Drive the back roads of Mississippi and the state tells you its story in music, food and front-porch conversation. This is the birthplace of the blues, a state of river towns, antebellum mansions and Gulf Coast beaches, and it rewards travellers who take it slowly. These ten places are the best introduction to the Magnolia State.
1. Jackson: The Capital City
Start in Jackson, where the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Museum of Mississippi History, housed together downtown, give the state’s story depth and context. The Mississippi Museum of Art and the lively Fondren district, with its restaurants and music venues, round out a capital that is far more interesting than its reputation suggests.
2. Vicksburg National Military Park
Vicksburg’s military park preserves the battlefield of the 1863 campaign that gave the Union control of the Mississippi River. The driving tour past monuments, trenches and the USS Cairo ironclad is one of the most evocative Civil War sites in the country, and the town’s riverfront and murals are worth an afternoon too.
3. The Gulf Coast: Biloxi and Ocean Springs
Mississippi’s Gulf Coast pairs white sand beaches with resort casinos in Biloxi and a quieter, artsy charm in Ocean Springs. The coast is the state’s playground: charter a fishing boat, eat Gulf shrimp, and walk the beach at sunset.
4. Natchez: Antebellum Mansions
Natchez, on a bluff above the Mississippi River, survived the Civil War largely intact, and its grand antebellum homes, many open for tours, are the finest in the South. The Natchez Trace Parkway begins here, and the town’s river views at sunset are unforgettable.
5. Oxford: A Literary College Town
Oxford, home to the University of Mississippi, is a college town with a literary soul. William Faulkner’s home, Rowan Oak, is open to visitors, and the town square, ringed by bookshops and restaurants, is one of the South’s most pleasant places to spend an evening.
6. Tunica: Entertainment and the River
Tunica’s casino resorts draw visitors for gaming, live shows and dining, but the town also offers river views and a gateway to the Delta’s music country. It works best as a lively stop on a longer Mississippi road trip.
7. The Mississippi Delta: Clarksdale and the Blues
The Delta is where the blues was born, and Clarksdale is its living heart. Ground Zero Blues Club, the Delta Blues Museum and the crossroads legend at nearby Dockery Farms make this essential ground for music lovers. Come for the music and stay for the juke joints.
8. Tishomingo State Park
Tishomingo, in the foothills of the Appalachians in the state’s northeast corner, is Mississippi’s most scenic state park. Hiking trails, a swinging bridge, canoeing on Bear Creek and excellent fall colour make it the state’s best outdoor escape.
9. Tupelo: Elvis’s Birthplace
Tupelo is where Elvis Presley was born, and the small two-room house where he spent his early years, now part of Elvis Presley Birthplace Park, is a modest and moving stop. The town also has a strong food scene and a popular automotive museum.
10. The Natchez Trace Parkway
Finally, drive a stretch of the Natchez Trace Parkway itself, the 444-mile scenic road from Natchez to Nashville. Its Cypress Swamp, Emerald Mound and quiet pull-offs capture the state’s landscape at its most peaceful, and it is the perfect way to link several of these stops together.
Planning Your Mississippi Trip
Spring and autumn offer the best weather for driving and outdoor stops. Mississippi is a driving state: a car is essential, and the distances between towns are part of the pleasure. Allow at least five days for a route from Jackson through Vicksburg and Natchez to the Delta and the Gulf Coast.
FAQ
- What is Mississippi best known for?
The blues, its Civil War and civil rights history, Southern food, antebellum architecture and Gulf Coast beaches.
- Is Mississippi suitable for families?
Yes. State parks, beaches, museums and music venues all offer family-friendly options across the state.
- When is the best time to visit Mississippi?
Spring and autumn bring mild weather and festival season, ideal for road trips and outdoor activities.
Final Thoughts
Mississippi is not a state to rush. Drive its back roads, listen to its music where it was made, and talk to the people you meet along the way. These ten places are the start of a trip that tends to stay with travellers long after they leave.
For more Southern travel ideas, see our guides to places to visit in the South Carolina mountains and places to visit in North and South Carolina.
