Story and photos by Gwyn Goodrow
For an immersive adventure full of Southern hospitality and rich cultural history, look no further than Tupelo, Mississippi. Located in the heart of the South, Tupelo has been home to some of America’s most iconic figures and events in history, making it a must-visit destination for a memorable vacation experience. Whether you’re rocking out at Elvis Presley’s birthplace or exploring historic Civil War sites, there is something for everyone in this unique city.
Some interesting background on Tupelo:
Tupelo was the homeland of the Chickasaw tribe for several centuries until the forced removal in the early 1800s.
The Battle of Tupelo, fought in July 1864, was pivotal in the American Civil War.
A few decades later, in 1870, Tupelo became a city and expanded quickly with its valuable railroad transportation system.
In recent years, Elvis Presley’s birthplace has become one of Tupelo’s most famous attractions. This small wooden house is where the King of Rock and Roll was born in 1935. Visitors from around the world come to Tupelo to see where it all began for Elvis and to learn how the child from Tupelo, Mississippi, became an international music and film star.
As my husband and I discovered during our recent visit, Tupelo has much to offer and a range of accommodations to satisfy every traveler.
Hotel Tupelo
For downtown boutique inn accommodations, the Hotel Tupelo is a charming place to stay. The décor is chic and modern with a dark denim and light tan color profile. It’s comfortable and homey with a modern twist of elegance. Location is an important consideration when finding a vacation hotel. The Hotel Tupelo is a new construction property that blends beautifully with the aesthetics and atmosphere of nearby early 1900s Tupelo buildings. It’s situated for an easy walk to the many downtown attractions, including delicious restaurants and lively bars. Hotel Tupelo, a Wyndham property, offers 79 rooms and impeccable service.
Upon arrival, the welcoming front desk takes center stage, but you will notice the draping ropes from the upper level at some point. Soon after a smooth check-in, and a complimentary sip of Queen’s Reward Meadery’s Chocolate Covered Cherry Mead, we visited the upper deck to admire the glowing ropes artwork. Above the reception desk, the second level is an open space connected to a private meeting room and an open-air balcony, perfect for group meetings or family events.
The Hotel Tupelo takes southern hospitality to a new level with fido-friendly snacks. Oh my! If your traveling pooch enjoys the snacks from Dog House Pantry, you’ll be thrilled with the many locally sourced marketplace items in the hotel lobby. Blue Delta Jeans represent functional and fashionable designs for discerning trouser shoppers. Each pair is meticulously sewn after a custom measurement to ensure the best fit. In an impromptu meeting with Brian Baldwin, Blue Delta’s Customer Experience Supervisor, we learned how this company embraces the methodology of bespoke products and centering on the consumer experience, which begins with individual measurements and ends with an item of clothing that represents the individuality of patterns and design choices. It’s couture, using raw denim.
Locals rave about Magnolia Soap, which is a plant-based soap company. Avoid those harsh chemicals! These soaps and other skin care products protect sensitive skin while the delicate aromas keep customers returning for more. According to their website, the products are available in more than 650 stores, so it’s no wonder we saw this brand in many Tupelo gift shops.
At the Hotel Tupelo, the guest rooms radiate an upscale boutique vibe. There is ample workspace for business travelers. The in-room coffee maker and refrigerator are thoughtful touches that improve the overnight experience for everyone.
Hilton Garden Inn in Tupelo
The Hilton Garden Inn is the closest overnight accommodation to the Cadence Bank Arena and Conference Center. In fact, the view from my hotel room overlooked the entry doors to the spacious entertainment complex. The Hilton app made check-in a breeze with a notification that my room was available before the scheduled 3 PM time.
The room, upon arrival, was fully prepared for our stay, and our free WiFi service connected our devices and equipment instantly. This hotel exudes the high standards of the Hilton brand. We especially enjoyed knowing that the Garden Grille, near the main entrance, offers a daily breakfast and dinner.
The hotel lobby has several seating areas for guests to gather or to meet in a common area while maintaining adequate privacy and social distancing if desired. There’s a 24/7 business center with two desks and a printer. The fitness center is well-equipped and adjacent to the indoor pool.
Overnight Rentals in Mill Village
While many of the Mill Village homes are privately owned, a few have been converted to VRBO or Airbnb properties as vacation rentals. The Mill Village community, five blocks south of Main Street, is undergoing a revival. Per the application to the National Register of Historic Places, most of Mill Village was constructed from 1901 to 1909 and 1919 to 1924. These mill employee homes were typically one-story, wooden cottages. The houses were consistently placed near the front of the designated lots. The mill owners preferred village homes near the work plants to monitor and control employee activities. Visitors to Mill Village near downtown Tupelo will see bungalows, shotgun houses, and duplex-style homes.
Holiday Inn and Suites Tupelo
Bikers on the Natchez Trace Parkway can find a comfortable overnight stay at the Holiday Inn and Suites-Tupelo North, just 1.4 miles from the parkway and slightly more than a mile from downtown. Others prefer this location for its easy access to major highways when traveling an east/west route. There are dozens of dining options within a mile of the hotel. Whatever the reason for travel, weary travelers always seek a comfortable room to relax, and this hotel delivers!
Our room presented a medium firm king-sized bed with soft linens and a thick, cozy comforter. The brown bed skirt fits against the base of the bed without trailing onto the floor. The roll-away desk and wheeled work chair made after-hours work a breeze. My favorite feature was the love seat and companion cube seating with a side table for working on the computer or for relaxing with easy viewing of the mounted television. We moved and reconfigured the items to serve our needs, which was a much-appreciated convenience.
The Holiday Inn and Suites in Tupelo offers a breakfast buffet for an additional fee. The hot buffet for our Sunday morning meal included guest selections for eggs, crispy baked potato cubes, bacon, sausage patties, biscuits and gravy, and grits. Cold food selections included cereals and a fresh fruit bowl. Upon arrival at the first-floor restaurant area, the waitstaff seated us immediately and handled our drink orders. The buffet manager assisted each guest with choices at the hot food serving station.
In the evenings, patrons gathered to unwind and enjoy the artistic vibe of the bar area. Couches and plush chairs are plentiful near the bar area, which opens to the ceiling, some 4 floors above the entry-level of the hotel. On the same level, we discovered an indoor pool, steaming hot tub/spa, and access to outdoor lounge seating.
More Places to Stay in Tupelo
In addition to the excellent Holiday Inn and Suites mentioned above, the North Gloster area northwest of downtown Tupelo is where you’ll find more than a dozen chain hotel options, including a Holiday Inn Express, Candlewood Suites, Home2 Suites by Hilton, and Courtyard by Marriott.
Wherever you stay in Tupelo, Mississippi, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere and soon realize why Mississippi is known as The Hospitality State.
