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Visit A Home of the Blues

Need a recipe for a weekend getaway? Music + food + nature = Clarksdale, Mississippi! 

Clarksdale Mississippi is a cultural center in the Mississippi Delta where America's original music, the blues, began. Located on the Sunflower River in Coahoma County, this lively town is known for live blues music seven nights a week in Blues Alley.

Coahoma County Tourism Executive Director, Kinchen “Bubba” O’Keefe states, “Clarksdale is the kind of place that you come to detox from the world. It is not a bus tour town, but is a place to lay back and just let things happen. It is very serendipitous. Just walk around town and meet the people.  You never know where it is going to take you.  People come for the music, but they come back for the people.  The people of Clarksdale are very friendly and love to share their favorite stories with you. They are not shy about telling you about their favorite places to eat, to drink or to listen to music.”

At least one music venue is open every night with live blues music. And if you can’t be in Clarksdale, a virtual live blues music series is happening on Visit Clarksdale’s website.

In the city, you’ll find the Delta Blues Museum, home to a blues shrine of memorabilia and artifacts. Another must visit is the iconic Crossroads of Highway 61 and 49 where legend runs deep about King of the Delta Blues, Robert Johnson. Don’t miss the Tennessee Williams Rectory
Museum, famous for being the place playwright, Tennessee Williams regularly visited his grandparents in Clarksdale.

Locals says you’ll never go hungry in Clarksdale and recommend trying the barbeque at historic Abe’s Barbeque, upscale cuisine at Yazoo Pass, and Hick’s Tamales. Clarksdale restaurants are thought of as an experience all on their own.

Clarksdale accommodations are unique with an original Delta sharecropper shack at Shack Up Inn or in downtown within walking distance of museums, restaurants and night life at the stylish Five and Dime.

If shopping is your thing, you’ll find lots of locally owned boutiques, art and music stores. Bluestown Music is a mom and pop shop that has been selling guitars and amps since 2001. Nellie May’s showcases pottery, clothing, home and gift items. Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk
Art, named after southern biscuits the size of a cat’s head, offers animal-themed blues labels and local art. Strolling through town, you’re guaranteed to find a unique souvenir.

And not only does Clarksdale have all the music you’d want to listen to, but many outdoor activities as well. You’ll find The Mississippi Blues Trail, a journey into the land that takes you through interesting facts and places you’ve never seen. Clarksdale and Coahoma County have fifteen markers on the Mississippi Blues Trail, giving visitors a new appreciation for the birthplace of the blues. Grab your canoe or kayak to enjoy a trip along the Sunflower River with free public access. Start your journey at Soldiers Field, which runs along the river with disc golf or a picnic with a view. Lace up your sneakers to take in the walking trails. Moon Lake is about 15 miles north of Clarksdale. This 2,300 acres oxbow lake has public access for boating and fishing. After a day on the water, stop by Kathryn’s on Moon Lake for a bit to eat. This local eatery has been open since 1937 and serves fresh fish, pasta, filets, burgers and a little something for everyone.

Clarksdale is also home to many festivals throughout the year. You can rock to world-class music at the Juke Joint Festival, listen to gospel music at the Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival or watch a porch play at the Tennessee Williams Festival. Clarksdale has so much to offer and is a vibrant getaway in the Mississippi Delta.  VisitClarksdale.com
 
3 Places for Live Blues Music

Red’s Lounge
Red’s Lounge is the real-deal Mississippi juke joint. This laid back bar serves some beers as “big as your head.”

Ground Zero Blues Club
Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero was created to celebrate the area’s rich blues heritage and provide a space where this culture can continue.

Hooker Grocer + Eatery
Located in the heart of Clarksdale deep in the Mississippi Delta and surrounded by other venues is Hooker Grocer + Eatery. Hooker Grocer + Eatery is a restaurant, bar, and music venue serving southern classics with a tasty and unique Clarksdale twist.

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