Vickie P. Acuff If you want to immerse yourself in history and celebrate music, literature, and civil rights and visit a few casinos while you’re at it, Mississippi is the place for you. Located in the southeastern United States, the state has a long and complicated past that has melted into a much more accepted and beautiful present. The places to visit along the Mississippi River have embraced many art forms and are host to many events celebrating the new culture, including dance competitions and film festivals. Mississippi has a lot to offer, and here are some of the best things to do and the best places to visit in Mississippi:
Oxford:
Like its British namesake, Oxford, Mississippi is famous for its educational institution. The University of Mississippi is one of the state’s biggest attractions. Permanent collections include the Robinson Collection of Greek and Roman Relics and the Millington-Barnard Collection of Scientific Instruments from the 19th century. It also has the Gertrude Castellow Ford Center for the Performing Arts, which organizes a diverse range of events throughout the year. Other than that, Oxford is home to the Lyric Theatre, which can seat about 1,200 people and often hosts live music events; the Fat Possum Records label, which has sold the records of many legendary artists; and the Square Books bookstore, one of the most famous bookstores in Mississippi. The Burns-Belfry Museum houses artifacts from the American Civil Rights movement and honors activists with its exhibition on African American history. The rowan oak, surrounded by twenty-nine acres of forest, contains more than a hundred different species of plants native to Mississippi. Oxford, in itself, is a celebration of history and music, making it one of the best places to visit in Mississippi all year round.
Biloxi:
If it’s the casinos that have attracted you, Biloxi is one of the ideal places in Mississippi for you to visit. Biloxi attracts players from everywhere, and they contribute a lot to the tourism of the city. Biloxi’s most famous casinos include Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Golden Nugget Biloxi Hotel & Casino, Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, and IP Casino Resort Spa. However, the game is not all you can do in Biloxi. Built in 1848, Biloxi Lighthouse is one of the first cast-iron lighthouses in the state of Mississippi. It is known for its panoramic views of the Gulf Coast. Beauvoir, the retirement home of President Jefferson Davis, houses, in addition to its beautiful architecture, a museum of the American Civil War, a Confederate cemetery, a garden, and a library. Finally, the monument to Hurricane Katrina pays to those who suffered from the disaster. If you are looking for some of the best things to do in Mississippi, Biloxi, you will find many here.
Jackson:
Jackson is home to the Mississippi Museum of Natural Sciences and is not only the capital of Mississippi but also the most populous city in the state. Jackson feels in the rhythm of Mississippi musical culture, and exploring it is the best thing to do in Jackson, Mississippi. Jazz, rock, and gospel are associated with the roots of the city. Some of the best places to enjoy Jackson’s music culture are Duling Hall, which was an elementary school before it was converted into a live music center,
Soul Wired Café, where you can enjoy art, food, and poetry in addition to the music; the Yellow Scarf, with the slogan “where real musicians make real music in real time”; Underground 119, with incredible Southern cuisine to accompany the music; and Frank Jones Corner, which claims to deliver “good food, good music, good people.”. However, music is not all Jackson has to offer. The Mississippi Museum of Natural Sciences and Jackson Zoological Park are a much more educational trip. When you look at the history of Jackson, the Mississippi State Capitol and the Old Capitol Museum with a 15-foot eagle, the national animal of the United States covered in gold leaves, the Petrified Forest of Mississippi, an ancient stone frozen forest over time, and the Mississippi Museum for Civil Rights, a pay to the activists who fought against slavery and those affected by it, are some of the best places you can see in Mississippi.
Natchez:
Since its inception in 1716, Natchez has come a long way and is one of the fun places to visit in Mississippi with kids. Natchez was the original capital of Mississippi. Today, the city on the river is known for its beautiful mansions and its historic house, as well as its numerous museums. The Auburn Museum and Historic House, with a two-story Greek Revival-style portico and unsupported spiral staircase; Mongolia Hall, the last mansion in the city before the Civil War broke out; and the Monmouth Historic Inn & Gardens, restored and converted into a beautiful hotel, are some of the finest mansions in Natchez. Natchez is also famous for the Old South Winery, a local winery with a selection of muscadine wines and a picturesque infrastructure. Here you can explore some of the best things to do in Natchez, Mississippi, all year round.
Clarksdale:
Like the rest of Mississippi, Clarksdale also has a musical background that makes it one of Mississippi’s top tourist attractions. So, one of the funniest activities and the best things to do in Mississippi is to engage with live music. Some of the most popular concert venues are the Red’s Blues Club, which hosts music parties four days a week; the Bluesberry Café, which offers an excellent breakfast with music; the Ground Zero Blues Club, which supports local bands and offers all the facilities of a restaurant and club; and Stone Pony, a local restaurant with live music on Friday nights. The city also has a number of museums and tourist centers, including the Delta Blues Museum and the Clarksdale Tourism Center. Another attraction of Clarksdale is the Delta Bohemian Tour with Chilly Billy. Finally, walk through a few guests and enjoy what has been described as the “southernmost food in the world.” Clarksdale is a bit more relaxed than other cities—so get lost in the blues and relax for a few days.
