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11 Places to Visit in Mississippi
A little about Mississippi...
Mississippi is known as the Magnolia State because of its many beautiful Magnolia trees. The Magnolia blossom is the State Flower. In the Spring, the pink and white blooms from the azalea bushes brighten up the lawns of many of our state's residents. Perhaps you have never considered a vacation to this state in the Deep South, but along with it's beauty in flowers and trees, you will find there is a rich history in this state with many notable stops to hold your interest on a visit.
Jackson
This city is the capital of Mississippi. You can tour the historic capitol building which is actually patterned after the actual U. S. Capital building. Your children will appreciate a trip to the Jackson Zoo, Mississippi Children's Museum and Museum of Natural Science.
You can also visit the home of the Pulitzer Prize winning author Eudora Welty in Jackson where she lived from 1925 until her death. Her home is a National Historic Landmark open to the public as a museum.
Natchez Trace Parkway
A scenic highway that spans 444 miles from Nashville, TN to Natchez, MS. There is a 50 mph speed limit and there are no stop signs or traffic lights. You can feel like you are in a different time and slower pace of life as there are no commercial buildings such as gas stations or restaurants right on the parkway.
Natchez
Natchez is the oldest city along the Mississippi River. It is home to the many of the preserved antebellum homes in Mississippi. Natchez is a beautiful old town with many antique stores and old homes to explore.
October is a great time to visit because of the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race. This is an annual festival with live music and competitions for the hot air balloons that fill the skies.
Port Gibson
Port Gibson is small town located between Vicksburg and Natchez.
A visit should include a trip to see the Ruins of Windsor which are the haunting remains of a old antebellum home. This home was the largest antebellum home in Mississippi. It actually survived the Civil War and Mark Twain is said to have stayed there. It is believed a careless cigarette or cigar of a party guest is to have set the fire in 1870. All that remains are the ghostly columns of this once beautiful mansion.
Also, driving through town you can see the unique First Presbyterian church with a gold hand at the tip of its steeple pointing toward heaven.
Vicksburg
Vicksburg is the location of a Civil War Battleground. History buffs may enjoy a visit to the National Military Park to learn many interesting facts about Civil War history and the battle and siege in Vicksburg.
Also, visit the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum, the old candy store where Coca-Cola was first bottled in 1894! You can view Coca-Cola Memorabilia, have ice cream, buy a variety of Coca-Cola related souvenirs and drink a Coke, of course!
- Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum: Where Coke Was First Bottled in 1894
About Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum
Tupelo
Tupelo is most known for being the birthplace of Elvis Presley and where he lived the first 13 years of his life. You can visit the birthplace and museum and take the tour of the small 2-room house where he was born. The are various other notable points of interest for the Elvis fan in Tupelo.
For the kids, the Buffalo Park and Zoo is a family attraction to check out!
Gulf Coast
The Gulf Coast of MS offers deep sea fishing, the Walter Anderson Art Musuem, and is popular for its casinos.
You may enjoy a visit to the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport where you can enjoy encounters with various sea creatures.
A unique stop is the Marine Sculpture Garden in Biloxi, MS. Tree trunks what were remaining from damaged trees during Hurricane Katrina were carved into art by a chainsaw artist.
Meridian
Meridian is the birthplace of Jimmie Rodgers, the Father of Country Music. It offers the Jimmie Rodger's Museum and has a Festival in his honor annually.
Meridian also houses the Historic Dentzel Carousel which is a historic landmark. All around Meridian you can see replicas of unique carousel horses outside of businesses in honor of the carousel.
The Delta
The extremely rural area between the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers. In the middle of the Delta, in Greenwood, MS you will find a luxurious Alluvian Hotel and Spa that also hosts a Viking Cooking school.
Greenville, MS in the Delta area is also the home to the Mississippi Delta Blues and Heritage Festival held annually.
- The Alluvian Hotel
Boutique hotel in the Mississippi Delta, Downtown Greenwood, MS
Columbus
Columbus is the home to the Mississippi University for Women (known locally as the "W") which was attended by the notable Mississippi novelist Eudora Welty. Columbus is also the birthplace of the famous playwright Tennessee Williams. The house of his birth and first 3 years of his life is now the city's welcome center and open to the public.
Oxford
This small college town that is home to the University of Mississippi affectionately nicknamed Ole Miss. While many colleges have wonderful tailgating traditions, Ole Miss has made tailgating an art. It is worth a visit to The Grove of Ole Miss at a home football game to experience a taste of Southern charm and style mixed with football.
Oxford is also where you can visit the home of the writer, William Faulkner. Rowan Oak was the home to Faulkner and his family for more than 40 years.
Comments
Hey, cpaldridge,
Great read. I love Mississippi. I have either been to or stayed in: Tupelo, Columbus, Meridian, saw the Jimmy Rodgers caboose, Gulfport, Love Vicksburg; Natchez and the Trace . . .all of it.
As for your hub, I will tell you the truth. I really love this hub.
This is an excellent piece of writing. Amazing work. I loved the way you presented your topiic. Wonderful graphics.
This piece was helpful, informative and very interesting.I was glad to vote Up and all of the choices.
You are certainly a gifted writer. Please keep up the fine work.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Avery, Hamilton, Alabama
Very informative article and beautiful photographs !
Great HOTD, for me the favorite are the ruins. I saw the possible original sketch and would loved to have seen the actual building but a great piece of history.
Congrats on your HOTD. Love your photos. Have never been there, looks like a wonderful place. I like the idea of driving only 50 miles an hour along the Natchez Parkway with no stop signs or city life. Beautiful.
Thank you for creating this wonderful hub! Next time I'm in Mississippi, I will definitely put these places on my itinerary.
Thank you for an interesting and well-constructed Hub! The beautiful drawing of Magnolia which you used to introduce this Hub is what drew me to read it. The rest of the photo used were good examples of your points of interest. Very well done!
I love your intro photo. Did you paint that beautiful picture? This was an interesting article. I remember visiting the campus of Ole Miss back in the 1980s, and visiting Rowan Oak. Both the towns and the campus were truly beautiful.
What a great hub! The information plus the gorgeous photos! I've though about writing something about places to visit in Arkansas. You've inspired me; I just may do it now!
EhT a great and thorough hub this is well deserving of HOTD
Enjoyed this article. We pass through Mississippi on our way to Atlanta, Georgia, from Texas, to visit my daughter who goes to school there. Its always late at night so we don't get to see the city.
Congrats on your Hub of the Day for highlighting these neat places to visit in Mississippi. I would love to see the Marine Sculpture Garden in Biloxi.
This Hub has very well introduced Mississippi as rich in history and interesting places to visit, for someone who knows little about it. Congrats on HotD!
Congratulations on your Hub of the Day. It's lovely. I used to live in Biloxi. In fact, the house I lived in was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. I've been back several times since then, and the town is recovering nicely. Your photos made me happy because it just keeps getting better. :)
I’ve never been to Mississippi, but have read about the gulf fishing,“Ole Miss” the Delta, Biloxi, and of course the historic Vicksburg. Tennessee Williams was my favorite playwright. I enjoyed your tour. There is much to see and do in this southern state. Thank you. :-)
I was gonna write something about MS. I am from Raleigh, MS so I thank you.
Yes cpaldridge, Mississippi is my mom's birth and home state, you mentioned many cities and towns that I was familiar with. She was from Houlka, Miss. The first car I've ever driven was in that state. It has wonderful landmarks as you have shown. I love its greenery as well. Thank you for writing about great features in this great state.
Thanks for the entertaining tour and the historical facts about Mississippi. Very good article. Vote Up and Shared.
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