Clarksdale
1 hostel · dorms from $37
The heart of the Delta blues.
Points of interest
- Red's Lounge
- Ground Zero Blues Club
- Delta Blues Museum
- The crossroads
State guide
Things to do in Mississippi
The birthplace of the blues in the Delta, juke joints in Clarksdale, the Mississippi Blues Trail, grand antebellum Natchez, Oxford's literary history, civil rights landmarks and the Gulf Coast.
1
Hostels across its 2 main cities
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Average, from 67 reviews
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Blues Trail markers
Where the blues was born
Mississippi is the birthplace of the blues. In the flat cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta, between the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, African American musicians created a sound in the early 20th century that shaped rock and roll, soul and almost all modern popular music. The Mississippi Blues Trail marks more than 200 sites across the state, from musicians' birthplaces to the crossroads of legend.
Clarksdale is the heart of the Delta blues, with live music in juke joints such as Red's Lounge and Ground Zero Blues Club. Indianola has the B.B. King Museum, and Tupelo is where Elvis Presley was born. Oxford is a charming college town, home of William Faulkner. The state's civil rights history is told in Jackson's Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, one of the best in the country.
On the Mississippi River, Natchez has more antebellum mansions than almost anywhere in the South. The Gulf Coast has beaches and casinos in Biloxi. Give Mississippi four or five days, by car, perhaps between Memphis and New Orleans. Spring and autumn are best.
Where to base yourself
Clarksdale for the blues, Oxford for the north, and Natchez for the river.
Natchez
A river town full of antebellum mansions.
Points of interest
- Mansions
- Natchez Trace
- River bluffs
Regions of Mississippi
The blues Delta in the north-west, hills and Oxford in the north, Jackson in the centre, Natchez on the river and the Gulf Coast in the south.
Mississippi Delta
Blues, juke jointsClarksdale, Indianola and the Blues Highway.
North Mississippi
Oxford, TupeloThe literary town and Elvis's birthplace.
Jackson
Capital, civil rightsThe capital and its museums.
Natchez
River, mansionsAntebellum homes above the Mississippi.
Gulf Coast
Beaches, casinosBiloxi, Gulfport and Ocean Springs.
Things to do
Things to do in Mississippi
In Clarksdale, hear live blues in the juke joints, visit the Delta Blues Museum and see the crossroads of Highways 61 and 49, linked to the legend of Robert Johnson. Follow the Mississippi Blues Trail markers through the Delta, and visit the B.B. King Museum in Indianola and the Dockery Farms site, often called the birthplace of the blues.
In Oxford, walk the town square and visit Rowan Oak, Faulkner's home. In Tupelo, see Elvis Presley's birthplace. In Jackson, visit the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Museum of Mississippi History.
Drive the Natchez Trace Parkway, an old trail turned scenic road, to Natchez for its mansions and bluffs above the river. On the Gulf Coast, visit Biloxi's beaches and Ocean Springs's art scene.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The Mississippi Blues Trail markers and the Clarksdale crossroads are free to visit. The Natchez Trace Parkway is free to drive, with free trails and historic sites along the way.
Oxford's square and the University of Mississippi campus are free to walk. Gulf Coast beaches are free.
The Civil Rights Museum and B.B. King Museum charge entry.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Mississippi is soul food country: fried catfish, the state's famous farm-raised fish, fried chicken, collard greens, cornbread and sweet potato pie. Delta tamales, simmered in spicy broth, are a local speciality, and comeback sauce is the state's favourite dip.
The Gulf Coast has fresh shrimp, oysters and po'boys. Oxford has some of the best restaurants in the state.
Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Nightlife
Going out
Clarksdale has live blues most nights, especially at weekends. Oxford's square has bars and live music, busy with students. Biloxi and the Gulf Coast have casinos open late.
Some counties in Mississippi are dry or partly dry, so check before planning a night out in small towns.
In Jackson, Fondren has bars and restaurants.
Getting around
Getting around
Jackson and Gulfport have small airports, but most travellers fly into Memphis or New Orleans. Amtrak's City of New Orleans runs through the state, stopping in Jackson and a few Delta towns.
A car is essential. Highway 61, the Blues Highway, runs through the Delta from Memphis, and the Natchez Trace Parkway crosses the state diagonally.
Memphis to Clarksdale is around 90 minutes' drive.
Costs
What Mississippi costs
Mississippi is one of the cheapest states to travel in, with low prices for food and accommodation.
Sales tax is 7 per cent statewide, plus local taxes in some places. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants, and tip blues musicians too.
Juke joints often charge a small cover charge at weekends.
Safety
Safety and scams
Mississippi is generally welcoming, but Jackson has a high crime rate: stay in busy areas and use rideshares at night. Some Delta towns are quiet after dark, so plan where you are staying.
Jackson has had frequent boil-water notices; check locally and drink bottled water if one is in place.
Summers are very hot and humid, spring brings tornadoes, and the coast has hurricane season from June to November. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Blues festivals all year.
April
Juke Joint Festival
Clarksdale
Blues in juke joints across town.
August
Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival
Clarksdale
A free blues and gospel festival.
Spring and autumn
Natchez pilgrimages
Natchez
Historic homes open to visitors.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Mississippi, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
March to May and October to November are the best times, warm but not too hot, with the big blues festivals in spring. Summers are very hot and humid.
Jan
Mild
Feb
Cool
Mar
Spring
Apr
Juke Joint Festival
May
Warm
Jun
Hot
Jul
Very hot, humid
Aug
Sunflower River Blues Festival
Sep
Hot
Oct
Pleasant, Natchez pilgrimage
Nov
Pleasant
Dec
Mild
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Jackson, rounded.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Mississippi prices.
Treat these as a guide. Festival weekends cost more.
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Mississippi questions
The ones we get asked most.
Where can I hear live blues in Mississippi?
In Clarksdale's juke joints, such as Red's Lounge and Ground Zero Blues Club, especially at weekends.
What is the Mississippi Blues Trail?
More than 200 markers across the state telling the story of the blues and its musicians.
How do I get to the Mississippi Delta?
Fly to Memphis and drive south on Highway 61. Clarksdale is around 90 minutes away.
Is the tap water safe in Mississippi?
Generally yes, but Jackson has had frequent boil-water notices. Check locally.
Do I need a car in Mississippi?
Yes. Public transport is very limited.
When is the best time to visit Mississippi?
Spring and autumn. Summers are very hot.
Can I combine Mississippi with Memphis and New Orleans?
Yes. Highway 61 and the Natchez Trace link them on a classic road trip.
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