Mississippi

Savour the authentic sounds and flavours of Mississippi, the birthplace of America's music

When you want to feel the most authentic American music experience, go where it all began.

Blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll music are all rooted in the rich culture of Mississippi, the birthplace of America’s music.

While the rhythm of the blues beats in every corner of the state, the heart is still the Mississippi Delta. Travel to Dockery Farms, where blues pioneer Charley Patton lived and worked. Up the road in Cleveland, the genre’s global impact is displayed at the GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi.

Grab some of the Delta’s tamales from Airport Grocery before you hit the road for the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola.

Download the Mississippi Blues Trail app and browse nearly 200 historical spots highlighting blues artists and iconic juke joints. Greenwood is home to eight Blues Trail markers, highlighting icons such as Robert Johnson, Furry Lewis and Hubert Sumlin. Drop by the Crystal Grill or Fan & Johnny’s downtown for traditional and eclectic takes on Southern food.

Father of country music Jimmie Rodgers grew up in Meridian, where his namesake museum displays his personal guitars and memorabilia. A tour of the new Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience – opening April 2018 to celebrate the state’s musicians, actors, writers and other creative artists – pairs well with a meal at Weidmann’s, founded in 1870.

Elvis Presley is known for connecting blues and country music, helping to popularise rock 'n' roll, but his story begins in Tupelo. Tour his first home at the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum, then visit Tupelo Hardware and see where he got his first guitar. No Elvis trip is complete without Johnnie’s Drive-In, the 'King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s' favorite diner.

Down in the ‘city with soul’, you can find Jackson’s own gospel-influenced blues at latenight music spot F. Jones Corner on historic Farish Street and Hal & Mal’s, which hosts a blues jam every Monday night.

Let your inner foodie loose in the Fondren District, where choices range from the upscale menu at Walker’s Drive-In to gastropub fare at Barrelhouse. Pair a local brew with pulled pork at Pig & Pint, then enjoy dessert at the soda fountain at Brent’s Drugs or coffee at Sneaky Beans.

Live music is alive, every weekend and most weeknights, from Jackson to Oxford to Hattiesburg. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is the prime spot for nightlife. For gaming and live entertainment, visit Biloxi’s Beau Rivage, Imperial Palace and Hard Rock Casino & Hotel. A beachfront sunset and the walkable downtown in Ocean Springs is the perfect way to end your Mississippi adventure.

“Elvis Presley is known for connecting blues and country music,

helping to popularise rock 'n' roll , but his story begins in Tupelo. Tour his first home at the Elvis

Presley Birthplace and

Museum”