Springtime in Tupelo
With so much to see and do, there’s no place like Tupelo for a spring getaway
Words by Paige Townley
Tupelo may be a small town, but it’s big on opportunity. That’s evident everywhere from its ever-growing food scene and new properties popping up all over to its many festivals and events on the calendar this spring.
Tupelo’s Annual Blue Suede Cruise is coming up April 29 through May 1, and it’s a weekend no one wants to miss. This classic auto show, which began in 2003, combines a love of fine automobiles with rock and roll, and it draws car enthusiasts from across the country to the city to showcase a wide variety of cars, from antique and classic to hot rods. More than 900 cars will be featured over the weekend, which also includes live music, food, and even a classic car parade.
Soon after is another sought-after event hosted every Mother’s Day Weekend, May 6-8, 2022: Gumtree Art & Wine Festival. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, this three-day juried fine arts festival is a marketplace of makers, designers, doers, and dreamers that brings in a variety of festival goers to celebrate the visual and performing arts. This year, the festival has added an element to the already popular event with the addition of wine and culinary pairings.
Beyond its festive annual events, Tupelo has plenty of other activities to pack the calendar. As home to the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra—not to mention at least a dozen other live music venues and even a 10,000-seat arena—there’s always some sort of concert or performance.
Rounding out a fun weekend getaway to the North Mississippi town is its thriving culinary scene. Tupelo boasts more than 160 restaurants—and counting—from typical chain establishments to unique locally owned eateries and even can’t-find-them-anywhere-else spots like Queen’s Reward Meadery, the first and only meadery in the state.
Not quite sure of where to stay? There are plenty of accommodations throughout the city, with new options coming online. There are three brand-new properties recently opened, Tru by Hilton, Home 2 Suites by Hilton—both situated nearby one of the town’s major shopping districts—and Hotel Tupelo, a new boutique hotel situated downtown that also features a new bohemian restaurant and bar, Jobos.
Ready to book your trip or learn more about Tupelo? Visit tupelo.net.