There are a couple things groups will always find in the Magnolia State: fascinating storytelling of well-known, Mississippi-bred musicians, and rich history covering the state’s role in the civil rights movement.
Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, and visitors can see his birthplace at the Elvis Presley Museum and Memorial Chapel along the Mississippi Country Music Trail. The little white house, where the Presley family resided about three years, was built in 1934.
“A larger-than-life bronze statue of Elvis Presley is located in Fairpark, where he performed homecoming concerts in 1956 and 1957, and it’s now a favorite photo op for Elvis fans from all over the world,” says Karen Matlock, domestic group tour manager for Visit Mississippi. “Groups can also visit the Tupelo Hardware Store where he bought his first guitar.”


Another stop along the trail is the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi in Cleveland. With 28,000 square feet of multimedia exhibits, the museum offers discounted group rates, VIP group add-ons, special gift shop discounts, and other benefits for operators.
“The museum is a powerful celebration of music that includes cutting-edge exhibits, rare artifacts, films, and interactives, which together provide a one-of-a-kind visitor experience,” Matlock says.
When travelers get to the state’s capital (and most populous) city of Jackson, they can visit the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, which focuses on the important years between 1945 and 1976, when events in Mississippi reshaped the nation. Eight interactive galleries provide an in-depth interpretation of the oppression of black citizens and the historic fight for equality. Groups of 10 or more receive discount pricing on admission, and the museum can accommodate groups up to 200 people.
For more information, email Matlock or go to visitmississippi.org.
Top photo: The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum
Photo by Visit Mississippi
Support for Courier articles provided by:
Graceland & Guest House at Graceland
Huntsville, Alabama Convention & Visitors Bureau
Savannah Riverboat Cruises
U.S. Space & Rocket Center