The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. He might take you to Wild Bill's (1580 Vollintine Ave.; tel. Route 61 - Saturday - WESTBOUND 1 901 725 7527; www.topsbarbq.com), where the meat, if not the decor, is sublime. But, even if you don't end up staying, at least poke your head in and gawk at the ornate lobby. In Nola we started our Road Trip through Highway 61 to Nashville. Today I will explain you the route to Clarskdale through Natchez, Vicksburg, Jackson, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Tupelo and Oxford. The second most famous trip—pipped only by Route 66—is Route 61. I enjoyed the rural quirkiness and found it necessary to budget extra time for entertaining unscheduled conversations. 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. It's a beautifully restored 19th century railroad station. To learn more about the history of the small towns along the Blues Highway, visit the Rural Life Museum. 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. While in Memphis, visit Lauderdale Courts, where Elvis Presley and his parents lived from 1949 til 1953. Drive the old Blues Highway—Route 61 between Memphis and Vicksburg—in search of music, and you'll find it everywhere you turn. Here you'll find Rosedale, a town famed blues musician Robert Johnson sang about. Also, King is buried in the back of the museum, so be sure to pay your respects. Starting in Nashville, you've got to hit up B.B. As with most places in Nashville, you'll find good music and good BBQ here. When you're ready to call it a night, head to the Natchez Grand Hotel. Staying in roadside motels without reservation. 1 800 221 3536; www.visitvicksburg.com, —Text by Andrew Nelson, adapted from National Geographic Traveler, Road Trip: The Blues Highway, Tennessee and Mississippi, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/road-trips/blues-highway-road-trip.html. The steak, beef tamales, and honey-covered drop biscuits are highly recommended, plus their bartender is an award-winning mixologist who crafts delicious cocktails! A small-town barber goes on a road trip from Thunder Bay to New Orleans with an unpredictable woman and a coffin. The Route: U.S. Highway 61 from Clarksdale to Vicksburg If you go: Plug these detour worthy destinations into your GPS. Another form of therapy is luxury. But even if gambling isn't your thing, stop here for a meal at the Blue and White dinner (1355 Hwy. If you want a relaxing and peaceful stay, you can't get much better than the cottages at The Cajun Village in Sorrento, Louisiana. 1 662 621 9009; www.groundzerobluesclub.com). At the end of the drive, the Battlefield Inn offers an alternative to cut-and-paste hotel chains (4137 I-20 N. Frontage Rd. 61 N., Tunica; tel. There's a 2,000 year old oak tree out front that adds to the beautiful ambiance of of the historic restaurant. Highway 61, headed north from Duluth Minnesota to Thunder Bay over the Canadian border, immortalized in Bob Dylan’s song. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music (926 E. McLemore Ave.; tel. So did John Lee Hooker, Bessie Smith, and B.B. With its garish, casino-based economy, Tunica looks like Las Vegas. King Museum in Indianola, Mississippi! Local guide Tad Pierson offers evening tours of Memphis nightclubs and daytrips down the delta (tel. Since there's so much to do and see, budget at least 2 hours. The stuffed snapper is highly recommended, and if you can, get a seat in the intimate and romantic courtyard. For your last stop, grab dinner in Biloxi, Mississippi at Mary Mahoney's Old French House. Sleep on high thread-count sheets at the Madison Hotel in downtown Memphis (79 Madison Ave.; tel. Soul, gospel, and R&B spill out of car windows and church doors. 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 museum's collection includes more than 2,000 exhibits, videos, stage costumes, photographs, and instruments used to record the Stax sound. I have been on two Mississippi road trips, including a Blues Trail road trip through the Delta region of the state. Welcome to Margaret's Grocery (4535 N. Washington St., Vicksburg; tel. 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. The plantations near New Roads, Louisiana would probably be pleasant in December while the bluffs around … 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. 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. It's right on 61, and it's fried chicken and peach cobbler Southern cooking at its best. It's stunning. Another cool feature is that there are jukeboxes in the exhibit rooms, so you can hear music from each time period. Also consider the stately Peabody (149 Union Ave.; tel. 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". There's also an outdoor pool and a free hot breakfast. This museum is a must-visit for any fan of the blues and blues history. 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. Trip Tools Trip Planner NexTrip Alerts Find a Park & Ride Find a Stop or Station. There's a small fee once you get in, which is more of a donation. Rooms are actually contemporary and modern, with fun photos of Elvis hanging on the walls. 1 901 333 1200; www.madisonhotelmemphis.com). 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). The blues are cheaper than therapy.". Want to hear live blues? 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. "The Mother Road" was established on November 11, 1926, and ultimately stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. There are tour guides onsite and a short film to start off your experience. The “road trip” lies at the heart of American culture and has come to be a metaphor for freedom, and so it may come as no surprise that the internet is awash with recommended road trips across the US. The setting is the old commissary of the historic cotton farm, the Hopson Plantation (www.hopsonplantation.com) in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Elvis knew it, too—his rock-and-roll is as rooted in the delta as a cypress tree in the lowland muck. Travel Blues Highway on Route 61 from Memphis to Merigold, Mississippi, for juke joints, hot tamales, and Morgan Freeman for a great Southern road trip. 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. The Stax sound—driving, playful, passionate—gave voice to a new optimism rising from the region. Highway 61: The best road trip for music lovers. 1 901 523 2746; www.hogsfly.com) is justly famous for its dry ribs. All rights reserved, Photograph by William Albert Allard, National Geographic. Once you reach Vicksburg, pull over at Goldie's Trail Bar-B-Q, which has been around since the 1960s. Hwy 61 featured in Gazelle Magazine article. U.S. Route 61 or U.S. Highway 61 (US 61) is a major United States highway that extends 1,400 miles (2,300 km) between New Orleans, Louisiana and the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. A must-visit in Clarksdale is the Ground Zero Blues Club. Road Kit Memphis Convention and Visitors bureau (tel. When you first walk in you're given a set of headphones that guide you through the exhibits. It's a wonderful tribute to one of America's most prolific musicians. While no longer a working store, it is an enduring testament to the faith of Reverend H.D. Route 66 was one of the United State's first continuous stretches of paved highway, and served as a major path for those who migrated west. If you’re into waterfalls, Gooseberry Falls isn’t to be … Co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman, this blues joint screams old-school awesomeness. The former sharecroppers’ quarters-turned-super-cool-cabins for rent, also offer beer and a live blues lounge. During July and August—peak travel months—expect sometimes sweltering temperatures, over-crowded attractions, and higher rates for lodging. Back in 1984, he promised his beloved Margaret that if she consented to marry him, he would build a palace to honor God. "And by leaving they took their music to the world." 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. A Route 66 road trip is a driving adventure along what is probably the most famous road in the world. Today, what's worth singing about are the Mexican tamales at White Front Café (Main St., Rosedale; tel. Wifi is free and there are channels on the TV that show only Elvis movies. No trip down the Blues Trail is complete without a stop at the Highway 61 Blues Museum. There's loads of antiques and chandeliers, and free wifi so you can stream some blues music to enjoy in the privacy of your cozy room. 1 662 627 6820). Route description Berks County. 1 601 638 1163). In Clarksdale check the "who's playing" board (or the website) at Cat Head (252 Delta Ave.; tel. Inside, the air swirls with cigarette smoke and guitar chords being thumped out by a local band. King, you have to stop at the B. There are rockers on the front porch and you could spend forever just hanging out for the afternoon. Keep reading! Memphis is alleged to have more than a hundred barbecue joints. 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. This is a very relaxed, local Southern restaurant that specializes in barbecue and burgers. 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. 1 662 363 1371). Answer 1 of 3: On Tripadvisor's Road Trips travel forum, travellers are asking questions and offering advice on topics like "Is December okay to visit or are things closed?". From its beginning in Chicago, Route 66 headed south through Illinois and Missouri, and a small section of southeast Kansas. With Don McKellar, Valerie Buhagiar, Earl Pastko, Peter Breck. En Nola empez á ba mos el Road Trip que nos llevaría hasta Nashville. BB King Museum and Delta Interprative Center. 1 901 543 5333; www.memphistravel.com); Mississippi Division of Tourism (tel. Tales of the Road-Highway 61 is a scenic, historic 440 mile trip with host Cathy Wurzer down iconic Highway 61 revisiting the early days of automobile travel. The Union Station Hotel is an iconic Nashville establishment, and the perfect place to spend the night. Plan to spend time in the heart-shaped pool, and the jungle-themed lounge. 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. Answer 1 of 4: Hey everyone, Me and my boyfriend are planning a 14 day road trip from Chicago to New Orleand (passing though Memphis, Clarksdale, Vicksburg, etc, following the Route 61 along side the Great River Road). So, plan your road trip accordingly. 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. There's wifi and some suites have balconies and whirlpool tubs. They may call it the Blues, but road tripping through the area where this distinctive musical style was born will likely lift your spirits. Be prepared for remnants of ice and snow during the early spring and thunderstorms in late spring and early summer. But it's important to note that Clarksdale goes hard from Wednesday to Saturday night, but come Sunday through Tuesday it's pretty dead. It offers overlooks, access to Lake Superior, shops, restaurants and lodging. Downtown's Rendezvous (52 S. Second St.; tel. Highway 61 originates in New Orleans and runs nearly 1700 miles to the Canadian border just north of Grand Portage, Minnesota. Next stop is the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. This is a local favorite, casual dining steakhouse. "There are only two reasons to go to Wild Bill's—because you're feeling good or you're feeling bad," says Pierson. You might hear an elegant receptionist announce she is "fixin'" to do something. They also offer overnight stays for diehard Elvis fans. Next up is the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum in Memphis, TN. This music sets you free. The best time to take a road trip on Route 66 is from late April to early October. The hotel is just a two minute walk from the casino, and a couple miles from Natchez National Historic Park. 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. Running from Minnesota down to New Orleans, this iconic route is known for Mississippi River views, great food and blues music. As for where to spend the night, the Shack Up Inn may be one of the coolest places in America. Directed by Bruce McDonald. © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- Today, you can see the room that Elvis slept in. A road is a road, but sometimes it's more. 1 901 726 5473), a juke joint three miles north of touristed Beale Street. "These are hardworking people, and maybe things aren't going their way. T hey may call it the Blues, but road tripping through the area where this distinctive musical style was born will likely lift your spirits. Admission is $15 per person, or if you have a student ID it's only $10. Drive easy to every great blues landmark from Nashville to New Orleans. From its beginning in Chicago, Route 66 headed south through Illinois and Missouri, and a small section of southeast Kansas. 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. They also do mean fried chicken and great ribs, and they serve beer to wash it all down. He chose this stretch of road for good reason, it represents the best of Minnesota in so many ways. ; 800 359 9363; http://www.battlefieldinnms.com/). 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." 1 601 359 3297; www.visitmississippi.org); Clarksdale Tourism (tel. This museum is housed in a former recording studio/record shop. Muddy Waters rode the Blues Highway. The crowd shouts its approval. The 17-story Madison has a distinctly European sensibility with down-home warmth. Hey everyone, Me and my boyfriend are planning a 14 day road trip from Chicago to New Orleand (passing though Memphis, Clarksdale, Vicksburg, etc, following the Route 61 along side the Great River Road).We really want to have the Delta Blues experience and go to places not really aimed for turist - we want to get to know the local people, watch bands playing blues and just enjoy everrythong. There are self-guided tours across the 40-acre living history Burden Plantation. About 2 hours south of Memphis and Little Rock is the town of Clarksdale, Mississippi.