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Campground at Barnes Crossing Tupelo, Mississippi |
The site of two major Civil War battles, the birthplace of Elvis and the gateway to a region of pristine natural beauty, this underrated town preserves more than its share of history and beauty.
Within the town, a crop of Elvis-themed landmarks draws pilgrims to the cradle of a rock ’n’ roll legend. There’s even more classic Americana at Tupelo’s top attraction, the Automobile Museum, which ranks as one of the largest car museums in the nation.
Located in the northeast corner of Mississippi amid the region’s lush, green countryside, Tupelo was once a key point on the Old Natchez Trace, a centuries-old thoroughfare used by traders, trappers and hunters. This past is preserved at the Natchez Trace Parkway National Park, headquartered in Tupelo.
The area’s Civil War history is still quite evident. The Battle of Brice’s Crossroads and Battle of Tupelo raged here, and the National Park Service preserves a one-acre tranche at Tupelo National Battlefield, which features a commemorative monument, interpretive panels and two cannons near the point where the Confederate army launched its attacks.
A well-curated showcase for more than 150 antique, classic and rare automobiles, the Tupelo Automobile Museum was established by engineer and inventor Frank K. Spain (founder of local NBC affiliate WTVA) when he acquired his first antique car in 1974.
Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the jaw-dropping $6 million collection, which is chronologically arranged. The museum’s centerpieces include an 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, a 1994 Dodge Viper, a 1981 DeLorean (the same model that appeared in “Back to the Future”), the world’s only Camarovette (a hybrid of Camaro and Corvette parts), a rare Tucker 48 and a 1976 Lincoln Mark IV given as a gift to Spain by Elvis Presley.
Just northwest of Tupelo, on the Natchez Trace Parkway, Tishomingo State Park is an otherworldly landscape that combines rugged beauty with outdoor recreation. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the 1,530-acre park ripples with an elemental aura. The landscape is dotted with several Paleo-Indian archaeological sites that date to 7,000 B.C. Tishomingo’s clay and sandstone proved conducive to the fashioning of tools and ceramics by the tribes.
Markuskun
Restored to its original condition and decorated with period furniture, the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum conducts regular tours. Take the Walk of Life, a concrete circle surrounding the Presley family’s modest two-room house. The walk marks major milestones in the King’s life.
The nearby Elvis Museum features artifacts and photo murals focused on Elvis’s childhood. Set to a musical score of songs by the King, a series of audiovisual presentations evokes Elvis’s life as a boy in Tupelo.
Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau
800-533-0611
Mississippi Tourism
866-733-6477