70 • THE GRIFFON • Fall 2015
www.thegriffon108.com
TRAVEL USA
Get the Elvis Experience in Tupelo Located in the foothills of Northeast Mississippi, Tupelo is the epicenter of America’s music, where, in 1935, the world’s greatest entertainer was born in a two-room shotgun shack. The gospel tunes he sang in his boyhood church, the soulful blues that he heard coming from the juke joints in the Shakerag district, and the country music that he listened to on the radio from his front porch, enabled Elvis Presley to blend the sounds and deliver what we all know as Rock ‘N Roll to the masses. Visitors can immerse themselves in America’s musical heritage, by beginning their journey in a town called Tupelo. Travelers to the city can experience the first part of Elvis’ incredible story by visiting the birthplace where he took his first breath, the church where he sang his first song, and the hardware store where he strummed his first guitar. A largerthan-life statue commemorating
The birthplace of Elvis Presley.
his 1956 Homecoming concert stands in Tupelo’s Fairpark District, and a driving tour highlighting 11 significant places in Elvis’ childhood is also part of the visitor experience. Getting to Tupelo is as much
a part of the experience as spending time in this Center of Positivity. The rhythms of this southern town that gave rise to the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll began with the Chickasaw natives who traveled the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway over 10,000 years ago. Reaching from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee, this national scenic byway is headquartered in Tupelo and still invites guests to find their own adventure, whether on two wheels or four. Tupelo’s beat resounds in the many attractions that showcase the city’s unique southern charm. From the incredible Tupelo Automobile Museum exhibiting over 100 antique and classic cars and the interactive HealthWorks! Kids Museum teaching kids to make healthy choices, to the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo housing over 300 animals
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representing 87 different species, there is truly something for every visitor to enjoy. Tupelo’s rich cultural history is also presented through a Civil War trail and a Civil Rights and African American Heritage trail. Festival season is in swing all year round in Tupelo. From special events that pay homage to Elvis Presley’s influence on America’s music to celebrations of the thriving arts organizations in this community, Tupelo’s festivals attract a large, diverse audience, truly offering something for everyone to get out and enjoy. From Chili Fest in October and the Don’t Be Cruel BBQ Duel in March to the Tupelo Craft Beer Festival in March and the Wine Downtown in April, Tupelo also celebrates its food culture through its annual festivals. Tupelo’s culinary landscape is an ever-evolving scene whose constant is its ability to satiate any appetite. Perennial southern favorites like lip-smacking barbecue, golden fried chicken, and every soul satisfying side dish to be had, are readily available. From food trucks to farm-fresh creations and hautecuisine, Tupelo is blazing an epicurean trail through the state of Mississippi. Let your mouth water by following #tupelofoodie on Twitter and Instagram. Tupelo’s food culture is also inspired by Elvis, inviting patrons to enjoy a meal where he was known to eat. Johnnie’s Drive-In is a full-service drive-in restaurant, serving up the same diner food that Elvis loved. Guests can even sit where he sat in the “Elvis Booth.” With quality accommodations, exciting events, unique attractions, three distinct shopping districts, and over 100 restaurants offering a selection of cuisines, Tupelo’s rhythms resound in the visitors who come back time and time again, because in Tupelo, anything is possible.