Roots of Rock n’ Blues Vacation Holiday

Mississippi gave birth to another king, a certain Elvis Aaron Presley, in a 2- room, shotgun house in Tupelo. His love of music began here when his mother bought him a guitar from the Tupelo Hardware Store for his eleventh birthday. When the Presley family moved to Memphis, Elvis Presley joined forces with Sam Phillips at Sun Studio to revolutionize popular music and Rock’n’Roll was born.

But there is more than music. Memphis and Mississippi also mean the mellow way of life in the Deep South. The South of mint juleps and magnolia trees, of folklore and fable, and warm hospitality. The South of Civil War, where preserved battle sites and historic homes bear witness to the tragedy of a nation torn apart. The South of Civil Rights strife, where you can trace the African-Americans’ enduring struggle for freedom.

In order to maximize results we strongly suggest a Wed or Thu starting day. This will allow for a Thu, Fri & Sat nights in Clarksdale and Greenwood. Blues entertainment is only available Thu, Fri & Sat nights in these small towns. Furthermore, near Greenwood is one of only two truly authentic “juke joints” in Mississippi, Po Monkey’s and it is only open on Thursday nights. Also near Greenwood is Club Ebony, now owned by B.B. King, and it is only open Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun nights and with live blues mostly only on Fri & Sat. You can also request prices mixing 3* & 4* hotels. Example we suggest those wanting 4* hotels consider staying at Tallahatchie Flats and getting the real feeling of the Deep South rural lifestyle.

*Children’s Rates Sharing room with adult: 0 - 3 yrs: Free | 4 - 17 yrs: $100.00

Moderate Hotels

Superior Hotels

Day 1 - Memphis

Arrive in Memphis, the “Home of the Blues” and the “Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” After settling in your hotel, get yourself to Beale Street, one of America’s most famous streets where W.C. Handy first penned the Blues music of the Mississippi Delta. Located downtown stretching several blocks east of the river bluffs. Nightclubs and restaurants offer a variety of food and live music including traditional Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Jazz, and Rock ‘n’ Roll. Shops and boutiques throughout the district provide visitors with the opportunity to purchase souvenirs, t-shirts, memorabilia, and novelties. The world-famous street also features a statue of W.C. Handy, a musical “Walk of Fame,” and Church Park, built by the South’s first Black millionaire, Robert Church. Visit A. Schwab’s Dry Goods Store at 163 Beale, a mainstay on the street since 1876, Schwab’s stocks everything from voodoo potions to 99-cent neckties. Walk Beale Street west to Tom Lee Park and the banks of the Mississippi River, where you can stroll, gawk at the Riverboats and River barges, and view an awesome sunset.

Day 2 - Memphis

First, go to Graceland and tour Elvis’ beloved Mansion. Imagine being in the same place where the most famous musician in the world hung his hat and made music that has mesmerized the world. In addition to Elvis’ home, the mansion tour includes the Hall of Gold, Elvis’ private office, the Meditation Garden and the Racquetball Court with the dedicated wall of gold and platinum records and a monument given by RCA Records proclaiming Elvis as the greatest entertainer and recording artist of all times. After the mansion, tour the remaining Graceland attractions at your own pace. These include: The Elvis Presley Car Museum, Elvis’ Airplanes - The Lisa Marie and the Hound Dog II, and the Sincerely Elvis Museum filled with personal items and memorabilia. Of course, gift shops abound, overflowing with Elvis souvenirs, cassettes, videos and special keepsakes.

For sure, stride over to the Smithsonian’s Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. In the quest to identify the roots of American music, all roads lead to Memphis. Learn why Memphis was the epicenter of Rock ‘n’ Roll and Blues ‘n’ Soul music. The sounds that came from the fields, alleys, juke joints and choir lofts all collided in Memphis and something new was created: a kind of musical magic that would eventually transform the hearts, attitudes and ways of the world.

Next, tour the nearby Sun Studio, the birthplace of Rock’n’Roll. Today the studio, where Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Rufus Thomas, Howlin’ Wolf, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and many others launched their careers, is open to the public for tours daily while still operating as a studio by night. Sun Studio Cafe is located next door to the studio. Above the cafe is a new museum/gallery featuring hundreds of rare recordings, memorabilia, photographs, and vintage recording equipment. Overnight Memphis.

Day 3 - Memphis to Jackson
(110 miles / 176 kilometers)

Motor through Nutbush, the birthplace of entertainer Tina Turner, to Brownsville, Tennessee. Here you can visit the home of blues singer Sleepy John Estes, and the adjacent Delta Heritage Center. Down the road in Jackson you will tour the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and visit the Casey Jones Village and Old Country Store. Overnight Jackson.

Day 4 - Jackson to Tupelo
(105 miles / 168 kilometers)

Today see Elvis Presley’s birthplace. This modest two-room house, where the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was born, has been restored and is part of the Elvis Presley Center. The Center includes the Elvis Presley Museum, Memorial Chapel and Elvis Presley Park. The museum is home to one of the most unique private collections of Elvis memorabilia in the world. Overnight Tupelo.

Day 5 - Tupelo to Greenwood
(120 miles / 192 kilometers)

The Natchez Trace Parkway began centuries ago as a footpath and buffalo trail used by the Indians for travel between the Mississippi River at Natchez to Middle Tennessee. Over the trace passed many Indian war parties attacking feeble white settlements as well as armed bands of settlers attacking their Indian adversaries. In the 1800’s it was expanded for use as a wagon road between the settlements in Middle Tennessee and Natchez in the Mississippi Territory. Today it is a beautiful, federally maintained historic parkway.

Visit the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, which was built to honor the life and music of one of the most accomplished musicians of our time. The museum’s exhibits and educational programs serve to build bridges between the community and the world while preserving the rich cultural and musical heritage of the Mississippi Delta. The life of B.B. King provides the backdrop for the Museum to share the rich cultural heritage of the Mississippi Delta. Through an authentic presentation of music, art, artifacts and video, along with our educational programming, the Museum honors its namesake as an internationally renowned and influential musician and celebrates Delta blues music heritage and the local culture. Overnight Greenwood.

Day 6 - Greenwood to Clarksdale
(57 miles / 91 Kilometers)

From the 1930’s through the 1950’s Clarksdale was a major blues town. John Lee Hooker, Ike Turner, Little Junior Parker and Sam Cooke were born here. Robert Nighthawk, Bukka White, “Gatemouth” Moore, Eddie Boyd, Son House, and Charley Patton all once lived in the area. Clarksdale became the center of the blues world by virtue of its location smack in the middle of the Delta, and Delta blues still come from this source.

In Clarksdale, don’t miss the Delta Blues Museum. Here you can enjoy unique displays, video tape and slide/sound programs, photographs, and recordings, about the blues. Nearby on Delta Avenue is the Sunflower River Trading Company store with many unusual items for sale. Stop for lunch or evening drinks at Ground Zero Blues Club, an authentically reproduced blues “juke joint” owned by the famous actor, Morgan Freeman.Stop in Stackhouse Records, a record shop and recording studio for Rooster Blues Records. Visit “The Crossroads”, the intersection of Highways 61 and 49, where legend has it that the most famous bluesman of all, Robert Johnson, made a pact with the devil. Bluesmen who knew Johnson were all astounded at how quickly he learned the guitar, and Johnson himself often claimed his extraordinary prowess as a “gift” from the devil. Overnight Clarksdale.

Day 7 - Clarksdale to Memphis
(75 miles / 120 kilometers)

Lunch on Beale Street, where the Blues was born. It’s the melting pot of Delta Blues, Jazz, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Rhythm ‘n’ Blues, and Gospel. It’s the rich, spicy food of the South. It’s cold brew and hot music. Overnight Memphis.

Day 8 - Depart for home.

Terms & Conditions:

Transportation to the attractions & hotels is not included. All prices are the total costs for the number of adults occupying the room in existing bedding. Rolloways are not included & may be at an extra charge if available. Children 11 & under are free in all hotels. Youth 12 - 17 are free in most hotels. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover & American Express. Cancellations less than 30 days before arrival will incur penalties of $25.00 per person plus any supplier fees. Changes made after documents have been issued incur a $25.00 document reissue fee.