20 Places in Tupelo Where You Can Find the "Best of Mississippi"

Mississippi Magazine releases a reader survey of the "Best of Mississippi" every year for its readers to determine where the Magnolia states most sought after destinations, shops or food items are. In 2016, 20 different Tupelo businesses, restaurants, attractions and destinations were found on the Best of Mississippi list. Without further ado, here's where you can find the best of Mississippi in Tupelo by location.

The Antler
Best Reception Hall "M List" Recognition 

" I saw the plans but never dreamed that they would create a space that has so much opportunity and has such attention to detail." 
- Tim P., Wedding Planner 









The Blue Canoe
 Best Dessert Winner:
Connie's Blueberry Donut Bread Pudding

Best Appetizer "M List" Recognition:
Fried Black Eyed Peas

Best Burger "M List" Recognition

There's so much good stuff going on at the
Canoe that we don't even have room to talk
about it.



The Caron Gallery 
 Best Art Gallery "M List" Recognition


Featuring artists from Mississippi and
Mississippi only, this art gallery located
on Main Street downtown is a must-see
and features everything from acrylic
or oil paintings to sculptures and other
forms of art.






Connie's Fried Chicken
Best Fried Chicken "M List" Recognition 


Connie's could have just as easily been on this
list for Best Dessert because of their famed
blueberry donuts, however, their chicken is
fantastic as well, thus the recognition as some
of the best in the Magnolia State.

Crave
Best Dessert "M List" Recognition:
Crave Skillet Cookie 

The skillet cookie is an absolute monster
that's exactly what it sounds like, topped off
with some ice cream to balance out the warmth
of an amazing cookie. Sharing is encouraged,
not required.



The Downtown Tupelo Farmer's Market 
Best Farmer's Market "M List" Recognition 

Fresh tomatoes, watermelons, squash, you name
it. The Downtown Tupelo Farmer's Market
is the place to get your locally grown produce
or vegetables, just ask some of our local chefs
that feature their food on their menus daily.






The Elvis Presley Birthplace 
Best Historic Site "M List" Recognition

Elvis fans and tourists alike from all over the
world flock to Tupelo to see where the King
himself got on the path to establishing Rock
n Roll. Tour the house Elvis was born in,
experience a Sunday gospel service at the very
church Elvis went to when he was young, or
walk the beautiful Elvis Birthplace Trail. It's a
must for any Elvis or music fan.



Harvey's 
Best Appetizer Winner:
Harvey's Broccoli Bites

Best Dessert "M List" Recognition:
Harvey's Bread Pudding

Best Fine Dining Experience "M List" Recogntion

Harvey's can be found in Tupelo, Starkville,
and even Columbus, but we're going to count it. With all of those recognitions, it's definitely worth a trip.






Kay's Kreations 
Best Mother of the Bride Shop "M List" 
Recognition 

Best Bridal Boutique "M List" Recognition

With over 1,000 different wedding gowns in
their showroom and tons of seating for guests
this is without question one of the best places in Mississippi to be a bride.

Lost Pizza Company 
Best Pizza Winner

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant "M List" 
Recognition

"Get Lost" in what was once just the dream of two college roommates in Mississippi. Now, they make the Magnolia states best pizza with the freshest ingredients and have an awesome beer selection to boot.


McCalister's Deli 
Best Sweet Tea Winner

Best Deli "M List" Recognition

Founded in Oxford, MS, in 1989, you can now find McCalister's Deli in 26 states. The expansion of McCalister's hasn't changed the quality of their sweet tea, however, which is famously good and constantly awarded. (They have a national free sweet tea day, which is today if you're reading this on July 21st, 2016.)




Mid-South Nursery and Garden Center 
Best Yard & Garden Shop "M List" Recognition

Need a plant or shrub? How about some flowers? Mid-South Nursery and Garden Center on Coley Road will have everything you need and greet you with a warm smile in the process.












Mugshots Grill & Bar 
Best Burger Winner

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant "M List"
Recognition

If you're looking for what Mississippi Magazine readers consider the best burger in the state, then look no further than Mugshots Grill & Bar on Main Street. With succulent burgers and an easy going atmosphere, you'll never leave hungry.





The Natchez Trace Parkway  
Best Hiking Area/Destination Winner

Best Historic Site "M List" Recognition

Even though the Natchez Trace Parkway stretches across 444 miles from Natchez, MS, to Nashville, TN, we're going to claim this one because the Trace is headquartered here in Tupelo. It's a beautiful drive and an amazing way to spend the day, no matter which direction you go in from Tupelo.

The Neon Pig Cafe 
Best Burger "M List" Recognition

While the Neon Pig Cafe didn't win
Mississippi Magazine's readership poll
for best burger in the state, it was voted the
#1 burger in the country in a Thrillist.com
poll in 2015. That just goes to show how
great the burger scene is here in Tupelo.








Newk's Eatery  
Best Deli Winner

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant "M List"
Recognition

Best Sweet Tea "M List" Recognition

Newk's, a regional restaurant, had many recognitions from
Mississippi Magazine readers in 2016. From winning
"Best Deli" to being recognized on the M List for one of the
best kid-friendly restaurants, there's a lot to be proud of
at Newk's.



Reed's Department Store   
Best Men's Casual Clothing Store Winner

Founded in 1905 in the heart of downtown Tupelo,
Reed's Department Store is a local icon. Not only
does Reed's offer impeccable men's clothing, it has
also been voted the friendliest store in Tupelo and
Lee County 14 years in a row.

Sweet Pepper's Deli 
Best Sweet Tea "M List" Recognition

Best Deli "M List" Recognition

One thing is certain, Tupelo isn't lacking when
it comes to excellent sweet teas. The Sweet Pepper's Deli made the M List for both
Sweet Tea and Best Deli in Mississippi.
Yet another restaurant where both residents and visitors to Tupelo alike can find the best in the state.

Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo 
Best Kids Attraction "M List" Recognition

Where else in the state can you take the family out for a day of petting giraffes, watching Siberian tigers play, or meeting a Capuchin monkey famous (literally) for its lock picking ability? (His name is Oliver, by the way) The Tupelo Buffalo Park is far more than just a great kids attraction.







The Tupelo Flea Market  
Best Flea Market "M List" Recognition

The Tupelo Flea Market has everything and is the South's largest Indoor and Outdoor Flea Market. The 500,000 square foot space draws people from all over Northeast Mississippi every year.









And there it is, Tupelo. In the end, the All-American City wound up getting 32 separate recognitions or wins for 20 different stores, attractions, or restaurants.

Valentine's Day in Tupelo

The Classic

A listing of all the Tupelo 
restaurants: http://bit.ly/1Qegn5v

The classic is your old-fashion, never fails, go-to date night plan - dinner and a movie. Choose from one of Tupelo's 130+ restaurants to spoil the love of your life with something delicious, whether that's lobster, steak or even a greasy cheeseburger. 

Tupelo has several great local places for a quiet romantic  evening, such as Harvey's, Park Heights, South and others. If you'd rather take your significant other somewhere more familiar, Tupelo has all the classics like Olive Garden, Applebee's, Red Lobster and more. 

After you've dined, get cozy in one of Tupelo's theaters for a great movie. 

Just Gimme Dessert
Satisfy your sweet tooth! Valentine's Day is special so skip your broccoli and carrots and go straight for cookies and cake if you want!

Following the idea of the classic, but instead of dinner, go straight for dessert. Take your lovely lady or handsome husband out for a wonderful night then cap off the evening with a skillet cookie from Crave or visit Blue Canoe for some Connie's blueberry donut bread pudding.

Visit What Makes Tupelo Famous

For more attractions: http://bit.ly/23eKcdn

Valentine's is about doing something to celebrate the one that you love. It means breaking the norm and spending some quality time together, so why not do something special? Take a trip down memory lane and tour the Tupelo Automobile Museum, or pet a giraffe at the Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo. Or what better way to celebrate your love than by visiting the Birthplace of America's most famous crooner, the Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum. 

The Rockin' Date
Being the Birthplace to the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Tupelo has great live music almost every night of the week. For Valentine's Day, take your date out for some live music. There are several venues hosting live music the weekend of Valentine's Day, including (but not limited to) Blue Canoe, Romie's, Nautical Whimsey and others. 

For full events listing: http://bit.ly/1PF7DCP 

Something Different

This is your opportunity to get creative. There's a few things happening in Tupelo on Valentine's Weekend that are different from The Classic or Rockin' Date.

The Sumida Japanese Pottery Exhibit is on display at the GumTree Museum of Art. The pottery is on loan from the Ohr/O'Keefe Museum and will only on display until March. Don't miss this chance to see unique and beautiful art.

Throw the night away bowling at Rebel Lanes! Bowling is something different and fun that lets you get a little competitive. 

It's good to smile and a laugh shared with a loved one is good for the soul. On Saturday, February 13, the Link Centre is hosting Shake Rag Improv Comedy night. The event starts at 7:30 pm.

So You Think You Know Tupelo?

Eight facts about Tupelo that you might not have known:

1.) Evaporated milk was one of Tupelo's earliest industries.

2.) The last known bank robbery by Prohibition-era gangster Machine Gun Kelly, took place on November 30, 1932 at Citizen's State Bank in Tupelo. His gang stole $38,000.

3.) Tupelo is the seventh largest city in the State of Mississippi.

4.) The current location of Ballard Park & Oren Dunn City Museum were once the home of the Tupelo Country Club, a clubhouse and nine-hole goal course. After the country club moved to Bel-Air the property was a dairy farm before it was transformed into a park.

5.) The building that Harvey's restaurant on South Gloster Street occupies was once a Coca-Cola bottling plant that opened in 1954.

6.) Harry Truman, the 33rd President of the Unite States, visited Tupelo on October 22, 1960 and more than 10,000 people welcomed him when he visited. Truman was on the road campaigning for John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johson who were running for President & Vice President of the United States.

7.) The Comus Theatre, built in 1912, was located on the northwest corner of Broadway and Court Streets. It hosted live traveling vaudeville shows and silent movies. Its name was later changed to Strand Theatre and subsequently to the Lyric Theatre. It was purchased by the Tupelo Community Theatre in 1958 and once again used as a playhouse.

8.) The home of Private John Allen, United States Congressman from Lee County, was sold in 1949 and became the Lee County Library. In 1969, the building was torn down and the current library was built on the site.

September Photo Blog

Thanks for sharing your photos with us each month! Here's just a few of our favorites from September, 2015! Keep sharing your Tupelo photos using #MyTupelo and you could be featured too! For more photos, visit: my.tupelo.net