Welcome to the Bigroads ultimate travel guide to Mississippi! Hopefully this page helps provide some inspiration and tips to help you plan your next trip to Mississippi.
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Mississippi is known for being the poorest state in the country, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't visit it. There are plenty of great attractions scattered throughout the state, including many historical homes, plantations, and several great Gulf of Mexico beaches.
If you enjoy gambling, Biloxi and Tunica are both one of the biggest gambling centers in the country outside of Las Vegas. The city of Jackson is packed with excellent museums. Mississippi also has many important Civil War museums and sites. There are two outstanding rail trails in the state too (Longleaf and Tanglefoot), and both are considered some of the finest cycling trails in the U.S.
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TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS IN MISSISSIPPI
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Are you short on time or struggling to choose something to do or see in Mississippi? Here are my selections for the top 10 attractions or experiences in Mississippi, in no particular order:
✮ Cycle the Longleaf Trace and/or the Tanglefoot Trail; both are among the finest rail trails in the U.S.
✮ Head to Natchez, the "B&B capital of the south"
✮ Drive the Natchez Trace Parkway, which passes through some of MI's most historic towns
✮ Take a boat tour from Gulfport to visit Fort Massachusetts on Ship Island
✮ Visit one of the premier Civil War sites at Vicksburg National Military Park
✮ Tour the Melrose plantation in Natchez
✮ Catch some blues music at Red's Lounge in Clarksdale
✮ Hit the beaches at Gulf Islands National Seashore
✮ Throw some dice at one of the fine casinos in Biloxi
If I could select only one place to visit in Mississippi, I would choose the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Interested in discovering great attractions in other U.S. states? My 10 Great Attractions in Each U.S. State guide covers the best attractions from coast-to-coast. And here is a guide to the best One-Week Vacations in the U.S..
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5-STAR ATTRACTIONS IN MISSISSIPPI
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Here is my opinionated list of 5-star attractions in Mississippi. I believe each of these attractions should be on your Mississippi bucket list since they are all noteworthy from a national perspective:
Northern Mississippi (including Oxford, Tunica, and Tupelo)
✮ Civil War Interpretive Center, Corinth - exhibits on the Battle of Shiloh & the Siege and Battle of Corinth
✮ Delta Blues Museum, Clarksdale - a small but good collection of blues memorabilia
✮ Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum, Tupelo - visit the tiny building that Elvis grew up in
✮ Gambling at casinos in Tunica - e.g. Fitz, Gold Strike, Hollywood Casino, Horseshoe, Sam's Town, etc.
✮ Gold Strike Casino Resort, Robinsonville - good casino with 1400 slots and 40 table games
✮ Natchez Trace Parkway - a 444-mile scenic drive that passes through some of Mississippi's most historic towns
✮ Red's Lounge, Clarksdale - the place to go in Mississippi for live blues music
✮ Tanglefoot Trail - this trail is 100% paved and it is often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
✮ Tishomingo State Park, Tishomingo - arguably Mississippi's most scenic nature park; great hiking trails, rock climbing, and canoeing
✮ Tupelo Automobile Museum, Tupelo - auto museum with more than 150 rare and collectible cars
✮ Vaught Hemingway Stadium, Oxford - catch an "Ole Miss" college football game in this large outdoor stadium
Central Mississippi (including Jackson and Vicksburg)
✮ B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center, Indianola - "preserves and shares the legacy and values of B. B. King"
✮ Birthplace of Kermit The Frog Museum, Leland - small museum in Jim Henson's boyhood town
✮ Historic Natchez Cemetery, Natchez - one of the most historic cemeteries in the south
✮ Mississippi Children's Museum, Jackson - one of the best children's museums in the south
✮ Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Jackson - an outstanding museum exhibiting the history of the Civil Rights Movement
✮ Mississippi State Capitol, Jackson - visit the current capitol building
✮ Mississippi Museum of Art, Jackson - the largest museum in Mississippi
✮ Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Jackson - the best natural history museum in the state
✮ Natchez Trace Parkway - a 444-mile scenic drive that passes through some of Mississippi's most historic towns
✮ U.S.S. Cairo Museum, Vicksburg - see the restoration completed to date on an iron clad river boat
✮ Vicksburg National Cemetery, Vicksburg - visit the grave sites of 17,000 Union soldiers
✮ Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg - take a 16-mile driving loop past one of the most famous Civil War battlefields
Southern Mississippi (including Biloxi, Gulfport, and Natchez)
✮ Beauvoir, Biloxi - visit the home of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy
✮ Biloxi Beach, Biloxi - one of Mississippi's best and most popular beaches; the Biloxi Lighthouse is there as well
✮ Biloxi Lighthouse, Biloxi - visit a cast-iron lighthouse built in 1848
✮ Betsy Ann Riverboat, Bay Saint Louis - take a short cruise on an authentic stern wheel paddlewheel riverboat
✮ Boat tours from Gulfport - e.g. take a cruise to Fort Massachusetts on Ship Island
✮ Clark Creek Natural Area, Woodville - one of Mississippi's most beautiful hiking areas; many seasonal waterfalls
✮ De Soto National Forest, - some of the best trails and canoeing/kayaking in the state
✮ Fort Massachusetts, Ship Island, Gulf Islands National Seashore - take a boat or ferry to visit a historic fort; there's also a swimmer's beach
✮ Gambling at casinos in Biloxi's - e.g. Beau Rivage, Boomtown, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock, Harrah's, IP, Palace, Treasure Bay.
✮ Gulf Islands National Seashore - the best beaches in Mississippi
✮ Hattiesburg Zoo, Hattiesburg - a very small but highly rated zoo
✮ Longleaf Trace - this 44-mile long rail trail is 100% paved and it is often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
✮ Longwood, Natchez - tours of the largest octagonal house in the U.S.
✮ Melrose, Natchez - offers excellent plantation tours, including a 15,000sq foot mansion of the Greek Revival design
✮ Red Bluff, Foxworth - take a hike to see a colorful canyon; take note that maintenance of this location is spotty and you may see a lot of trash
✮ Rosalie Mansion, Natchez - tour a pre-Civil War mansion; no photography allowed
✮ St. Mary Basilica, Natchez - arguably the most beautiful church in Mississippi
✮ Stanton Hall, Natchez - tour a palatial Greek Revival style residence; the #1 Natchez attraction
✮ World's Largest Rocking Chair, Gulfport - 35-foot tall roadside attraction of a giant rocking chair
Are you aware of any other 5-star attractions in Mississippi? If so, please email me at gparsons66@hotmail.com.
Discover 5-star attractions in neighboring states using these state guides:
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TN
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BEST TOWNS & CITIES TO VISIT IN MISSISSIPPI
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These towns and cities in Mississippi are generally regarded as the most interesting to travelers:
✮ Biloxi - a small city on the Gulf Coast that has several good casinos, museums, and other attractions
✮ Jackson - a medium-sized city and capital of Mississippi; known for having several great museums
✮ Natchez - a small city with many antebellum homes; dubbed the "B&B capital of the south"; start of the Natchez Trace Parkway; music history
✮ Vicksburg - a small city with many antebellum homes that is famous for its Civil War battlefields and museums
Read my Favorite Places in the U.S. Guide to find new and interesting towns and cities across the country.
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WHAT IS MISSISSIPPI FAMOUS FOR?
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Here are some things that Mississippi is famous or well-known for:
✮ blues music
✮ catfish
✮ casinos (e.g. in Biloxi and Tunica)
✮ Civil Rights history
✮ cotton / cotton fields
✮ magnolia trees
✮ plantation homes
✮ poorest state in the U.S.
Visit my What is Each U.S. State Famous For? guide to explore the unique characteristics of other states.
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NATIONAL PARKS IN MISSISSIPPI
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There are currently no national parks in Mississippi, but there are many other federally-managed parks and properties in the state, including:
National Monuments
✮ Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Forests
✮ Bienville National Forest
✮ Delta National Forest
✮ De Soto National Forest
✮ Holly Springs National Forest
✮ Homochitto National Forest
✮ Tombigbee National Forest
National Historical Parks / Other National Parks & Properties
✮ Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site
✮ Gulf Islands National Seashore
✮ Natchez National Historical Park
✮ Natchez Trace Parkway
✮ Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
✮ Shiloh National Military Park
✮ Tupelo National Battlefield
✮ Vicksburg National Military Park
For more information on Mississippi's national parks, visit the Mississippi page of the National Park Service. For an overview of all of America's national parks, explore my U.S. National Parks Guide.
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STATE PARKS IN MISSISSIPPI
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Mississippi has more than 20 state parks. Most of its state parks are focused on lakes. Tishomingo State Park is probably the finest state park that the state has.
Find the best state parks across the country using my Top 100 State Parks in the U.S. guide.
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BEST WATERFALLS IN MISSISSIPPI
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Mississippi only has about a dozen natural waterfalls, and most of them appear to be highly seasonal. Here are the best known waterfalls in Mississippi:
✮ Clark Creek Natural Area waterfalls
✮ Dunn's Falls (even though it's partially man-made)
✮ Scutchalo Falls
✮ Yellow Creek Waterfalls
For a listing of all known waterfalls in Mississippi, visit the World Waterfall Database.
Chase more waterfalls across the country with my Best Waterfalls in the U.S. guide.
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BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN MISSISSIPPI
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Here is a list of the best scenic drives in Mississippi:
✮ Beach Boulevard - an 9-mile paved route along the Gulf Coast shoreline within the city limits of Bay St. Louis
✮ Natchez Trace Parkway - a 444-mile paved route from Natchez, MS to Nashville, TN with many historic sites and scenic overlooks
✮ US-90 - a 29-mile drive along the Gulf Coast shoreline between Henderson Point and Ocean Springs
There may or may not be some scenic sections of the Great River Road in Mississippi as well, but I haven't driven this section of that famous road yet.
Discover great scenic drives across the country with my Best Scenic Drives in the U.S. guide.
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BEST OCEAN BEACHES IN MISSISSIPPI
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The Mississippi Gulf Coast has 62 miles of shoreline and there are a few great beaches in the state, including:
✮ Bay St. Louis beaches
✮ Biloxi beaches
✮ East Beach, Ocean Springs
✮ Gulfport Beach, Gulfport
✮ Henderson Point Beach, Pass Christian
✮ Ocean Springs Beach, Ocean Springs
✮ Pass Christian Beach, Pass Christian
✮ Ship Island beaches
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BEST RAIL TRAILS IN MISSISSIPPI
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Here is a list of some of the best rail trails (or similar cycling paths) in Mississippi:
Northern Mississippi (including Oxford, Tunica, and Tupelo)
✮ Tanglefoot Trail - this trail is 100% paved and it is often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
Southern Mississippi (including Biloxi, Gulfport, and Natchez)
✮ Longleaf Trace - this trail is 100% paved and it is often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
For detailed information on all known rail trails in Mississippi, visit the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website.
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BEST AMUSEMENT PARKS IN MISSISSIPPI
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There are a few notable amusement parks in Mississippi, including:
✮ Buccaneer Bay Waterpark, Waveland
✮ Geyser Falls Water Theme Park, Choctaw
✮ Grand Paradise Water Park, Collins
✮ Gulf Islands Water Park, Gulfport
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BEST MUSEUMS IN MISSISSIPPI
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Mississippi has many great museums. The best museums in Mississippi include:
Northern Mississippi (including Oxford, Tunica, and Tupelo)
✮ Civil War Interpretive Center, Corinth
✮ Delta Blues Museum, Clarksdale
✮ Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum, Tupelo
✮ GRAMMY Museum Mississippi, Cleveland
✮ Tupelo Automobile Museum, Tupelo
Central Mississippi (including Jackson and Vicksburg)
✮ B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center, Indianola
✮ Birthplace of Kermit The Frog Museum, Leland
✮ Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, Jackson
✮ Mississippi Children's Museum, Jackson
✮ Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Jackson
✮ Mississippi Museum of Art, Jackson
✮ Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Jackson
✮ Museum of Mississippi History, Jackson
✮ U.S.S. Cairo Museum, Vicksburg
Southern Mississippi (including Biloxi, Gulfport, and Natchez)
✮ Longwood, Natchez
✮ Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum, Biloxi
✮ Melrose, Natchez
✮ Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, Hattiesburg
✮ Rosalie Mansion, Natchez
✮ Stanton Hall, Natchez
✮ Walter Anderson Museum of Art, Ocean Springs
The city of Jackson, Mississippi is one of the best cities in the U.S. for museums.
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BEST DAY HIKES IN MISSISSIPPI
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Compared to other U.S. states, Mississippi only has a limited number of hiking areas. Here are some of the best hiking trails/areas in Mississippi:
✮ Bear Creek Outcroppings Trail, Tishomingo State Park
✮ CCC Camp Trail Loop, Tishomingo State Park
✮ Clark Creek Natural Area trails
I haven't hiked everywhere in Mississippi, but my guess is that the best hiking you'll find in the state is within Tishomingo State Park.
The highpoint of Mississippi is Woodall Mountain (806'). You can drive to the top, and so no hiking is required.
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BEST BACKPACKING TRIPS IN MISSISSIPPI
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The only backpacking trail in Mississippi that I am aware of is the Black Creek Trail. This trail is about 40 miles long and it passes through De Soto National Forest.
If you know of any other backpacking trails/areas in Mississippi, please email me at gparsons66@hotmail.com
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CLASSIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN MISSISSIPPI
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Mississippi offers a few notable outdoor adventures, including:
✮ Backpacking the Black Creek Trail
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Chunky River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking on Okatoma Creek
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Piney River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Strong River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Wolf River
✮ Cycling the Longleaf Trace
✮ Cycling the Tanglefoot Trail
✮ Mountain biking the Clear Springs Recreation Area
✮ Mountain biking the Mt. Zion Bike Trail in Brookhaven
✮ Mountain biking the Ridgeland Mountain Bike Trails
✮ Parasailing in Biloxi
✮ Rock climbing in Tishomingo State Park
✮ Tubing the Bogue Chitto River
✮ Tubing the Strong River
✮ Tubing the Wolf River
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UNIQUE / SPECIALTY FOODS TO TRY IN MISSISSIPPI
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Here are some unique / specialty foods to try while you are in Mississippi:
✮ biscuits
✮ fried catfish
✮ fried hushpuppies
✮ fried mullet
✮ mud pie
✮ pig ear sandwich
✮ slugburgers
✮ tamales (e.g. delta tamales)
For a list of unique foods and mom-and-pop type eateries and restaurants in Mississippi (or any other U.S. state), visit the Roadfood.com website.
For a list of unique foods to try in each U.S. state, explore my Road Trip Food guide.
For a list of the top-rated beers to try in Mississippi (or any other U.S. state), visit the Beer Advocate website.
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OTHER KEY MISSISSIPPI INFORMATION
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Here is some helpful key information about Mississippi:
State Capital:
Jackson
Major Airports:
Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT) and Jackson-Evers International Airport (JAN); you can also fly into New Orleans, LA and then drive into Mississippi
Largest Cities:
Jackson (149,739), Gulfport (73,952), Southaven (55,782), Biloxi (50,529), Hattiesburg (49,278), Olive Branch (40,957), Tupelo (38,599)
Primary U.S. Interstates:
I-10, I-20, I-22, I-55, I-59, I-69
State Highpoint:
Woodall Mountain (806') in northeastern Mississippi; you can drive all the way to the top
Professional Sports Teams:
None
(although college football is very popular in Mississippi, e.g. Ole Miss and Mississippi State)
Funny or Unique Town/City Names:
Chunky, Goodfood, Guntown, Hot Coffee, Rolling Fork, and Whynot
Take note that in general this travel guide intentionally excluded restaurants, lodging/hotels, breweries, wineries/vineyards, and certain other types of attractions (like arcades, ax-throwing, bowling alleys, and escape rooms). These types of places tend to come and go, and keeping up with that would be too challenging. I encourage you to use Google Maps, Tripadvisor, Yelp, and other travel sites that have reader reviews to find the latest and greatest places that I haven't covered here.
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MORE U.S. STATE TRAVEL GUIDES
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Did you enjoy this state travel guide? If so, here are links to more of my comprehensive U.S. state travel guides:
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As an Amazon Associates affiliate, this website contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any products after clicking any Amazon.com link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I only endorse products that I have personally used or those that come highly recommended by trusted peers.
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