The diversified state of Mississippi is home to a wide range of tourism attractions and locations. Its most well-known city, Jackson, is also the location of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science and the state capitol. The two-room house where Elvis Presley was born is one of the reasons that Tupelo, a tiny community, fascinates visitors. One of the most significant engagements of the Civil War took place at the Vicksburg National Military Park, one of the most historic spots in the state.
Visitors can take in some sightseeing while travelling through the state on the Natchez Trace Parkway, a beautiful road with numerous historic sites and picturesque vistas. Things to do in Mississippi seashore, which is frequently disregarded, is a beautiful location to explore, abundant with marine life, and home to the only dolphin rescue facility in the area.
the 10 best things to do in Mississippi
You’ve come to the correct place if you’re looking for exciting things to do in Mississippi.
Mississippi is a coastal state in the South that is bursting at the seams with gorgeous scenery, adorable little towns, and vibrant metropolis. There are attractions in Mississippi that you may enjoy no matter what your hobbies are.
Discovering all of these Mississippi activities will be a blast. You can travel back in time, discover some unusual hidden gems, or find out about the history of music.
1. Visit the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum
Mississippi’s Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum is a must-see sight. This is a fantastic activity whether you are a die-hard admirer of the King or you simply adore music history or American culture.
Elvis Presley was born in his parent’s Tupelo, Mississippi, home on January 8, 1935. Compared to the Graceland mansion he would later dwell in, it is a modest, two-room home.
Elvis only stayed in this home for a short while before his parents were unable to continue paying for it. The church where he developed an interest in music and learnt how to play the guitar is visible alongside the home.
2. Drive the Natchez Trace Parkway
From Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee, the Natchez Trace Parkway stretches for 444 miles. One of the nicest drives in Mississippi is this one.
The parkway will lead you along rivers and creeks and through stunning woodlands. Make pit trips to explore hiking trails and historical attractions.
The trail is a fantastic place to bike if you enjoy doing so. If you wish to make this a multiday trip, there are many campgrounds available along the road.
3. Photograph the Biloxi Lighthouse
You should also see the famed Biloxi Lighthouse while you are there. This 65-foot-tall photographic structure was constructed in 1848.
For fantastic views of the town, ascend to the top of the lighthouse. One of the nicest things to do in Biloxi, Mississippi, after spending the day at the beach is to see this landmark.
4. Have a Museum Day in Jackson
One of the nicest destinations to visit is Jackson, the state capital of Mississippi. This is a fantastic city to visit if you enjoy museums! There is discussion on science, art, and history.
The largest museum in the state and an excellent site to learn about both the past and present is the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. A 100,000-gallon aquarium, a greenhouse, and fossils will all be visible.
The history of Civil Rights in America is then presented from a fresh angle by the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, which pays particular focus to individuals from Mississippi who had significant roles. There is also the incredible “This Little Light of Mine” sculpture, which is a must-see. The hue of this twelve-meter-tall sculpture is lit up.
5. Learn History at the Vicksburg National Military Park
The Civil War’s course was altered in 1863 by the Battle of Vicksburg. This is one among the top things to do in Mississippi for anyone who enjoys American history, in my opinion.
With more than a thousand cannons and historical landmarks, the park spans just under two thousand acres. Additionally, you can go to the gunboat USS Cairo.
In addition, there are sixteen miles of paved pathways for bicycling and walking. As long as they are on a leash and adhere to the restrictions, dogs are permitted on the trails and throughout the rest of the park. Another must-see item in this area is sculpture. The hue of this twelve-meter-tall sculpture is lit up.
6. Get Some Sun at the Gulf Islands National Seashore
From Cat Island in Mississippi to Santa Rosa Island’s easternmost point in Florida, the Gulf Islands National Seashore stretches. Despite the fact that the majority of the beachfront is really underwater, the barrier islands nevertheless include white sand beaches, marshes, and thick maritime forests.
Within the Gulf Islands National Seashore, there are a number of visitor facilities that provide a variety of activities. There are ranger-led programmes available, volunteers on hand to answer queries at Fort Pickens, and a number of interactive visits. The Fort Barrancas Visitor Center, which emphasises the military importance of the seashore, the William M. Colmer Visitor Center, and the Park Headquarters are additional attractions.
7. Tupelo Automobile Museum
In 2003, the Tupelo Automobile Museum—founded by Frank Spain and Max Berryhill—was formally recognised as the official vehicle museum of the state of Mississippi. There are 150 vehicles in the whole collection, some of which are currently being restored in open bays in front of museum visitors.
With exhibit halls that are arranged chronologically, the vehicles on display show the development of the automobile. Its oldest component, an 1886 Benz, welcomes guests, and they may also appreciate numerous early automobiles, such as an 1889 Knox Porcupine, a 1903 Cadillac, and a 1907 Ford Model R.
8. Visit the USS Cairo Museum at Vicksburg National Military Park
In the same year that it was commissioned, the USS Cairo, which is on exhibit at Vicksburg National Military Park, was sunk. A cannon and the pilothouse were eventually discovered, and soon a major salvage operation was under way after it had lain in the mud for nearly 100 years. Thousands of found items as well as the rebuilt ship are currently on display.
The Vicksburg National Military Park honours the conflict that took place in this vitally important town during one of the Civil War’s most crucial junctures. General Grant was taken prisoner in this location, giving Union forces control of the canal. In the park’s Vicksburg National Cemetery, 17,000 fallen Union soldiers are buried.
9. B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center
This museum focuses on the life and career of one of the most important blues musicians ever as well as the Mississippi Delta’s role in the development of blues music. In the museum’s theatre, visitors can learn about the development of blues music and B.B. King’s significance.
Themed by time period, the exhibits first introduce visitors to the 1930s Delta and King’s adult life as a farmer. The following displays trace B.B. King’s journey to Memphis, where he first appeared on the radio as the “Beale Street Boy,” before examining his rise to fame in the 1960s and how he came to be regarded as an icon. There is a gift shop inside the museum where you can buy King and blues-related trinkets.
10. The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies
A sizable research and rehabilitation facility, the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies has an engaging museum where guests can learn about marine life. The personnel at this facility provides care for a diverse range of marine mammals and it is one of the only dolphin rescue centres on the Gulf Coast.
Visitors may attend dolphin presentations at the museum to learn more about these clever animals as they interact with their trainers, and those who want to go even closer can sign up for a dolphin encounter. Visitors can engage with animals including sea stars, stingrays, sharks, and other marine life in the touch pools at the Discovery Room.
