first guitar, a decision that would alter the course of American music history.

Elvis Presley Birthplace: 306 Elvis Presley Dr, Tupelo, MS 38801
Tupelo Hardware Company: 114 West Main Street Tupelo, Mississippi 38804

Spend your morning downtown and your afternoon outdoors

A stroll through downtown Tupelo is the perfect small-town activity for a morning at leisure. You’ll find boutique shops that sell modern fashions, candle shops and knick-knack stores, coffeehouses like Crave, and local bars like Downunder if you’re still exploring in the afternoon. The downtown atmosphere is lively yet unhurried, striking a balance between the busy city and the relaxed pace of Southern life.
A short drive away is the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444-mile scenic byway that stretches from Nashville to the park entry. With Tupelo serving as the main entrance to the park, the local visitor center offers interactive exhibits and maps for exploration.

Once at the parkway, you’ll see a blend of history and natural beauty with massive shady trees that allow for glimpses of wildlife along the path. Soon, the Chickasaw Heritage Center will open, offering historical accounts of the daily life and traditions of the Chickasaw Nation, adding to the region’s rich layers of historical context.

Crave: 108 E Main St, Tupelo, MS 38804
DownUnder: 216A W Main St, Tupelo, MI 38804
Natchez Trace Parkway: 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway Tupelo, MS 38804

Dive into the local art and antiques

Far beyond its musical heritage, Tupelo’s charm lies in the hands of its locals. The Caron Gallery allows visitors to engage with local artists, featuring ceramics and paintings that range from abstract to traditional and modern landscapes. You can feel a connection to the town as you explore the creativity that thrives here, where artists share demonstrations on color theory and discuss what inspires them to create beautiful works of art.

Later, if you’re into the antiquing game, Relics Antique Marketplace is the place to spend an afternoon. Spread over two floors, Relics features walls of uranium glass, haunted dolls, and vintage glassware for you to consider adding to your collections. Lose yourself in history as you wander this massive maze of the past.

The Caron Gallery: 126 W Main St, Tupelo, MS 38804
Relics Antique Marketplace: 248 S Green St, Tupelo, MS 38804

Where to eat and drink in Tupelo

Breakfast and coffee

Connie’s Chicken, a short drive from downtown, brings a comforting introduction to Southern cuisine. Buttery biscuits — topped with eggs, jam, or chicken and gravy — surrounded by vintage decor make this a welcome home away from home to start your day.

Lovers of the coffee bean will appreciate Crave and Strange Brew Coffeehouse, two standout small businesses that connect over a friendly atmosphere. Crave serves strong roasts that feature classics, such as Guatemalan blends, as well as fun takes like the Roxanne, a medium roast named after Lisa “Roxanne” Richardson, an advocate for The WellHouse emergency shelter. The interior is filled with photographable areas, ensuring you can capture that perfect shot for Instagram.

Strange Brew Coffeehouse is where the locals go. With beans from all over the world, and some beans roasted right in Mississippi, Strange Brew has all the coffee classics, as well as unique creations like the Sea Turtle Frappe or the Albino Squirrel. With free WiFi and a drive-thru, this is a great choice whether you’re on the go or looking to start the day slowly.

Connie’s Chicken: 821 S Gloster St, Tupelo, MS 38801
Crave: 108 E Main St, Tupelo, MS 38804
Strange Brew Coffeehouse: 220 N Gloster St, Tupelo, MS 38804

Lunch and dinner

If you’re just starting on your Elvis journey, then the ever-nostalgic Johnny’s Drive-In is a must. Enjoy burgers, shakes, and potato salad as you sit in Elvis’s favorite booth. Fast and friendly service at this cash-only diner will make you kick your blue suede shoes with joy.

Barbecue fans can rejoice in the Neon Pig, with its award-winning smash burgers, sandwiches, and crispy fries. The sizzle of the grill and the smell of smoked meats are sure to draw you inside, where you can enjoy a flight of beer and a butcher board, with meats cured on-site at this self-proclaimed “old-school butcher shop.”

Dinner is pure elegance when you dine at Park Heights, located right on Main Street across from the Tupelo Fairpark. From steaks to pasta and delightful bowls of She-Crab Soup, you’ll be delighted by wonderful flavors that dance on your palate.

For something more refined, Namaste is hands down the best Indian food you’ll find in the state: coconut curry, creamy butter chicken, and vegetarian delights like dal tadka (lentil stew) and aloo gobi (spiced potatoes and cauliflower). Classic butter naan, garlic naan, and the restaurant’s savory rosemary cheese naan are perfect for dipping.

Johnny’s Drive-In: 908 E Main St, Tupelo, MS 38804
Neon Pig: 1203 N Gloster St f, Tupelo, MS 38804
Park Heights: 335 E Main St, Tupelo, MS 38804
Namaste: 3061 Tupelo Commons Dr., Tupelo, MS 38804

Where to stay in Tupelo:
Hotel Tupelo

Hotel Tupelo, a boutique hotel offering all the modern amenities, is situated in the heart of downtown and combines comfort and style. Plush beds with crisp linens are delicious for diving into after a day of exploring. With Tupelo falling asleep all around you, big city noise feels like a thing of the past.

Jobo’s, the hotel’s in-house restaurant, is a sure thing whether you’re craving something light and healthy like fresh grilled fish or indulgent like a massive hamburger steak. Jobo’s is also proudly featured on the Tupelo Cocktail Trail. Its signature drink, the Daisy — a refreshing mix of Luna Azul Tequila, Triple Sec, and freshly squeezed citrus juice — is the best way to kick off your evening before diving into more of Tupelo’s adventurous spirit.

Hotel Tupelo: 3061 Tupelo Commons Dr., Tupelo, MS 38804

Getting to and around Tupelo

The closest airport is Tupelo Regional Airport (TUP), which offers daily connections through major hubs. For more flight options, Memphis International Airport (MEM) is about 90 miles northwest, and Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is roughly two hours southeast by car. Tupelo also sits along US Highway 45 and the Natchez Trace Parkway, making it an easy drive from nearby cities like Memphis, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; and Jackson, Mississippi.

Once you’ve arrived, getting around Tupelo is straightforward. The city is compact and car-friendly, with plenty of free parking downtown and near popular attractions. Rideshares like Uber and Lyft operate locally, and several hotels provide shuttle services. While public transportation is limited, downtown Tupelo is pleasantly walkable, and bike enthusiasts can enjoy the city’s growing network of trails and the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway for longer rides.