Your guide to Mississippi
Top destinations in Mississippi
Biloxi
Welcome to the heart of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, home to white-sand beaches, bucket loads of shrimp and some of the South’s biggest cultural attractions.
Jackson
From Antebellum architecture and Civil Rights history to a new generation of chefs reinventing soul food, come see why Mississippi’s state capital is ready to charm your socks off.
Tupelo
The birthplace of Elvis Presley, this Mississippi town is steeped in rock ’n’ roll history. But it’s a hotspot for southern food and music festivals.
Mississippi: fast facts
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Currency | United States dollar ($) |
| Time zone | Jackson - UTC−6 (CST) and UTC−5 (CDT) |
| High season | March – May; September – November |
| Low season | June – August |
Mississippi highlights
Listen to blues music
Some of the best things to do in Mississippi come with their own soundtrack. The state has more Grammy winners per capita than any other — there’s even a museum in Cleveland celebrating them all. Hear the blues in rural juke joints and city bars, visit Elvis Presley’s birthplace in Tupelo, or head to Meridian for the annual Jimmie Rodgers festival of country music.
Get on the river
The 3,766-kilometre-long Mississippi River is one of the country’s most breathtaking natural landmarks. Take to the water on a pleasure cruise or canoe alongside hundreds of animal species, from otters to eagles. You’ll find amazing river views driving the Great River Road. Or just stand on the levees to marvel at its powerful flow.
Explore literary history
Mississippi has inspired some of the South’s greatest literary works, and you can explore them on the statewide Writers Trail. Stroll through William Faulkner’s elegant house and grounds at Rowan Oak in Oxford. Tour Eudora Welty’s immaculately preserved rooms in Jackson. And don’t miss the Tennessee Williams Rectory Museum in the playwright’s Clarksdale childhood home.
Things to do in Mississippi
Top attractions
Follow in the footsteps of Native American and frontier history on the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 700-kilometre driving route that’s also a national park. Pick up the backstory to the blues at the BB King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center. Or stand on an American Civil War battlefield at Vicksburg National Military Park.
Beaches
The ‘Secret Coast’ stretches for 99 kilometres along the Gulf of Mexico, its soft, white sands undisturbed by tourism. Tranquil beach towns like Bay St Louis give way to wild beauty at Moss Point. Four barrier islands — including the popular Ship Island, reached by ferry — keep the temperate waters calm. For resorts and seaside attractions, head to bustling Biloxi and Gulfport.
Nature
Many of the Mississippi Delta’s hardwood trees were lost to deforestation in the 20th century, but they remain a key habitat for the alligator snapping turtle, which looks as ferocious as it sounds. Wild turkeys roam the northern forests, which extend to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. To the south, the tidal marshes are bursting with birdlife.
Cuisine
Soul food is the real deal here. Look out for dishes like golden-fried chicken or catfish served with sides of beans, ‘biscuits’ (savoury scones) and cornbread. The restaurants in Mississippi are known for their seafood, be it shrimp, oysters or soft-shell crab plucked from the Gulf. And you’re likely to find po’ boy sandwiches slathered in tangy ‘comeback sauce’ everywhere from lunch counters to petrol stations.
Culture and museums
Some of the most powerful museums in Mississippi are in Jackson. This includes the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Smith Robertson Museum, celebrating African American experiences and culture. Explore the lively arts scene on the Gulf Coast, from the galleries and workshops of Ocean Springs to the eccentric ceramics at the Frank Gehry–designed Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Mississippi is a truly musical one. Catch a gig in Jackson, ‘The City with Soul’, or listen to late-night blues in real-life juke joints throughout the rural Delta. For a touch of sophistication, check out the wine and cocktail scene in Oxford and Vicksburg. Or feel the sand in your toes as you chill at Biloxi’s beach bars.
Find the best time to visit Mississippi
Weather in Mississippi through the year
March – May: Average temperatures rise from 16°C to 29°C during the spring. Enjoy outdoor activities like boating on the Ross Barnett Reservoir or hiking in Tishomingo State Park.
June – August: Summer is hot and humid with frequent thunderstorms. Cool off at the longest man-made beach in the world, which stretches 42 kilometres from Biloxi to Pass Christian.
September – November: The Gulf waters stay pleasant for swimming, even as temperatures cool. Check out the autumnal colours along the Natchez Trace Parkway or the Clark Creek trails.
December – February: The mild winter rarely drops below 7°C, and you’re unlikely to see snow. Spot sandhill cranes and other migratory birds in the state’s many wildlife refuges.
Events in Mississippi
World Catfish Festival (April): Mississippi is the largest producer of catfish in the US, and the town of Belzoni has been celebrating this favourite food since 1976. Join a massive fish fry and see the crowning of the Catfish Queen. If you’re feeling hungry, try your luck in the catfish-eating contest.
Tupelo Elvis Festival (June): Elvis Presley’s hometown honours the rock ’n’ roll legend with performances, including an ultimate tribute artist contest.
Cruisin’ the Coast (October): Each autumn, Mississippi’s coast becomes the sunlit backdrop to a classic car parade. This week-long, colourful meet stretches 80 kilometres from Bay St Louis to Pascagoula, with block parties in every town.
Know before you go
Budget
It’s easy to visit Mississippi on a budget. The state remains under the radar for tourists, and prices tend to reflect that. A beer will set you back less than five US dollars ($), and you can have an inexpensive meal in a restaurant for under $20. A plate of hot tamales — a local favourite for lunch — will cost you far less.
Health and safety
Mosquitoes and ticks are more than just nuisances in Mississippi — they can spread West Nile virus, Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves outdoors. Weather-wise, stay alert. Tornado season runs from February to May, while hurricanes are most common from June to November. Always check local forecasts.
Free things to do
Check out the marbled interiors of Mississippi’s Beaux Arts–style State Capitol on a guided weekday tour. The permanent collection and gardens at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson are the state’s largest. Southern folk art looms large at the University of Mississippi museum in Oxford. Walking the classically inspired campus is a cultural experience in itself.
Family friendly
The Mississippi Children’s Museum at LeFleur’s Bluff State Park welcomes kids with playful exhibits, puppet theatre and an edible garden. Nearby, the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science features a dinosaur trail and a greenhouse called The Swamp. In Leland, The Birthplace of the Frog honours Jim Henson and his beloved Kermit.
Getting around Mississippi
Public transport
Buses: Greyhound operates intercity services, while Jackson’s JTRAN network has 11 local routes serving various areas of the capital. Nostalgic trolley buses offer a useful hopper service along the coast.
Trains: Mississippi is served daily by two Amtrak lines — the City of New Orleans runs north to south, while the Crescent cuts across the southeast, linking Louisiana and Alabama. A third route connecting Gulf Coast cities will eventually expand rail access across the southern part of the state.
Boats: From March to October, the Ship Island ferry offers a scenic ride to the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The hour-long trip from Gulfport Harbor covers 17 kilometres, with a good chance of spotting dolphins along the way.
Domestic flights
Jackson–Evers is Mississippi’s largest airport, with flights to major US hubs like Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Gulfport–Biloxi serves the coast, and regional airports in Tupelo, Greenville, Columbus and Meridian offer additional domestic connections.
Driving and car hire
As in all US states, you’ll drive on the right in Mississippi. Expect plenty of long, straight roads here. If you’re tempted to put your foot down, remember that speed limits are 70 miles per hour on the interstate, 65 on four-lane highways and 50 on the Natchez Trace Parkway.
