Journey Down the Avenue of the Blues in Mississippi: A Musical Pilgrimage

Mississippi, the birthplace of the blues, is a land steeped in musical history and cultural heritage. The Avenue of the Blues, a designated stretch of Highway 61 in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, is a pilgrimage route for blues enthusiasts, connecting iconic landmarks and paying homage to the legendary musicians who shaped this influential genre.

Journey down this vibrant musical highway and immerse yourself in the soulful sounds and rich stories of the blues. Visit Clarksdale, where the legendary Robert Johnson is said to have sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads of Highways 61 and 49. Explore Indianola, the hometown of B.B. King, and learn about his humble beginnings at the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center.

Continue your pilgrimage to Greenwood, where the Mississippi Blues Trail marker stands in front of the site where Muddy Waters was born. In Leland, visit the Delta Blues Museum, which houses an extensive collection of blues artifacts and memorabilia. Ruleville boasts the Hopson Plantation, where Muddy Waters spent his formative years.

Tunica is home to the Gateway to the Blues Visitor Center, a treasure trove of blues history and culture. Highway 49, also known as the Blues Highway, leads you to Dockery Farms, where the legendary Charley Patton is believed to have pioneered the Delta blues sound. Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale and Red's Lounge in Indianola are legendary venues where blues music thrives to this day.

Along the Avenue of the Blues, you'll find juke joints, blues clubs, and music festivals that keep the blues spirit alive. Listen to the soulful melodies, dance to the infectious rhythms, and feel the raw emotions that have defined the blues for generations.

Mississippi Blues Trail: A Guide to the Musical Landmarks

The Mississippi Blues Trail is a designated network of historical markers and sites that trace the footsteps of influential blues musicians throughout the state. Here are some key landmarks along the Avenue of the Blues:

• Clarksdale: Crossroads of Highways 61 and 49, where Robert Johnson is said to have sold his soul to the devil; Ground Zero Blues Club
• Indianola: B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center; Red's Lounge
• Greenwood: Mississippi Blues Trail marker at the site of Muddy Waters' birthplace
• Leland: Delta Blues Museum
• Ruleville: Hopson Plantation, where Muddy Waters spent his formative years
• Tunica: Gateway to the Blues Visitor Center; Blues Highway 49
• Dockery Farms: Birthplace of the Delta blues sound, pioneered by Charley Patton