Clarksdale should be higher on the list...
CNN gets it right aGAIN
- Thread starter aTotal360
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Clarksdale should be higher on the list...
I would never trust CNN to be right or positive about anything. But of course, I never watch CNN . . . . . .
No offense to any Clarksdalians on here, but I'm not sure Clarksdale is the 8th best town in Mississippi to visit. I love live music, like the blues, and appreciate museums and history, but there are some other cool towns around too. (OS, BSL, Pass, Oxford, STK, Biloxi, Tupelo, Laurel...?)
No matter. I'm glad they ranked it this way, though. Great national press for the state in addition to hopefully boosting some delta tourism.
No matter. I'm glad they ranked it this way, though. Great national press for the state in addition to hopefully boosting some delta tourism.
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I used to do some work in Clarksdale but haven’t been up there in about 4 years. You could tell it had the bones of a town that was once very interesting and still has a few of my favorite restaurants in the state. But obviously has its downsides too. I believe they are getting a new mayor soon so maybe he can improve some things. Chuck Espy is the textbook definition of shady.
My grandma lived in Clarksdale. Outside of Abe's BBQ and The Ranch/El Rancheros, it's an absolute dump.
It's not a total surprise they would list it that high. Some of you would be really amazed at how much blues tourism there is in the state.
If the list were "Top 10 coolest blue-based tourism spots in the US" I would wholeheartedly agree Clarksdale should be included. Chicago, Detroit, Indianola and Memphis would have to make the list too.
But would you put Memphis on "America's Best Towns to Visit"...?
My dad has taken note and will be contacting you shortly. If an Italian guy knocks on your door - don't answer it.
For the record I wouldn't put Clarksdale on it. The only other town on the list I have been to is Ithaca NY. I wouldn't put it there either. The Finger Lakes is a great area but Ithaca might not make the Top 10 in that area, much less in the country. That being said it's not a surprise to see either on it. They have draws that appeal to people that not a lot of other places have.
Again, I'm glad they ranked one of our cities.
But you may literally be the only person on this board and maybe in Mississippi who is not surprised to see Clarksdale on America's Best Towns to Visit list. Hell I bet the mayor of Clarksdale was like "WTF, no way!"
I like the Blues and have spent some time on the Blues Trail. You would be surprised at what and who you run into on it sometimes. If you get a ranker that's into the Blues, it's no surprise at all.
I just watched Sinners and think I’ll pass on the Clarksdale concerts.
It is for one weekend a year … other than that … negative.
I didn't read the article, but many times the folks making these rankings have never been to the towns.
If you do go to Clarksvegas, eat at the Dutch Oven, it's fantastic.
I've been to Clarksdale dozens of times (for bid'niss) it is not a town I'd visit voluntarily.
If you do go to Clarksvegas, eat at the Dutch Oven, it's fantastic.
I've been to Clarksdale dozens of times (for bid'niss) it is not a town I'd visit voluntarily.
Folks travel from international places to do the blues tour. I've randomly talked to several on flights to Jackson.
I grew up there in the 70s and early 80s, and Clarksdale was filled with wonderful people in spite of its socio-economic malaise. People were by and large the town's greatest asset. But most of them have left, as with so many poor isolated small towns. Kudos to the ones left behind committed to putting Humpty Delta back together again. These people must have slipped a Cecil Newton desired bag-o-cash to CNN for the good pub.
They have fought to make Clarksdale a place worth visiting for a very specific niche. If you want to make a DAY TRIP for blues heritage type stuff, it's fine. Maybe go during the Juke Joint Festival. Otherwise, nope. For example, the increasing quaintness of towns along the Coast seem more intriguing for a rankable place to visit. I've been on the Coast since State played meaningful football in Atlanta, and every town along the water (short of Waveland and Gautier) has what most people would ration as a better place to visit.
(I haven't returned to Clarksdale in over 25 years. Social media has afforded me the opportunity to reconnect without risking the trip. Would I love some BBQ from Abe's, some Fried Shrimp from Ramon's, and breakfast at the Rest Haven? Sure.)
Clarksdale's continuous marketing of its Blues heritage, has kept it from declining at a more rapid pace. Butside of any interest in that, there is little reason to casually visit.
They have fought to make Clarksdale a place worth visiting for a very specific niche. If you want to make a DAY TRIP for blues heritage type stuff, it's fine. Maybe go during the Juke Joint Festival. Otherwise, nope. For example, the increasing quaintness of towns along the Coast seem more intriguing for a rankable place to visit. I've been on the Coast since State played meaningful football in Atlanta, and every town along the water (short of Waveland and Gautier) has what most people would ration as a better place to visit.
(I haven't returned to Clarksdale in over 25 years. Social media has afforded me the opportunity to reconnect without risking the trip. Would I love some BBQ from Abe's, some Fried Shrimp from Ramon's, and breakfast at the Rest Haven? Sure.)
Clarksdale's continuous marketing of its Blues heritage, has kept it from declining at a more rapid pace. Butside of any interest in that, there is little reason to casually visit.
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I have too, probably more than most people. I could go into much detail about multiple projects I've worked in and on but won't, just suffice it to say I know and support the music & tourism business in Mississippi very well.
I agree with you that many people around the world travel here to see the sites. I wish they would stay here, unfortunately most of them stay in Memphis and drive down (or ride a bus) into the Delta for a day trip. We need to correct that for sure. I wish more of them would stay at The Shack Up Inn or those rentals down the street from Ground Zero, but they don't know those are options for the most part. I've met dozens of people from Sweden, Spain, Germany, England, etc. who know a hell of a lot more about Mississippi and the Blues than 99.9% of Mississippians. It's kind of cool, but also kind of a shame actually. We don't even know what we've got to some degree. But I digress.
I'm still surprised
Putting the tv on CNN in this house will get you thrown out on your a$$ real quick.
I’m not going to say I’m not surprised to see Clarksdale that high on the list.
What I will say is I can see the appeal as a place to visit. It has some character- especially if you haven’t been to every other little delta town.
A tourist can go to the Crossroads where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil. They can go to the blues club owned by Morgan Freeman (Assuming that hasn’t changed? I really don’t know). They can go to the blues museum, which as I recall is very evocative of an old-south history. People like to think about that time and, I don’t know, feel good about how bad they feel about it?
They can eat delta hot tamales, and a BBQ sandwich from a place that’s been doing it for 100 years. They can go and eat Lebanese food. There are enough decent places to eat to spend a weekend, as long as you’re not expecting fine dining.
None of this makes it a very good place to live. But I can see it being good for a visit (especially if you’re a travel writer who needs something interesting to say)
What I will say is I can see the appeal as a place to visit. It has some character- especially if you haven’t been to every other little delta town.
A tourist can go to the Crossroads where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil. They can go to the blues club owned by Morgan Freeman (Assuming that hasn’t changed? I really don’t know). They can go to the blues museum, which as I recall is very evocative of an old-south history. People like to think about that time and, I don’t know, feel good about how bad they feel about it?
They can eat delta hot tamales, and a BBQ sandwich from a place that’s been doing it for 100 years. They can go and eat Lebanese food. There are enough decent places to eat to spend a weekend, as long as you’re not expecting fine dining.
None of this makes it a very good place to live. But I can see it being good for a visit (especially if you’re a travel writer who needs something interesting to say)
Just ask Ralph Macchio from the 1986 “Gem” Crossroads. Talk about an underrated movie!! They filmed the crossroads scene in that movie far off from Clarksdale. End of the day, it’s a good town, just probably somewhere you wouldn’t want to live (Now). I lived in Cleveland for 5 years … so got to know all the MS Delta and towns. The Delta is actually a unique and special place.
Is that right? I've never been, which is why I put a question mark. I have just heard from all the wives and male OM fans how great it is.
All the other ones were first hand knowledge.