2024's 8 Most Beautiful Small Towns in Mississippi
Known as the Magnolia State and the Hospitality State, Mississippi is a place of many names, including the famous river that flows through the center of the US. Today, this deep southern state is a major producer of farm-raised catfish, sweet potatoes, and cotton. This southern state is also no slacker when it comes to hospitable and beautiful small towns. These towns offer beautiful parks, lakes, universities, and, in some cases, homes of famous Americans. Discover eight of the most beautiful towns in Mississippi in 2024.
Pass Christian
Pass Christian, located on a peninsula in the Gulf of Mexico and also known as 'The Pass,' is a beautiful place with an intriguing history. It was named for Nicholas Christian L'Adnier, who discovered a nearby deepwater channel named Christian's Pass in 1699. In 1781, Julia de la Brosse (Widow Asmard) owned the entire peninsula and deeded the downtown area to Charles Asmar, a free person of color, in 1799. Pass Christian was officially chartered as a town in 1848. The city boasts a scenic, historic district with many 19th-century cottages and mansions. The War Memorial Park, dedicated to local World War II veterans, and the Enchanted Nature Trail, featuring a faerie house, butterfly garden, and storytelling area for children, are popular attractions. Golfers can enjoy a wetlands golfing experience at The Oaks Golf Club.
Tupelo
The inviting Mississippi town of Tupelo is famous for being the birthplace of the King of Rock N' Roll: Elvis Presley. Growing up here, Elvis dreamed of becoming a superhero. He would later get his wish when his mother purchased a guitar for his 11th birthday. You can see where Elvis got his start at the Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum and the Tupelo Hardware Company, where his first guitar came from. There are many other places to visit in town, such as the Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo, Ballard Park, and the downtown shopping district, which has many antique shops, such as Ole South Antiques and Presley Heights Antique Mall. If you're a history buff, consider visiting the Mississippi's Final Stands Civil War Center about the state's role in the American Civil War.
Oxford
Oxford, known as Ole Miss, is home to the main campus of the University of Mississippi. However, Oxford maintains its small-town charm that inspired famous authors William Faulkner, John Grisham, Barry Hannah, and others. There are many historic houses in town, such as the L.Q.C. Lamar House and the Walton-Young Historic House. At the University Museum, you can see many eclectic artifacts ranging from Greek, Roman, and 19th-century scientific instruments and art by Theora Hamblett, a folk artist from Oxford. The Square is the best place to go in town for a walk around town and find deals at Off Square Books, Nelson's Department Store, or enjoy a treat from the Bottletree Bakery. For a good place for a hike, consider visiting John W. Kyle State Park and Wall Doxey State Park.
Vicksburg
This historic town was the site of a major U.S. battle in the American Civil War, the siege of Vicksburg, which ended on July 4, 1863, with a victory by the Union Army under Ulysses S. Grant, cutting the Confederacy in two. You can learn more about this momentous battle at the Vicksburg National Military Park, a 1,800-acre park that features nine fortifications, the antebellum Shirley House, 141 cannons, and 15 historic bridges. There are other museums in town as well, including the Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum, Old Depot Museum, and Civil War Museum. The downtown area of Vicksburg has many local shops to explore, including Attic Gallery, H.C. Porter Gallery, and Levee Street Marketplace, which offers antiques, jewelry, and more. When you're done exploring, try out some of the classy restaurants in town, like 10 South Rooftop Bar & Grill and Anchuca.
New Albany
In the Northeastern section of Mississippi, New Albany has a reputation for small-town charm on the Tallahatchie River. There are many unique places to see in New Albany, such as The Tanglefoot Trail, a 44-mile trail that takes you through the rural countryside through farmlands and forests, historical sites, and local shops. There is also a Park Along the River, which features a disc golf course. You can learn more about the history of the area at the Union County Heritage Museum. There are also plenty of boutiques to visit, such as Bead Shack, Between Sisters, Earth Grace Artisan Jewelry, Southern Traditions Jewelry & Gifts, and much more. Lastly, if you're in town in September, consider going to the Tallahatchie Riverfest on September 28 for live music, eateries, and more.
Bay Saint Louis
Named after King Louis IX of France in 1699, this small town 58 miles northeast of New Orleans is a beautiful town on the Mississippi Sound embayment of the Gulf of Mexico. The Bay St. Louis Beach offers picturesque views of the Sound and serene waters in which to dip your feet. Also in town is the Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum, which features more than 50 folk art paintings, antique furniture, art glass, and more. This picturesque town was the filming site of the "This Property is Condemned" film released in 1966. By taking the walking tour, you can see the Bay St. Lous Depot, Depot District, and Starr Boarding Housing, which were major locations in the film. Lastly, there are plenty of great boutique shops in Bay Saint Lous, such as Identity Village and Antique Maison.
Natchez
Natchez has a history dating back to the 1700s and eventually became the second-largest slave trading port in the United States. Intriguingly, during the Civil War, Natchez chose to stay in the Union even as Mississippi seceded. Today, the city remembers the dark past of slavery and the struggles and triumphs of African Americans with the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture, the Rhythm Night Club Memorial Museum, and Natchez's Civil Rights Sites. In addition to its history, the town has a great deal of natural and manmade beauty, such as Bluff Park on the shores of the Mississippi River and the Emerald Mound, a Plaquemine culture site built in the 13th century. Due to its natural beauty, Natchez inspired many artists, who display their artwork at Arts Natchez Gallery, Coner Burns Studio, Arts District Studio, and other locations.
Holly Springs
Located in Northern Mississippi, this picturesque town is filled with antebellum structures, museums, history, and more. Holly Springs, in fact, is a center for historic homes such as the Burton Place, built in the 1840s, Magnolia Mansion, built in 1852, Montrose in 1858, and Rust College, a Black liberal arts college founded in 1866. The Marshall County Historical Museum has been described as an "eccentric grandmother's attic" with its many historical artifacts from Southern history. For Civil War buffs, the Hill Crest Cemetery is the resting place of six Confederate Generals and 5 U.S. Senators including the first African American Senator Hiram Revels. While you are in town, don't forget to check out some of the local shops like Barb's Gifts, Junktiques & Creations, Booker's Hardware & Cutlery, and G&D's Boutique.
Experience the Charm of Mississippi’s Small Towns
Mississippi is renowned for Southern hospitality, which is on full display in these beautiful towns. You can kick back and relax on the beaches of the Mississippi Sound, go antique shopping in a downtown district, go for a hike in the woods, or learn about the state's complex and rich history at museums and historic antebellum houses and mansions. The next time you are in the Deep South, don't just visit Texas and Florida. Give these Mississippi towns a try.
