The Mississippi Delta and blues are synonymous, so it makes sense that your first stop in Tunica should be the Gateway to the Blues Visitors Center, which is home to the U.S. Highway 61 Mississippi Blues Trail marker. At the center, you can learn about the origin of the blues, and Tunica and the Mississippi Delta's role in its legacy. The center's museum has exhibits such as a recording studio and the "Evolution of the Guitar" exhibit, which features 20 guitars from famous artists in many genres. For more information, visit tunicatravel.com.
Tunica's history spans long before the establishment of the state of Mississippi. At the Tunica Museum, you'll find displays of wildlife, Native Americans and the blues. The history of Tunica is compacted into a 30-minutes-or-less tour that displays the Mississippian era (800-1500 A.D.) to present day.
Tunica Arena and Expo Center (Paul Battle Arena & Exposition Center, 3873 Highway 61 N., 662.363.3299, tunicaarena.com)
Adjacent to the museum is the Tunica Arena, which was named after Paul Battle, the man who helped bring casinos to Tunica. At the arena, you'll usually you'll find an expo for livestock or an interesting crafts fair, depending on the day.
When you need a bite to eat, look no further than the town's hallmark restaurant: The Blue and White Restaurant. Standing like a citadel guarding the timelessness of 1950s architecture, the restaurant has a neon-lit arrow to guide you to its delicacies. Locals gather at the restaurant and seem to fill it at every hour of the day. The restaurant has a country-style buffet and salad bar, or customers can have their meal cooked to order. The menu offers Mississippi favorites such as fried chicken livers, a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich, breakfast all day or lunch, and made-from-scratch donuts. Whatever you choose, you will be sure to remember your meal at the Blue & White and take a picture in front of the photogenic restaurant.
In downtown Tunica, you'll find shops such as Ann-Tiques, Dunn's Jewelry, and Tunica Marketplace and Florist. Ann-Tiques has piles of silver trays, radios, cameras and rotary telephones. The shop owner plays Elvis and classic '50s music to set the mood. Beautiful antique furniture with marbled tops hold unique items and safe-keeping boxes. People can see the Veteran's Memorial Park in the center of town, right off of Main Street near the antique shops, boutiques and gift stores.
Out in the distance beyond endless fields of farmland and green crops, a hotel cuts across the skyline. Tunica is known for its casinos and resorts that dot Casino Resort Boulevard. Inside of them, you'll find residents from neighboring towns who offer years of experience in the industry. On the boulevard, you'll find spas, fortune, buffets and blues-themed games.