The Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival is held in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Clarksdale is located in Coahoma County which is full of Blues history. Often called the “Birthplace of the Blues” it is home to much Blues History which can be found at the Delta Blues Museum and at historical sites throughout the area.
Attractions
The Delta Blues Museum
The Delta Blues Museum is moving to the newly restored Illinois Central Railroad Freight Depot in downtown Clarksdale, Mississippi, the legendary birthplace of the blues.
The Hopson Plantation Headquarters
& Commissary
At one time one of the largest cotton farming operations in the Delta. Produced the first cotton crop from planting to baling entirely by machinery.
Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art, Inc
Specializes in regional blues CDs and artwork.
The Tutwiler Arts Project
W.C Handy first heard the blues while waiting for a train at the Tutwiler Depot. Resident artists have revitalized the town.
Famous Blues Spots
The Crossroads
(Hwys. 49 & 61)
W.C. Handy’s home
Muddy Water’s home
bluesmen’s gravesites
WROX Radio Station
Riverside Hotel
Blues Alley Railroad Depot
Events
The Delta Jubilee
Over 30,000 people converge the first weekend in June for three funfilled days of events including a 5K run, tennis & softball tournaments, frog jumping contest, arts, crafts, rides, and live music. The Jubilee also hosts the Mississippi State Pork BBQ Cooking Competition.
The Tennessee Williams Festival
This event, held in mid-October, commemorates the playwright’s childhood years spent in Clarksdale. The festival consists of plays, discussions, music, southern cuisine, walking tours and more.
Community Theater
The Mississippi Arts Council in Clarksdale supports the activities of an active community theater group that annually sponsors at least four productions of popular Broadway shows. The Council is renovating the historically significant Paramount Theatre in downtown Clarksdale.
For more information about Clarksville, Mississippi, visit Clarksdale Online.
Directions
By AIR
Fly into Memphis, go South on 61 Highway to Clarksdale.
61 Turns into N. State Street. Turn right on DeSoto, go under the railroad tracks and turn left on 2nd Street.
By Land
From the West
49 Highway meets up with 61 North of Clarksdale. Take 61 South to Clarksdale. 61 Turns into N. State Street. Turn right on DeSoto Avenue, go under the railroad tracks and turn left on 2nd Street.
From the South
Take 61 North to Clarksdale. 61 Turns into N. State Street. Turn left on DeSoto Avenue, go under the railroad tracks and turn left on 2nd Street.
-or-
Take Highway 49 North (49W to pass through Indianola, or 49E to pass through Greenwood) to Clarksdale. 49 Turns into DeSoto Avenue. Follow DeSoto under the railroad tracks and turn left on 2nd Street.
From the East
40 Highway meets up with 61 North of Clarksdale. Take 61 South to Clarksdale. 61 Turns into N. State Street. Turn right on DeSoto Avenue, go under the railroad tracks and turn left on 2nd Street.
-or-
Take Highway 6 West into Clarksdale. Highway 6 turns into Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. (4th Street). Turn right onto DeSoto Avenue, go under the railroad tracks and turn left on 2nd Street.
From the North
Go South on 61 Highway to Clarksdale.
61 Turns into N. State Street. Turn right on DeSoto Avenue, go under the railroad tracks and turn left on 2nd Street.
Lodging
Clarksdale | Lula | Surrounding Areas | Restaurants
Clarksdale Lodging
America’s Best Value Inn & Suites
350 South State St.
Clarksdale, MS 38614
662-621-1110
Clarksdale White House
325 West Second St.
Clarksdale, MS 38614
662-392-9249
Delta Bohemian Guest House
1114 Seminole St.
Clarksdale, MS 38614
662-392-9249
Budget Inn
420 South State St.
Clarksdale, MS 38614
662-624-6541
Comfort Inn
818 South State St.
Clarksdale, MS 38614
662-627-5122
Hampton Inn-Clarksdale
15000 New Africa Road
Clarksdale, MS 38614
662-621-1717
Honey Hill Bed & Breakfast
302 South State St.
Clarksdale, MS 38614
405-605-618-1157
The Loft at Hopson Plantation
8141 Old HWY 49 S.
Clarksdale, MS 38614
662-624-5756
The Shack Up Inn/Cotton Gin Inn
001 Commissary Cir
Clarksdale, MS 38614
662-624-8329
Up-Town Motor Inn
305 E. 2nd St
Clarksdale, MS 38614
662-3251
Southern Inn
1904 North State St.
Clarksdale, MS 38614
662-624-6558
Lula Lodging
Palm Terrace Hotel, Isle of Capri Casino & Entertainment Resort
777 Isle of Capri Parkway
Lula, MS
1-800-THE-ISLE
Uncle Henry’s Bed and Breakfast
5860 Moon Lake Road
Dundee, MS
662-337-2757
Coral Reef Hotel, Isle of Capri Casino & Entertainment Resort
777 Isle of Capri Parkway
Lula, MS
1-800-THE-ISLE
Surrounding Area Lodging
Delta Plantation Inn
3515 Hwy 61 North
Tunica, MS 38676
662-363-1532
Hotel Marie
1195 Main Street
Tunica, MS 38676
662-363-0100
Tunica Levee Inn
1070 Riverview Drive
Tunica, MS 38676
662-363-2002
Hampton Inn
7500 Commerce Landing Road
Tunica, MS 38676
662-363-6711
Key West Inn
Hwy 61 North
Tunica, MS 38676
662-363-0021
Tunica Motel
1011 Hwy 61 North
Tunica, MS 38676
662-363-2932
Holiday Inn Express
4250 Casino Center Drive
Tunica, MS 38676
662-363-0030
King’s Quarters
1070 Riverview Drive
Tunica, MS 38676
662-363-2002
Clarksdale Restaurants
The Rest Haven Restaraunt
419 State Street
(Hwy 61)
Yazoo Pass
207 Yazoo Avenue
Abe’s Bar-B-Q Drive In
616 State Street
(HWY 61)
Ground Zero Blues Club
0 Blues Alley
The Ranchero
1907 State Street
(Hwy 61)
Ramon’s
535 Oakhurst Avenue
Lula Restaurants
Farradday’s Restaurant, The Isle of Capri Casino & Entertainment Resort
777 Isle of Capri Parkway
Lula, MS
1-800-THE-ISLE
Calypso’s Restaurant, The Isle of Capri Casino & Entertainment Resort
777 Isle of Capri Parkway
Lula, MS
1-800-THE-ISLE
Tradewind’s Market, The
Isle of Capri Casino & Entertainment Resort
777 Isle of Capri Parkway
Lula, MS
1-800-THE-ISLE
