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.

Mommy Claus: 3 Tupelo Moms' Perspective on Christmas Joy & Craziness

The Christmas season is a busy time of the year for everyone with Christmas parties, present buying and visiting family. This is all in addition to the year-round regular day-to-day activities. But there’s one family member that takes on the responsibility for making Christmas happen and that’s usually mom. So, as an appreciation for all the hard work mothers put into the Christmas season, we asked three Tupelo mama’s a few questions about their Christmas preparedness, triumphs and ideals.

Here are our three Tupelo mamas:

Name: Ashley Buse

Occupation: Pharmaceutical Sales

Kids: Tripp (5), Foley (3)

Name: Carley Johnston

Occupation: Stay at home mom

Kids: Maury (13), Lucy (10), Rebecca (8), Celia (5)

Name: Paige Scruggs

Occupation: Attorney

Kids: Savannah (8), Charlie (6)

And here is what they had to say:

1.) Where do you get your gift ideas?

Ashley: I get my ideas from each individual person I buy for. I try to pick up on things they say throughout the year and incorporate that into my gift purchases! My Christmas list: husband, 2 kids, parents, husband’s parents, my 2 sisters, their families, my sister in-law, her husband and kids and my husband’s grandparents.

Carley: I ask the girls, look online for ideas and ask other moms. Other moms are probably my best resource!

Paige: I now get my gift ideas directly from lists. For years I liked to buy things I thought my children should have: education toys, interesting books (read: encyclopedias and atlases), nifty sets of magnets and bars you can use to construct. I wanted them to learn to be imaginative. Those toys are gathering dust. Now I just want to get down to brass tacks. I want to know exactly what they want and that is exactly what I am getting.

2.) What is your approach to shopping for your family for Christmas?

Ashley: I am a year round shopper. If I find something that I love for a particular person on my list, I buy it. The only downfall to this is you find yourself buying too much for everyone!!

Carley: Online because of the convenience but shopping local is what I prefer. I have only sent my husband for a Black Friday special once – a couple of years ago. I usually avoid shopping on Black Friday, but I do like Cyber Monday.

Paige: Here is my approach: Every December I say to myself, “I am starting early next year. By November I will have mostly everything.” Then, I never do that and I am with all of the other crazies out there the week before Christmas trying to get my shopping done. I literally got the last of one certain gift in the WHOLE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM because I waited until the last minute. I called all of the possible stores, found ONE and then raced to get it. In my defense, I had completely forgotten my child wanted that gift until the last minute. Wait- is that a defense?

3.) How do you balance being a mother, Christmas shopping and the general busyness of the holiday season?

Ashley: A good husband!!! For our family nothing is 100% on me and for that I am thankful. I work a full-time job, as does my husband and we work as a team to make sure all of our bases are covered. If I need to get out and get some shopping, my husband keeps the kids and that allows me time to Christmas shop once I get off work or during the weekends.

Carley: Trying to balance everything is so difficult! I have tried to scale back on our Christmas and lower my own expectations on what will get done. Three of my daughters have birthdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so that adds to the list as well. School and church activities also take up a lot of time and add to all the clutter in my brain. Every year I say I am going to start earlier and be done by Thanksgiving. I know Christmas is the same time every year, but this year has been hard because Thanksgiving was late in November. It’s like December sneaks up on us moms!

Paige: Balance smalance. There is no balancing. The scale is terribly off kilter in one direction or the other at all times. Things are forgotten (including people) and cookies are burned. Sometimes certain “things” don’t get moved. (I have to be elusive here because my child can read.) I do the best I can to get it all done but it just simply doesn’t always happen. The sun will rise tomorrow though, so I try not to stress it.

4.) What is the most enjoyable part about Christmas shopping or is it just too stressful?

Ashley: Are you familiar with the 5 Love Languages? It breaks down 5 areas of how you feel most loved. My love language is definitely gifts. I feel loved by someone who gives me a gift, and you tend to show love to others the way you like to feel loved so therefore I really enjoy buying gifts. It’s the simple things that don’t cost much that mean the most to me. I really enjoy seeing someone’s face when they open a gift that they really wanted or were completely shocked by! It warms my heart.

Christmas shopping doesn’t stress me out at all. I am that person who walks in the door and hands someone a gift and demands them to open it right then because they are going to LOVE it!

Carley: I love finding a gift that I know that person will love, especially one that they haven’t even thought of to tell me. I get so excited about gift-giving! I just wish I had more time to really browse and find things that are unique and suit each person’s personality or likes. And I love to wrap gifts! I usually have to stay up extra late after the kids are asleep and wrap the gifts.

Paige: Oh, I love Christmas shopping! It is when I find the most things that I need. And yes, I enjoy shopping for others too. It doesn’t stress me to shop. It stresses me when I wait until the last minute and everyone is sold out of the one thing I need and expedited shipping costs $58.90.

5.) What was the most memorable gift giving Christmas?

Ashley: Of course, I have to say my engagement ring, right?! How could that not be the most memorable gift? I do, however, pick with my husband because I say the only reason we got engaged around Christmas was so he wouldn’t have to buy me any more gifts! Ha!

Carley: I still remember spending a lot of time shopping and wrapping when my oldest two daughters were toddlers. My daughter Lucy was most excited about the cookie she found left on Santa’s plate. I just laughed. All that frantic activity, money and time spent and an Oreo was her favorite thing that morning.

As a child I remember when I was about 10 or 11, I searched all over and found where my mother had hidden my presents. I even played with them! A day or two before Christmas, I could no longer live with the guilt. I went to my mother, sobbing, and confessed. I had no surprises that Christmas, and I had taken a lot of her joy away by finding all those presents. I learned a lesson that day and never looked for my presents again. My mother is still the best at buying gifts that are special and wonderful surprises for everyone. I really strive to do for my kids what she did for me as a child.

Paige: Hmmm. This one is tough. I suppose the most memorable so far was the year we gave our kids a trip to Disney. We went to the trouble of finding a huge box and filling it with helium balloons. I’m talking about blowing up helium balloons on Christmas Eve, putting them in a box (which is no easy feat-imagine trying to get all of the balloons in a box and the lid shut before they escape), taping it shut and wrapping an enormous box. It was a production. I was so proud.

The next day we got out a video recorder to capture their faces which were sure to express pure and unadulterated joy. What did we get? Nothing. No expression. They could not understand what their present was. They were 2 and 4. We blew that awesome present experience on babies. What a waste. They did enjoy Disney however, so I count it as a win.

6.) What is your greatest gift-giving triumph?

Ashley: I was on the phone with my mom last week, and we were trying to come up with things to give everyone for Christmas. We kept saying, I mean there is absolutely nothing we need! So she calls me today, and said she spent the money she would normally spend on us (us meaning myself, my sisters and our husbands) and went and bought a car load of toys for this single mom with four children who she overheard someone talking about they didn’t have anything. She said it just broke her heart and she couldn’t stand knowing those kids didn’t have any gifts. As tears rolled down my face, I told my mom that is what Christmas is about. Loving others as Christ loved us.

Carley: I can’t think of one! Maybe it will be this year! I do remember when I was pregnant with my first child I had all my shopping done before her due date, which was Thanksgiving. That was the only year I was that on top of Christmas shopping.

Paige: My greatest gift giving triumph is not Christmas related. My husband is impossible to surprise. When opening gifts he generally says, “Do you want me to tell you what it is?” Sucks the joy right out of gift giving. However, one year I managed to surprise him. We went to a Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff game earlier in the year. I took the best pictures, the tickets and the Terrible Towel and had them framed together. It was a lot of work and effort. I completely surprised him and felt wholly validated as a gift giver. He was thrilled and very sweetly said that I had framed his Terrible Towel and now he would have to get another one. You.Are.Welcome.