Province guides
United States of America
Attractions
The 'Magnolia State' offers a wealth of unforgettable experiences across its five regions. From the blues heritage in the Delta to the Gulf Coast's sandy shores, travellers who visit this corner of the south will never want for adventures to write home about.
The Mississippi Delta is known as the birthplace of the blues, and will appeal to music lovers and history buffs alike. Visitors can start their journey in Clarksdale, where the Delta Blues Museum pays homage to legendary musicians such as Muddy Waters and B.B. King. It's also worth exploring the Delta's cotton fields and plantation homes for a sense of the region's roots.
Jackson, the state capital, is the Capital-River region's major draw because of its vibrant cultural scene and historic landmarks. Music is a cornerstone of the city's cultural identity, and there's a wonderful legacy of blues, gospel and jazz. Visitors should look out for the annual Jackson Rhythm and Blues Festival. Art lovers will enjoy the Mississippi Museum of Art's impressive collection, which covers everything from traditional Southern art to contemporary installations, and the vibrant Fondren District is a must for its monthly art walks.
Travellers can dive into Mississippi's Civil Rights history at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. Nature enthusiasts should explore the Natchez Trace Parkway, which has some wonderful scenic drives and hiking trails.
The Pines Region lies to the east of the state where dense forests and tranquil lakes provide a serene escape. Visitors to this part of Mississippi should head to the historic town of Natchez, which is known for its antebellum architecture and sweeping views of the Mississippi River. Tours of magnificent homes such as Rosalie Mansion and Longwood are on offer too, with each telling a story of the South's plantation era. The Natchez National Historical Park is another highlight as it encompasses several historic sites, such as the Melrose Estate, which is one of the best-preserved estates in the Deep South from the mid 1800s, and the historic African American cemetery.
Travellers who venture to the Coastal Region can enjoy the Gulf's white-sand beaches and lively seaside towns. Biloxi and Gulfport offer a mix of casinos, seafood restaurants, and family-friendly attractions; Ship Island, with its historic Fort Massachusetts and pristine beaches, is just a short ferry ride away.
The Hills Region is situated in the northeast and features the beginnings of the rugged woodlands and clear lakes of the Appalachian foothills. Rock and Roll legends, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, both hailed from the area, and make Hills country as culturally significant as it is naturally beautiful. Music lovers who'd like to learn more about the 'King of Rock and Roll', should visit the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum in Tupelo, or Elvis and Priscilla's honeymoon cottage in Horn Lake. Literary fans can explore the primitive Greek Revival house, Rowan Oak, which was the home of Nobel Prize-winning novelist, William Faulkner, and visit the beloved independent bookstore, Square Books. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike or bike along the scenic Tanglefoot Trail.
Old Capitol Museum
Originally called State House, the Old Capitol building has filled three purposes in its long history. From 1839 to 1903 it served as the state capitol, between 1917 and 1959 it ho…
Old Capitol Museum
Originally called State House, the Old Capitol building has filled three purposes in its long history. From 1839 to 1903 it served as the state capitol, between 1917 and 1959 it housed government offices, and from 1961 to the present it has become an award-winning museum enshrining Mississippi's history. The exhibits are arranged in several categories, the highlight being 'Mississippi 1500 to 1800', which depicts the era when Americans, Europeans, and Africans first encountered each other in the state, drastically altering the lives and society of the Native Americans who lived here. Full-scale dioramas illustrate the importance of cotton in the state's development, and interactive audio-visual experiences explain the profound effects of the Civil War on Mississippi.
Website www.mdah.ms.gov/explore-mississippi/old-capitol-museum
Vicksburg National Military Park
The Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates one of the most decisive battles of the American Civil War: the campaign, siege, and defence of the city of Vicksburg, 44 miles (7…
Vicksburg National Military Park
The Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates one of the most decisive battles of the American Civil War: the campaign, siege, and defence of the city of Vicksburg, 44 miles (71km) west of Jackson in Mississippi. Vicksburg was under siege for 47 days in 1863 as confederate forces vainly tried to defend the city high on the bluff guarding the Mississippi River. The battlefield at Vicksburg is in a good state of preservation and visitors can explore 1,325 historic monuments and markers, 20 miles (32km) of reconstructed trenches and earthworks, an antebellum home, 144 cannon emplacements, the restored Union gunboat, USS Cairo, and the Vicksburg National Cemetery.
Website www.nps.gov/vick/index.htm
Elvis Presley Birthplace
The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, was born in Tupelo, northern Mississippi in 1935 in a humble home where he began his meteoric rise to fame. The simple two-room house wher…
Elvis Presley Birthplace
The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, was born in Tupelo, northern Mississippi in 1935 in a humble home where he began his meteoric rise to fame. The simple two-room house where Elvis drew his first breath is now contained in a park, which has become a place of pilgrimage for thousands of fans every day. The city of Tupelo has other attractions to make a trip north of Jackson worthwhile. Elvis Presley Park includes not only the period-furnished house, but also a museum, memorial chapel, gift shop, and a life-size statue of the legend, aged 13, as he was when he moved from Tupelo to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family.
Website www.elvispresleybirthplace.com
Natchez Churches
Natchez features a collection of architecturally valuable historic churches of various denominations, all located in the central city area. Among them is St Mary's in South Union S…
Natchez Churches
Natchez features a collection of architecturally valuable historic churches of various denominations, all located in the central city area. Among them is St Mary's in South Union Street, which was built in Gothic Revival style back in 1840, and is the oldest Catholic building in Mississippi. The Trinity Episcopal Church in South Commerce Street is the oldest church in Natchez, having been built in 1822 but remodelled in 1838. The interior of this church features two rare stained-glass windows designed and installed by the renowned Louis Comfort Tiffany. Also notable is the First Presbyterian church in South Pearl Street, which was built in the Federal Style in 1828. A Romanesque chapel was added to the rear in 1901. The chapel now houses an unusual collection of historic photographs telling the story of Natchez.
Natchez Under-the-Hill
The city's original waterfront area, Natchez-Under-the-Hill, reached by descending the bluff via Silver Street, was once the notorious haunt of pirates, riverboat gamblers and outl…
Natchez Under-the-Hill
The city's original waterfront area, Natchez-Under-the-Hill, reached by descending the bluff via Silver Street, was once the notorious haunt of pirates, riverboat gamblers and outlaws, known as the 'Barbary Coast of the Mississippi'. As the use of riverboats dwindled, so did its bad reputation and, today, the quaint river dockside attracts tourists with restaurants, bars and gift stores. Two passenger paddle-wheel steamers dock at the waterfront: the Delta Queen and the American Queen.
Natchez Trace Parkway
The Natchez Trace Parkway starts out in Natchez, southern Mississippi, and runs for 444 miles (715km) to Nashville, Tennessee, cutting across a corner of Alabama. The parkway follo…
Natchez Trace Parkway
The Natchez Trace Parkway starts out in Natchez, southern Mississippi, and runs for 444 miles (715km) to Nashville, Tennessee, cutting across a corner of Alabama. The parkway follows ancient Native American paths that connected the Mississippi River to salt licks in central Tennessee, originally worn by the Choctaw, Chickasaw, and other tribes. Later white settlers used the ancient trails to extend their commerce and trade. The route is now served by a scenic road, built and maintained by the National Park Service, which has equipped the popular tourist drive with marked interpretive locations, historic sites, camping and picnicking facilities. Travellers can take time to enjoy nature trails, see portions of the original trace, relax on scenic overlooks, explore historic monuments and bridges, and find out about it all at visitor centres. The parkway is particularly popular with touring cyclists.
Website www.nps.gov/natr