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One gave the world Elvis Presley. The other built its reputation on healing waters. Yet both Tupelo, Mississippi, and Hot Springs, Arkansas, prove that some of the South’s most memorable getaways are hiding just beyond Nashville’s backyard. One weekend can mean tracing the King’s footsteps, feeding buffalo, and indulging in caramel corn. The next might include soaking in thermal baths, cheering on thoroughbreds, and wandering through botanical gardens. Consider it a tale of two Southern cities: charming, surprising, and close enough to Nashville for an easy escape.
Tupelo, Mississippi: From Blue Suede Shoes to Buffaloes
If you're "All Shook Up" and looking for an easy road trip, pack your "Blue Suede Shoes" and set your GPS for Elvis Presley’s birthplace: Tupelo, Mississippi. Packed with history, comfort food, and family fun, Tupelo is a charming Southern city overflowing with music history, buffalo encounters, scenic drives, and sweet treats.
Start your first day with the locals at Connie’s Chicken, a Tupelo staple for more than four decades known for its homemade biscuits, crispy fried chicken, and famous blueberry donuts. Coffee lovers can stop by Just Love Coffee Café for hand-roasted beans and Elvis-inspired drinks like the Pink Cadillac.
After breakfast, pay homage to Tupelo’s favorite son at the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum. The attraction traces Presley’s life through the modest two-room home where he was born, a museum filled with memorabilia, and grounds that offer a glimpse into his early years.
Next, head to the Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo, home to more than 260 animals. Visitors can enjoy close-up encounters with buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and other wildlife. For lunch, grab a booth at Johnnie’s Drive-In, another stop on the Elvis Tupelo Driving Tour. The retro eatery is famous for its doughburger, though Elvis reportedly preferred a cheeseburger, fries, and an R.C. Cola.
Spend the afternoon exploring the Natchez Trace Parkway, one of the South’s most scenic drives. The 444-mile route offers sweeping views, hiking opportunities, picnic spots, and educational exhibits at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center. Shoppers can also browse the Tupelo Antique Trail, known for its expansive multi-dealer marketplaces, historic boutiques, and one-of-a-kind collectibles.
As evening approaches, check the calendar at Backline Music Hall. The intimate listening room hosts concerts and special events, making it a fitting way to end a day in Elvis country.
On day two, stop at Kreecher’s Creation for a croissant or breakfast sandwich before exploring the Civil Rights & African American Heritage Trail, which highlights Tupelo’s peaceful integration efforts and honors local civil rights leaders. History enthusiasts can also visit Mississippi’s Final Stands Civil War Center and nearby Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield.
For lunch, try Amsterdam Deli & Grill for Mediterranean fare or Romie’s Grocery for classic Southern comfort food. If you’re interested in something different, visit Queen’s Reward Meadery, Mississippi’s first and only meadery, where visitors can sample modern takes on one of the world’s oldest alcoholic beverages.
Before heading home, satisfy your sweet tooth with a stop at Crave for skillet cookies and specialty coffee drinks, Funky Cones for homemade waffle cones, or The CaramelCorn Shop, a Tupelo institution since 1972. Whether you're tracing Elvis’ footsteps, antiquing, feeding buffalo, or indulging in a sweet treat, Tupelo offers the perfect Southern weekend getaway.
Hot Springs, Arkansas: Soak It All In
Where else can you sip thermal spring water in the morning, spend the afternoon wandering through a botanical garden, and end the day cheering on thoroughbreds? In Hot Springs, Arkansas, cramming an entire vacation’s worth of experiences into one weekend isn’t ambitious. It’s just the itinerary. Part spa town, part outdoor playground, and part old-school Southern resort, Hot Springs is delightfully difficult to categorize. In one easy road trip from Nashville, you can soak in naturally heated mineral waters, stroll through a national park, trace the footsteps of gangsters and baseball legends, and still find time to watch the sunset over the Ouachita Mountains. It’s the kind of place that leaves you wondering why you didn’t visit sooner.
Start your Saturday in the heart of Hot Springs National Park with a walk along historic Bathhouse Row. The string of beautifully preserved bathhouses has drawn visitors from around the world in search of the famed healing powers of the city’s thermal springs. Be sure to stop by one of the thermal water fountains and fill a bottle with its mineral-rich water, a unique and free souvenir from the South.
No trip to Hot Springs is complete without experiencing the waters firsthand. Guests can book a traditional thermal bath at the century-old Buckstaff Bathhouse or opt for a more modern soak at Quapaw Baths & Spa. Both offer naturally heated mineral waters designed to help visitors unwind.
In the afternoon, explore Garvan Woodland Gardens, a 210-acre botanical paradise nestled in the Ouachita Mountains. Operated by the University of Arkansas, the gardens invite visitors to wander among towering pines, discover the Garden of the Pine Wind, and admire Anthony Chapel, a stunning glass-and-wood sanctuary tucked into the forest. Depending on the season, guests may encounter thousands of blooming tulips or millions of twinkling holiday lights.
As the sun begins to set, head to Oaklawn Hot Springs. During racing season, the thoroughbred racing experience offers plenty of excitement, whether you're placing a wager or simply watching the horses thunder down the track. Afterward, enjoy dinner at one of Oaklawn's restaurants or stay overnight at the resort.
Sunday starts with a visit to Hot Springs Mountain Tower, which rises 216 feet above the Ouachita Mountains. The observation deck provides sweeping 360-degree views of the city and surrounding landscape, making it one of the area's most memorable photo opportunities. Active travelers can hike to the tower from the Grand Promenade through Hot Springs National Park.
Continue the day by exploring the colorful history of Hot Springs. The Gangster Museum of America chronicles the era when Hot Springs was known as "Las Vegas before Vegas." Baseball fans can follow the Hot Springs Baseball Trail and learn why the city is considered the birthplace of Major League Baseball spring training.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to love as well. The Northwoods trail system features more than 32 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and running trails for all skill levels. Visitors can also spend time on nearby lakes Hamilton, Ouachita, or Catherine, where boating, fishing, kayaking, and scenic views await. Art lovers can explore the city's collection of murals, which have transformed Hot Springs into an open-air gallery.
Whether you're sipping free thermal spring water, unwinding in a historic bathhouse, hiking mountain trails, or watching the sunset over the Ouachitas, Hot Springs delivers an unexpected mix of relaxation, history, outdoor adventure, and Southern charm, all within a convenient road trip from Nashville.