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.
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.
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