10 Things to Do in Tupelo That You Shouldn't Miss

August 22, 2017 Esmeralda Fenner

Tupelo, Mississippi, the early home of the King of Rock and Roll, is a city dedicated to the legend of Elvis Presley. Visit the Elvis Birthplace Museum and see the very house where Elvis was born or the church where he first sang gospel. Every year, the town hosts the Elvis Presley Festival, with live music, a parade, and a tribute artist competition. For visitors uninterested in blue suede shoes, the city offers up the Tupelo Automobile Museum, featuring over 100 antique and classic cars.
Restaurants in Tupelo

1. Tupelo Automobile Museum

1 Otis Dr, Corner Franklin & Otis Across from BancorpSouth Arena, Tupelo, MS 38804-4015 +1 662-842-4242
Excellent
81%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 476 reviews

Tupelo Automobile Museum

Reviewed By Jules1013 - Bay Area Houston, Texas

This museum is incredible. I love old cars, and was not disappointed. There are cars dating from the early 1900's, and many rare and classic cars to view. The place is very clean and well-maintained, and the staff are exceptionally friendly and courteous. I'd definitely return if I was back in the area!

2. Natchez Trace Parkway

2680 Natchez Trace Pkwy, Tupelo, MS 38804-9715 +1 800-305-7417
Excellent
69%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Natchez Trace Parkway

This 444-mile parkway follows a Native American footpath from Natchez, MS to Nashville, TN.

Reviewed By Mindy and Roger A - Janesville, Wisconsin

We were able to travel only the portion from the Alabama/Tennessee border toward Nashville. Beautiful, Peaceful & Historic! So many places to stop, so many historic sites.
Here are some things to know:

---The speed limit is 50 miles/hour
---Two way traffic
---Excellent, Paved road
---Sign posts 1/2 mile before interest point
---Trails, waterfalls, historic sites throughout
---Lots of access/departure spots to access main roads
---Gas, lodging, restaurants require departing the parkway
---Under National Park Service supervision
---Public bathrooms, picnic tables along the route

This Parkway is sooooo impressive, we plan to come back for a multi-day trip!

3. Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum

306 Elvis Presley Dr, Tupelo, MS 38804-2812 +1 662-841-1245
Excellent
51%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum

Museum showing objects from Elvis' childhood.

Reviewed By christine v - Illinois City, Illinois

We made the pilgrimage to Tupelo to visit the childhood home of Elvis Presley. For a nominal fee, you get access to an expansive gift shop, movie about his life, access to the actual church building he attended, with an audio visual presentation, and access to his first home. You can stand in the very room where Elvis was born! Our guide was a personal friend of Elvis and gave some neat anecdotes and info that not just anyone would know. Lovely grounds and lots of great photo ops. Make the trip!

4. Tupelo Veteran's Museum

689 Rutherford Road, Tupelo, MS 38801 +1 662-844-1515
Excellent
96%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 48 reviews

Tupelo Veteran's Museum

Reviewed By AveryMississippi - Mississippi

Informative, educational and Tony adds a personal touch and humor. My grandsons love to go here. A great place to visit for the entire family and learn some history and appreciation for our military. Thank you!

5. Elvis Presley Center

306 Elvis Presley Dr, Tupelo, MS 38804-2812 +1 800-533-0611
Excellent
55%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 83 reviews

Elvis Presley Center

The Center contains Elvis' birthplace home, a small museum and a memorial chapel, all open for tours.

Reviewed By memphis4lmw - Worcestershire

This Elvis Presley centre is the ticket office, gift shop area of the birthplace. It incorporate a small museum about elvis and his early life in Tupelo. There are also some elvis artefacts from the later years which were given to Janelle McCombe, a family friend and founder of the birthplace. Don’t miss the movie in the small theatre about elvis, his family and Tupelo.

6. Ballard Park

2629 W Main St, Tupelo, MS 38801-3021 +1 662-841-6440
Excellent
60%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 34 reviews

Ballard Park

Reviewed By jlofton2016 - Tupelo, Mississippi

I love to go walking at Ballard Park. There are always things going on from watching the geese to ball games. It is very peaceful here with plenty of room to be active or enjoy the scenery. Nice Lake, walking area, playground, picnic area, ball parks, disc golf....

7. Trace State Park

2139 Faulkner Rd, Tupelo, MS +1 662-489-2958
Excellent
58%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
6%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 33 reviews

Trace State Park

Reviewed By escott63 - Inman, South Carolina

We visited the park while driving the Natchez Trace Parkway in a motor home. The park is about 10 miles off Parkway and from Tupelo MS. RV sites are very large. We were in newer section that allowed horses and ATV's. Nice level concrete pads with full hook ups. The last several miles of road into the park are terrible. You will think you may need 4 wheel drive to travel the rough areas. There was no lake due to maintenance , all water drained. Just a small pond for fishing near entrance.

8. Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo

2272 N Coley Rd, Tupelo, MS 38801-7057 +1 866-272-4766
Excellent
40%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
8%
Terrible
9%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 113 reviews

Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo

Get up close to our animals with the Monster Bison Bus and you can also see exotic animals like Tall Boy & Patches (our giraffes that will actually eat out of your hand!) and so much more!Our Petting zoo has a variety of different animals. With rabbits, turkeys, pigmy goats, pot belly pigs "Lucy" the miniature cow, "Bucky" the fallow deer, and some miniature horses. With the addition of our very own Turken Frisel, the petting zoo has become even more unusual and exciting. These are only a few of the animals that we have in our petting zooThe Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo is proud to be the home of the White Buffalo "TUKOTA" (Too-ko-ta). A white buffalo is considered by the Sioux Indian tribes to be the most sacred living thing you could encounter.

Reviewed By jrsmith8 - Monroe, Louisiana

This park provides a unique experience for the entire family, but it could be better.

First, the zoo portion is cramped. While the buffalo, cattle and zebra have acres and acres on which to roam, the "zoo animals" are crammed into tiny areas. For example, the tiger, the majestic creature that it is, is crammed into a very small cage. I felt so sorry for him. Hopefully a renovation project in progress will provide for extra room.

There are other animals and birds on display. My favorite of all is a fabulous MOLUCCAN pinkish/salmon/peach-colored cockatoo from Indonesia. This is one of the most beautiful creatures I have ever seen. I wish the facility could find it a partner so it could reproduce and provide pleasure for future generations.

My wife and I took the motorized tour throughout the buffalo (bison), longhorn cattle, Clydesdale horse, zebra area and had a great time.

This is one unique experience. We went for the buffalo but will most remember the beautiful Moluccan cockatoo.

9. Tombigbee State Park

264 Cabin Dr, Tupelo, MS 38804-0414 +1 662-842-7669
Excellent
44%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 23 reviews

Tombigbee State Park

Reviewed By mesatraveler - mesa az

Just outside Tupelo on the Natchez Trail, this National Forest and adjoining state park offer a nice break in the 444-mile drive. Nothing specular, except in foliage season, but a very pleasant addition.

10. Oren Dunn City Museum

689 Rutherford Road, Tupelo, MS 38801 +1 662-841-6438
Excellent
45%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20 reviews

Oren Dunn City Museum

Housed in a 1937 dairy barn, Oren Dunn City Museum offers a unique view into our region's past. The museum's collection reflects the local and regional history of Tupelo and northeast Mississippi, focusing mainly on major milestones of agriculture, industry and local memorabilia. Examples include: the 1864 Civil War Battle of Harrisburg, the 1936 Tupelo Tornado, Hospital on the Hill, and a 1940's era model railroad of downtown Tupelo. In addition to the our permanent exhibits, Oren Dunn City Museum hosts seasonal exhibits, including but not limited to, the Annual Holiday Toy Exhibit in conjunction with the Lighting of the Museum and the Fossil Road Show & Geology Exhibit. We host two festivals each year: the Dudie Burger Festival, the first Saturday in May, and the Dogtrot Festival, the third Saturday in October. We host annual programs including Museum Summer Camp and Living History Days. Although the museum is closed on Saturdays, we provide special Saturday programming throughout the year. Check us out on the Oren Dunn City Museum Facebook page.

Reviewed By Dot M - LaPlace, Louisiana

Small charge for front museum. First building has memorabilia of the history of Tupelo as well as Louisiana. Back building is loaded with many amazing pieces from Civil War, WWI, WWII, Vietnam etc. Truly interesting to see! Mr Troy was very helpful in answering questions on the different pieces that he has been collecting for years. No charge for war museum but donations accepted.

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