EAT, STAY, PLAY: CLARKSDALE

Clarksdale boasts a colorful mix of Delta characters and fascinating places. Discover a hotel where blueswoman Bessie Smith died and John F. Kennedy, Jr. slept. Eat a tamale or dine at a restaurant co-owned and frequented by Morgan Freeman. We're the crossroads of culture and quirkiness with a heavy dose of the blues.

Grab a coffee and breakfast at Yazoo Pass, a French-style bistro, bakery and espresso bar.

Don’t miss the experience of a Delta tamale at Larry’s Hot Tamales or try a batch at the local favorite BBQ joint, Abe's.

Dinner and live music at Ground Zero Blues Club, owned by celebrity Morgan Freeman, is a must-do.

For an unusual stay, Shack Up Inn offers sharecropper shacks, modernized with air conditioning/heat and indoor plumbing, all located on the historic Hopson Plantation about three miles off Route 49.

Delta Bohemian Guest House takes Clarksdale’s artsy edge to new heights. The unique, self-contained, short-term accommodation is located in the heart of old residential Clarksdale, only three blocks from downtown.

Travelers Hotel and The Lofts at the Five and Dime are both located downtown in remodeled historic properties. Tastefully designed and highly Instagram-worthy, these hip hotels offer a more refined place to rest.

Delta Cotton Company Apartments offer seven unique apartments located above Ground Zero Blues Club, in what was once a cotton grading warehouse.

If you’re after something related to the Mississippi Blues—from recorded music and concert posters to souvenirs and folk art, Cat Head Store is where to look.

Red’s Blues Club is an authentic juke joint housed in the former LaVene Music Center building. The unassuming establishment has become an unofficial meeting spot for blues travelers from around the globe. For more blues, hit up Ground Zero and Levon's - hosting live acts throughout the week.

Explore the blues through memorabilia at the Delta Blues Museum, the state’s oldest music museum, including permanent exhibits such as Muddy Waters’ childhood cabin and guitars played by the greats.

The legendary Robert Johnson Crossroads, where Highway 49 intersects with Highway 61 is the fabled spot where legendary bluesman Robert Johnson is said to have sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his unexplainable guitar talent. You’ll find a sign marking the spot on the Blues Highway—it’s a must-see, even if it’s just for the photo opp.