Our most popular tour offers you the authentic Delta experience through its people and cultural landmarks with your own local guide.
You will hear the history of Hernando Desoto, the first white man to arrive into Helena in 1541. The Indians thought he was a God and asked him to pray for rain. This was the first Christian service ever to be held on the West side of the River.
You will travel along agricultural crops and hear about the effect the River had on the fertile land of the Delta. As settlers from across the Delta came to Helena, they brought with them their music which symbolizes life along the River. Helena became the cradle of Delta Blues.
Your first stop will be Greater First Baptist Church. Here you’ll enjoy a rousing, toe-tapping performance of traditional gospel music performed by the 25-member Delta Heritage Choir. This will be one of the highlights of your trip!
You will experience firsthand the Civil War Battle of Helena at Fort Curtis, a block-long replica of a Union fort.
You will visit the oldest public building in the state of Arkansas, the Helena Museum of Phillips County, on your way back to the Historic Downtown area.
Now that you have seen the sights, we will take you to The Wild Hog Saloon to hear the sounds of the Delta Blues and enjoy the tastes of Delta Soul Food!
At the Delta Cultural Center, you will meet Sunshine Sonny Payne, host of King Biscuit Time, the longest running Blues radio program in the country. Mr. Sonny will surely invite you to be a part of the program! This Peabody Award-winning program was inspiration for Helena’s world-renowned King Biscuit Blues Festival held each year in October.
You’ll leave with a true taste of Helena’s Old South charm, and its lasting impression on life along the Mississippi River Delta.