Day Trippin’ :: Tupelo, MS
Tupelo, MS, the birthplace of Elvis Presley, shares the namesake of the honey tree famed by Van Morrison’s Tupelo Honey. This fun town is a fabulously easy 90 minute jaunt from Memphis, TN, perfect for a day trip to see how real folk live it up outside of our bustling city of Memphis.
Upon arrival, you’d be remiss not to take a quick 5 minute detour to glimpse Elvis’s one bedroom home. There’s even a gift shop that is sometimes open for business!
From there, make the kids happy by spending the morning hanging out with exotic animals while riding the monster Bison Bus at the Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo. If you’re lucky, you’ll see the sacred white buffalo!
Once the kids are good and satisfied from a viewing and petting standpoint, buy yourself a little more time for shopping by hopping them up on some sweet treats at CRAVE.
Now, time to spend some hard earned cash! Here is a list of my favorite shopping destinations:
Reeds– The Tupelo location of this standalone department store is one of three in the mid-south and has been around since 1905 as their Flagship location. It should have you covered when it comes to that dapper southern style for the whole family. Back to school shopping anyone?
Relics Antique Marketplace – With 117 booths, there is something for everyone here! You could easily spend an hour or three here!
That is until I stepped foot into Elizabeth Claire’s.
Elizabeth Claire’s – This hidden gem is so hidden it does not even have a website! But who needs one these days when you have Facebook? This very bashful shop boasts itself as a place “where you can find the perfect gift for every occasion! We offer an extensive Bridal Registry, Baby Registry, and Senior Registry!!” Two exclamation points is too few if you ask me. This description does not do the shop justice. Go see for yourself, and bring your wallet.
Now, who’s hungry?
Put away your open table app and head straight for the now famous Neon Pig, where the Smash Burger was “voted best burger in America” on Thrillist. That’s a big deal for a little old-school butcher shop in the middle of Mississippi! And make sure to crack a craft beer while you’re there; you’re on vacation after all.
The Blue Canoe is the best for upscale bar food. They have more than 100 beers, 35 on tap. Plus check their website for their live music schedule.
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this diner will be a huge hit with the kids. Johnnie’s Drive-In does have dine in seating as well and to go. It’s also Tupelo’s oldest restaurant!
