Clarksdale

Clarksdale is a town of approximately 15,000 people in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, about an hour south of Memphis, Tennessee. Despite its small size, this "little podunk town" draws visitors from all over the world for its blues clubs and blues history. Clarksdale sits near the famous Crossroads of Highway 49 and Highway 61, where legend holds that Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for musical genius. The town is widely regarded as the birthplace of the blues and remains one of the last authentic juke joint communities in the Delta.

The downtown area is entirely pedestrian-friendly, with blues venues, galleries, and shops clustered around Delta Avenue and Yazoo Avenue. Ground Zero Blues Club, co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman, anchors the local music scene. The Delta Blues Museum, founded in 1979, is housed in a restored Illinois Central Railroad freight depot. Clarksdale hosts major annual events including the Juke Joint Festival (April), the Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival (August), and the Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival (October).

The Mississippi Delta climate features hot summers (highs in the mid-90s°F/35°C) and mild winters (highs in the 50s°F/10–15°C). Spring and fall are the most pleasant seasons for visiting. The town is about 15 miles east of the Mississippi River.

By Plane

Clarksdale is served by a public airport capable of serving large private airplanes, but there are no commercial flights. Memphis International Airport (MEM) is 75 miles north, with extensive domestic service via Delta Air Lines and other carriers.

By Car / Road

Downtown Clarksdale is just north of the junction of Highway 61 and Highway 49. Memphis is about 75 miles north on Highway 61 (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes). Jackson, Mississippi, is about 150 miles south. Greyhound bus service is available (1604 N State St, +1 662-627-7893).

Having a car is essentially a requirement for visiting Clarksdale — 91% of residents drive to work. However, the downtown area is entirely walkable for short visits. Taxi services include Jerry's Cab Co. (+1 662-624-9222), Jolly Cab (+1 662-624-9256), and Pro Taxi (+1 662-302-0864, 24/7).

• The Crossroads (intersection of US-49 and US-61): The legendary intersection where Robert Johnson is said to have made his Faustian bargain. A small monument marks the spot.

• Delta Blues Museum (1 Blues Alley Lane, +1 662-627-6800): Mar–Oct: M-Sa 9AM–5PM; Nov–Feb: M-Sa 10AM–5PM. Founded in 1979 in a restored railroad freight depot. $7, ages 6–12 $5, under 6 free.

• Blues Venues: Ground Zero Blues Club (252 Delta Ave) — partly owned by Morgan Freeman, with live music W Th 5–11PM, F Sa 11AM–midnight. Red's Lounge (395 Sunflower Ave) — one of the last genuine juke joints in the Delta with regular live music. Hopson Plantation (Hopson Pickley Rd just west of US-49, +1 662-624-5756) — live music in a big music hall. New Roxy (363 Issaquena Ave) — an open-air venue in a former movie theater.

• Quapaw Canoe Company (291 Sunflower Avenue, [email protected]): Wilderness expeditions on the Lower Mississippi River, its backwaters, bayous, and oxbows. Tours arranged by the day or the week.

• Blues Harmonica Jam Camp (Shack Up Inn & Hopson Commissary, 001 Commissary Circle, +1 310-457-8278): 5-day seminar with classes, jams, and visits to Sonny Boy Williamson's grave and Muddy Waters' cabin.

• Annual Festivals: Clarksdale Film Festival (January), Juke Joint Festival (April), Mini Blues Fest (April), Crossroads Half-Marathon, Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival (August), Pinetop Perkins Homecoming (October), Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival (October).

• Abe's Barbecue (616 N State St, +1 662-624-9947): Opened in 1924 at the Crossroads. Famous for barbecue pork and beef, hot tamales, and ribs.
• Atzimba Mexican Restaurant (706 S State St): Popular Mexican spot that is usually filled to capacity.
• Ramon's (535 Oakhurst Avenue, +1 662-624-9230): Known for fried butterfly shrimp and a full menu. Open evenings only.
• Rest Haven (419 State Street): A Clarksdale tradition for 50+ years. Middle Eastern cuisine alongside Southern food. Specialty is kibbie.
• Rust Restaurant (218 Delta Avenue, +1 662-624-4784): Trendy, upscale restaurant opened in 2008. Serves gumbo, crawfish, and seared tuna.
• Yazoo Pass (207 Yazoo Avenue, +1 662-627-8686): M-Sa 7AM–9PM. Coffee, pastries, and free Wi-Fi in a cozy atmosphere. $1–12.

• Ground Zero Blues Club (252 Delta Ave): Pool tables, exposed brick, live music nightly.
• Bluesberry Cafe (235 Yazoo, +1 662-627-7008): Dive with live blues on Mondays.
• New Roxy (363 Issaquena Ave): Open-air live music venue.
• Red's Lounge (395 Sunflower Ave): One of the last great juke joints in the Delta.

• Budget: Shack Up Inn (001 Commissary Circle, Hopson Plantation): Rustic, blues-themed cabins and shotgun shacks. A unique and authentic Delta experience.
• Mid-range: Various motels along Highway 61 and Highway 49.
• Upscale: The Gin Estate and other boutique properties in the downtown area.

• Cat Head Delta Blues and Folk Art, Inc. (252 Delta Ave, +1 662-624-5992): A 6-day-a-week store featuring blues CDs, DVDs, books, collectibles, and Southern folk art. "Kind of like shopping in a juke joint."
• Collective Seed & Supply Co. (145 Delta Ave, +1 662-624-2381): Interesting general store with food and eclectic items.
• Mag-Pie Gift & Art Shop (253 Delta Avenue, +1 662-624-8385): M-F 10AM–5PM, Sa 10AM–2PM. Unique gifts, home accessories, and bridal registry.

• Memphis, Tennessee (75 miles north, ~1 hour 15 minutes): Beale Street, Sun Studio, and the National Civil Rights Museum.
• Greenville (60 miles south, ~1 hour): Delta scenery, Winterville Mounds, and the Great River Road.
• Oxford (75 miles southeast, ~1 hour 30 minutes): William Faulkner's home, the University of Mississippi, and the Square.
• Cleveland (50 miles southeast, ~50 minutes): B.B. King Museum and Mississippi Delta Community College.
• Indianola (35 miles south, ~40 minutes): Birthplace of B.B. King with the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center.