Greenville, Mississippi

Looks like I'm gonna be there for this year's annual blues festival. Just curious if anyone around here is familiar with the area. I've never been anywhere near the Delta. Any cool places to check out, things I should try to do while there, restaurant recommendations, etc.?

 

I went to Blues Fest three times while in college and had a blast every time. You bring your own beer -- at least you did a decade ago -- so make sure you got enough to last the whole day. And bring plenty of water because it's usually hot as hell. The whole thing takes place in the middle of a huge field and it's going to be a mud pit by the end of the day, so don't wear anything you really care about.

As for Greenville, there's not a whole lot happening there that I recall. If you can get up to Clarksdale, visit the blues museum.

 

Paging Blitz, Blitz pick up the white courtesy phone...
I think Doe's Eat Place started in Greenville and they're legendary for steaks and tamales.

 

There was a Doe's in the college town I used to frequent. I'll definitely grab a meal there if I can.

 

I believe there are Doe's in Greenville, Oxford and Fayetteville.

 

All of 'em.

Seriously, during the blues fest, there are tons of people in town. Find a hole in the wall from which you hear sound, go in and have a blast.

Just eat catfish. Lots and lots of catfish.

 

Go to Clarksdale. Visit the crossroads where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil to learn to play guitar. Hit Morgan Freeman's fancy restaurant, Madidi, or his Ground Zero Blues Club.

 

Take your wallet.

On the Clarksdale note, hit Abe's Barbecue. Mmm, mmm, good.

 

Catfish and suds.

It's Shelby Foote's hometown.

 

Abes...

Best baked beans ever. Ever.