Has anyone ever road tripped this area? Thinking about a road trip this, or next fall to West Virginia with Water. (AKA Florida) This is from Cleveland, Oho.

I know it's not a straight shot, but that's what road tripping is all about, amirite?

Someone mentioned that we ride *The Delta* area. Possibly hit some old school *Juke Joints*, BBQ/Blues/Beer joints. I hear the Clarksdale area is one of those. And, of course, Van Morrison sang about Tupelo Honey.

Also, is there any places to avoid?

Like, where *tourists* should stay away from?

SRO
TIA

 

We have done Memphis. Stayed at the Holiday Inn across the street from the Peabody, but a lot cheaper. They have a parking garage. Half a block to Rendevous for ribs and two blocks to Beale St. We had a great time. Go see the ducks march at the Peabody. We went to Graceland the next day. It is a pretty good tour. We felt pretty good in the downtown area while we were there. As it got dark, the police put up barricades at Beale St and were checking those entering the area. When we left the club, we went back to the room.


Our leader used his GPS to get us to Graceland and it took us on city streets through the hood instead of the interstate.


We did Clarksdale last year. Had some good BBQ and tamales at Abes BBQ. Stayed at The Shack Up Inn. Nice place. Like $80 for a two bedroom shack. They were clean. This was on Wednesday night. Slow night but they had a dude playing in the restaurant. We drank some beers and got an appetizer. Ground Zero has a limo and they will pick you up and give you a ride into the club. They had a band playing and we got some supper and beers there. We walked over to Red's Juke Joint. Big "A" was playing and he was tearing it up. there was one other person in the joint when we got there and then they left. We had a great time and are ready to go back. I think it would be a lot better on the weekend. Especially the summer. If summer, I would make reservations.

 

The Shack Up Inn looks AWESOME! Just what we were hoping for. Rustic, but modern! How are the back roads in the area? Dirt roads?

Thanks for the input.

 

You can find plenty of dirt roads. If good roads to ride is what you are hunting, you better go in a different direction. This is the "Delta". The roads are flat as a pancake and mostly straight.

 

We are looking for the gritty backroads!

 

There are always dirt roads if that is what you are looking for but MS like anywhere else has pretty much ever city, town or community connected by paved roads. I ride the MS delta all the time most weeks I spend at least one day wondering through the Delta and never found a reason to hit dirt roads.

Highway 61 is what is known as the Blues Highway and in MS you can ride it from Natchez to Vicksburg through Tunica into Memphis. Most of it is two lane winding a route along the MS River through the MS Delta. While there are interesting things all along the highway if you are looking for Blues related attractions that will be in the Northern part around the Clarksdale, Leland and Cleveland area. As another poster mentioned if you are looking for a place to stay to get that real Delta experience then the Shack Up Inn will be your spot near Clarksdale. Clarksdale also has Morgan Freemans place Ground Zero Blues Club and the "CrossRoads" where Rpbert Johnson was said to have made his deal with the Devil at the intersection of Hwy 61 and 49. (Although the exact location has always been debated)

You mentioned Tupelo which is the birthplace of Elvis however Tupelo is on the eastern side of the state with the Delta on the western side along the MS River. You mentioned places to stay away from and to be honest non really come to mind other than downtown Jackson. For the most part the Blues Highway winds its way through very flat farm land through little towns and communities where for the most part the folks are good as gold. You have to also keep in mind that the cities/towns in the Delta are in the poorest area of the State and getting off the beaten path after dark could be like entering the poor run down sections of town in any city USA.

The worse months to visit I would say is usually July and August where temps can be near 100 with the humidity just the same. That means when you get off your bike at the gas station your shirt will be soaked from just the short walk from the bike to inside the store. If you are looking for Casinos there are several in Natchez, Vicksburg and Tunica.

Here is some info on the Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale in April, it has a lot of link to area places to visit
http://www.jukejointfestival.com/fest_events.php

Here is a calendar from the MS Blues Trail that will show events etc... Website also has good info on the Blues trail
http://msbluestrail.org/calendar

If you have any specific questions about routes or anything feel free to hit me up. If you find your way to the area and need service, tires etc... my son owns a shop in Jackson and can take care of your needs

 

Thanks for the input as well.

When we get closer to trip time, I may just hit ya up for some more info!

 

Just to let you know tupelo honey comes from the Florida panhandle not Mississippi. It's made from tupelo gum tree blossoms.

 

I really enjoy Natchez Trace through Mississippi, but otherwise, I'd be riding FROM the area, not TO it. Plenty of other great destinations nearby like middle and east Tennessee or north Arkansas that have great roads and great food.

 

Some does indeed come from Mississippi! Most does come from Florida, though.