Arkansas

Chicken cracklins are fried by hand at Kim’s. It’s every Jewish boy’s dream.

Not only the home of famous blues pioneer Muddy Waters, the cabin also served as a juke joint where Waters entertained farm hands from the area.

Clarksdale, Miss., is the home of the blues. This museum is dedicated to celebrating the history and heritage of the music and the famous musicians who have taken the stage in Clarksdale.

It all started in Clarksdale, the ground zero of blue music. Some of the best blues musicians perform here. Oh, and Morgan Freeman, Academy-Award winner and Mississippi native, is a co-owner. It's a bigger commercial place, but still cool.

Held annually in mid-April, the Juke Joint Festival is three full days of blues and barbecue. A must go.

Made by Mr. Eugene Hick’s Sr., himself since 1960. Hick’s works alone in his kitchen to keep his recipe secret. The tamales are gut bombs, the size of small cigars, sold by the dozen. Bring your Pepto.

I had one of the best times of my life hanging out at Red’s. It was music geek nirvana. Amazing ribs, cold beer and real blues. Fronted by the river, backed by the grave.

Oxbow is my new favorite lunch spot in Clarksdale. They serve the best fish taco in the USA. For real.

Another historic location along the blues trail. The Riverside Hotel was the place in Clarksdale that traveling musicians to call home while on the road. In 1937, “the empress of the blues,” Bessie Smith died in that location at the G.T. Thomas Afro American Hospital after being in a car accident Another historic location along the blues trail. The Riverside Hotel was the place in Clarksdale that traveling musicians to call home while on the road. In 1937, “the empress of the blues,” Bessie Smith died in that location at the G.T. Thomas Afro American Hospital after being in a car accident just outside of Clarksdale.… see moresee less

This site along the blues trail is dedicated to musician Ike Turner who worked in Clarkdale at the Hotel Alcazar as an elevator operator and janitor. Born less than a mile outside the site, Turner began playing blues and boogie woogie piano in Clarksdale.