Dockery Farms from Highway 8

City / town · Mississippi

Cleveland

Dockery Farms from Highway 8

Best timeMar–May, Sep–Nov
From you
Nearest airportGLH · 23 mi
On this page

Overview

Cleveland is a city in Mississippi. It is home to Delta State University. The town is nearly flat, and according to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.9 km² (7.3 mi²), all land. The population as of 2019 was 11,000.

3 sights · 1 places to eat · 1 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Cleveland

Dockery Farms

The birthplace of the Delta Blues is about 5 miles east of Cleveland on State Highway 8. Dockery Farms was a 28-square-mile cotton plantation and sawmill along the Sunflower River. It is widely regarded as the place wher…

GRAMMY Museum Mississippi

About music history and legends.

Martin & Sue King Railroad Museum

Railroad memorabilia.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 33°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Apr and Mar. (climate data from nearby Memphis)

Jan: 4.1 in rain4.1"Jan: high 50°F, low 33°F50°33°JanFeb: 4.5 in rain4.5"Feb: high 56°F, low 37°F56°37°FebMar: 5.7 in rain5.7"Mar: high 64°F, low 44°F64°44°MarApr: 5.9 in rain5.9"Apr: high 73°F, low 53°F73°53°AprMay: 5.3 in rain5.3"May: high 82°F, low 62°F82°62°MayJun: 4.0 in rain4"Jun: high 89°F, low 70°F89°70°JunJul: 4.8 in rain4.8"Jul: high 92°F, low 74°F92°74°JulAug: 3.4 in rain3.4"Aug: high 92°F, low 73°F92°73°AugSep: 3.0 in rain3"Sep: high 86°F, low 66°F86°66°SepOct: 4.0 in rain4"Oct: high 75°F, low 54°F75°54°OctNov: 4.7 in rain4.7"Nov: high 63°F, low 43°F63°43°NovDec: 5.5 in rain5.5"Dec: high 53°F, low 36°F53°36°Dec

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

  • From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
  • GLH Mid Delta Regional Airport, Greenville — 23 mi away. Directions
  • MEM Frederick W. Smith International Airport, Memphis — 100 mi away (major hub). Directions

The closest airports with airline service are in Memphis, 100 miles to the north, and Greenville, 30 miles to the south. While Greenville has limited airline service, Memphis is a major hub and is the preferred airport.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

  • Morning Dockery Farms, Martin & Sue King Railroad Museum
  • Lunch The Lost Pizza Company
  • Afternoon GRAMMY Museum Mississippi

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cleveland has many locally owned restaurants; you won't find a TGIFridays or Applebee's here. Go to the Airport Grocery or Hey Joe's for typical local fare - burgers, ribs, pulled pork, assorted barbecue, catfish, crawfish, kabobs, etc. The Country Platter offers soul food and plate lunches, and just south of it one can find Crustaceans for more inexpensive local dining. Crustaceans is primarily known for crawfish. South of Cleveland, in Boyle, is Bellazar's and Catfish Cabin, which specializes in fish and seafood. There are two small Chinese restaurants called China Buffet and Little China Kitchen, and while their food is good, they are not regarded as "sit-down" restaurants. There are also a Mexican restaurant called Guadalajara.

Another popular restaurant is The Warehouse, a gourmet deli, art gallery, and bazaar for various local vendors. À La Carte provides high-end wraps, salads, and sandwiches. Mississippi Grounds on Court Street is a popular coffee house.

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

    Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

    Photos

    Dockery Farms from Highway 8Cleveland

    Map

    Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

    Get in

    By plane

    The closest airports with airline service are in Memphis, 100 miles to the north, and Greenville, 30 miles to the south. While Greenville has limited airline service, Memphis is a major hub and is the preferred airport.

    By car

    Driving from Memphis: get to Hwy 55 South and follow it to Hwy 69, right outside of Olive Branch (you'll see a sign for Tunica). Take Hwy 69 to Hwy 61 in Tunica and go south on 61. Follow Hwy 61 76 miles to Cleveland.

    Driving from Arkansas (Lake Village): Take Hwy 82 21 miles east through Greenville then drive 10 more miles (through Leland) to Hwy 61, which you will take north for 35 miles to Cleveland.

    Get around

    There is no public transportation in Cleveland. There are two taxi services. Cook's taxi can be reached at +1 662-402-4150.

    Cleveland is completely flat and only 7 miles square, so biking during good weather is suggested.

    See

    Cleveland's, and the Mississippi Delta's, primary value as a tourist locale is its beautiful scenic views, quiet small town atmosphere, and its relation to Delta blues folklore.

    • Drive 20 miles west to Rosedale and visit the Great River Road State Park. The park offers magnificent views of the Mississippi River with access to sandbars during the drier seasons. The park also boasts a 75-foot-high lookout tower that provides panoramic views of the Mississippi River. Below the tower is a picnic area, swings, grills, and a large reservable pavilion for group events. The park is named for the Great River Road, a scenic parkway that follows the Mississippi from its beginning as a small Canadian creek to its end at the Gulf of Mexico.
    • Find the original Old Highway 61, which starts just west of Rosemary Road at Hwy 61. Somewhere this road will cross with the original Old Highway 49, where it is said that Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for secret knowledge that helped him pioneer the blues.

    See Dockery Farms

    The birthplace of the Delta Blues is about 5 miles east of Cleveland on State Highway 8. Dockery Farms was a 28-square-mile cotton plantation and sawmill along the Sunflower River. It is widely regarded as the place where Delta blues music was born. Blues musicians resident at Dockery included Charlie Patton, Robert Johnson and Howlin' Wolf. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, Delta State University, and the Dockery Farms Foundation have teamed up to bring the history and culture of the blues back to the area through the local schools.

    📍 299 Hwy 8☎ +1 662 719-1048
    MapsWebsite

    See GRAMMY Museum Mississippi

    About music history and legends.

    📍 800 W Sunflower Rd☎ +1 662 441-0100⚠ Last checked Sep 2021 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Martin & Sue King Railroad Museum

    Railroad memorabilia.

    📍 115 S Bayou Ave☎ +1 662 843-3377⚠ Last checked Sep 2021 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Do

    Cleveland is a small town. Locals of all ages enjoy simple pleasures such as joyriding through the farmland, mud-riding, bonfires, jam sessions, drinking parties, dinner parties, barbecues and other socially centered pastimes.

    • Cleveland is also known for its festivals, including Octoberfest, The Crosstie Arts & Jazz Festival, and The Italian Festival. Contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information.
    • Another popular activity is attending Delta State University sporting events, as the school is known for its championship athletic teams, particularly in baseball, football, and women's basketball. Over the years, DSU has won over 50 conference championships and nine national titles, mostly at the NCAA Division II level.

    Buy

    Cleveland has a thriving downtown full of boutiques and knick-knack shops, but it is better suited for housewives than collectors.

    Eat

    Cleveland has many locally owned restaurants; you won't find a TGIFridays or Applebee's here. Go to the Airport Grocery or Hey Joe's for typical local fare - burgers, ribs, pulled pork, assorted barbecue, catfish, crawfish, kabobs, etc. The Country Platter offers soul food and plate lunches, and just south of it one can find Crustaceans for more inexpensive local dining. Crustaceans is primarily known for crawfish. South of Cleveland, in Boyle, is Bellazar's and Catfish Cabin, which specializes in fish and seafood. There are two small Chinese restaurants called China Buffet and Little China Kitchen, and while their food is good, they are not regarded as "sit-down" restaurants. There are also a Mexican restaurant called Guadalajara.

    Another popular restaurant is The Warehouse, a gourmet deli, art gallery, and bazaar for various local vendors. À La Carte provides high-end wraps, salads, and sandwiches. Mississippi Grounds on Court Street is a popular coffee house.

    Eat The Lost Pizza Company

    PizzaAmericanDessert / Ice cream

    Located on the legendary Hwy 61 on the northern side of town, Lost Pizza offers a wide variety of pizza, sandwiches, sides and desserts, as well as a huge selection of import and domestic beers. The original location is in Indianola on Hwy 82, on the western end of town.

    📍 3745 Hwy 61🕒 Mon-Sat 3PM-9PM☎ +1 662 846-1300
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Drink

    Sr. Jose's at 201 S Sharpe Ave has a well-stocked bar and a friendly staff.

    Locals often opt to drink at home amongst friends, and liquor stores can be found all along Hwy 61. Because of Blue Laws, liquor stores close at 10PM and bars stop serving at 1AM.

    Sleep

    Cleveland has many hotels located on Hwy 61.

    Stay Cotton House, Cleveland, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

    Upscale lodging, with a rooftop bar.

    📍 215 Cotton Row☎ +1 662 843-7733⚠ Last checked Sep 2021 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

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