Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama

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Mississippi* [for the blues***]
From the Appalachian Mountains in the north east through the rolling hills of the central midlands to the flood plains of the Mississippi and the Gulf coast, this state still has the blues - from ancient civil war, slavery, music and hurricanes.

Tupelo* for Elvis fans, it all started here, hometown of the 'King' at the Elvis Presley Birthplace.
Oxford* intellectual capital of the state, with a monster hit section of blues recordings at the Universities Center for the Study of Southern Culture.
Clarksdale and Greenville* these are good places to start an exploration of the history of the blues in the region by visiting the Delta Blues Museum, attending the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival in Clarksdale during August and the Mississippi Delta Blues Festival near Greenville in September.
Natchez* an attractive town with several visitable historic houses plus African-American and Native-American related museums. Also the Natchez Trace Parkway and old Indian route for your hiking or scenic driving pleasure.
Coastline* the main occupation here has been farming the sea, but try the Gulf Islands National Seashore of barrier islands with some good beaches; get there from Gulfport.

Mississipi riverboat picture by Lehi

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Alabama [for Civil Rights interest***]
Deep in the heart of the south, Alabama experienced a great social divide due to race issues so its main tourism interest now is Afro-American history, from 18thC slavery and the resulting Civil War to the Ku Klux Klan and 20thC riots.

Montgomery* the state capital, was an important Confederate center - see the First White House of the Confederacy and Alabama State Capitol. Later it became a battlezone for civil rights - see the Rosa Park Museum and the Civil Rights Memorial.
Artistic attractions are the the Museum of Fine Arts and the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum.
Birmingham* was another civil rights battlefield. See the Civil Rights Museum and 16thC Baptist Church.

Arkansas
The state makes the most of the fact that it has some hills and springs for outdoor interest, in addition to the bluesy Mississippi River and some Civil War history.

Boston Mountains* the main attraction is this range in the northwest of the state with rivers, forests and springs.
Try the attractive Buffalo National River for water activities, Eureka Springs for the waters, a scenic railway and historic architecture, plus biblical interest by way of a Bible Museum and other religious bits and pieces.
Helena* on the Mississippi Delta hosts the King Biscuit Blues Festival and Delta Cultural Centre.