Tupelo might be best known as the birthplace of Elvis Presley, but this small Mississippi town offers so much more than music history alone. With its friendly atmosphere, historic downtown, classic diners, colourful murals and the beautiful Natchez Trace Parkway running nearby, Tupelo quickly became one of the most unexpectedly charming stops on our southern USA road trip. About two hours from Memphis, Tupelo feels like stepping back into a gentler era of America. Freight trains still rumble through the middle of town, locals chat happily from porch fronts and so much of Elvis’s early world remains remarkably unchanged. It’s unpretentious and wonderfully easy to explore over a couple of days. If you’re planning a Deep South itinerary, here are the best things to do in Tupelo, Mississippi.
👩💻 About the author – Nichola is a family travel expert and has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, Lonely Planet Magazine and Wanderlust, amongst many others. She’s spent over a decade travelling the world with her children, finding the best places for you to explore too.
*AD / This post contains affiliate links & as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also have been compensated in this post either financially or with products / stays. To read more see our Disclosure Policy.
Table of Contents
1. Visit the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum – best things to do in Tupelo
No visit to Tupelo is complete without spending time at the Elvis Presley Birthplace.
This peaceful park preserves the tiny two-room shotgun house where Elvis was born on 8 January 1935. Built by his father Vernon Presley for just $180, the humble wooden home gives a fascinating insight into how modest Elvis’s beginnings really were.
The museum here tells the story of his childhood in Tupelo before the family moved to Memphis when Elvis was 13. One of the most moving parts of the site is the small Assembly of God Church, relocated here and restored, where Elvis first experienced gospel music that would later shape his sound so profoundly.
The whole site feels thoughtful and really touching, rather than overly commercialised. It’s easy to see why so many Elvis fans make the pilgrimage here.
2. Explore downtown Tupelo
Downtown Tupelo is wonderfully walkable and full of southern charm. It really felt like old school USA at its best.
We loved simply wandering the streets, admiring the murals, independent shops and historic storefronts. Unlike some music heritage towns, Tupelo still feels very much like a real working town rather than somewhere preserved purely for tourism.
One of the highlights is the Elvis Guitar Trail, with brightly decorated guitar sculptures dotted around downtown. They make a fun treasure hunt for families and a great excuse to explore different corners of the town.
Don’t miss the Elvis Homecoming Statue in Fairpark, commemorating the famous 1956 homecoming concert Elvis performed in Tupelo after becoming a global star.
3. Visit Reed’s Department Store – things to do in Tupelo
Reed’s Department Store is one of Mississippi’s oldest department stores and a lovely stop while exploring downtown.
Outside you’ll find a mural showing Elvis’s mother Gladys Presley pregnant with him at a company picnic held here. Inside, the shop still retains that old-fashioned department store atmosphere that feels increasingly rare today.
Even if you’re not shopping, it’s worth popping in for a glimpse of historic small-town Mississippi life.
4. Drive the Natchez Trace Parkway
One of the most scenic things to do in Tupelo is explore part of the Natchez Trace Parkway.
This 444-mile route stretches from Natchez all the way to Nashville and follows ancient travel corridors once used by Indigenous peoples, traders and early settlers. Tupelo is home to the parkway headquarters, making it a perfect place to experience part of this historic route.
The Tupelo section is especially beautiful, with forests, walking trails and rolling countryside. We loved stopping at the Visitor Center to learn more about the Trace’s history before driving through the peaceful landscape.
5. Discover the Chickasaw heritage of the area – things to do in Tupelo
Just outside Tupelo along the Natchez Trace Parkway is the Chickasaw Village Site.
This important historic site explores the history of the Chickasaw Nation, whose homeland once covered much of northern Mississippi. Walking trails and exhibits explain more about the culture and history of the Indigenous communities who lived here long before European settlement.
It adds an important deeper layer to understanding the region beyond the Elvis connections.
6. See the places Elvis knew as a child
One of the things we found most fascinating about Tupelo was how much of Elvis’s childhood world still exists.
You can drive past the school he attended, the cinemas he visited and the little diners and streets he would have known growing up. Unlike Memphis, where Elvis became a superstar, Tupelo tells the quieter story of his early life before fame arrived. We loved stepping into Johnnie’s Drive-in, pictured above – Elvis’s favourite childhood diner which still retains all the history and charm of that time.
That sense of authenticity is part of what makes the town feel so special.
7. Hunt down Tupelo’s murals
Tupelo has embraced public art in a really enjoyable way.
Throughout downtown you’ll find colourful murals celebrating local history, music and Mississippi culture. They make exploring the town feel vibrant and creative, while still preserving its historic atmosphere.
If you enjoy photography, this is one of the best small towns in Mississippi for wandering with a camera.
8. Eat tacos at Loco Taco
We really enjoyed dinner at Loco Taco in downtown Tupelo.
Relaxed and lively, it’s known for inventive tacos and excellent margaritas. It felt young, fun and modern while still fitting perfectly into Tupelo’s laid-back atmosphere.
There were plenty of vegetarian options too, which we always appreciate on our southern USA road trip. We loved sitting outside in the warm, spring air and just relaxing here after a day sightseeing.
9. Try southern classics at Romie’s Grocery – things to do in Tupelo
For classic southern flavours, Romie’s Grocery is a local favourite.
This long-running Tupelo institution serves hearty Mississippi comfort food, and we especially loved trying fried green tomatoes here – one of those classic southern dishes that feels essential on a Deep South road trip. The service is outstanding and it’s one of those places you wish you could return to.
10. Stay overnight and soak up the atmosphere
Tupelo is somewhere that deserves at least one overnight stay rather than simply passing through.
Once the day visitors leave, the town feels calm, friendly and incredibly welcoming. We loved watching trains pass through downtown in the evening and simply soaking up the slower pace of life here.
For us, Tupelo perfectly captured that small-town Mississippi atmosphere we’d hoped to find on this southern USA road trip.
Where to stay in Tupelo
We stayed at Tru by Hilton Tupelo, located near the Barnes Crossing area just outside downtown.
The rooms were modern and comfortable, breakfast was great and it made an easy base for exploring both downtown Tupelo and the Natchez Trace Parkway. For families on a road trip, it worked really well.
Why Tupelo surprised us
Before arriving, we expected Tupelo to be mainly about Elvis. But what stayed with us most was the warmth of the town itself.
It’s the kind of place where people smile at you in the street, where old signs still hang above historic storefronts and where America’s musical and cultural history feels alive rather than staged.
For anyone planning a southern USA road trip, Tupelo is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.
