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The Hills
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Explore The Hills of Mississippi for blues heritage, literary landmarks, Civil War history, small-town squares, trails and wooded upland scenery.

The Hills is a broad travel region in north-east Mississippi, where the flat Delta gives way to wooded ridges, red-clay roads, limestone valleys and the gently undulating landscape of the Appalachian foothills. It is not a single county or municipality, but a cultural and tourism area centred on places such as Tupelo, Oxford, Corinth, New Albany, Pontotoc and the smaller communities between them. Long distances are modest by American standards, yet the region rewards an itinerary that allows time for separate town visits, scenic drives and outdoor stops.
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Tupelo is the region’s best-known gateway and the birthplace of Elvis Presley, whose early life is interpreted at the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum. The city also provides access to the Natchez Trace Parkway, a federally protected scenic route that follows the historic corridor of an ancient travel path. Further north, Corinth preserves important Civil War history, while Tishomingo State Park brings visitors into a more rugged landscape of sandstone outcrops, streams and forested hills. The Appalachian influence becomes especially clear around the eastern counties, where trails, waterways and rocky terrain contrast with the open farmland farther west.
Oxford gives The Hills a strong literary and academic identity. The University of Mississippi shapes the town’s cultural life, while Rowan Oak, the former home of novelist William Faulkner, offers insight into the landscape and society that informed much of his writing. Oxford’s courthouse square, independent bookshops, galleries and restaurants make it one of the region’s most walkable urban centres. New Albany, meanwhile, combines a historic commercial core with the Tanglefoot Trail, a long-distance route converted from a former railway line and used by walkers and cyclists.
Food in The Hills reflects both rural Mississippi and the wider South: barbecue, fried catfish, biscuits, tamales, seasonal vegetables, pecans and locally produced goods appear in cafés, meat-and-three restaurants, farmers’ markets and family-run establishments. Music is equally important, with blues, gospel, country, rock and the musical traditions associated with the Mississippi hills overlapping rather than existing in separate categories. Visitors may encounter live performances in small venues, town festivals and community events rather than a single concentrated entertainment district.
The region suits travellers who enjoy combining heritage with landscape. Historic battlefields, literary houses, music sites and courthouse squares can be paired with hiking, cycling, paddling, birdwatching and scenic drives. Spring brings flowering trees and fresh greenery, autumn colours the uplands, and summer is warm and humid. A car is generally the most practical way to connect the region’s dispersed towns and attractions, although Oxford, Tupelo and selected trail communities offer more concentrated experiences on foot or by bicycle.

Getting to and around The Hills

How to get there

Most international visitors reach The Hills through larger airports outside the region, especially Memphis International Airport in Tennessee or Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in Alabama, followed by a drive. Tupelo Regional Airport is within the region and offers limited commercial connectivity that may change over time. Memphis is particularly practical for Tupelo, Oxford and the western hills, while Birmingham can suit visitors approaching the eastern side. Amtrak’s City of New Orleans serves nearby stations in Mississippi but does not provide a comprehensive rail network within The Hills; a car is usually needed for onward travel.

Transportation

A private car or hire car is the most flexible way to explore The Hills because attractions are distributed among small towns, rural roads, parks and historic sites. Oxford, Tupelo and Corinth have more local services and walkable central areas, but public transport between communities is limited. The Natchez Trace Parkway is designed for scenic driving rather than fast cross-region travel. Cycling is practical on dedicated routes such as the Tanglefoot Trail, while walking works well in selected downtowns, historic districts and park trails. Download maps before entering rural areas, where mobile coverage and services can be intermittent.

Top city travel guides in The Hills

The cities of The Hills, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in The Hills

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in The Hills

The Hills offers a varied selection of heritage, literary and outdoor attractions spread across north-east Mississippi. Tupelo’s Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum interprets the singer’s early life and the musical environment of his childhood, while the Natchez Trace Parkway provides a slower journey through wooded landscapes, historic routes and archaeological sites. Around Oxford, Rowan Oak and the University of Mississippi’s cultural institutions give the region a strong literary and academic dimension. Corinth and the Brices Cross Roads area preserve important Civil War history through museums, interpretive sites and battlefield landscapes. Tishomingo State Park is the region’s principal outdoor destination, with rocky terrain, streams, forest trails and opportunities for paddling and camping. The Tanglefoot Trail offers a long, largely level route for cycling and walking through former railway country. Smaller museums, historic courthouses, town squares, galleries, seasonal festivals and farmers’ markets fill out the experience, while rural drives reveal the changing landscape between the more concentrated centres.

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Best landmarks in The Hills

The most recognisable landmarks of The Hills reflect music, literature, military history and the region’s distinctive upland geography. The Elvis Presley Birthplace in Tupelo is a small but nationally significant site associated with the singer’s formative years, while Rowan Oak in Oxford links a historic house and wooded grounds with William Faulkner’s literary legacy. Oxford’s courthouse square remains a civic and architectural focal point, surrounded by historic commercial buildings and the continuing life of the town centre. Corinth’s Civil War heritage is represented by the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center and surviving traces of the town’s strategic railway history; the Brices Cross Roads battlefield near Baldwyn adds a broader military landscape. Tishomingo State Park’s sandstone formations, wooded ridges and waterways provide a natural counterpoint to the built landmarks. The Natchez Trace Parkway is itself a regional landmark, preserving a historic route across the hills, while the Tanglefoot Trail gives a visible, usable reminder of the railway infrastructure that helped shape modern north Mississippi.

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Explore The Hills on the map

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Best restaurants in The Hills

Dining in The Hills combines familiar Southern cooking with local variations shaped by the region’s farms, towns and cultural crossings. Barbecue, fried catfish, chicken, biscuits, greens, seasonal vegetables and pecans appear widely, while tamales are a particularly recognisable speciality in north Mississippi, especially around the Delta-facing parts of the region. Tupelo, Oxford and Corinth offer the broadest choice, from cafés and independent lunch counters to contemporary Southern restaurants, bakeries and more formal dining rooms. Rural communities are better known for family-run restaurants, barbecue stands, country stores and meat-and-three meals, where the daily menu may be more important than a fixed national style. Farmers’ markets and food events provide opportunities to find local produce, preserves and baked goods. Mississippi-made beverages and regional craft beer may feature in urban venues, but the strongest culinary experience usually comes from combining a well-known local dish with seasonal produce and the relaxed pace of a small-town meal.

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Best bars in The Hills

Evening life in The Hills is concentrated in Oxford, Tupelo, Corinth and selected university or town centres rather than spread across a large club circuit. Oxford has the region’s most established nightlife, with bars, restaurants, live-music rooms and venues around the courthouse square and university area; the atmosphere changes noticeably between university terms, weekends and major sporting occasions. Tupelo offers live music, breweries, cocktail-led venues and restaurants, while smaller towns generally centre their evening culture on traditional pubs, locally oriented bars, family restaurants and occasional performances. Country, blues, gospel, rock and acoustic music may all appear in local programmes, reflecting the region’s overlapping traditions. Visitors should check current event listings and venue arrangements, particularly outside the main towns, where opening patterns can be limited and seasonal. A meal, concert or quiet drink is often a more representative evening than expecting a dense nightclub district.

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Best nightclubs in The Hills

Evening life in The Hills is concentrated in Oxford, Tupelo, Corinth and selected university or town centres rather than spread across a large club circuit. Oxford has the region’s most established nightlife, with bars, restaurants, live-music rooms and venues around the courthouse square and university area; the atmosphere changes noticeably between university terms, weekends and major sporting occasions. Tupelo offers live music, breweries, cocktail-led venues and restaurants, while smaller towns generally centre their evening culture on traditional pubs, locally oriented bars, family restaurants and occasional performances. Country, blues, gospel, rock and acoustic music may all appear in local programmes, reflecting the region’s overlapping traditions. Visitors should check current event listings and venue arrangements, particularly outside the main towns, where opening patterns can be limited and seasonal. A meal, concert or quiet drink is often a more representative evening than expecting a dense nightclub district.

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Best shops in The Hills

Shopping in The Hills is centred on courthouse squares, independent high streets, university communities, antiques districts, galleries, food outlets and seasonal markets rather than large luxury retail areas. Oxford has the broadest concentration of independent bookshops, art galleries, clothing stores, homeware and Mississippi-related gifts, with the Square providing a compact setting for browsing. Tupelo combines regional shopping with specialist stores, craft goods, music-related souvenirs and locally produced food. New Albany and other historic towns offer antiques, handmade items, independent boutiques and small galleries in or near their older commercial centres. Farmers’ markets are useful for pecans, preserves, baked goods, seasonal fruit and vegetables, although their schedules vary by community and season. Practical souvenirs include local artwork, books by Mississippi writers, blues and literary materials, pottery, regional food products and crafts made by Mississippi artists. Visitors should distinguish locally made goods from generic merchandise, particularly at heritage attractions and festival stalls.

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The Hills essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD), as throughout Mississippi. Credit and debit cards, including contactless payments, are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, petrol stations, museums and restaurants in the larger towns. Carry some cash for rural cafés, small vendors, informal events, park facilities and businesses affected by weak mobile or card connectivity. Tipping is customary in full-service restaurants and for several personal services; the amount should reflect the quality of service and local United States practice rather than a special regional rule.
Safety
Normal urban and rural precautions are appropriate: secure valuables in vehicles, take care around deserted areas after dark and follow local advice at outdoor sites. Summer heat, high humidity, thunderstorms and ticks can affect walking and cycling, while heavy rain may make unpaved roads or trails muddy. Observe warning signs near streams, overlooks and rocky terrain, and never enter water without checking conditions. Driving distances can be deceptive, especially at night on rural roads where lighting, shoulders and services are limited. Check weather forecasts during the severe-storm season and allow extra time for changing conditions.
Emergency Situations
Dial 911 anywhere in Mississippi for police, fire or ambulance services. Give the operator the nearest town, road name or marked location, particularly on the Natchez Trace Parkway or in a rural park. For outdoor incidents, follow park instructions and contact emergency services rather than attempting a risky self-rescue. Healthcare facilities and pharmacies are concentrated in larger towns, so visitors with regular medication should plan ahead. The United States does not generally provide free emergency medical treatment to visitors, making suitable travel insurance important.
Do's and Don'ts
Do be courteous in small-town shops, restaurants and historic communities, and ask before photographing people, private property or sensitive memorial sites. Do follow posted rules in state parks, on the Natchez Trace and at battlefields, including restrictions on collecting artefacts. Dress modestly and quietly in churches and memorial spaces, and remember that tipping is expected for table service. Do not trespass on farms or railway property, discard rubbish on forest roads, or assume that a rural swimming area is supervised. Political and historical subjects can be personal, so listen respectfully when discussing them.
Local Tips
Pair the region’s principal heritage stops with its landscapes: a Tupelo heritage visit can lead to the Natchez Trace, while Oxford works well with nearby hills and rural roads. The Tanglefoot Trail is best approached with water, sun protection and a plan for transport back to the starting point. Town festivals, university events and live music calendars vary seasonally, so check local listings before travelling. In restaurants, ask about daily specials and regional preparations rather than relying only on familiar chain menus. Autumn and spring are often comfortable for outdoor touring, while summer itineraries benefit from early starts.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[Hao-dee]
GoodbyeSee ya later[See yah lay-ter]
YesYep[Yep]
NoNah[Nah]
Please/You're welcomeNo problem[No prob-lem]
Thank youThanks a lot[Thangs a lot]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me[Par-don me]
How are you?How ya doin'?[How yah doin'?]
Fine. And you?I'm doin' good. And you?[I'm doin' good. An' you?]
Do you speak English?You speakin' English?[Yoo speekin' English?]
I don't understandI ain't got it[I ain't got it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu?[Can I see the men-yoo?]
I don't eat meatI don't eat no meat[I don't eat no meat]
Cheers!Cheers![Cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I settle up?[Can I settle up?]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![Help!]
Go away!Leave me be![Leave me be!]
Call the Police!Call the cops![Call the cops!]
Call a doctor!Get a doctor![Get a doctor!]
I'm lostI’m lost[I'm lost]
I'm illI'm feelin' bad[I'm feelin' bad]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[I wanna buy...]
I'm just lookingJust browsin'[Just browsin']
How much is it?What’s the price?[What's the price?]
That's too expensiveThat costs too much[That costs too much]
Can you lower the price?Can ya bring it down?[Can ya bring it down?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time is it?[What time is it?]
It's one o'clockIt's one o'clock[It's one o'clock]
Half past (10)Half past ten[Half past ten]
MorningMornin'[Mornin']
AfternoonAfternoon[Afternoon]
EveningEvenin'[Evenin']
YesterdayYesterday[Yesterday]
TodayToday[Today]
TomorrowTomorrow[Tomorrow]
1One[One]
2Two[Two]
3Three[Three]
4Four[Four]
5Five[Five]
6Six[Six]
7Seven[Seven]
8Eight[Eight]
9Nine[Nine]
10Ten[Ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...? [Where's the...?]
What's the address?What’s the address?[What’s the address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you point it out?[Can you point it out?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next bus?[When's the next bus?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket to ...[A ticket to ...]

History of The Hills

Indigenous Cultures and Ancient Earthworks

Long before European settlement, the uplands and river corridors of north-east Mississippi were occupied by Indigenous peoples whose societies traded, farmed and shaped the landscape. Archaeological evidence across the region includes pottery, settlement traces and mound sites associated with the wider cultural traditions of the South-eastern Woodlands. The Natchez Trace follows an ancient route used by Indigenous travellers and later by traders and settlers. The Chickasaw homeland was particularly important in this part of Mississippi before forced removal in the nineteenth century. These earlier histories remain essential to understanding the region’s roads, rivers and settlement patterns.

The Chickasaw Homeland and Removal

The area now known as The Hills formed part of the Chickasaw homeland, with villages, hunting grounds and trade connections extending across present-day north Mississippi. During the early nineteenth century, pressure from the United States intensified through treaties, land cessions and military expansion. The Treaty of Pontotoc Creek in 1832 transferred a large area of Chickasaw land, and the Chickasaw were subsequently removed west of the Mississippi River. Although modern towns and farms obscure much of the earlier landscape, Indigenous history remains central to the region’s identity and to the interpretation of the Natchez Trace corridor.

Frontier Roads and the Natchez Trace

The Natchez Trace developed from an old Indigenous pathway into a major route for boatmen, traders, postal riders and settlers travelling between the Mississippi River and the lower Tennessee Valley. Its rough conditions gave rise to the term ‘Kaintuck’ for travellers returning overland after sending goods downriver. The route helped connect isolated settlements and encouraged the growth of inns, ferries and farms. Today, the Natchez Trace Parkway preserves selected sections of this historic corridor, with archaeological sites, short trails and interpretive stops showing how movement through the region changed over time.

Settlement, Agriculture and the Formation of Towns

Euro-American settlement expanded rapidly during the nineteenth century as land was cleared for farms, roads and small commercial communities. Towns such as Pontotoc, Oxford, Tupelo and Corinth developed as administrative, trading or transport centres, while courthouse squares became focal points for civic life. Cotton was important, but the hill country’s smaller farms and more varied terrain produced a different agricultural pattern from the broad plantations of the Mississippi Delta. Timber, livestock, corn and household production also contributed to local economies. Railways later strengthened the commercial importance of several towns and linked rural districts with regional markets.

Civil War and Reconstruction

North-east Mississippi was strategically important during the American Civil War because its railways, roads and routes connected the Tennessee Valley with the Mississippi interior. Corinth became a major military objective, and the Battle of Shiloh, fought just across the state line in Tennessee, was closely connected to the struggle for control of the town. The 1864 Battle of Brices Cross Roads, near Baldwyn, demonstrated the importance of local transport routes and cavalry movement. Reconstruction brought political conflict, economic hardship and profound social change, whose effects continued to shape communities long after the war.

Railways, Industry and the Rise of Modern Towns

Railway construction in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries altered the region’s economic geography. Lines carried timber, agricultural goods and manufactured products while encouraging the growth of depots, warehouses and commercial streets. Tupelo became an important regional centre, and electricity, manufacturing and retail gradually diversified the local economy. In later decades, improved roads and highways changed patterns of movement again, sometimes reducing the importance of older downtowns while connecting the region more closely to Memphis, Birmingham and other Southern markets. Former railway corridors, including the route now used by the Tanglefoot Trail, preserve part of this industrial legacy.

Music, Literature and the Civil Rights Era

The Hills has contributed significantly to American cultural history. Tupelo is associated with Elvis Presley’s childhood and with the musical influences that crossed between gospel, blues, country and rhythm and blues. Oxford became a major literary centre through William Faulkner and the continuing presence of the University of Mississippi. The region also experienced the racial inequalities and political struggles of the civil rights era, as did Mississippi as a whole. Modern museums, historic sites, universities and community programmes increasingly present these interconnected histories rather than treating music, literature and social change as separate subjects.

The Hills in Photos

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