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Mississippi Blues Trail: the Journey of the Blues from Memphis to New Orleans

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There are many distinctive features of the Deep South , but one in particular is so important that it has influenced not only American culture but that of the entire world: music. Here, in the Deep South of the USA, in these green plains, rich in plantations and placid country roads, the African-American heritage has given life to admirable artistic expressions, so much so as to give birth to genres that have defined (and even distorted) contemporary popular music: blues, country, jazz and even rock ‘n’ roll were born here!

The first, the one from which, according to many music critics, all the others developed, is the real protagonist of today’s itinerary. In fact, we will be following the legendary Blues Highway , along the stages of the Blues Trail , retracing the birth of the blues on a journey that speaks of sadness, love, loneliness and desire for freedom.

Our itinerary starts in Memphis , the city of Elvis Presley, where blues became rock ‘n’ roll, crosses the heart of the Mississippi Delta , the birthplace of bluesmen, and ends in New Orleans , Louisiana, the jazz capital of the world. The journey takes about 6 days, but can be easily reduced if you are willing to miss out a few stops. Are you ready to get going? Good! But before we start, allow us a short introduction….

Blues Highway and Mississippi Blues Trail

Memphis to clarksdale, surrounding clarksdale, from clarksdale to vicksburg, from vicksburg to new orleans, new orleans.

Highway 61 , the so-called Blues Highway , is a road designed in 1926 that stretches 1430 miles from New Orleans to the state of Minnesota, more or less following the course of the Mississippi River . It is part of the road system called the Great River Road and in popular culture is surrounded by a sort of mythical aura, a bit like Route 66 , either for the many blues legends that revolve around it, or for the many references made to it in pop culture (the most important is the song and album by Bob Dylan Highway 61 Revisited in 1965). Actually, as happens for many historical roads, the current Route 61 does not coincide with the original one because, over time, it has undergone many changes and variations.

The so-called Old Highway 61 , at least for the stretch we are interested in, is now a long series of minor country roads west of the current US 61; driving along it may not be easy, as the original stretch is not usually marked and the roads often have another name, however Google Maps can help as it often shows the road as Old Highway 61 . As further support you can use the map provided in this article, where you can find all the GPS coordinates for each point of interest.

Along our journey in search of secondary and little traveled country roads, we will find the most authentic testimonies of the great bluesmen of the past, often true ones, sometimes just presumed. These stops, at the crossroads of history and legend, are part of a route called the Mississippi Blues Trail , which retraces the historical places of the blues, identifying them with clear signposts, which also explain the importance of the place you are visiting. There are about 200 stops on the Trail, so we will not touch them all, also because in some of them there is not much left to see. However, we will try not to miss the most significant ones from both a historical and symbolic point of view.

The Blues Trail Road Trip Map: from Memphis to New Orleans

Let’s start with one of the great cities of the South, home of rock’n’roll, a pilgrimage destination for many bluesmen and launching pad for many country music stars. There is more than one place to look for this unique blend of black and white music: first of all, the Sun Studio , where the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins (who together formed the Million Dollar Quartet ), Howlin’ Wolf, B.B. King, James Cotton and many others recorded.

There is also the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum , a museum run by the Smithsonian Institute that traces the process of musical transformation that occurred from blues and rural gospel to the birth of soul music (by the way, if you are interested in the genre, there is another museum for you, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music , dedicated to the history of Stax, the famous soul music record company founded in Memphis in 1957).

One of the most interesting things you can do in Memphis is to take an evening stroll down Beale Street , where bluesmen play both outside and inside the many venues on this bustling music street. Here you can go to a blues bar (such as B.B. King’s Blues Club or the Rum Boogie Cafe ), visit the house museum of the “father of the blues” W.C. Handy , who published the first blues in the traditional 12-beat form, and admire the exhibition of legendary Gibson guitars at the store on George W Lee Avenue, a side street of Beale Street.

If blues was born in the countryside, to then “electrify” itself in the cities, we’re kind of going the other way around. After visiting one of the urban centers that contributed to the spread of electric blues, it’s time to take a step back in time, in search of rural blues and the traces of its birth. We head towards Clarksdale , the town that is the epicenter of this itinerary, where legend has it that the great bluesman Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for talent. But first, along the way, some interesting stops await us…

We cross the border from Tennessee into the state of Mississippi , where the urban area gives way to the countryside and the landscape becomes predominantly agricultural. We head south, towards Clarksdale and, 30 minutes from Memphis, our first stop is the small village of Walls , where in the cemetery of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church , the grave of Memphis Minnie awaits us. She was one of the first great women of Blues music celebrated by the sign of the Blues Trail a few steps from the roadside.

From here we continue our tour along Old Highway 61 , the present-day Blythe Road, which runs parallel to the railroad (and also present-day US 61). After about 15 minutes, turn left onto Harrah’s Parkway and then right onto Dunn Road (which then becomes Kirby Road); you will find yourself in front of a building that resembles a historic juke joint (a typical club in the South where African-Americans met to play and dance), but is actually the Visitors Center of Tunica , which also houses a small museum that is ideal for getting into the vibe. A photo of the building and the sign is practically a must.

Get back on Old Highway 61 , stop to read the memorial sign dedicated to bluesman Son House and go straight back on the road. After 5 minutes’ drive you will find The Hollywood Cafe in Robinsonville, a spartan “bad place” with an authentic spirit, where many important musicians have performed, including Muriel Wilkins and Son House, and which proudly boasts of having invented the fried pickle (fried in beer batter with pepper and chili).

After stuffing your face, continue south and get ready for an interesting detour: we head to Arkansas where one of the must-see blues record stores for fans awaits us, Bubba’s Blues Corner in Helena. If, like me, you are nostalgic for those old-fashioned stores where you used your fingers to flick through, looking for a rare record, this is the place for you. From here you can get to Clarksdale in a little over half an hour along the current Highway 61, using the historic one is about 10 minutes longer.

Here we are in one of the most interesting towns of the whole itinerary, a real boon for those who love the blues because of the high concentration of places of interest in and around the city. As luck would have it, it is also the town with the highest number of accommodations in the area, so this is where it is advisable to spend the night, and here are 2 suitable accommodations to fully experience the atmosphere of our trip:

• Shack Up Inn one of the most characteristic lodgings I have ever seen, located in an old plantation. You sleep inside the original buildings and often you have the opportunity to listen to extremely talented live bluesmen. Even if you decide not to sleep here I suggest you make a detour.
• Riverside Hotel a historic hotel that since 1944 has hosted the great musicians of the Delta, including Sunny Boy Williamson II, Ike Turner, Robert Nighthawk, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters.

For more “common” hotels take a look at this list of hotels in town .

Once you have found your accommodation it’s time to go around looking for the signs of blues music in this town and the most important is inevitably The Crossroads , where an unmistakable sign with 3 guitars marks the intersection of Highway 61 and 49, where legend has it that Robert Johnson sold his soul to the Devil (but as we will see later we can not be too sure …).

After the usual picture, my advice is to spend the day at the beautiful museums in the town, the Delta Blues Museum and the Rock n’ Roll & Blues Heritage Museum , not forgetting to visit Cat Head , the best place to find out about concerts in town. The evening can only be dedicated to a live blues concert; with many venues to choose from. 2 suggestions? Ground Zero Blues Club or Red’s.

The blues also radiate out into the surroundings of Clarksdale , so let’s dive back into the rural landscape of the Mississippi Delta because there’s so much more to discover: here’s a circular route from west to east to get out and back into town:

• Rosedale : here we find 2 stops dedicated again to Robert Johnson; the intersection between Highway 1 and 8 is considered by some as the real place where the grim pact was celebrated (there is very little to see except the intersection itself), while, a little more than 1600 feet further, along the 1, we find another sign of the Blues Trail that recalls a song of the famous bluesman (They’re red hot) that spoke of a woman selling Tamales (a Mexican dish). All that’s left to do is to enter the place opposite ( White Front Cafe Joe’s Hot Tamale Place ) and taste one!
• Po’ Monkey’s Lounge : in Bolivar County, just outside Merigold, you can find one of the few authentic juke joints to have survived the 20th century, although unfortunately it too has been closed in recent years. Despite this, the venue continues to be a pilgrimage destination among blues lovers and tourists looking to capture the true spirit of the Mississippi Delta.
• Dockery Farms : this plantation of 1895 was one of the first centers where blues music became popular (many consider it as the cradle of the genre); for 30 years it was the home of Charley Patton, who learned from Henry Sloan and influenced many other great musicians, including Howlin’ Wolf.
• Tutwiler : As you head back north to Clarksdale, take the opportunity to make a quick stop in the village of Tutwiler, where, near the station, WC Handy heard a bluesman who gave him the inspiration to write a 12-bar blues on 3 chords in an AAB pattern. This is a fundamental step in the history of the blues, which from oral tradition was transcribed on paper spreading well beyond the borders of the Mississippi countryside. The Tutwiler Tracks, murals near the railroad, are there to remember the event. Nearby you’ll also find Sonny Boy Williamson ‘s grave, where fans leave harmonicas, bottles of whiskey and candles as gifts.

It’s time to get going again and continue our search for the blues trail. We’re aiming for Vicksburg, but most of the sights are along the way, so let’s keep our eyes peeled… Robert Johnson again, it’s inevitable that we will return to him. If there is no certainty as to which are the real crossroads where he mysteriously acquired his talent, there is even less so on where he is buried. Three cemeteries compete for the body of the great bluesman and it is worthwhile visiting each one, in this order:

• Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church , Money Road, Greenwood, MS 38930
• Payne Chapel Church , 32830 County Road 167, Itta Bena, MS 38941
• Mount Zion Church , Sidon, MS 38954

Next stop? Leland , where we have to look for the corner of Highway 61 and 10, where many blues musicians from the surrounding countryside used to perform in order to make some money. The Highway 61 Blues Museum is also an interesting attraction, especially to learn about the local bluesmen.

However, the best museum in the area is definitely the B.B. King Museum in Indianola, which traces the life and influence of one of the greatest exponents of the history of the blues. In town, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Ebony Club , one of the most important nightclubs in the South, where artists such as Ray Charles, Count Basie, B.B. King (who bought it in 2008), Little Milton and Albert King performed. The club is part of the Chitlin’ Circuit , a network of nightclubs run by African Americans that over the years has given many local bluesmen the opportunity to perform.

Once in Vicksburg it’s time to enjoy a well deserved rest, so here’s a list of all available accommodations in the city .

After getting refreshments, we go for a quick look at one of the most bizarre and unlikely sites on our itinerary – Margaret’s Grocery and Market . Once upon a time, this country grocery store was run by Reverend Dennis and his wife Margaret, who one day decided to turn it into a real pilgrimage destination for road trip lovers, with decorations and colorful structures bordering on kitsch and historical references to none other than the Byzantine Empire. Today, unfortunately, the site is in ruins and is experiencing a phase of dereliction, however the Mississippi Folk Art Foundation is planning to restore it.

We continue towards New Orleans , the final destination of our journey, but along the way there will be another few stops, such as the Old Country Store near Natchez, an old farmhouse converted into a restaurant, where Mr. D prepares what the people of New Orleans like to eat. D prepares what the locals say is the best fried chicken in the world. The LSU Rural Life Museum in Baton Rouge, the open-air museum of Louisiana State University that is actually a reconstruction of a typical rural town in the South, an evocative experience to understand how the communities of the past lived and from which contexts the blues was born.

Continuing south, about 50 minutes from the Museum of Rural Life, you will find Oak Alley Plantation , one of the most famous plantations in the entire South, dating back to 1837, where many African Americans worked as slaves. It is one of the most relevant historical testimonies of the genre, very interesting to visit and an option to consider as an overnight stay as well. But perhaps, being an hour away from the finish line, the most comfortable lodging is to be found in New Orleans. You can find a lot of advice about this in our guide on where to stay in New Orleans .

So here we are at our destination, New Orleans, the city of jazz , where our itinerary is completed by adding its last musical ingredient. Whether you are a lover of this musical genre or not, the city has a very special charm and undoubtedly deserves a thorough visit. On this website we have already dealt with the city, so please refer to our section dedicated to New Orleans, which you can read by clicking on the button below:

Guide to New Orleans

lorenzo puliti

I am fascinated by the wonders of the world I never tire of going in search of them.

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1 thought on “mississippi blues trail: the journey of the blues from memphis to new orleans”.

I think that you should definitely revisit the town of Cleveland, Mississippi. It home to Dockery Farms, the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi, and is where WC Handy first encountered the Blues. It also has some of the nicest hotels and best restaurants in the Mississippi Delta all situated in a charming downtown.

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Travel Tips

A guide to doing a blues trail road trip.

If you’re a Blues Music fan, then a Blues Trail road trip is simply a must. Highway 61, also known as the Blues Trail , rivals that of Route 66, if not for its historical importance, certainly for its musical significance.

DESOTO COUNTY

One of the first stops many Blues fans will make is in DeSoto County to the grave-site of one of the most famous female Country Blues artists, Lizzie Douglas, aka Memphis Minnie. Even in death Lizzie still draws a crowd.

While Louisiana may be the birthplace of Jazz, Mississippi Delta, is where the Blues were born! Music, comfort food and southern hospitality run deep in the Delta. The Blues Trail road trip begins in Memphis, Tennessee which is where the Delta starts, but it’s not long before road trippers heading south cross the border into Mississippi. Along the way are a cluster of small towns, each filled with their own unique charm.

Travel has been a popular theme in Blues lyrics, and highways have symbolized the potential to quickly “pack up and go,” to leave troubles behind, or seek out new opportunities elsewhere. Some of the most famous Mississippi artists who lived near Highway 61 included: B. B. King, Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Son House, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Ike Turner, Robert Nighthawk, Sunnyland Slim, Honeyboy Edwards, Sam Cooke, James Cotton and Jimmy Reed, just to name a few.

The Mississippi Blues Trail road trip markers tell stories about Blues artists through words and images, about the places they lived and the times in which they existed—and how that influenced their music. The marker sites run the gamut from city streets to cotton fields, train depots, cemeteries, clubs to churches.

DeSoto County derives its name from the 16th Century Spanish explorer, Hernado DeSoto. There is also a town that bears his first name, where world famous author, John Grisham, based his first novel, “A Time to Kill.” The DeSoto county courthouse is featured in the film, and the historic town-square of Hernando is absolutely worth a stroll.  A great place to have lunch is at the Underground Café

Heading deeper into the Delta, the next stop on the Blues Trail road trip is Tunica, which is home to the Gateway Blues Museum that also doubles as a visitor’s center. This museum is extremely well done and is really worth a stop. The front of the venue is constructed from a rustic train depot, circa 1895. Inside are beautiful Blues exhibits and artwork.

Gaming is quite popular in Tunica and the casinos offer some of the best lodging in the area. I would recommend the Gold Strike Casino Hote l.  The hotel features a contemporary feel and has a smoke-free gaming area. Next door is Jack Binion’s, a fantastic fine-dining restaurant. It’s one of those classically sophisticated restaurants that reminded me of being in Chicago with its rich and elegant décor and extensive array of classic American dishes.

While in Tunica, I would also recommend stopping by the Tunica Riverpark and Museum, an interpretive center filled with authentic artifacts and exhibits showcasing the history of the Mighty Mississippi. Click the following link to read my Tunica Riverpark write-up and see the short video. If you’re really into Southern comfort food, there is probably no better, or historic, place than the Blue & White Restaurant. Established way back in 1924, the Blue & White is situated right on Highway 61 and has served all the great Blues musicians over the decades.

If you happen to be on your Blues Trail road trip during mid-April, I highly recommend attending the annual Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale. Steeped in history with rugged character to boot, Clarksdale is said to be ground zero for the Blues. As a matter of fact, there is a wonderful juke joint with the same name that is co-owed by Oscar winning actor Morgan Freeman. The photographic opportunities in Clarksdale are endless, and so too are the listening pleasure of Blues music on nearly every corner (and inside the clubs) during the festival. Clarksdale is just forty minutes south of Tunica and has a famous landmark that is said to be the site where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil, it’s called “The Crossroads.”

After soaking in some soulful Blues music in Clarksdale, I would recommend heading to Indianola to visit the B.B. King Museum . B.B. King has been the foremost ambassador to the Blues, so it made sense to build a facility to pay homage to the legend, which, interestingly, is on the site of an old cotton gin where Mr. King once worked. It’s really an amazing venue; it’s not just a tribute to B.B. King, but also a wonderful historical representative of the Blues music in general.

Next stop on this Blues Trail road trip is to Greenwood, which is home to Viking Appliances and where they filmed many scenes from the Hollywood movie The Help . On a nice evening you will often find the large arched wooden doors at Williams Landing Winery swung wide open, inviting passersby to come in for a tasting.  At this boutique winery they feature a line of Delta Blues inspired vino. One vintage I had never tried before was made from figs (which are in abundance in Mississippi Delta). The light, but not too sweet, fruity wine would pair well with salads, Gulf shrimp, or other seafood.

For dinner you might want to try Delta Bistro, right in downtown Greenwood and just down the street from Williams Landing. This hip and upscale restaurant was not what I was expecting in the heart of the Delta. The vibe and décor are amazing.

The legendary Blues Highway 61 continues south, running right through the heart and soul of Vicksburg , which is the next stop on this Blues Trail road trip. The antebellum architecture, Civil War history and of course the Blues music are just some of the highlights in Vicksburg.

You could do this Blues Trail road trip starting from either Memphis, Tennessee to the north, or New Orleans, Louisianan from the south. I’ve done it from both directions. If you’re flying into the area, it might be best to fly into one airport and out the other. Either direction you start from, I would recommend staying a few days in Vicksburg, it’s such a wonderful city with so much to see and do. I would suggest an entire day just to see the National Military Park.

The National Military Park is a road trip in of itself, with many pullouts over its 16 miles of monuments and other displays. The lush green grass, dense trees and foliage make the park feel like a well-deserved memorial to all of those who fought and died there. There is a staggering 1350 monuments within the park, 28 of which are bronze reliefs by Tiffany’s. There is a lot of symbolism in the park, with respect to the monuments. For example, there are 47 steps at the Illinois monument, which represents the 47 days of the Vicksburg Siege.

Vicksburg Restaurants I recommend:

• Café Anchuca A fine-dining experience in a historic home that exudes Southern charm.
• ROCA – Euro-influenced menu accented in Southern flair with a live music lounge.
• Rusty’s Riverfront Grill – A newer place in town with a modern and cool feel with delicious seafood.
• 10 South Rooftop Bar & Gril – Situated on the roof of one of the tallest buildings in town, which provides a stunning view of the city and rivers below.
• Beechwood has been a Vicksburg staple for over sixty years.
• Bourbon’s restaurant features steak and BBQ in an atmosphere and manner that is distinctly Southern.

Places to listen to the Blues:

• AmeriStar Casino at the Bottleneck Blues Bar . The Bottleneck is a refined venue, accommodating larger acts and larger crowds.
• For a more intimate and perhaps authentic Blues experience, check out LD’s.

BLUES TRAIL ROAD TRIP ENDS IN NEW ORLEANS

In addition to being called the Blues Highway (or Trail), Highway 61 is also known as the “Great River Road,” as it follows the mighty Mississippi River. There are, however, areas where the highway is east of the river and can’t be seen from the road, but the picturesque view coupled with the speedy efficiency of a four-lane highway creates an almost ideal situation for the romantic road tripper. The rolling hills of the Mississippi River valley show off their beauty as the road meanders along, showcasing striking bayous and dense woodland.

Continuing south on Highway 61 toward New Orleans, you’ll come across the Natchez Trace Parkway, where the stunning scenery continues. Eventually you’ll want to veer off onto highway 98, which cuts east across the Homochitto National Forest and runs into Interstate 55, which will take you south right into New Orleans and end your Blues Trail road trip. Exploring New Orleans is a trip that requires no road tripping. You can drop the car off at the rental location and explore by foot, carriage, trolley or a hop on/hop off bus. Known as the Crescent City, or the Big Easy (locals call it NOLA), New Orleans will captivate, tantalize and hug you with hospitality.

New Orleans is so much more than just Bourbon Street of the French Quarter, it’s incredibly rich in history, steeped in culture, with a distinct identity that few can claim.  The energy is contagious. The hospitality is genuine, and the kindness of its residents is inspirational. From classic creole to refined gastronomic experiences, the food scene is legendary. And of course, the birthplace of jazz is felt everywhere you go, from heterogeneous street performers, to clubs dedicated to the propulsive rhythms.

NOLA Restaurants I recommend:

• Dominique’s on Magazine – The sophisticated creations coming out of the kitchen are as delicious as they are artfully presented.
• Tableau – The sophisticated Creole cuisine holds true to Louisiana’s rich culinary history, while enhancing it to meet the expectations of the gourmand.
• Lüke’s – Details are highlighted throughout the restaurant and flows right into the amazing epicurean creations coming out of the kitchen.
• Galatoire’s – This fine-dining establishment retains its traditions through and through—its classic formalities take guests on a culinary journey of yesteryear.

The legendary Blues Trail road trip via U.S. Route 61 is an unforgettable journey evocative of a delicious slice of Americana, represented by a genre of music known as the Delta Blues. Spilling out car windows and church doors, soul, gospel and R&B can be heard around every bend in the road. I enjoyed the rural quirkiness, the hard-to-reach wonders and found it necessary to budget extra time for enjoyable and unscheduled conversations. The Delta is the real deal when it comes to the embodiment of the American road trip experience.

I found the Mississippi Delta to exude charm and hospitality, while its music permeated my soul and found a place in my heart. If you’ve ever visited the Mississippi Delta, please leave a comment below and share your experience. Click the following link if you’d like to see more of my photos from Mississippi Delta .

NOTE: If are interested in doing a Blues Trail road trip, there is a great app to guide the way. Click the following links for Android Blues Trail app , or iOS Blues Trail app . If you’ve ever road tripped the Blues Trail, please leave a comment below and share your experience and/or suggestions.

Mike Shubic

Tags: Blues Highway , Blues Music Road Trip , Blues road trip , Blues Trail Road Trip , Highway 61 , Highway 61 Road Trip , Mississippi Road Trip , MS road trip , road trip MS

23 Comments

Great blog! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you. Much appreciated.

I love it! My brother who is a big blues fan will come to San Antonio, TX where I live from Japan. We definitely go some of those places. I can’t wait!

I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I became a big fan of the Blues while exploring the area. Hope you enjoy. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers, Mike

I took a history of rock and roll class in college, and that’s how I originally learned of this highway. Very interesting class and I can’t wait to travel this one day!

Hey Nicole…thank you for sharing your story, it sort of reminds me of something similar. When I was in college I took a couple of art history classes. Years later I got to go to some of the museums that displayed many of the works that we studied in school. Hope you get to do the Blues Hwy one day soon. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers, Mike

Regarding blues musicians dining at the Blue and White in Tunica, having personally eaten there at least twice daily during the summer months from approximately 1954 through 1960, I can assure you that until well after the Civil Rights Movement began to see desegregation results, no Black person was allowed in the place unless they were working there or making deliveries, and then only though the back door. They were certainly not allowed in the dining area for any reason. A shameful result of segregation and Southern Culture of the time and embarrassing to me, even as a child.

Hi David. Wow, that is so interesting. Thank you so much for sharing that story. Thankfully we have come a long way, even if there is more to be done. All the best, Mike

I think you mean Robert Johnson. Jack Jackson is a white boy from Hawaii. “Clarksdale is just forty minutes south of Tunica and has a famous landmark that is said to be the site where Jack Johnson sold his soul to the devil, it’s called “The Crossroads.”

Hey Cindy, thank you so much for catching that. Appreciate you stopping by. Cheers, Mike

I plan to do the Blues Trail in February of 2020 from Memphis to New Orleans. How many days should I allow? I plan to travel leisurely and see it all.

Hi Kevin…I would plan for at least a week. Let me know if I can answer any other specific questions. All the best, Mike

what is the best time of year to go?

Hi Merry, I would say March or April. You want to go before it gets too hot, but after winter. Hope you get to make it there soon. Cheers, Mike

This sounds like such a great road trip. My husband and I just love the Blues and it would be fun to learn about the history.

So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by.

Really want to do this road trip, sounds amazing. Huge Blues music fan.

This sounds like such a fun road trip. Love the Blues!

I am a hue Blues music fan and have been wanting to do this road trip. Thanks for the information.

Hi Mike, I’m in the initial phases of planning this trip for next year. Question: Did you veer off of any main roads on dirt roads to do any advanced exploring? One reason I want to go is to photograph old deserted houses / cabins, etc… My goal is to fly into Memphis & out of NO. Thank you for an excellent article, and for giving me very valuable info! 🙂

Hi Barry, thanks so much for stopping by. On this trip, I did not, I was with some other people and was restricted from doing so. That said, I do love to veer off the main roads and think you will find exactly what you’re looking for. Such a great idea to fly into Memphis and out of NOLA, it’s a fantastic drive. I did another trip a year later from NOLA to Vicksburg to Mobile area and then back to NOLA, it was a big loop road trip. Here are a couple of links if you’re interested: https://mikesroadtrip.com/vicksburg/ and https://mikesroadtrip.com/fairhope-al-road-trip/ Let me know if you have any other questions. Hope you have a wonderful time. Cheers, Mike

Thank you for this information and video on doing a Blues Trail road trip, just what I needed to inspiring me. Hoping to do this road trip in April.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a fantastic time.

Comments are closed.

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Road Trip: The Blues Highway, Tennessee and Mississippi

Listen as the Blues Highway sings while you travel through the heart of gospel and soul country.

Highway 61 running south out of Memphis forms a legendary route along the Mississippi River evocative of a delicious slice of Americana represented by a genre of music known as the Delta blues.

A road is a road, but sometimes it's more. Sometimes a road sings. Drive the old Blues Highway—Route 61 between Memphis and Vicksburg—in search of music, and you'll find it everywhere you turn. Soul, gospel, and R & B spill out of car windows and church doors. Sometimes the music is played on guitars picked with calloused fingers in juke joints tucked under the pine trees. Muddy Waters rode the Blues Highway. So did John Lee Hooker, Bessie Smith, and B.B. King. Elvis knew it, too—his rock-and-roll is as rooted in the delta as a cypress tree in the lowland muck.

Start in Memphis

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music (926 E. McLemore Ave.; tel. 1 901 946 2535 http://www.staxmuseum.com/ ) is named for an influential 1960s label that recorded such talents as Otis Redding, the Staple Singers, and Isaac Hayes. The Stax sound—driving, playful, passionate—gave voice to a new optimism rising from the region. "Highway 61 was the road by which black people left Mississippi to find better opportunities," a museum spokesperson says. "And by leaving they took their music to the world." The museum's collection includes more than 2,000 exhibits, videos, stage costumes, photographs, and instruments used to record the Stax sound.

Want to hear live blues? Local guide Tad Pierson offers evening tours of Memphis nightclubs and daytrips down the delta (tel. 1 901 527 8870; www.americandreamsafari.com ). He might take you to Wild Bill's (1580 Vollintine Ave.; tel. 1 901 726 5473), a juke joint three miles north of touristed Beale Street. Inside, the air swirls with cigarette smoke and guitar chords being thumped out by a local band. The song is Prince's hit, "Purple Rain," played blues style. The crowd shouts its approval. "There are only two reasons to go to Wild Bill's—because you're feeling good or you're feeling bad," says Pierson. "These are hardworking people, and maybe things aren't going their way. This music sets you free. The blues are cheaper than therapy."

Good Sleeps

Another form of therapy is luxury. Sleep on high thread-count sheets at the Madison Hotel in downtown Memphis (79 Madison Ave.; tel. 1 901 333 1200; www.madisonhotelmemphis.com ). The 17-story Madison has a distinctly European sensibility with down-home warmth. You might hear an elegant receptionist announce she is "fixin'" to do something. Also consider the stately Peabody (149 Union Ave.; tel. 1 901 529 4000; www.peabodymemphis.com ), famous for the ducks that traipse through the lobby twice daily.

Good Barbecue

Memphis is alleged to have more than a hundred barbecue joints. Downtown's Rendezvous (52 S. Second St.; tel. 1 901 523 2746; www.hogsfly.com ) is justly famous for its dry ribs. Another favorite is Tops Bar-B-Q (multiple locations, including 1258 Union Ave.; tel. 1 901 725 7527; www.topsbarbq.com ), where the meat, if not the decor, is sublime.

With its garish, casino-based economy, Tunica looks like Las Vegas. But even if gambling isn't your thing, stop here for a meal at the Blue and White dinner (1355 Hwy. 61 N., Tunica; tel. 1 662 363 1371). It's right on 61, and it's fried chicken and peach cobbler Southern cooking at its best.

Tonight travelers and locals alike gather around platters of barbecued chicken for a jam session. The setting is the old commissary of the historic cotton farm, the Hopson Plantation ( www.hopsonplantation.com ) in Clarksdale, Mississippi. This is not far from the storied blues crossroads where legend says the devil walks, guitar in hand, at midnight. Seth Limmer, a rabbi from Armonk, New York, finishes his version of Neil Young's acoustic classic, "The Needle and the Damage Done"; then the owner of a Clarksdale music store picks up the pace with a rendition of Roger McGuinn's "Chestnut Mare." Hopson's attracts an eclectic mix of fans, writers, artists, and other free spirits eager to travel the byways of the delta and sample the famed Mississippi hospitality. Spend the night on the plantation at the Shack Up Inn. It's is a collection of restored sharecropper shacks and boutique hotel rooms built inside renovated cotton bins (Hwy. 49, Clarksdale; tel. 1 662 624 8329; www.shackupinn.com ).

More Live Music and Good Eats

In Clarksdale check the "who's playing" board (or the website) at Cat Head (252 Delta Ave.; tel. 1 662 624 5992; www.cathead.biz ), a blues music and folk art store that lists performances at local joints like Sarah's Kitchen (278 Sunflower Ave.; tel. 1 662 627 3239). Catch a band and a down-home meal at actor Morgan Freeman's nightclub Ground Zero Blues Club (0 Blues Alley; tel. 1 662 621 9009; www.groundzerobluesclub.com ). Right next door is the Delta Blues Museum (#1 Blues Alley, Clarksdale; tel. 1 662 627 6820).

• Nat Geo Expeditions

Back on the road south of Clarksdale, you'll notice that Highway 61 is a lot of four-lane now, slicing through the flat, black earth of the delta as easily as a silver knife through moist cake. Divert yourself west to the parallel Highway 1, a quiet two-laner running along the Mississippi's "Great Wall," a never-ending levee. Here you'll find Rosedale, a town famed blues musician Robert Johnson sang about. Today, what's worth singing about are the Mexican tamales at White Front Café (Main St., Rosedale; tel. 1 662 759 3842).

Nearing the end of the journey, still north of Vicksburg, as old 61 is relegated to "business" status, you brake suddenly for what appears to be a fever dream on the right: a collection of plywood and brick towers rendered in white, pinks, reds, and yellows, with hand-painted Bible verses. Welcome to Margaret's Grocery (4535 N. Washington St., Vicksburg; tel. 1 601 638 1163). While no longer a working store, it is an enduring testament to the faith of Reverend H.D. Dennis. Back in 1984, he promised his beloved Margaret that if she consented to marry him, he would build a palace to honor God. Inside a cramped chapel is his Ark of the Covenant cobbled together from plastic, old Mardi Gras beads, and gold spray paint, illuminated by a string of Christmas lights. At the end of the drive, the Battlefield Inn offers an alternative to cut-and-paste hotel chains (4137 I-20 N. Frontage Rd.; 800 359 9363; http://www.battlefieldinnms.com/ ).

Road Kit Memphis Convention and Visitors bureau (tel. 1 901 543 5333; www.memphistravel.com ); Mississippi Division of Tourism (tel. 1 601 359 3297; www.visitmississippi.org ); Clarksdale Tourism (tel. 1 662 627 7337; www.clarksdale.com ); Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau (tel. 1 800 221 3536; www.visitvicksburg.com

—Text by Andrew Nelson, adapted from National Geographic Traveler

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Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip: Blues Highway 61

Hit the road from Nashville to New Orleans on the iconic Blues Highway 61. Experience historic sites, mouthwatering food, and musical heritage on this unforgettable trip.

Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip -  Taking a road trip between Nashville and New Orleans will take you through a variety of historic places, from the birthplace of the civil rights movement to the birthplace of the King, Elvis Presley!

The drive is also scenic as you head through  Natchez Trace Parkway , which offers sweeping roads & breath taking views. There is also  highway 61 , which is the well know blues highway! Thus to experience a foodie, historic and musical road trip, dive into our itinerary below!

nashville new orleans road trip: Source: getty images

How far is New Orleans from Nashville?

New Orleans is approximately 530-600 miles from Nashville depending on which route you take. I suggest spreading your trip over some days to really make the most of all the great places to see along the way. For example we did 12 days in total.

Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip Map:

Dive into our Interactive map below!

User Guide:  Use the +/- arrows to zoom in an out of the landmarks. Many users choose to  share the post on facebook  and access the map that way.

Tip:  Turn your phone sideways for easier use. Click the directions button top right to be routed to an attraction.

Do you own a website?  If you have your own website feel free to embed our map in it by clicking the button in the top right hand corner. Just be sure to credit us at:  www.townandtourist.com/road-trips/Atlanta-New-Orleans/

Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip Itinerary:

• Nashville, Tennessee - 2 days
• Tupelo, Mississippi - 1 day
• Memphis, Tennessee - 2 days
• Highway 61 - Blues Museum
• Vicksburg, Mississippi - 1 day
• Natchez, Louisiana - 1 day
• Baton Rouge, Louisiana - 1 day
• New Orleans, Louisiana - 4 days

1. Nashville, Tennessee

Day 1: country music legends.

Nashville , is the capital of  Tennessee , lies on the Cumberland River. It was founded in 1779, is known as the capital of country music! With popular attractions such as  Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum  and  Johnny Cash Museum . We visited the Country Museum in the Morning and the Johnny Cash Museum in the afternoon.

In the evening you should head to  Grand Ole Opry  to watch one of there famous evening shows!

Nashville country music

Day 2: Ancient Greece!

On day 2, head to see the  The Parthenon  a full size replica of the greek monument in Athens. Located at the Centennial Park in Nashville.

How much does it cost to visit the Parthenon?

Adults (18-62): $6.00, Children (4-17): $4.00, Seniors (62+): $4.00, Babies and children under 4 years old are free

Fun Fact:  The Parthenon was designed by Confederate veteran William Crawford Smith and built in 1897 as part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition.

Parthenon Nashville

Other highlights in Nashville include the  Tennessee State Capitol  and the  Civil Rights Room at the Nashville Public Library .

Where to eat?

• Breakfast: Biscuit Love.
• Casual Dinner: Pinewood Social.
• Hot Spot: Folk - (Seasonal Small Plates & wood fired pizzas. )
• Lunch: Chauhan Ale & Masala
• Barbecue: Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint.
• Southern & Soul Food Classics: Arnold's Country Kitchen.
• Neighborhood Hang: Lockel and Table Community Kitchen/Bar.
• Patio: Butchertown Hall

2. Tupelo, Mississippi

Although not on the direct route to New Orleans, Tupelo, Mississippi is a must visit place if your a fan of the King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley.  As the birth place of Elvis you will find many statues and you can visit his childhood home which still has the original 1930s furniture. Afterwards head to the  Elvis Presley Museum  which showcases his early family life and music.

Tupelo Mississippi

Afterwards you can check out  Buffalo Park and Zoo , which is home to bison, zebras and giraffes.

If your a History buff, head down to the  Tupelo National Battlefield  which was the site of a Civil War battle.

3. Memphis, Tennessee

Following in the Kings footsteps take the 108 mile (1hr 42 min) drive to Memphis Tennessee. This is the ultimate place to learn about the history of Blues, Soul and Rock ‘n’ Roll. Check out the famous  Sun Studio , where Elvis Presley, B.B King and Johnny Cash all recorded albums. Other popular attractions include  Graceland Mansion , Elvis Home and final resting place. See  Celebrity Graves Road Trip: U.S.A.

Memphis, Tennessee

In addition, to  Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum ,  Blues Hall of Fame  and  Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

Where to Eat in Memphis?

Paulette’s Restaurant

Paulette’s Restaurant is an iconic and charming eatery which offers an  inventive menu of French & Hungarian dishes along with regional eats.

Address : 50 Harbor Town Square, Memphis, TN 38103, United States

Cozy Corner Restaurant

This place offers one of the best Barbecues in town, take a seat in one of the torn vinyl booths and enjoy some of the mouth watering ribs & wings. The  Cornish game hen ($11.75)  is unreal aswell!

Address : 735 North Pkwy, Memphis, TN 38105, United States

Where to Stay in Memphis?

If you plan on staying in downtown Memphis I recommended:

La Quinta Inn & Suites  – A superb hotel in Downtown Memphis. There is an indoor swimming pool, free parking on site and free WiFi throughout the hotel.

SpringHill Suites  – SpringHill Suites is another favourite with an outdoor swimming pool and a sun terrace. The rooms are studio style with a refrigerator and a microwave for preparing basic meals.

There are tea and coffee-making facilities in every room. They also allow guests to use their gym and business center.

If you are a Graceland Fan, then you should definitely stay at:  The Guest House at Graceland  – A fantastic hotel which is just a five-minute walk from the gates of the Graceland Mansion. There are two restaurants in-house and an outdoor swimming pool.

Insider Tip:

Each evening be sure to tuck into the complimentary peanut butter & jelly bar.

4. Highway 61 Blues Museum

Between Memphis and Vicksburg, be sure to stop of at the  Highway 61 blues Museum .

5. Vicksburg, Mississippi

Vicksburg is a city which was known to have a key civil war battle! Its quieter these days but still great for history buffs. The Siege of Vicksburg is commemorated at the massive  Vicksburg National Military Park  which also contains the  Vicksburg National Cemetery  and the restored  USS Cairo gunboat .

Head over to the iconic  Old Court House , which has a  Civil War battlefield museum.

entry costs $20 per car, to the Vicksburg National Military Park

Where to Eat?

Grab some delicious food from Lively,  Rustys Riverfront Grill  which offers a family-friendly seafood restaurant & bar in saloon-like setup with a cozy vibe & patio.

Try the the incredible rib eye or the Southern-style seafood too, which includes crab cakes, blackened redfish

An alternative place is  Beechwood Restaurant & Lounge  which is an Old-fashioned steakhouse which was established in 1956, it provides Southern recipes, a martini menu & live entertainment.

6. Natchez, Louisiana

The  Natchez Trace Parkway , is a national scenic treasure. It was traveled by Native Americans over 8,000 years ago and spans 444 miles and from Natchez, MS, to Nashville, TN. This was included in our  25 Most Epic Driving Roads in the U.S.A:

Natchez town itself is the oldest in  Mississippi,and is famed for its historic Mansions of  Longwood    and   Rosalie Mississippi State Dar  .  These are part of the  Natchez National Historical Park.

Photo by Bryson Moore | Wiki Commons

Some cool places to eat in Natchez include,  Magnolia Grill , a riverside venue with a wooden storefront grill and outdoor patio. You should try the pork tenderloin or a fried crawfish and spinach salad.

Another great place is  Kings Tavern  which offers Wood-fired steaks, pot pies & craft spirits all served in a 1789 antique building.

For a casual tavern which offers Southern eats & music head to  Biscuits & Blues .

7. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana, it's well know for it's bubbling food scene, historical landmarks and quirky attractions.

Head to Downtown Baton Rouge for nightlife, dining and even a few Casinos. You will find the Live After Five showcase, which is a series of FREE outdoor concerts.

Things to do in Baton Rouge:

• Visit the  Old Louisiana State Capitol  which looks like a castle!
• Visit the  Magnolia Mound Plantation , a traditional French Creole house.
• Get wild at  Mike the Tiger Habitat !

Who said tigers don't go to college??   "Mike the tiger" is the ONLY live tiger living on a college Campus in the USA.  Mike acts as a college mascot in addition to helping with  research, conservation and educational programs.

• Visit the  LSU Rural Life Museum  -

An interesting insight into 18th century life.

• See the  USS Kidd

A retired WWII destroyer which is now a museum.

• Immerse yourself in Nature at the  Bluebonnet Swamp

103 acres of forests & marshlands, where you can spot armadillos, otters, coyotes, and deer! There is also interactive exhibits which are great for families.

Red Stick Farmers Market

Red stick Farmers Market offers the freshest produce such as homemade honey, pickles, and jams. There is also a variety of meats and southern seafood!

Louisiana Lagniappe Restaurant  is the ideal place who a night out with delicious local cuisine as a starter!  Parrain's Seafood Restaurant  is a local seafood specialist set in a rustic space with porch seating.

The Chimes  is a Lively campus-area hangout worldwide beer list & hearty bar foods.

8. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is a city with soul, history and great locals who really go out of there way to make sure your have a fantastic time. Expect that famous “Southern Hospitality” to not disappoint!

With “ Let the Good times Roll ” as New Orleans Unofficial motto this is a true symbol of the vibes expected. From the Garden District and Jazz clubs to the bustling  Bourbon Street.

After the rebuild from Hurricane Katrina the city has been injected with a new lease of life with the people more optimistic and welcoming than ever.

One of me and my wives favourite things to do here was the Evening Jazz boat cruise with dinner. This was a perfect excuse to freshen up after that long road trip.

• Evening Jazz Cruise
• Bayous 2 Hour Swamp/boat Tour
• High Speed Airboat Ride  (This is great for groups of friends!)
• New Orleans Day Cruise  – Steamboat Natchez

For something a little difference the  Hurricane Katrina tour  is a real eye opener to what went on in the great city.

If You a traveling here in late February (25th) you may get to experience the world renowned Mardi Gras Festival and Parade! For more info see:  12 Epic Parades in the U.S.A

Mardi Gras New Orleans

Where to Eat in New Orleans?

Top foods you must try in New Orleans include:

• Muffaletta sandwich from Central Grocery Co.
• Jumbalaya from Remoulade in the French Quarter.
• Beignets and a Cafe au Lait at  Cafe du Monde.
• Lobster PoBoy from  GW Fins
• Turtle Soup from  Commander’s Palace.

Other foods to try here include: Deep Fried Soft Shell Crab and Raw Oysters.

Where to Stay in New Orleans?

I suggest staying in Louisiana for a minimum of three nights to really experience what the place has to offer! I recommended

Hotel Monteleone  –  French Quarter

Family-owned and operated since  1886 , the historic Hotel Monteleone is one of the most famous in New Orleans. Its luxury rooms were favoured by writers like Truman Capote. Tennessee Williams, and William Faulkner. A highlight of the hotel is the Carousel Bar which offers classic cocktails and musical entertainment,

Royal Frenchmen Hotel  –  Bywater (Trendy Neighbourhood!)

A renovated Creole townhouse which has everything you need, from cozy, well-appointed rooms with a vintage vibe to a great hotel bar serving craft cocktails. There is a tranquil courtyard and opulent lobby lounge for guests. You also located very close to the action on Frenchmen.

When you arrive ask if you can have a room with a balcony overlooking the street, to really take in the New Orleans Atmosphere.

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Blues Highway Itinerary: 10 Best Spots for a Music History Road Trip

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If you’ve had enough scenic tours of mountains and fresh air, head out onto the iconic Blues Highway, the famous Route 61 that leads to Nashville, Memphis, and finally to New Orleans, with the sweet and passionate tunes of Soul, R&B, and Jazz in the air. Drive out into the sunset, feel the wind on your face, and follow the same highway that Otis Redding, Muddy Waters and other hopefuls took on their way out of bleak areas of Mississippi and Georgia. With the open road in front of you, pay homage to the same spots that inspired the beloved classics and paved the way for Elvis and the Beatles.

10. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum – Nashville, Tennessee

Starting out in Nashville, get into the mood of Music City at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum , the headquarters for preserving and collecting artifacts that capture the history and traditions of American country music. At the main exhibit, “Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music”, get ready to take in the rich saga of music history that put Nashville on the map. With recorded sound, vintage film footage, and old photographs, visitors can trace the origins of country music and how it had a lasting influence on American culture. After touring the grounds, hop on a vintage tour bus to Music Row and the cherished RCA Studio B, Nashville’s oldest surviving studio where legends like Dolly Parton and Elvis made music history.

9. Grand Ole Opry – Nashville, Tennessee

The Grand Ole Opry is a must-see on your Nashville stop. For 90 years and still going strong, the weekly music venue is known for hosting legends that made country music famous. Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, and many others got their start at the Opry with legendary performances. Today, you’ll find a mix of newcomers and stars playing their best songs, that way fans can get a sample of several musicians in one concert. The magic started in 1925 when fiddle player Uncle Jimmy Thompson performed a new show called “The WSM Barn Dance,” which later evolved into a live concert known as the Grand Ole Opry. DeFord Bailey, affectionately known as the Harmonica Wizard, was also a regular performer. Over the years, the famous venue has launched countless music careers. Set against the iconic backdrop of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, it is truly an American cultural landmark.

8. The District – Nashville, Tennessee

It’s not just the country music that makes Nashville famous but the rock, jazz, and bluegrass playing at venues in the District , a refurbished area of warehouse-style saloons and bars. Stroll down second avenue with the weeknight party parade and stop by for some authentic bluegrass at Station Inn across the street from the Grand Ole Opry. Then take the party to Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge to get your honky tonky on at the iconic country music saloon. But the music tour isn’t over until you stop at BB King’s Blues Club, the world famous hotspot for live blues and Southern comfort food. And don’t forget to try the fried green tomatoes and other down home delicacies at the Opry Backstage Grill on Music Valley Drive.

7. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music – Memphis, Tennessee

After getting your fill of classic country music in Nashville, head to Memphis and follow the origins of Blues. First stop is The Stax Museum of American Soul Music on East McLemore Ave, which is named after the record label that produced talents like Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, and Wilson Pickett. The Stax sound is passionate and hopeful, giving a voice to the new wave of optimism coming from the Mississippi Delta, a sound as strongly rooted as the old Cyprus trees. In the late 50s and early 60s, something big was happening in music, so epic and transformative that it has its own cherished place in the history of music. In 1960, Stax Records, often considered the birthplace of soul, moved to the old Capitol Theatre and two years later, Otis Redding was discovered and became their biggest star.

6. Wild Bill’s – Memphis, Tennessee

After getting an education in blues history at Stax Museum, stop in for a blues jam at Wild Bill’s , a classic juke joint a few miles north of the tourist area of Beale Street. Locals always say there are two reasons to go—when you’re feeling good and when you’re feeling bad. Whatever your mood, the blues will set you free, if you let it. Locals and aficionados swear by it, often joking that it’s cheaper than therapy. Located in Midtown Memphis, Wild Bill’s is a welcome alternative to the tourist clubs downtown and a more authentic blues, soul, and rock sound. From old bands to aspiring indie groups, Wild Bill’s is the spot where musicians sing their hearts out and when back in the day blues evolved into rock ‘n’ roll and soul. The former gas station is like stepping back in time, even hosting the original trumpet player from Otis Redding’s band.

5. Rendezvous – Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis might be world famous because of its blues heritage and Elvis, but it also some of the best barbeque this side of the Delta. With over 100 barbecue joints in the city, the competition is fierce and Rendezvous downtown is no exception with its famous dry ribs. The secret is in the charcoal, which was Charles Vergo’s special cooking method, and of course, the sauce. It is considered by many to be the best barbecue in the Delta. Just ask the several 1,000 people that line up outside on a Saturday to sink their teeth into a slab of ribs, a classic Memphis favorite. The joint is still in the family, with Charlie’s kids running the place. It might be all about the ribs, but you can still order the same ham and cheese sandwiches that Charlie cooked up when he started out in 1948. Their sauces are top secret, but you can take a bottle home for some serious backyard grilling sessions.

4. Madison Hotel – Memphis, Tennessee

Built in 1905, the 14-story former Tennessee Trust building is one of the oldest skyscrapers in the Delta. Standing out with its ornate classical detailing, the Madison Hotel still regains its former glory with the original façade. After years of neglect, the Unison Hotel Company rescued the deteriorating structure in 2002 and converted the interior into an ultra-modern, sleek boutique hotel with 110 rooms. After long hours in the car, treat yourself to luxuries fit for royalty like Egyptian cotton sheets, an award-winning restaurant, and an enchanting evening on the Twilight Sky Terrace overlooking downtown. It might have a posh, European flair, but Madison Hotel still has a warm, Southern charm. Located on Madison Avenue, the hotel is near the historic Beale Street filled with blues clubs, restaurants, and recording studios.

3. Gateway to the Blues Museum -Tunica, Mississippi

A good place to start a Mississippi blues tour is Gateway to the Blues Museum in Tunica, a historical wonderland filled with stories of the very origins of blues that had a lasting influence on American music, especially soul, R&B, and rock n roll. It all started in the fields of the Delta, a place of pain and hope, and blues was just the thing to give a voice to the heartache and suffering of a dark time in US history. You’ll also get a chance to channel your inner rock star with interactive exhibits that teach the blues basics and even lets you record a song in the onsite recording studio. Music history buffs will revel in the guitar display with over 20 guitars of all kinds that were played by the legends themselves. Try out the lap steel guitar or diddley bow and play your heart out.

2. Ground Zero Blues Club – Clarksdale, Mississippi

For blues fans and music historians, Clarksdale, Mississippi is considered the “ Ground Zero ” for blues around the world. Established in 2001, the venue was opened to celebrate the area’s rich blues heritage with roots as strong  and ancient as the Delta. With the help of Morgan Freeman and locals Bill Luckett and Howard Stovall, the blues club has been a hotspot for an authentic blues experience. Although big acts come through from time to time, most musicians come from the Delta and follow in the traditions of legends like John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters. Located on Blues Alley in the heart of historic Clarksdale, the world’s most beloved musicians play Wednesday through Saturday, keeping the blues tradition alive and well. Ground Zero Blues Club is also a good spot to try some Southern comfort food like crispy catfish and slow-cooked Mississippi barbeque.

1. The French Quarter – New Orleans, Louisiana

As people fled the dismal areas from Georgia to Mississippi during the Great Depression, they brought with them the bittersweet blues, a new kind of sound that brought a voice to a newfound passion and hope. Many stopped in New Orleans, Louisiana, a meeting place for musicians, artists, and writers. Among them were the world’s best blues musicians, the cherished legends who led the way for jazz and now take a prominent place in the evolution of American music. With its slightly leaning buildings, old streets, and original cafes and bars, the charm of New Orleans is still going strong. Holding onto its French and Spanish immigrant roots, the historic French Quarter is still the stomping grounds for the best musicians in the world and on any given day an impromptu brass band might joyfully stop traffic. The best time to go is during festival season, which starts in April.

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The Blues Highway

You can open all our routes inside the Roadie app to use them as templates for your own planning.

Immerse yourself into the history of the Blues by traveling the Blues Highway. You’ll pass through iconic cities in America known for their impact on music. See where some of the most iconic musicians from Elvis Presley to Aretha Franklin recorded music, famous music venues, and even where they stayed while traveling on tour.

Image by Chad Morehead is licensed under Unsplash License

Tennessee capital with over 120 music venues

10 mi • 20 min

Grand Ole Opry

Backstage tours of the legendary Country music venue

Image by Abbie Myers is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

222 mi • 3 h 30 min

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Record label and recording studio for Aretha Franklin and Isaac Hayes

Image by Thomas R Machnitzki is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

2 mi • 6 min

Birthplace of Rock n’Roll with legendary recordings

" Memphis Sun Studios exterior " by Mr. Littlehand is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Lively atmosphere with music from street performers

Image by Chris English is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

28 mi • 34 min

Gateway To the Blues Museum

Learn the origin of the Blues music genre

" Visitor's Center " by Visit Mississippi is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

49 mi • 50 min

" Ground Zero Blues Club 12 " by Visit Mississippi is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

Ground Zero Blues Club

Popular Blues club hosting live performances

Delta Blues Museum

Museum exhibitions dedicated to the Blues history

" Delta Blues Museum 1 " by Visit Mississippi is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

Riverside Hotel

Hotel that hosted famous touring musicians

Image by Diego Sideburns is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Historical music venue

" New Roxy in Clarksdale, Mississippi " by Tobias Schmidt is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

1 mi • 3 min

" The Crossroads " by Hank Word is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Crossroad Sign

Iconic sign made famous by Robert Johnson

336 mi • 5 h 21 min

Garden District

Sightseeing lavish historical mansions

" Garden District. New Orleans. " by Bernard Spragg. NZ is licensed under CC0

3 mi • 10 min

French Quarter

Lively quarter with restaurants, shops, and street musicians

Image by Caleb George is licensed under Unsplash License

Cafe du Monde

Famous French cafe

" New Orleans, Lousiana: Cafe du Monde " by jshyun is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Bourbon Street

Famous strip lined with live music bars

Image by Kristina Volgenau is licensed under Unsplash License

1 mi • 5 min

Image by Infrogmation of New Orleans is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Frenchmen Street

Popular district with Jazz clubs

Highway 61 Road Trip: Cruising the Blues Highway

The US Route 61, or simply Highway 61, is one of the most iconic figures in American road trip culture. Also known as the "Blues Highway", this route takes the adventurous driver from the Mississippi Headwaters in the northern state of Minnesota all the way to Cajun Country in New Orleans, in the southern state of Louisiana (and vice versa). Highway 61 earned its musical nickname because it was the route of choice for many blues musicians and sharecroppers from poor rural areas to more affluent

The Blues Highway offers a long, slow ride filled with stunning scenery right outside of your car window. Highway 61 has been a popular spot for musicians and music enthusiasts who want to make a pilgrimage along the roads traversed by their musical “forefathers.” In the crossroads of Highways 61 and 49, it is said that the great blues musician Robert Johnson met the devil. While you might not encounter something as supernatural as in this popular urban legend, you will definitely see a lot of exciting sights along the way.

Highway 61 figures in a lot of popular musical works, including the Bob Dylan album Highway 61 Revisited, the song "Cross Road Blues" by Robert Johnson (of the urban legend described above), and in songs by Johnny Young and Sunnyland Slim. The road traverses through eight states, namely, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississipi, and Louisiana—this route offers plenty of opportunity for wonderful detours in these states.

What to See

If you are a music fan, then you would definitely enjoy the various attractions found along the Highway 21. Charley Patton’s grave can be found in Holly Ridge, Robert Johnson is commemorated in Itta Bena (there is a burial marker that will direct you to the location), and Indianola holds the annual B.B. King festival every June. You can pay respect to musical legends such as Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters along the way. Greenville, Mississippi is also a wonderful stopover—there are plenty of blues bars where you can enjoy great blues with a drink or two.

Clarksdale in Coahoma County, Mississippi also offers plenty of musical attractions such as the Delta Blues Musuem. This museum can be found right on the edge of the town, inside a former 19th century train station. Stop at Cat Head Delta Blues and Folk Art to find some interesting reads and obscure records. Make sure to visit during the summer to enjoy balmy, lazy days enjoying the great music the town is known for, as well as hearty local cuisine such as fried catfish and tamales.

Music fans will definitely enjoy making a blues pilgrimage along the Highway 61, but these parts of the country are also known for their delightful dishes that go great with beer. For an unforgettable road trip filled with music and food that are good for the soul, take the Highway 61.

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Home / Blog / Mississippi Blues Trail Road Trip

Mississippi Blues Trail Road Trip

Posted May 13, 2022 in Blog Posts

Adapted from Moon USA State by State

There are nearly 200 sites included as part of the Mississippi Blues Trail, and visiting all of them is a considerable undertaking. Must-see stops delve into the history and influence of blues greats, while others are mere markers or plaques about artists from the town or what happened on that spot. The Blues Trail app gives details on them all.

A selective tour of the Blues Trail travels through the Mississippi Delta and hits sights in the towns of Tunica, Clarksdale, Cleveland, Indianola, and Leland in about 170 miles (273 kilometers) of driving.

Where to start: Memphis is a great jumping-off point for the Mississippi Blues Trail. Take Highway 61 south to Clarksdale, stopping in Tunica on the way. In the morning, hit a couple more Blues Trail towns, Cleveland and Leland, on your way to Jackson.

Top Stops on the Mississippi Blues Trail

The must-stop 3,500-square-foot (325-square-meter) Gateway to the Blues Museum (13625 U.S. 61 N., Tunica; 888/488-6422) has six different galleries, where you can learn about the history of the blues and how the geography contributed to the genre. There’s even an exhibition where you can record your own blues song (which will be emailed to you).

Created in 1979, the Delta Blues Museum (1 Blues Alley Ln., Clarksdale; 662/627-6820) is the state’s oldest music museum. The cabin where Muddy Waters was born has been relocated here from its original site a few miles northwest.

Juke joints, lively, no-frills places with great music and cheap drinks, have long been associated with the blues but tend to come and go. An authentic juke joint with an erratic schedule, Red’s Blues Club (390 Sunflower Ave., Clarksdale; 662/627-3166) offers live blues by some of the best local musicians behind a hard-to-find entrance—it’s the door to your right as you approach the building.

The spectacular Grammy Museum Mississippi (800 W. Sunflower Rd., Cleveland; 662/441-0100) is the institution’s first outside Los Angeles and has more than 12 different interactive exhibits that do an excellent job of linking the blues to other genres.

The impressive B. B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center (400 2nd St., Indianola; 662/887-9539) chronicles the legend’s rise to fame. In addition to showing his importance as a musician, it also lets his personality shine through (and if you don’t know why he named his guitars Lucille, you’ll find out).

The Highway 61 Blues Museum (307 N. Broad St., Leland; 662/686-7646) is a labor of love, jam-packed with blues artifacts and info compiled by local enthusiasts. This particular museum has more visual art, including paintings and photography by Delta artists, than most music museums. If you call ahead, they’ll do their best to have some musicians show up to play while you peruse, an experience no blues fan should miss.

Mississippi Road Trip: 5-Day Itinerary

If you’re looking to extend your trip, this 5-day road trip itinerary covers a portion of the Mississippi Blues Trail and explores local history, both ancient and recent.

Start in Jackson, and head to the Two Mississippi Museums, one devoted to the state’s civil rights history and the other covering the state’s 200-year history. Check to see if the Eudora Welty House is open, and take a tour to see the home the way the writer set it up.

From Jackson, embark on a brief jaunt on the Natchez Trace Parkway heading north, heading to the Bill Waller Mississippi Craft Center, just east of Jackson, and browse the items made by local artisans.

Stop for lunch in Starkville, home to Mississippi State University. While you’re there, be sure to pick up a cowbell to show you’re a true fan.

After lunch, go to Bynum Mounds to see 2,000-year-old Indigenous burial mounds. From there, hop back on the Trace to Tupelo, where you’ll spend the night

This morning is devoted to Elvis, with a tour of his birthplace home. Afterward, drive west 2 hours to Clarksdale, your first stop on the Mississippi Blues Trail. Check out the Delta Blues Museum, and hit Red’s Blues Club, an authentic juke joint, for live music.

It’s more blues today: Drive south to Cleveland, home of the Grammy Museum Mississippi, and then to Indianola for the B. B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center. Make sure to try some Delta tamales while you’re in the area.

If you can squeeze in one more museum, head to Leland’s Highway 61 Blues Museum, before calling it a day in nearby Greenville.

From Greenville, take the Great River Road along the Mississippi to Vicksburg, where there is a famous Civil War battlefield. From there, turn east to go inland back to Jackson.

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Highway 61 Blues

Highway 61 Blues - Tunica

U. S. Highway 61, known as the “blues highway,” rivals Route 66 as the most famous road in American music lore. Dozens of blues artists have recorded songs about Highway 61, including Mississippians Sunnyland Slim, James “Son” Thomas, “Honeyboy” Edwards, Big Joe Williams, Joe McCoy, Charlie Musselwhite, Eddie Shaw, Johnny Young, Eddie Burns, and Mississippi Fred McDowell. The original route, now called Old Highway 61, was just west of here.

Travel has been a popular theme in blues lyrics, and highways have symbolized the potential to quickly “pack up and go,” leave troubles behind, or seek out new opportunities elsewhere. As the major route northward out of Mississippi, U. S. Highway 61 has been of particular inspiration to blues artists. The original road began in downtown New Orleans, traveled through Baton Rouge, and ran through Natchez, Vicksburg, Leland, Cleveland, Clarksdale, and Tunica in Mississippi, to Memphis and north to the Canadian border. Mississippi artists who lived near Highway 61 included B. B. King, Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Son House, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson No. 2 (Rice Miller), Ike Turner, Robert Nighthawk, Sunnyland Slim, Honeyboy Edwards, Sam Cooke, James Cotton, Jimmy Reed, andJunior Parker.

The first song recorded about the road was Roosevelt Sykes’s “Highway 61 Blues,” cut in 1932; at the time Sykes was a resident of St. Louis, the first major city along Highway 61 above the Mason-Dixon line. In 1933 two Memphis bluesmen, Jack Kelly and Will Batts, recorded “Highway No. 61 Blues,” and the Tupelo-born Sparks Brothers cut “61 Highway.” Other 1930s recordings included “Highway 61,” a sermon by Raymond, Mississippi, native “Hallelujah Joe” McCoy; “Highway 61” by Jesse James; and “Highway 61 Blues” by Sampson Pittman, recorded for Alan Lomax of the Library of Congress. In 1947 Gatemouth Moore recorded a jump blues version of “Highway 61 Blues,” and in 1956 pianist Sunnyland Slim (Albert Luandrew) of Vance, Mississippi, recorded “Highway 61.” Over the next decades Highway 61 songs often appeared on albums by James “Son” Thomas of Leland, Honeyboy Edwards, Big Joe Williams, Mississippi Fred McDowell, and other traditional blues veterans.

Although many bluesmen used the lyrics “Highway 61, longest road that I know,” their descriptions of the highway’s route were often misleading. Some suggested that the road started at the Gulf of Mexico (100 miles south of New Orleans) and ran through Atlanta, New York City, or Chicago. Many Mississippians certainly did begin their migrations to Chicago via Highway 61, but most finished their journeys by continuing from St. Louis to the Windy City along the famous Route 66. In 1965 the road gained an even more mythological reputation when Bob Dylan recorded his influential album “Highway 61 Revisited.” Dylan was well versed in the blues, but his inspiration may also have come from the fact that Highway 61 ran through his home state of Minnesota.

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Blues Highway Road Trip: From Tupelo to Clarksdale Through the Heart of Delta Blues

Picture this: you're cruising down a stretch of road that's as rich in history as the music it celebrates. This isn't just any road trip; it's a voyage through the very heart of American music culture. From the birthplace of Elvis Presley in Tupelo to the historic streets of Clarksdale, the 100-mile journey along the Blues Highway (US 278) offers not only a scenic drive through Mississippi's flat farmlands but also a deep dive into the soul-stirring world of Delta Blues. Friendly locals, authentic Southern cuisine, and sites steeped in musical lore await you. This blog post invites you to embark on a soulful journey along the Blues Highway, where every stop has a story to tell, and every note of music feels like it's reaching deep into your soul. Let's take a Blues Highway ride from Tupelo to Clarksdale on a Delta Blues Road Trip.

The Starting Point: Tupelo Our musical pilgrimage begins in Tupelo, Mississippi, the birthplace of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll himself. But there's more to Tupelo than just its famous son; it's the gateway to the Delta Blues experience. As you set off from Tupelo, let the anticipation build as you head towards the heartland of the Blues.

Through the Delta: A Route Filled with History The drive along US 278 is more than just a transition from one point to another; it's a passage through time. The flat, expansive farmlands of Mississippi offer a serene backdrop to your journey, a peaceful contrast to the deep, emotive tunes that define the Delta Blues. It's here, in this unassuming landscape, that some of the most influential sounds in American music history were born.

Clarksdale: The Soul of the Delta Blues Arriving in Clarksdale is like stepping into a living museum of music history. Known as the birthplace of the Delta Blues, Clarksdale is a must-visit for anyone seeking to understand the roots of this genre. Here are some highlights:

Abe's BBQ:  Start with a taste of authentic Southern cuisine at Abe's BBQ, a local landmark that's been serving mouthwatering dishes since 1924.

Delta Blues Museum:  No trip to Clarksdale would be complete without visiting the Delta Blues Museum. This treasure trove of musical history showcases the instruments, photos, and stories of blues legends, offering a profound insight into the genre's origins.

Ground Zero Juke Joint:  Experience the raw energy of live blues music at Ground Zero, co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman. It's as authentic as it gets, with a vibe that transports you back to the early days of blues music.

Shack Up Inn:  For a truly unique stay, check into the Shack Up Inn. These converted sharecroppers' shacks provide modern comforts while preserving the rustic charm of the Delta, offering a taste of the past without sacrificing the amenities of the present.

Beyond Clarksdale: Extending the Journey While Clarksdale might be the highlight of the Blues Highway, the adventure doesn't have to end there. The nearby Holly Springs National Forest offers natural beauty and outdoor activities like fishing and hiking. For those willing to extend their road trip, the Great River Road and the allure of Memphis's musical legacy are just a short drive away.

Conclusion: The Blues Highway from Tupelo to Clarksdale isn't just a road; it's a journey through the history and soul of American music. It's a pilgrimage for the music enthusiast, a bucket-list trip for the cultural explorer, and a soulful escape for anyone looking to connect with the roots of the Delta Blues. So, pack your bags, cue up your favorite blues playlist, and hit the road. The Blues Highway is calling.

Embarking on this road trip along the Blues Highway from Tupelo to Clarksdale offers an unparalleled opportunity to dive deep into the roots of American music. From the historic streets of Tupelo to the soulful rhythms of Clarksdale, every mile traveled is a step back in time, a journey through the heart of the Delta Blues. Ready to feel the rhythm of the road and the soul of the blues? This musical adventure awaits.

FAQ's:

What's the best time of year to take this road trip? Spring and fall offer mild weather, making them ideal times to explore the Blues Highway comfortably.

Are there any festivals along the Blues Highway worth timing my trip for? Yes, Clarksdale hosts the Juke Joint Festival every April, a celebration of the region's rich musical and cultural heritage.

How long should I plan for this road trip? While the drive itself can be completed in a couple of hours, allow at least a few days to fully explore and experience all the stops along the way.

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Blues Highway – New Orleans to Memphis

The 510 miles from Memphis to New Orleans, along the Mississippi River, via Highway 61 is filled with rich history, American culture, and breathtaking views.

Though ‘Blues Aficionados’ will recognize this stretch of highway, linking north to south, Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited,” which he released in 1965, brought the role this stretch of road, from Memphis to New Orleans, played in America’s musical heritage to contemporary music fans. Want to get to know this area first-hand?

The best way to see it all is to spend three days traveling the Delta, and taking it all in, one day at a time.

Map Illustration by Scott Schiller

Known as the Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock n’ Rock, Memphis has so many things to do, so make sure you wake up early to do them all.  It isn’t a trip to Memphis without a visit to see The King™.

DAY ONE: Graceland . Elvis’ Memphis mansion is almost as well-known as Elvis, himself.  What visitors to this iconic home may not know about is Elvis Presley’s Memphis , a new exhibition campus across from Graceland and the new The Guest House at Graceland . Visitors can view a plethora of The King’s memorabilia, plus his costumes, cars, records, and the Lisa Marie, Elvis’ private jet.

Music lovers will definitely want to check out other historical music sights in town. Stax Museum , Sun Studio , and the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum are must-sees for any music lover. Memphis was the setting for some very significant events in civil rights’ history, so make sure to add a trip to the National Civil Rights Museum to your to-do list to learn more about the leaders who made the civil rights’ movement as powerful as it was in the 1960’s, and still is to this day.

Book your first night’s stay at The Guest House at Graceland , across from Graceland, as this hotel is the perfect place to start or end your day in Memphis.  The resort offers a shuttle to take guests to Beale Street in the heart of Memphis, where honky-tonks showcasing the best artists this side of the Mississippi can be found.  For delicious southern cuisine, dine at Bounty on Broad Butcher & Restaurant , which features fresh, farm to table cuisine, served family style. After a delightful dinner take a stroll through the neighborhood, the Broad Avenue Arts District , to peruse the art shops and unique shops.

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DAY TWO: Memphis, TN to Clarksdale, MS to Greenwood, MS Start day two with a hearty breakfast at Delta’s Kitchen at The Guest House at Graceland , then hit the road for a day of learning more about the blues’ southern roots. Take the Blues Highway – Highway 61 – and after a short one hour and 25-minute drive to Clarksdale, Mississippi, make a stop at the Delta Blues Museum , located at the intersection of Highway 61 and Highway 49, otherwise known as “The Crossroads.” This fascinating museum contains exhibits, as well as programs and events, that chronicle the evolution of blues music in the Delta region of Mississippi.

After learning about this American-born sound, mosey over to Cat Head Delta Blues and Folk Art to browse through the store to find one-of-a-kind Delta-based folk art, and of course, blues music. The staff there can even provide tourism information for visitors, including a recommendation to the Ground Zero Blues Club. This joint is all about blues music with live performances Wednesdays through Saturday nights.  Artists that perform at Ground Zero Blues Club pay homage to the godfathers of the blues, such as John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters, by playing music in the same soul-wrenching tradition.  Guests to the club can even extend their stay by renting one of the Ground Zero Blues Club furnished apartments for nightly or extended stays, or book one of the hostel rooms and be part of the community.  If really living the blues is on the agenda, make a reservation at the Shack Up Inn and stay the night in one of their renovated shotgun shacks – complete with indoor plumbing and air conditioning – or a bin in the cotton gin.  Talk about inspiration for some great blues music!

Choose Highway 49 at the crossroads to make your way to Greenwood, Mississippi in approximately 90 minutes.  Located on the eastern edge of the Mississippi Delta, Greenwood is the resting place of blues legend, Robert Johnson .  A master of the Delta-style of blues, a popular myth about Johnson tells the story of how he sold his soul for fame and fortune. Having died at the young age of 27, it wasn’t until decades after his death that he achieved the acclaim that he was due.

If a little pampering is needed along the way, make a reservation at The Alluvian for a fabulous afternoon at their spa. Located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, the Alluvian Spa is host to a 7,000-square-foot luxury spa offering a full menu of treatments that will surely relax your body and mind.  Their services include facials, massage therapy, therapeutic baths, as well as hand and foot care. Many of their spa services utilize skin care products made with ingredients found in the Delta. If you do indulge in some time at the spa, make sure to take advantage of the spa’s signature Sweet Tea services – a real southern treat.  While there, take a look inside the Alluvian Hotel – a luxury boutique hotel with 45 rooms and five suites, as well as services and amenities that make every stay at the hotel a memorable experience.

Greenwood, MS to Leland, MS to Vicksburg, MS: From Greenwood, go west on Highway 82 for about an hour to get to Leland, Mississippi.  Home of Muppets creator, Jim Henson, as well, as Kermit the Frog who is known to have lived on the banks of Leland’s Deer Creek.  To honor its famous residents, Jim Henson’s Delta Boyhood Exhibit was created and includes educational displays, memorabilia, and videos for fans to learn more about Henson.

Hop back on Highway 61 for about 90 minutes until you reach the historic town of Vicksburg, Mississippi. After a long day of learning about the culture of the Mississippi Delta, check into the Cedar Grove Mansion Inn for a relaxing night at this Greek-revival style, antebellum estate built in 1852. There is so much history in this mansion that it’s coming out of the walls…literally! During the Civil War, a cannonball was launched into the home, and it is still lodged in the parlor wall to this day. Many of the furnishings are original to the home, so one night in the inn can make you feel like you are staying in pre-Civil War opulence.

DAY THREE: Vicksburg, MS to Nanchez, MS to New Orleans, LA Wake up in Vicksburg, Mississippi for Day three of your tour and your second day of the road trip. There is so much for any history buff to do and see in Vicksburg.  This city was the key to victory and a turning point during the Civil War when Confederate troops surrendered to the Union army in 1863 at the siege at Vicksburg. Today, visitors can see the many landmarks and monuments that commemorate the war, the troops, and the leaders that fought during the Civil War at Vicksburg National Military Park .

Vicksburg is also known for the many antebellum homes that pepper the area. Twelve Vicksburg homes are open for tours where visitors can take a peek at life from the late 1700s through post-Civil War. Victorian-America, Greek, and Italian architectural design were very popular styles during this era of construction. A tour of “ Mississippi’s Most Haunted House,” the McRaven , is a definite bucket-list item for those who consider themselves ghost-chasers.  The haunted tour includes stories of some of McRaven’s residents, some of whom reportedly still inhabit this home, long after they have passed on. In addition to the possibility of seeing these spectral residents, guests will definitely get to see how life was lived, including a rare frontier kitchen and a gallery featuring Civil War artifacts that have been found on the grounds.

For a more refreshing tour, visit the Biedenharn Museum and take a look through the Coke Museum . Joe Biedenharn is credited with being the first person to bottle the soda fountain drink, Coca-Cola, in 1894. We often take for granted that carbonated beverages were only available through a soda fountain – a much more difficult way to take cold sodas on picnics or serve them at home. Guests of the Biedenharn Museum can tour two exhibits filled with Coca-Cola memorabilia and historical items, as well as see a demonstration of the original soda bottling process.

Ease on down Highway 61 for about 1 hour and 20 minutes for a stop in Natchez, Mississippi . Located on the Mississippi River, Natchez boasts over 1,000 well-preserved historic buildings, including plantations, antebellum homes, and inns.  Continue on Highway 61, where you will pass through Baton Rouge to your final destination: New Orleans, Louisiana!

The last day of the three-day Mississippi River Road Trip brings you to one of the most fun cities in the south! “Laissez les bons temps rouler” or “Let the good times roll” in The Big Easy! Known for its Mardi Gras celebrations, Zydeco music, and Cajun cuisine, New Orleans is a port city that is integral to the Gulf Coast’s economy.  Once the capital of French Louisiana, before the United States purchased it in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, New Orleans is filled with many fantastic places to visit and things to do.

Walking through the city is the best way to see the many points of interest that bring tourists to NOLA, and the French Quarter is the best place to start. From coffee and beignets at Café du Monde to Jackson Square and the famous, St. Louis Cathedral , and Bourbon Street (of course!), the French Quarter is the hub for all things New Orleans.

If riding is a better option, hop a streetcar and take a scenic tour of Crescent City. This is a wonderfully cost-effective and comfortable way of touring the area inside cars that smoothly glide under noble oak trees and along the stately mansions that line New Orleans oldest streets.

Take the St. Charles Avenue streetcar to the New Orleans Garden District . The quiet, streets with well-preserved, majestic houses can be a welcomed change from the lively Bourbon Street. Jump off to visit to one of New Orleans well-known above ground cemeteries: Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 . This attraction may sound creepy, but the beautiful architecture of the family mausoleums that line the rows gives a glimpse into the history of the city and its people.

For dining, New Orleans hosts some of the best restaurants in the world. Brennan’s Restaurant is the birthplace of the delectable Bananas Foster dessert; Antoine’s Restaurant has been serving the most amazing French Creole cuisine for more than 129 years; New Orleans’ fixture, Arnaud’s is a romantic restaurant to take your someone special, and Drago’s Metairie is the place to go to for mouthwatering Gulf oysters. With so many delicious options, where will you start?

Make the end of the trip just as exciting as the journey itself. Stay the night in one of the city’s historic hotels. Many of these come with rooms with not only a view, but a story, as well. The Place d’Armes Hotel is said to be haunted, but its idyllic location on Jackson Square makes it worth the stay. The historic Hotel Monteleone has been providing accommodations since it opened in 1886. Some of its most notable guests include, Tennessee Williams and William Faulkner. Another frequent guest, Ernest Hemingway,  was known to be a fixture at the Monteleone’s Carousel Bar , which slowly turns its patrons past windows facing Royal Street. Surely, some of the characters found within their novels must have been inspired by the personalities they encountered at the hotel. Your stay in one of these famous hotels is an unforgettable cap on your fun-filled road trip!

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No matter how many days you spend driving on the most notable roadway in music lore, traveling through the Delta is an American adventure. Whether you make it a trip to learn more about the history of the blues, of the Civil War or of just the people who make up this beautiful area of the country, it’s a trip of a lifetime. Drive slowly and try not to miss a thing.

Ready to start your tour? Book your room today at The Guest House at Graceland to get started!

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 the blues highway, 11 night self-drive holiday exploring the delta blues and deep south.

Flying into Nashville, you’ll spend the first couple of nights of your holiday enjoying Music City before heading down to Memphis, the home of Elvis and of course Graceland. You’ll then roughly follow the Mississippi River and Route 61, otherwise known as the Blues Highway south through Vicksburg and on to New Orleans, known as The Big Easy and famous for Mardi Gras, southern food and jazz. Remember - All our holidays can be shortened or extra nights added or modified with upgraded hotels, car etc. We love building tailor made road trip holidays!

Fly into Nashville and out of New Orleans

750 miles approx

Includes flights, car & accommodation

Our 11 Night Blues Highway holiday starts in Nashville and ends in New Orleans: Nashville (3 nights), Memphis (3 nights), Clarksdale (1 night), Vicksburg (1 night), New Orleans (3 nights)

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Your Itinerary

Days 1 - 3: Nashville (3 nights)

Fly into Nashville for your first 3 nights, the home of country music. Major attractions include the Country Music Hall of Fame, historic RCA Studio B and the Johnny Cash Museum. In the evenings head downtown to watch live music and you must watch a show at the Grand Ole Opry! (pictured)

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Nashville, TN

4 Star Hotel

Days 4 - 6: Memphis (3 nights)

For the next three nights you’ll be in Memphis, not only famous for Blues but also as the home of Elvis. Attractions include the site of Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination, Sun Studio; often thought of as the birthplace of Rock n Roll and of course Elvis’ Graceland. Food? BBQ of course!

Memphis, TN

3 Star Hotel

Day 7: Clarksdale

Heading along legendary Highway 61 and into Mississippi, stop at Tunica for the Gateway to the Blues Museum and lunch before heading down to Clarksdale. According to legend, the great blues guitarist Robert Johnson met the devil at the crossroads of highways 61 and 49 here in Clarksdale

Clarksdale, MS

2 Star Hotel

Day 8: Vicksburg

If you have an extra day available on your holiday, Vicksburg is somewhere you may want to stay 2 nights. Let us know if this is the case. Vicksburg is home to some of the most significant civil war battles and the National Military Park, part of the National Parks Service.

Vicksburg, MS

Plantation Mansion

Days 9 - 11: New Orleans (3 nights)

For the final leg of your holiday, you’ll head to the birthplace of jazz; New Orleans. You’ll stay for three nights to enjoy the music and southern hospitality and maybe a riverboat dinner cruise on the Mississippi. You’ll likely find yourself drawn to the French Quarter with its stunning architecture and live music.

New Orleans, LA

Days 12 & 13: New Orleans & Fly Home

Enjoy your final morning in The Big Easy by perhaps visiting the Garden District or taking one of the many tours. This evening you’ll catch your overnight flight back to the UK.

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Jack Daniel’s Distillery

Moore County, where Lynchburg is located is still a dry county despite Jack Daniel’s having their distillery there. Lynchburg is a quant American town and the Jack Daniel’s Distillery has tours detailing the company’s fascinating history.

Grand Ole Opry, Nashville

The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly American country music stage concert in Nashville. Founded in 1925 as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM, it is now the longest-running radio broadcast in US history. We highly recommend getting tickets to this event during your Nashville stay.

Elvis Presley’s Graceland

You can’t visit Memphis and not go to Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. Tours are available every day and include a guided tour of his house and the large museum across the road. Please allow at least half a day for visiting Graceland. Tickets are available through RouteTrip USA.

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All per person prices (pp) shown on this website are based on two adults sharing. Where hotel ratings are shown, these are US ratings, half stars are rounded up to the next full star. RouteTrip USA and RouteTrip are registered trademarks of RouteTrip USA Ltd. * T&Cs  Apply. **On most full packages subject to availability. ***On request, subject to availability and refundable deposit required.

10 Truly Underrated Road Trips In The U.S. Worth Taking

• Explore the stunning Overseas Highway in Florida, with its breathtaking sea views and coral islets.
• Discover the rich history of blues music on the Highway 61 Blues Trail, winding through iconic cities like Memphis.
• Take a scenic drive along the Columbia River Highway in Oregon, where lush forests and beautiful waterfalls await.

There are plenty of bucket list US road trips to take in the fall or any other season, and each comes with unique experiences. Whether looking to explore some of the most iconic historic landmarks, USA natural wonders worth seeing, music, or impressive art, road trips are a perfect way of getting to incredible places, including hidden gems that only a few people know about.

There are so many options to choose from, yet travelers only focus on the most popular routes. There is much more to this country than the scenic drives that lead to Yellowstone or Niagara Falls. Instead of the classic attractions, opt for these truly underrated road trips in the U.S.

Related: These 10 US States Are Best For A Summer Road Trip In 2023

Overseas Highway, Florida

Florida Keys is known for being the dive capital of the world and has some of the most impressive dive sites, but it is much more than that. Overseas Highway, one of the most unique drives in the U.S., proves that one doesn’t have to dive or go on a boat ride to explore Florida Keys.

The road stretches for 113 miles and is often referred to as the Highway that Goes into the Sea. This is one of the most breathtaking modern wonders in Florida and takes vacationers through incredible sea views and multiple coral and limestone islets spread across the archipelago.

Overseas Highway is one of the only 30 roads in the country designated as All-American Road. It is the only road in Florida with the prestigious title, which it earned in 2009. The highway starts in Key Largo and ends in Key West. It winds through Tavernier, Islamonda, Duck Key, and Looe Key.

• Distance: 113 miles
• Stops to make: Key Largo, Tavernier, Islamorada, Duck Key, Looe Key, and Key West

The Highway 61 Blues Trail

Also known as “The Blues Highway,” the Highway 61 Blues Trail is one of the most underrated road trips in the U.S., and while it is considered one of the most famous drives among lovers of blues.

Numerous artists have mentioned this road in their songs. In the history of this genre of music, highways have always been a popular theme, and the Highway 61 Blues has inspired plenty of artists.

Some of the blues artists who’ve come down this highway singing blues include John Lee Hooker, Bessie Smith, and Sam Cooke. The route starts from Vicksburg and winds through Indianola, Leland, Cleveland, and Clarksdale, and ends in Memphis.

• Distance: About 246 miles
• Duration: 3 hours, 40 minutes
• Stops to make: Vicksburg, Indianola, Leland, Cleveland, Clarksdale, and Memphis

Columbia River Highway, Oregon

Columbia River Highway is might be among the most underrated destinations in the U.S. , but incredibly unique, and definitely worth exploring during a trip to Oregon. It is known for being the first of its kind to be designated a National Historic Landmark and gives the adventurous a chance to see the iconic Columbia River Gorge.

Along the stretch, vacationers will come across lush forests and some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Oregon, before they end their scenic drive in The Dalles, near the Sunshine Mill Winery, which boasts a fantastic selection of wines, handcrafted in the Columbia Valley. The highway starts in Troutdale and stretches for 75 miles.

• Distance: 75 miles
• Stops to make: Columbia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls, and Sunshine Mill Winery in the Dalles

Highway 395 Road Trip

Tourists choosing to explore this highway will wind through some of the most beautiful mountain views without crowds. Apart from the gorgeous landscape, the road is brimming with history, making it a must-visit destination for history buffs. It covers 155 miles and takes about two hours to complete – from Lee Vining to Lone Pine.

Vacationers will have an incredible chance to see popular limestone formations known as tufas at Mono Lake. For an up-close view of this natural phenomenon, please hike the South Tufa Trail.

Other stops along the highway include Tioga Pass Road, June Lake Loop, Mammoth Lakes, Bishop, and Lone Pine.

• Distance: 155 miles
• Duration: 2 hours
• Stops along the way: Mono Lake, Tioga Pass Road, June Lake Loop, Mammoth Lakes, Bishop, and Lone Pine.

Trail Of The Ancients Scenic Byway, New Mexico

The Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway stretches for 480 miles (including an additional 110-mile off-loop) and is among the most underrated road trips one can take in New Mexico. It boasts an amazing blend of landscapes and an excellent cultural scene, allowing travelers to explore some of the most ancient traditions that are still practiced to date.

One of the best stops along this scenic byway is Chaco Canyon, an ancient site for the Pueblo who resided there between 850 and 1250 A.D. This scenic drive also winds through Crownpoint and Grants, some of the most beautiful towns in New Mexico .

El Morro National Monument, Zuni Reservation, Zuni Pueblo, and Farmington are other stops to enjoy along the way.

• Distance: 480 miles
• Stops along the way: Chaco Canyon, Crownpoint, Grants, El Morro National Monument, Zuni Reservation, Zuni Pueblo, and Farmington

Related: This Is What Happened At Chaco Canyon (& Why It's Still Abandoned Today)

The Oregon Trail

The Oregon Trail is one of the longest road trips in the U.S. and offers plenty of things to explore as it covers a wide range of places. It covers a distance of 3,300 miles, including detours, side trips, and parallel drives.

It follows Highway 20 for much of the trip and meanders through historic sites, prehistoric fossils, wildlife, and USA natural wonders worth seeing , including waterfalls and mountains. This trail also allows tourists to enjoy unique culinary experiences on the East Coast.

• Distance: 3,300 miles
• Some of the stops along the way: Columbia Gorge, Mount Rushmore, Dyersville, Niagara Falls, Cooperstown

The Black Hills And The Badlands, South Dakota

When combined, the Black Hills and the Badlands, one of the most underrated national parks in the US, boast 5 million acres of space, which comprises lush forests, unique rock formations, and grassland.

The place is so huge that vacationers cannot explore it in a single day. So, why not drive through the Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway, one of the most scenic byways in the U.S. (perfect for a road trip) ? The route stretches for 31 miles and meanders through gorgeous cliffs, hiking trails, and numerous observation points along the way.

There are also some seasonal events to enjoy here.

• Distance: 31 miles
• Stops to make: Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, and Mount Rushmore.

The High Road To Taos

Starting from Nambe to Taos, one of the oldest cities in America , the High Road is among the most underrated road trips to enjoy in the country. The road stretches for 56 miles and winds through Chimayo, home to El Santuario de Chimayo, a National Historic Landmark famous for its el pocito, which many believe to have incredible healing powers.

The scenic road also meanders through Truchas Peaks, Las Trampas, Penasco, and Rancho de Taos.

• Distance covered: 56 miles
• Stops to make: Chimayo, Truchas Peaks, Las Trampas, Penasco, and Rancho de Taos

North Shore Scenic Drive, Minnesota

Covering a distance of 154 miles, North Shore Scenic Drive is among the awesome things one can do in Minnesota . Starting from Canal Park in Duluth, the road winds through magnificent woodlands and burgs to Grand Portage.

Vacationers will come across beautiful picnicking and relaxing spots, two harbors, and three of the most impressive lighthouses in the U.S. , along Lake Superior. One will also find spectacular historic landmarks, colorful shops, and delicious restaurants along this scenic drive.

• Distance covered: 154 miles
• Stops to make: Duluth, Sawtooth Mountains, Lake Superior

Related: Experience Minnesota's Scandinavian Culture With These Events & Tours

The Loess Hills National Scenic Byway

Want to escape the hustle and bustle of the everyday routine and go to some serene place for a relaxing getaway? Well, explore the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, an underrated road trip that stretches for about 220 miles, starting from Sioux City in Iowa to Omaha.

Visitors can explore the Nature Conservancy’s Broken Kettle Grasslands preserve, Stone State Park, and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center before heading to Onawa, home to Lewis & Clark State Park. Other stops to make include Pisgah, Honey Creek, Council Bluffs, and Omaha.

• Distance covered: 220 miles
• Stops to make: Sioux City, Onawa, Honey Creek, Council Bluffs, and Omaha

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Blues Highway, U.S. Route 61

Drive easy to every great blues landmark from Nashville to New Orleans

• Featured Trip Guides

Created by Curtis Springstead - September 24th 2021

They may call it the Blues, but road tripping through the area where this distinctive musical style was born will likely lift your spirits. In fact, the area is so rich in musical history that U.S. Route 61, which runs right through it, has been dubbed the "Blues Highway". Immerse yourself in the culture by following in the footsteps of the Blues greats, and discover what inspired them to make music so profound that it was dubbed "soul" music. Ready to hit the road? Pop in that Muddy Waters CD, roll down the windows and belt out a tune or two on the road down from Memphis town, along the Blues Highway.

111 Broadway Street, Natchez, MS, US

Natchez Grand Hotel

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When you're ready to call it a night, head to the Natchez Grand Hotel. The location is phenomenal, on a bluff with a beautiful view of the Mississippi River. The hotel is just a two minute walk from the casino, and a couple miles from Natchez National Historic Park. There's wifi and some suites have balconies and whirlpool tubs. There's also an outdoor pool and a free hot breakfast.

2430 S Frontage Rd, Vicksburg, MS, US

Goldie's Trail Bar-B-Q

Once you reach Vicksburg, pull over at Goldie's Trail Bar-B-Q, which has been around since the 1960s. This is a very relaxed, local Southern restaurant that specializes in barbecue and burgers. They also do mean fried chicken and great ribs, and they serve beer to wash it all down.

400 2nd St, Indianola, MS, US

BB King Museum and Delta Interprative Center

If you like the music of B.B. King, you have to stop at the B. B. King Museum in Indianola, Mississippi! It's a wonderful tribute to one of America's most prolific musicians. The museum is also pretty hands-on, and you can mix your own music and even play the guitar, or sit in the same chair at B.B. himself sat in. Admission is $15 per person, or if you have a student ID it's only $10. There are tour guides onsite and a short film to start off your experience. Since there's so much to do and see, budget at least 2 hours. Also, King is buried in the back of the museum, so be sure to pay your respects.

307 N Broad St, Leland, MS, US

Highway 61 Blues Museum

No trip down the Blues Trail is complete without a stop at the Highway 61 Blues Museum. There's a small fee once you get in, which is more of a donation. If you're lucky, Mr. Pat Thomas will play guitar while you peruse the exhibits and memorabilia in the three rooms.

387 Delta Ave, Clarksdale, MS, US

Ground Zero Blues Club

About 2 hours south of Memphis and Little Rock is the town of Clarksdale, Mississippi. On the surface, it’s not much different than most small, Southern towns, except you can’t seem to go more than a couple feet without hearing the whine of a harmonica. Here in Clarksdale, they have the blues, and they claim to have had the blues first. Clarksdale, MS’s claim to be the birthplace of the blues can be traced to the blues greats that have called Clarksdale home: Son House, John Lee Hooker, Junior Parker, Ike Turner, Eddie Boyd, Sam Cooke, Muddy Waters, Pinetop Perkins, Earl Hooker, Lil Green, Big Jack Johnson and the list goes on. A must-visit in Clarksdale is the Ground Zero Blues Club. Co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman, this blues joint screams old-school awesomeness. But it's important to note that Clarksdale goes hard from Wednesday to Saturday night, but come Sunday through Tuesday it's pretty dead. So, plan your road trip accordingly. There's also the Delta Blues Museum in town, which has been honoring the area’s blues heritage for the past 36 years, and if you visit during the right time, you might even catch some blues on their stage. If you're hungry grab a bite at Abe's Bar-b-q, which has been serving up the best BBQ in town since 1924. As for where to spend the night, the Shack Up Inn may be one of the coolest places in America. The former sharecroppers’ quarters-turned-super-cool-cabins for rent, also offer beer and a live blues lounge.

3677 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN, US

Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel

Next up is Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel. Just around the corner from Graceland (the hotel is literally steps away), the Heartbreak Hotel is a fun 1950's-inspired hotel that Elvis fans (and just visitors to Memphis) will thoroughly enjoy. Rooms are actually contemporary and modern, with fun photos of Elvis hanging on the walls. Wifi is free and there are channels on the TV that show only Elvis movies. TIP: Ask to upgrade to one of their suites to really experience what it was like to be the King of Rock and Roll. Plan to spend time in the heart-shaped pool, and the jungle-themed lounge. The hotel also offers rides to Beale Street, where you'll find loads of bars featuring live blues, at night for a modest fee.

926 E Mclemore Ave, Memphis, TN, US

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Next stop is the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. This museum is housed in a former recording studio/record shop. Here you can see some awesome artifacts, like Isaac Hayes' car or Booker T. Jones' keyboard, all while learning about the amazing history and influence of the Stax record label. Some of the best music in the world came from Stax, and this museum is an absolute must-visit if you're traveling through Memphis.

252 North Lauderdale St., Memphis, TN, US

Lauderdale Courts

While in Memphis, visit Lauderdale Courts, where Elvis Presley and his parents lived from 1949 til 1953. Today, you can see the room that Elvis slept in. The whole place feels like you're stepping back in time to the '50s. They also offer overnight stays for diehard Elvis fans.

191 Beale St, Memphis, TN, US

Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum

Next up is the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum in Memphis, TN. This museum is a must-visit for any fan of the blues and blues history. When you first walk in you're given a set of headphones that guide you through the exhibits. You begin by learning about the roots of blues and country, and how this genre of music started on farms and plantations, and then you'll move on up through the years. Another cool feature is that there are jukeboxes in the exhibit rooms, so you can hear music from each time period.

1001 Broadway, Nashville, TN, US

Union Station Hotel

The Union Station Hotel is an iconic Nashville establishment, and the perfect place to spend the night. It's a beautifully restored 19th century railroad station. But, even if you don't end up staying, at least poke your head in and gawk at the ornate lobby. It's stunning.

152 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN, US

B.B. Kings Blues Club

Starting in Nashville, you've got to hit up B.B. Kings Blues Club. As with most places in Nashville, you'll find good music and good BBQ here. It's a big space that can get crowded, but it's got drinks and dancing late into the night.

Best time to travel down the Blues Highway: Since summer is high season for all of the towns along the route, spring and fall are the best times to travel if you're hoping to avoid high hotel rates, crowds, and the often-sweltering Southern heat.

Curtis Springstead

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These are the best states for a summer trip

WalletHub ranks the places where the roads are scenic and the gas prices low

Three out of four of us are taking a road trip this summer, according to the personal finance website WalletHub . That’s a pretty high number. But it makes sense: with a road trip, you can blast your own music, bring your dog without trouble, stop whenever you want, and dash away even for just one night… or several weeks. You get to see a part of our country that you can’t see from the air or water, and although gas isn’t cheap (the national average is more than $3.45 a gallon), you can get away with an inexpensive road trip if you plan carefully. If you haven’t already embarked, you might want to hear some of these statistics to help guide your choices. WalletHub’s list of the 10 best-rated trips includes highlights of states that offer more to the driving traveler. The list takes into account the safety and condition of roads, congestion, the number of uninsured drivers, amusement spots per capita like zoos and nightlife, weather, miles of shoreline, and other factors that make a road trip more or less attractive.

First, a few takeaways. California has the highest number of scenic byways. That includes the beautiful Highway 1 that runs down the coast — but California pays the most for gas in the nation. It lands at No. 43 (out of 50 states) on the overall list. If you love camping and don’t want to pay much for your tent site, Mississippi has the lowest daily price for camping: nice! Mississippi is No. 36 overall. Looking for the lowest price for a three-star hotel room? That’s Arizona, which is No. 21 on the overall list. In New Hampshire, you won’t have to worry about leaving your car while you dine, sleep or hit the beach. It’s the state with the lowest percentage of car thefts. The overall safest state, according to the study? That’s Maine, with New Hampshire and Iowa on its heels. (Vermont is No. 4, which makes us think maybe a New England road trip is the way to go!) The state with the best ranking for activities is California, followed by Florida and New York. No surprises there; those are probably the three states you think of first when you think about a popular U.S. destination. For affordability, Louisiana is No. 1, with Mississippi and Oklahoma following. It’s great to travel and get a lot for your money. Eat some beignets in New Orleans , drive the Delta Blues Highway in Mississippi , and check out the food and art scene in Oklahoma City , all without breaking the bank.

Here are the top 10 states for summer road trips:

2. Minnesota

3. New York

4. Louisiana

7. North Carolina

10. Pennsylvania

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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