Mississippi is an exciting state full of natural beauty, historic landmarks, and cultural attractions. This state is known as both the Magnolia State and the Hospitality State, giving a hint of the warm reception you’ll get when visiting Mississippi. Heading to the state capital, ‘Jackson’ will show you museums and other attractions, but heading to the area by the Mississippi Delta is perfect when you want to enjoy some American forests. There are family-friendly attractions such as theme parks and zoos and educational ones such as historic sites, or you can simply enjoy the Gulf Coast for water activities. The southern state of Mississippi is home to the waterway that bears its name, and which is one of the longest rivers in the country. It is also home to a vibrant culture of friendly people, historic buildings, warm coastal beaches, lakes, parks, and delicious Southern cooking. Let’s explore the Best Places to Visit in Mississippi you must visit.
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Best Places to Visit in Mississippi
Dunn’s Falls
The first Best Places to Visit in Mississippi- Dunn’s Falls, named after their creator—John Dunn, an Irish immigrant—came to be in the mid-1850s. Hidden among the rugged landscape around the Chunky River, the stream provides a natural source of power via a working water wheel, before crashing seventy feet into the river below. Whether you are looking to take part in activities such as fishing, canoeing, and swimming, or simply wish to see the marvel of nineteenth-century engineering, this quiet landmark offers something for everyone.
Mississippi Museum of Natural Science
Located in Jackson, this 73,000-square foot complex introduces you to a world of exciting exhibits, nature trails, and an open-air amphitheater. Here you will enjoy a series of life-size displays like the Monsters of the Deep exhibit as well as a 1,700-square foot gigantic greenhouse aptly called The Swamp. Children will enjoy their interactive aquarium where they can handle live marine creatures and learn more about how to conserve the environment.
Gulfport
The city of Gulfport is, as the name suggests, located on the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a beautiful part of the state, with a long beach that stretches along the coast and offers easy access by boat to some of the nearby barrier islands. In the city of Gulfport, visitors can check out the Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum or spend a day playing at the Discovery Center. For a more natural experience, Jones Park has some beautiful access to the waterfront, a quick ride to Ship Island brings to access to the historic Fort Massachusetts, and the waters surrounding the island are known to be home to dolphins and seals.
Arkabutla Lake
Arkabutla Lake, located in northern Mississippi, only about a 30-minute drive from Memphis, Tennessee, is a beautiful and remote location for a relaxing getaway into nature. This reservoir, part of the Coldwater River and created by a dam in 1943, has trails around its shores for hiking and biking, a beach for sunbathing, swimming, and picnics, and a fishing pier for those who want to try their luck catching catfish, largemouth bass, and crappie. There are also playgrounds for kids and some beautiful campgrounds where guests can park their RVs or pitch a tent to stay overnight and wake up to the sounds of nature.
Livingston
Livingston’s history began in the early 19th century when it became a thriving commercial town, but after the Civil War, this small community was all but abandoned. The railroads came through Mississippi but completely bypassed Livingston, so this made it an impractical place to live or do business. In 2006, a developer bought the town of Livingston, which had fallen into complete disrepair, with most of its original buildings destroyed or decayed beyond any use, and began to rebuild it to its former glory. Now, the community is growing again, with the help of its weekly farmers market, which draws visitors from all over the region.
Riley Center
You can see a modern show in a historic setting at the Riley Center. Also known as the Grand Opera House, the Riley Center is a performing arts center located in a fully restored grand opera theater house. The theater originally opened in 1890. Today, it’s a 30,000 square foot facility with an exhibit hall, boardrooms, conference center, and meeting place. You can enjoy a show in either their expansive 950-seat opera house theater or the more intimate 200-seat studio theater. The Riley Center features legendary Romanesque and Victorian architecture and is renowned as one of the best places to see a show in the southeast.
