this itinerary

DELTA
GETAWAY
(FROM MEMPHIS)
Day 1
Leave Memphis after breakfast.
Head up I-55N to Dyess, AR.
Tour the newly restored Johnny Cash Boyhood Home located in
the Dyess Colony. The Dyess Colony was a federal agricultural
resettlement community created in 1934 as part of President
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. It provided a fresh start for nearly
500 impoverished Arkansas farm families, including the family
of music legend Johnny Cash. The Cash home is one of the few
houses remaining and has recently been restored. Johnny Cash
Call with questions! 870.714.2844
EXPLORE ONLINE!
VisitHelenaAR.com
lived in Dyess until he graduated from high school in 1950. His
music was greatly influenced by his experiences in Dyess, including
such songs as “Pickin’ Time” and “Five Feet High and Rising.”
Dyess Colony Administration Building
Enjoy dinner at Wilson Café, in historic Wilson, Arkansas.
The entire town square has been built in the Tudor style, which
lends it a unique charm.
Spend the night in Osecola or Blytheville, AR
Battery C (page 2)
1
Day 2
Leave from your hotel after breakfast.
Drive south to Marianna, AR for an early lunch at Jones Bar-B-Q, a James Beard award winning restaurant. Some
incarnation of Jones Bar-B-Q Diner has been open since at least the 1910s. Today Jones Bar-B-Q is owned by
James and Betty Jones and is one of the oldest African-American owned restaurants in America.
Head South on Highway 1 to Helena, AR. Spend the rest of the
afternoon exploring the area’s rich history. We suggest starting at
Helena River Park, where a boardwalk overlooks the Mississippi
River. Helena is the only downtown on the river between Memphis
and Vicksburg. This section of the Mississippi River is one of only a
few remaining “wild” areas without heavy industrial development.
Helena River Park
Next, visit a few of Helena’s key Civil War sites including Freedom Park (the first site in Arkansas to be designated
as a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site), New Fort Curtis (3/4 scale replica of the original
Union earth works complete with two 24 pounder guns ), and Battery C (one of four batteries erected by the Union
army to defend the city. It towers over the downtown). Periodically reenactments and demonstrations take place at
these sites. Contact the Delta Cultural Center for more information.
Fort Curtis Replica - Battle of Helena
End the day’s tour at the Helena Museum. One of the oldest
museums in Arkansas, their collection includes one of the largest
displays of Edison artifacts in the country.
For dinner we suggest the Bistro Bar and Grill or El Rio Lindo.
Both offer a laidback atmosphere where visitors can grab a drink
and relax. The Bistro’s burger is arguably the best in town and El
Rio Lindo boasts fresh homemade salsa.
Spend the night at one of Helena’s hotels or bed & breakfasts.
We recommend the Best Western or the Edwardian Inn.
Helena Museum
2
Day 3
For breakfast either enjoy your hotel’s complimentary spread, or grab a bite at Kelly’s; we recommend anything that
comes with their homemade biscuits.
Head to Cherry Street to fit in some shopping at the gift shops located in the most intact historic downtown in
Arkansas. Handworks, Bella, Cotton & Kudzu, and Delta Gypsy carry a wide variety of locally and regionally
sourced gifts and clothes. For souvenirs, make sure to stop by the King Biscuit Blues Festival office on Biscuit
Row. The festival is considered the foremost showcase of blues music in the country. Be careful not to miss the
Mississippi Blues Trail marker across the street.
Head to the Delta Cultural Center at 11:30am to view their latest exhibit: Songs from the Field. The exhibit tells the
story of how blues and gospel music developed from work songs and field hollers. At 12:15pm progress to the King
Biscuit Time radio booth, where “Sunshine” Sonny Payne broadcasts the show live every weekday. King Biscuit
Time is the longest running daily radio show in the country. Be prepared, Sonny loves putting visitors on the show
as his guests.
Stop at the Pillow-Thompson House for a tour of one of the finest examples of Queen Anne architecture in the
South. The home’s second floor has the family’s heirloom furniture and hat collection on display. If you make
arrangements ahead of time, the staff can help tour groups arrange for a luncheon.
Kelly’s
Historic Cherry Street
Eat lunch at Downtown Bar & Grill, a casual atmosphere that’s
perfect for relaxing in the midday. We suggest the burger or the
loaded Philly cheesesteak. Enjoy a game of pool while you wait for
your food!
After lunch, drive across the Mississippi River Bridge to Clarksdale,
MS. Visit the Delta Blues Museum, see The Crossroads where
Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil, and take in some live
music at Ground Zero, Morgan Freeman’s blues club.
Drive back to Memphis through the cotton and soybean fields
of the Delta.
3
Details
Johnny Cash Boyhood Home
4791 CR 924
Dyess, AR 72330
(870) 972-2803
Jones Bar-B-Q
219 W Louisiana St.
Marianna, AR 72360
(870) 295-3807
Helena River Park
Follow Perry Street East
onto the levee
Freedom Park
700 South Biscoe
(870) 338-4351
Delta Cultural Center
141 Cherry St.
(870) 338-4350
Bistro Bar and Grill
213 Plaza Street
(870) 572-9707
Pillow-Thompson House
718 Perry St.
(870) 338-8535
El Rio Lindo
641 Oakland Ave.
(870) 338-4320
Downtown Bar & Grill
520 B Walnut St.
(870) 714-2940
Best Western
1053 W. Hwy. 49
(870) 572-2592
Delta Blues Museum
1 Blues Alley Ln
Clarksdale, MS 38614
(662) 627-6820
Edwardian Inn
317 Biscoe
(870) 338-9155
New Fort Curtis
350 Columbia
(870) 338-4351
Battery C
Entrance at end of Yorkshire
(870) 338-4351
Helena Museum
623 Pecan St.
(870) 338-7790
Bella
227 Cherry St.
(870) 228-5004
Kelly’s
297 Richmond Hill
(870) 572-5500
King Biscuit Blues Festival office
319 Phillips St.
(870) 572-5223
The Crossroads
Desoto Ave & State St
Clarksdale, MS 38614
Ground Zero
252 Delta Ave.
Clarksdale, MS 38614
(662) 621-9009
Unless otherwise listed, all destinations are in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas.
As several places are closed on Mondays, please call ahead!
Call with questions! 870.714.2844
EXPLORE ONLINE!
VisitHelenaAR.com
4