New Albany, Tupelo, Oxford, and everywhere in between—the communities of Northeast Mississippi may be smaller in size, but locals around here find plenty of ways to keep busy. Around these cozy streets, you'll find locally owned businesses and stores, restaurants that are dedicated to sourcing their ingredients from local farmers, and historic downtown districts. You'll also find bustling new housing developments, expansive and scenic parks and forests, and unique attractions that you won't find anywhere else in the country.
Local Activities
Shopping & Dining
Enjoy the hundreds of locally owned restaurants and buzzing downtown shopping districts in the communities of Northeast Mississippi. Browse a few of the top-rated places to dine and shop in the area:
- Kermit's Outlaw Kitchen
- Tallahatchie Gourmet
- Rock Star Records
- Calico Mushroom
Local Arts & Culture
From museums to theaters to art galleries, the communities of Northeast Mississippi are buzzing with rich artistic and cultural scenes. Take in local performances and history at a few of these stops:
- Gumtree Museum of Art
- Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum
- Tupelo Ballet
- Tupelo Community Theatre
Thriving Entertainment
If you're looking for ways to occupy your time, there are tons of ways to stay entertained in Northeast Mississippi. Enjoy an active calendar of local events and fun activities for all ages:
- Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo
- Elvis Presley® Festival
- Deadbolt Escape Rooms
- Event Zona Entertainment
Outdoor Adventures
With a location near tons of state and local parks, the Northeast Mississippi provides residents with an endless amount of opportunities to explore the Great Outdoors. Check out a few of these local favorites:
- Trace State Park
- Tombigbee State Park
- Etta Swamp
- Wall Doxey State Park
Dining
El Agave Mexican Grill of New Albany
This above average eatery is a local favorite that makes it's chips & salsa fresh everday with quality ingredients, along with table-side made guacomole. Authentic mexican food, reasonable prices, and a great atmosphere!
Tallahatchie Gourmet
The cuisine and flavors at Tallahatchie Gourmet area heavily inspired by owner Angele Mueller's home in New Orleans. If you're in New Albany, stop by for shrimp & grits or baked ziti!
Kermit's
Kermit's Outlaw Kitchen is located in a historic, 140-year old brick building in Downtown Tupelo, and chef Mitchell McCamey is dedicated to sourcing their ingredients from local farmers. Make sure you try the ribeye or kabobs—both cooked to perfection!
Ravine
Another stop dedicated to sourcing locally, Ravine is an upscale and rustic Oxford restaurant that specializes in beef, pork, seafood, and freshly made pasta. They even use veggies and herbs from their own garden, which shapes their seasonal menu, and keeps their dishes fresh!
Saint Leo
You've probably had pizza before, but you've never had Saint Leo pizza—it's locally sourced, wood-fired, and the restaurant was even a semi-finalist for the James Beard award for Best New Restaurant! Our pick: the Bianca.
Pizza Factory
Local, handmade, and homemade—the Pizza Factory in Baldwyn has been around since 1984, slinging pies and serving up unique sandwiches. Their pizzas are mouthwatering, but their hoagies are not to be overlooked!
The Rainey
A newer edition to the local restaurant scene, The Rainey opened in 2017 and specializes in southern foods with a creole twist. Swing by for dinner, and try out a few favorites like the shrimp and grits or mango pork chop.
Ciao Chow
Craving a plate of pasta big enough to keep you full for the rest of the day? Ciao Chow's generous servings of tasty dishes like fettuccine, gnocchi, and puttensca will have you satisfied for hours—and with leftovers for lunch the next day!
The Warehouse
The Warehouse is family-owned and dedicated to sourcing locally. They're specialty—Mississippi farm-raised catfish—is cooked to perfection, but you can also find things on the menu like Certified Angus steaks and melt-in-your-mouth desserts.
Nautical Whimsey
With a prime Downtown Tupelo location, generous portions, and five-star, Italian flavors, tons of locals frequent Nautical Whimsey for their food and wine selections. The restaurant also hosts a number of special events, like live music nights!
Simmer On Down LLC
Come simmer on down after a long week at Simmer On Down LLC. With delicous home made meals from ribs to chicken and everything in between.
Coffeys Fish & Steak House
Enjoy a chicken, steak, or fish dinner all home made with the freshest ingredients!
Attractions
Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo
Get up close and personal with a few buffalo on the bison tour, try your hand at horse-back riding, or take the VIP ATV tour to see, zebras, camels, and longhorns! The zoo also holds a number of exotic animals, like lemurs, peacocks, and coatis.
Explore »
Rowan Oak
Built in 1844 and the long-time home of William Faulkner and his family, Rowan Oak was actually renovated by Faulkner himself, and the structure has been preserved and kept as a museum to this day. If you're a history buff, it's a can't-miss.
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Tanglefoot Trail
The Tanglefoot Trail stretches for over 40 miles down the state of Mississippi and through the scenic foothills of the Appalachians. Pontotoc, Ingmar, and New Albany are all "trail towns," so you can hop on and ride for a few miles from any of these stops!
Explore »
Gumtree Museum of Art
The Gumtree Museum of Art has only been around since the 1980s, but it's been an invaluable addition to the local arts community. The museum regularly hosts rotating exhibits, largely from local artists, as well as community-wide events, workshops, and showings.
Explore »Parks
Trace State Park
Minutes away from Tupelo, Trace State Park offers pretty much every outdoor recreational activity you could ask for, from hiking to biking, fishing to boating, and bird watching to wildlife viewing.
Holly Springs National Forest
There are over 150,000 acres of land in the Holly Springs National Forest, as well as several lakes and campsites. The park is perhaps most well known for beautiful foliage in the spring, summer, and fall.
Lamar Park
If you're looking for a quintessential small town park, then Lamar Park is the place for you. Located in Oxford, it's filled with winding sidewalks, carefully maintained landscaping, and a small pond.
Pet Resources
Our Vet & Pet Care Picks
New Albany Animal Clinic » Tupelo Small Animal Hospital » Baldwyn's Dr. Rowan »Our Dog Park Pick
Tupelo Bark Park »Our Pet Supply Shop Pick
Gone Fishin'Pet Shop »Popular New Developments in Northeast Mississippi
Ready to Find Your Home in Northeast Mississippi?
If you're thinking of buying a home in Union County, Lafayette County, Lee County or anywhere in between, then it's time to contact our team. We're here to help you explore the area like a local, discover its unique communities, and find the perfect home for your wants and needs. Browse a few of the resources we have to offer, and whenever you're ready to kick off your home search just give our team a call!