15 Things to Do in Clarksdale, MS in 2026

Clarksdale, right in the heart of Mississippi. Not just another town or stopover on the Mississippi Blues Trail but a place that’s the essence of Southern Hospitality and charm. They say you come to Clarksdale for the Blues but come back for the people. I like that.

Clarksdale is known as the birthplace of the Blues. Where legends like Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters found their sound. And you feel that rich history around every corner, from every mural and in the people that call Clarksdale home.

“You come to Clarksdale for the blues, but come back for the people”

From the iconic blues bars that come alive with music to the outdoor and adventure. This is a place with real soul, and there’s no shortage of things to do and see here.

Overview About Clarksdale, MS

As the birthplace of the Blues, and a lot of this guide will be related to music and the Mississippi Blue Trail. But that’s not all, because there are many things to do in Clarksdale, MS. It might just surprise you.

Before going through my best and most unique ones, I want to talk about Clarksdale as a whole and believe me when I say the information below is going to come in handy.

How to Get to Clarksdale?

The easiest way to reach Clarksdale is by car. It’s about 1.5 hours south of Memphis. Most people fly into Memphis International Airport, rent a car, and drive down Highway 61. If you have more time available in or near Memphis, you’ll want to consider taking a Tennessee road trip!

There are no major airports in town, and public transport is pretty much non‑existent. Buses are limited. A car gives you freedom to explore the Mississippi Delta too, or even take on a longer Mississippi road trip.

I use Discover Cars to find the best deals and I’ve always had a great experience, so make sure to check them out.

How to Get around Clarksdale?

I’ll keep it brief, for the downtown you are fine on foot, especially if you’re staying at the Travelers Hotel. But for everything else on this list, you need a car. And it’s much easier to get here by car in the first place.

As Clarksdale is small, you can stroll around the downtown area to explore shops, bars, the museum, and a few music spots. Those are all close together so fine to do on foot.

But if you want to visit out of the city centre or stay in places like the Shack Up Inn or head out to Dockery Farms, a car is a must. Taxis and rideshares aren’t reliable in Clarksdale.

Is Clarksdale worth Visiting?

Yes absolutely, Clarksdale is worth visiting. It’s one of my favourite places in the whole of the Deep South. Clarksdale isn’t polished or glamorous, but that’s the point. You come for the blues, the stories, the people. And even better it’s not very touristy.

You’ll eat well, hear live music every night, and see where some of the world’s most iconic musicians came from. It’s not for everyone, sure, but if you like the idea of going off-the-beaten-path, Clarksdale is 100% worth the trip.

And if you’re into small towns with character, you’ll love Natchitoches too.

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Where to Stay in Clarksdale?

Clarksdale is full of character, and so are the places to stay in and around the downtown area. Here are the best hotels in this part of Mississippi. My pick is the Travelers Hotel.

Travelers Hotel (my top pick!)

Clark House Inn

Hampton Inn Clarksdale, MS

15 Unique Things to Do in Clarksdale, MS

Clarksdale has got a certain feel to it. You’re here for the music, the stories, the food, and maybe a few cold drinks. Basically, all the good stuff.

Without any further ado, let’s go through all the tourist attractions in Clarksdale, MS.

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If you’re heading over to Louisiana after your time here, check out my guide on the unique things to do in New Orleans.

Watch Blues Music

Clarksdale lives and breathes the blues, and you can feel it every day, every night. Wondering what to do in Clarksdale, MS? Here’s where to start.

Spots like Ground Zero Blues Club, Red’s Juke Joint, Blues berry Café or Hambone Gallery are places you can watch a show, but there are many more. Each place has its own vibe.

Ground Zero is co‑owned by Morgan Freeman and they serve fantastic Southern food. You can enjoy live blues daily from Wednesday to Saturday.

Red’s keeps the ashes of the old jukes alive; It’s raw and real, and I loved the southern vibes. The same for Blues berry Cafe! We saw Watermelon Slim here, what a legend. They put on a fantastic show.

Hambone Art & Music, on the other hand, pairs art with sound. It’s a more modern setting compared to Red’s, but it’s still super authentic.

Pick a seat, tap your foot, and enjoy a beer at the same time. This is the real deal when you travel around Mississippi.

Pro tip: There’s a music guide in Clarksdale, and it shows you where live music takes place every week. All the hotels have that guide and there’s live music pretty much 365 days a year.

Canoe or Kayak on the Mississippi River

If I had to pick one of the best things to do near Clarksdale other than music, I’d go taking a kayak or canoe on the Mississippi River.

Please note: I only recommend doing this with an experienced guide and reputable company, as the Mississippi can be dangerous.

I did my experience with Quapaw Canoe Company in Clarksdale. They provide guided paddles on the Lower Mississippi River. After meeting the staff, you wear a life vest, push off, and float through wild wetlands and sandbars.

They offer different options, which have all different pricing, features, and duration:

• Montezuma Island Adventure (2-6 miles)
• Buck Island Adventure (9 miles)
• Montezuma Landing to Quapaw Landing (18 miles)
• Sandbar Smorgasbord

Some of these tours include lunch and drinks, but others don’t. Also, if you have more time available in Clarksdale and want to go out longer, they also offer multi-day trips, or an overnight option to stay on a sandbar for the night. It’s quite literally a once-in-a-lifetime tour.

One of the best parts for me was the canoes. They are hand-carved dugouts using traditional methods using Louisiana bald cypress trees, amazing. Needless to say, the safety gear, canoe/kayak and all the essentials are provided by the company.

Take a Jeep Tour of the Mississippi Delta

Delta Bohemian Tours offers a private jeep tour of the Delta. We rode with local legend Chilly Billy, who takes you to Muddy Waters house, the Crossroads, the Mississippi Delta and many more spots around town, all while telling you stories of the area.

This tour isn’t just a Delta tour; it’s a regional identity tour. You’ll pass by plantation sites, blues trail markers and historic hotspots. Chilly Billy loves music and history, and you’ll understand how that place shaped American music.

There are two tours available, both private, but they differ in duration. One lasts 2.5 hours (starting at $260) and the other 3.5 hours (starting at $340).

With the extended tour, you get everything above, plus a stop at Moon Lake with even more stories packed in. It’s a little more expensive experience than other things to do in Clarksdale, but it’s private and you’ll see and learn a lot about Clarksdale.

If you’re going further into Louisiana, here are the best things to do in Baton Rouge.

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See the Murals in Downtown Clarksdale

The downtown area of Clarksdale has murals all over, on walls, alleys. Clarksdale it’s full of character, and the murals play a large part in that.

Some show blues legends, others refer to local life or quotes from Tennessee Williams. You don’t need a map or a specific destination, you can just walk, explore, and take photos.

The murals aren’t all glamorous. Instead, they’re sometimes rough around the edges, full of colour, and honest, just like Clarksdale, and that’s one reason why you’ll love this little town.

Visit the Delta Blues Museum

Another must-do attraction in Clarksdale related to music, but I did warn you that the city was (almost) all about Blues.

The Delta Blues Museum is nice if you care about the roots of music, and it’s located inside an old train depot, right next door to Ground Zero. And it’s bigger than it looks from the outside.

You’ll see Muddy Waters’ cabin, old instruments, posters, handwritten notes, and even a custom guitar donated by ZZ Top. Please note you can’t take photos inside, so I don’t have any, so you’ll just have to go and find out for yourself.

You start to understand what made the Delta the heart of the blues. The museum is open from Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Give yourself time to take it in; I spent about one hour inside, and it was just enough to see the main pieces. The entrance ticket is $15 per person.

Explore the Clarksdale Walk of Fame Plaques

While you’re in the city centre, look down. You’ll spot bronze plaques set into the sidewalk. That’s Clarksdale’s version of Hollywood’s famous walk.

Those plaques honour local legends like Muddy Waters, Sam Cooke, John Lee Hooker, and even ZZ Top.

Each one is placed near a spot that mattered to them, like where they performed or recorded. It’s simple, but it means a lot to locals and, after all, you’re not in Mississippi every day, so might even make the most of it!

Have a Local Brew at the Red Panther Brewery

You’ll probably need a break from the music by now, and that’s the perfect opportunity for a cold drink. Try a flight of beer at Red Panther Brewery. It’s a new brewery so they didn’t have many reviews just yet but trust me when I say it’s worth a stop.

It’s relaxed, full of character with a cool industrial look, and you’ll probably run into people heading to or from a show. They rotate beers often, maybe an amber, maybe something seasonal, but everything’s brewed locally. There’s often a crawfish stall selling fresh crawfish right next door too!

The brewery is near The Travelers Hotel, so if you’re staying there, even better. Sit inside, hang on the patio, chat with the locals. There are no live bands here but you’re guaranteed a great beer and a great time.

Shop and Browse Local Spots

Downtown Clarksdale isn’t packed with shops, but the ones that are there have real character. Here are a few local stores you’ll want to check out.

Cat Head. It’s a record store, art gallery, and blues info hub all in one. They have books, posters, paintings, and Delta‑made stuff you won’t see anywhere else.

Next up Meraki Roasting Coffee Shop, an amazing place for breakfast or just a coffee on the go while you explore the city centre. The roast small batch coffee with soul! They’re also a non-profit dedicated to helping young people learn and build new skills. I bought some beans for my machine at home and honestly, it’s one of the best coffees I’ve had in a long time.

You can also check Collective Seed & Supply Co., which is a little store with almost anything you can think of, from shirts to furniture to souvenirs and more. Lastly, Magpie Gift & Art is worth a stop too with some jewellery, art, and other stuff like glassware.

Pop in, browse a bit, talk to the shop owner, and grab some souvenirs to take back home.

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See the Famous Crossroads Marker

You’ll find one of, if not the, famous Crossroads marker in Clarksdale’s city centre, as the exact location is disputed and there are a few crossroads. However, this one is where Highways 61 and 49 meet, next to Abe’s BBQ. The legend says that Robert Johnson sold his soul here to play the blues like no one else.

Is that the truth? Who knows. I love all the Blues’ stories along the trail. Whichever you believe, this is an iconic location and well worth the stop.

It’s easy to pass by, take a quick photo, and stand in a place loaded with meaning. There are no entrance fee or tickets required. It’s just you and one of the most famous street corners in music history.

Dine at Abe’s Bar‑B‑Q for Classic Southern BBQ

Abe’s has been serving BBQ in Clarksdale since 1924, not much has changed and that’s a good thing. The ribs are smoky, the pulled pork melts, and the sides like beans and hush puppies hit the spot.

You order at the counter, grab a seat at a basic table, and dig in. It’s not fancy, but it’s awesome, tasty BBQ. It’s excellent value for the quality of the meat and service.

My favourites? The tamales and chicken tenders, everything was flavourful and fresh. I also tried the ribs, which were great, and the bread was perfectly toasted.

If you’re travelling around Mississippi on a budget (or not), this is the place to dine.

Stay at The Shack Up Inn at Hopson Plantation

If you’re after something different, Shack Up Inn nails it. It’s not a luxury hotel, far from that, but it’s unique, definitely a hidden gem.

The property is a bunch of old sharecropper shacks turned into rooms, and it’s located on a former plantation just outside town (not as interesting as other plantations in Louisiana, but still worth it). Each shack is filled with folk art, old wood floors, and bit of charm.

There’s a chapel that doubles as a juke joint, and sometimes live blues fill the yard under string lights. The lobby used to be a cotton gin. It’s rustic, offbeat, and full of personality. If you want something with soul, this place has exactly that.

They’re not bookable online, so you’ll have to call them and reserve with them directly. Photo credit below Shack up Inn.

Explore Dockery Farms

Another hidden gem and thing to do in Clarksdale, MS is Dockery Farms. It’s about an hour south of Clarksdale, out in the fields, but it’s worth the drive. It’s also close to Cleveland, and on route to Indianola (for the BB King Museum), if you’re heading that way.

This plantation is possibly where the blues really started. For three decades it was the home of Charley Patton, and many musicians such as Robert Johnson played here.

You’ll see old buildings, weathered signs, and blues trail markers. Please don’t expect a gift shop or modern amenities, because this is a historical place. Literally, you’re standing where American music changed forever.

Visit the Tennessee Williams Rectory Museum

This little house in Clarksdale used to be home to Tennessee Williams when he was a kid. He lived here with his grandfather, the local Episcopal priest. Now, the upstairs part is a museum.

It’s small with just four rooms, but there are many photos, letters, and the kind of belongings that give you a glimpse into his early life.

It’s very interesting but you must book at least 24 hours ahead of time as it’s not always open to public.

If you’re into his plays or just want to see a different side of Clarksdale, it’s a cool stop.

Enjoy Breakfast at Yazoo Pass

Need coffee and real food before hitting the blues trail? Yazoo Pass is the spot. It’s bright, casual, and serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Their food is brilliant. Eggs, biscuits, and good coffee, everything you need to get the day started.

Plus, the service is very friendly and they’re open early in the morning, from 7 AM daily until 9 PM, but they do close during the day and on Sundays.

I challenge you to find a nicer spot to have breakfast in Clarksdale!

Check out the Carnegie Public Library

Clarksdale’s Carnegie Public Library has been part of the town for generations.

Don’t be fooled by the name, because it’s much more than books. There are local history collections, family research materials, all kinds of artifacts, and blues-related archives. It’s free to visit and it’s open from Monday to Saturday from 9 AM.

Definitely what I consider one of the best things to do in Clarksdale, MS.

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How long to spend in Clarksdale?

Staying two full days in Clarksdale is a good plan, if not more. That gives you time to catch live music at night, explore the Delta Blues Museum, take a local tour (such as canoeing or the Jeep tour), eat some proper BBQ, and wander around the city centre.

If you’re into music history or want to go to Dockery Farms or Moon Lake, you can consider spending a third day in town.

Where to Eat in Clarksdale?

There are a few great places for a meal in Clarksdale, and these were my favourites:

• Abe’s Bar-B-Q: Iconic roadside BBQ joint. They offer pulled pork, ribs, and all the classic sides.
• Yazoo Pass: Excellent spot for breakfast or lunch. Fresh eggs, biscuits, coffee, and sandwiches.
• Stone Pony Pizza: Local favourite for thin crust pizza and cold beer. Good for groups.
• Hooker Grocer & Eatery: This is more of an upscale place with cocktails, steaks, and modern Southern dishes.

Conclusion

There you have it, my top things to do in Clarksdale. Whether you’re an outdoor lover, history buff, a foodie or just a fan or the Blues I’m sure you’ll find something to do. Whatever the reason, Clarksdale is a quintessential stop in the Mississippi Delta and on the Mississippi Blue Trail, you simply cannot miss it.

If you want to see more of Clarksdale, check out the video below so you can see these tips come to life!

And if you’re trying to decide your next stop, here are my reasons to visit New Orleans too.

This trip was supported by Visit Mississippi, but as always, the views, photos and thoughts are my own. And this is a state I love coming back to time and time again!