Looking for a leisurely getaway close to Virginia? Think about heading to a nearby state for your honeymoon or romantic weekend. There are plenty of things to do in Tupelo Mississippi that might surprise you!
I visited Tupelo in partnership with the tourism board. Photography and all opinions are my own.
FAQ About Visiting Tupelo Mississippi Attractions
What is the Tupelo Mississippi weather?
In the winter, the highs are around 55°F, and the lows settle in the mid-30s. During the summer, the weather gets up to around 90°F with lows in the high 60s or low 70s. Although the chance for snow is normally low, the area does sometimes see winter precipitation.
Is there a Tupelo Mississippi map?
Feel free to scroll in or out of the map of Tupelo Mississippi below. Hopefully, that helps!
Is there a Tupelo Mississippi airport?
Surprisingly, yes! It’s small and easy to get through security. The airport code is TUP if you want to look into buying a flight into Tupelo.
What are the directions to Tupelo Mississippi?
Tupelo is in northeastern Mississippi, and it’s easy to get to from many places. Here are a few common driving distances between locations.
- Tupelo to Graceland: 1.75 hours
- Tupelo to Memphis: 1.75 hours
- Tupelo to Nashville: 3.75 hours
- Tupelo to Biloxi: 4.75 hours
Romantic Hotels in Tupelo Mississippi
Although there are several chain hotels in Tupelo, we (my husband and I) had the pleasure of staying at Hotel Tupelo, which is currently the only boutique hotel in town.
It’s conveniently located and has all of the modern conveniences. One thing I loved is that they had bikes available so that you could explore the downtown area. So fun!
Take a peek at our accommodations below.
Things to Do in Tupelo Mississippi on a Getaway
Elvis fans are in luck, as there is a lot of history surrounding the history of the King of Rock and Roll. After all, he was born there and spent his young life in the town. However, if you have no interest in Presley’s history, there are still so many Tupelo Mississippi attractions to enjoy!
1. Go back in time at Elvis Presley Birthplace.
Visiting the Elvis Presley Birthplace will give you a glimpse of how humble his beginnings were. He was born in a modest, two-room house that you can walk through.
Also on the site is the church where he used to perform (although it was moved to the current site for preservation), and there is an interesting museum, too. It’s well worth a visit!
2. Take a self-guided mural tour.
Murals are so much interesting, and Tupelo has a lot of visual art around town. Whether you want to take pictures at each one or simply stroll by, be on the lookout!
My favorites were the Elvis-centric ones. However, I also enjoyed the Mississippi flag and the sign that mimicked an old-fashioned postcard. How fun!
3. Explore the Natchez Trace Parkway.
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile stretch of road that is recognized by the National Park Service. It has a lot of history, and I’d suggest starting at the visitor’s center to watch a video on its history.
Then you can venture out and either drive the parkway or walk parts of the trace. It’s actually a path etched throughout the woods that was used by Indians and early settlers. It’s an interesting piece of American history!
4. See where Elvis’s mom purchased his first guitar.
At first, Tupelo Hardware Co. is unassuming, but don’t miss this historical spot. It’s been family-owned for years, and in the 1940’s Elvis’s mom purchased his first guitar as a birthday present.
Of course, my retelling won’t do the story justice. However, an employee will be more than happy to tell the tale if you stop in. You can even stand in the spot where Elvis did!
5. Look for the painted guitars on the Elvis Guitar Trail.
If you explore for any time at all downtown, it would be difficult to miss the fact that over 25 painted guitars are peppered throughout.
The Elvis Guitar Trail offers the opportunity to explore while noticing how each guitar is different. Of course, many have to do with the history of Elvis!
6. Do a tasting at Queen’s Reward Meadery.
Not only is Queen’s Reward Meadery a lovely place to spend time, but the mead is also delicious. Mead is made from honey, and the variety used at this meadery comes from Mississippi bees.
Sit down for a while and savor the taste of mead as you hear about how it’s made.
7. Search for vintage finds at Relics Antique Marketplace.
One of my favorite things to do is go shopping for antiques when I’m on the road. Relics Antique Marketplace is the perfect place to do so!
Not only is the warehouse filled with vintage treasures, but it’s also where Elvis’s mother used to work when it was a factory long ago.
8. Visit the Elvis statue in the Fairpark District.
Modeled after a 1956 concert, the Elvis statue in the park is hard to miss. You can get close and personal with him and touch his hand, which is one reason the statue is titled “The Hands.”
Take a few minutes to be outside and walk around the park while you’re there!
9. Stroll (or bike!) downtown and enjoy time in Tupelo.
When you have a bit of time to fill, head downtown and explore the shops and restaurants. You can either walk from the hotel or borrow one of their bikes.
You can also peruse the shops in between visiting the various Tupelo Mississippi attractions.
Best Restaurants in Tupelo Mississippi for Couples
There are lots of restaurants to choose from, and we visited our fair share. Of course, your visit all depends on what type of cuisine you’re looking for.
As a result, there are various restaurants in Tupelo MS, to suit a variety of tastes. Here’s where we went.
Jobos
When you stay at Hotel Tupelo, you definitely need to eat at the on-site restaurant, Jobos. It’s beautifully designed, has a full bar, and has tasty dishes!
My husband and I really enjoyed it, plus it was nice to just be able to go downstairs and get a bite to eat. What a great asset right at the hotel!
Tupelo River Coffee
Need to start your day with a cup of Joe? Of course, you can grab some at the hotel (they actually serve Tupelo River Coffee!), but make time to head there yourself.
It’s a cute atmosphere, and you’ll also get a yummy cup of coffee!
Brick & Spoon
If you adore breakfast, then definitely head to get your fix at Brick & Spoon.
From morning cocktails (featuring mimosas and spiked coffee!) to tasty, fluffy omelets, there is so much to love about this hopping breakfast spot. Just be sure to arrive early to secure your seat!
Talbot House Bakery
Want to do some good while you’re in Tupelo? Then stop by Talbot House Bakery! Not only are there goodies delectable — I mean, just look at that cinnamon roll!
However, the bakery provides employment and job training for women who are transitioning from substance abuse. Goodies and a good cause? It’s a win-win!
Neon Pig Cafe
If you’re looking for a casual but tasty lunch, head to Neon Pig Cafe.
One point to note is that this is more of an order and find a table kind of place rather than a sit-down and get served restaurant. We really enjoyed the charcuterie board!
Amsterdam Deli and Grill
Amsterdam Deli and Grill is the perfect place to stop for lunch if you’re planning on renting bikes to roam downtown.
It’s an ideal place to get a casual meal while enjoying the main area’s ambiance. Plus, it’s close to several of the Tupelo Mississippi attractions!
Blue Canoe
Live music and a fabulous Southern atmosphere encompass what Blue Canoe is all about.
While we were there, we enjoyed the food, vibe, and a bit of live music. It’s fun, especially if you want to pick a seat and stay for a while.
Forklift
Another great dinner spot in Tupelo, Forklift has amazing cocktails and a unique selection of meal options.
It’s an upscale yet casual place to eat dinner. Plus, the decor really makes the place — beyond the fabulous flavors, of course!
DownUnder
The place to be if you’re seeking a late-night drink or bite is definitely DownUnder.
As to be expected, you have to go downstairs to get in, but once you’re there, you’ll enjoy the vibrant bar atmosphere in Tupelo.
BethOkay, I HAVE to get to Tupelo! We passed through on another trip, but we didn’t have time to stop. We really missed out!
CSNA MediaHonestly, I had never heard of Tupelo, Mississippi, but wow, I’ve added this place to my next USA trip. I love how it’s just hours from so many places, or it looks like there is so much to do if we stay there.
Thanks for sharing!
Gervin KhanWow! The place looks so awesome and every area is just so mesmerizing! I totally loved it! Plus the food looks absolutely delicious! Lastly, the place is far from the busy streets of the city which is really good!
briannemanzbThey have great restaurants and great things to do. I would visit this place to see where Elvi’s mom bought his first guitar.
Elise HoYour visit to the birthplace of Elvis brought up some nostalgia for me. I visited years and years ago. I loved everything I saw but there was also some issues with the trip.
MaureenWhat a great place to visit! My grandma loves Elvis and she would appreciate a trip here. The food looks delicious! Definitely going to write this place down on my travel bucket list!
Maureen | www.littlemisscasual.com
Ntensibe EdgarNnniiiiccceeeeee….it’s my first time seeing this town of Tupelo. It sounds like a place I’d love to live in. Hotel Tupelo is smashing!
Mila RWow, I’ve never been in Mississippi, nor in Tupelo. But now I just want to go!
StephanieI never would have considered that area for a romantic getaway but it looks great! You’ve found a lot of awesome places to visit and a couples weekend without the kids sounds amazing.
NataschaThanks for introducing Tupelo Mississippi to me. I have never heard of this place before, but now I would love to explore it for a few days. All the Elvis related places look fantastic! It must be very special to visit his birth house.
Sonia SeivwrightI think Mississippi is a great city. I will love to visit soon.
JoannaI have recently watched the new Elvis movie so I would be very interested in visiting his birthplace. Seeing how he grew up and where he got inspired to create his unique music would be so wonderful. His statue from the Fairpark District would be a great place to see as well. I like that Tupelo also has so many great places to eat. For a foodie like me, good cafes and restaurants are always a plus when I visit a new place.
Knycx JourneyingThanks a lot for sharing the tips in Tupelo and I love your pictures. I enjoyed how colorful the places are.
ReneeWhat a fun day trip to Tupelo! Love the boutique hotel recommendations, as well as restaurants. I think I would spend the day just as you have- strolling the downtown shops, antiques, and nature walk. It would be neat to see all of the Elvis tributes too.
Blair VillanuevaWow, thanks for sharing your vacation experience at Tupelo, MS. I reckon you had so much fun, and now we gain ideas about how popular this place is, thanks to the King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley.
Linda (LD Holland)Having never spent much time in Mississippi, it was interesting to read about Tupelo and see some great things to do. It would be fun to walk through the early years of Elvis Presley. And see him on the mural walk. The guitar trail is a very different kind of path to follow. As long as we got to the Meadery, hubby would gladly follow me around town.
Subhashish RoyThe Hotel Tupelo looks nice and so do the cycles lined up. Love that the rooms are spacious with enough space to move around. The Elvis Presley experience is certainly one to look forward to. Thanks for the guide on Tupelo.
Ossama AlnuwaiserI have no idea who is Elvis Presly, but I have learned about him in this article and his birthplace. I have never heard of Tupelo before. I guess, I learn new things every day.
Anosa MalangaGlad I stumbled upon this post. Such a good guide. I need to bookmark this so I can have it as my guide when I visited.
Ami BhatSlow and perfect for a peaceful yet fun filled weekend. I definitely am up for the Natchez parkway. The self guided mural tour too, sounds like so much fun – you make it sound like a treasure hunt and at the end of it, you get some amazing pics. I would love to also, see the birthplace of Elvis – an icon after all.
kushigaluSounds like an interesting place to visit. Thanks for sharing this.