7 Darling Small Towns In Mississippi
The 20th state to be admitted to the Union, Mississippi is an adorably attractive state in the American Southeast, having low topographic elevations, extensive marshy lands, and a stunning Gulf coastline. Despite the fact that the Magnolia State’s crowded urban metropolises like Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Olive Branch, Greenville, Southaven, and the capital city Jackson draw maximum tourists all year round, the innumerable darling teeny towns peppered throughout the vivid 46,952 sq. mi. terrain also enrapture vacationists with their characteristic aura. Whether it is the stunning natural scenery, fascinating heritage sites, close-knit communities, lively yearly celebrations, multiple leisure-time activities, and oodles of Southern charm, these Mississippi towns deserve to be on your travel plans.
Bay St. Louis
Hancock County’s seat of government, Bay St. Louis, sits on the Gulf Coast by the western side of the Bay of St. Louis, around 58 miles northeast of New Orleans - Louisiana’s most populous city. Forming a portion of the Gulfport-Biloxi Metropolitan Statistical Area, this teeny, artsy coastal settlement woos holidaymakers with its fantastic oceanfront, unconventional storefronts, spotless white sand beaches, vintage architecture, colorful cultures, and inviting ambiance. Wander through the Old Town area and scrutinize the locally-owned shops, antique stores, art galleries, independent boutiques, and eateries such as 200 North Beach Restaurant & Bar and Cuz’s Old Town Oyster Bar & Grill, where one can relish appetizing seafood. The Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum, 100 Men Hall, Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast, Bay St. Louis Creative Arts Center, Bay St. Louis Little Theater, and Saint Rose de Lima Catholic Church are must-visits, aside from the wide variety of recreational activities for adrenaline junkies at the adjoining Buccaneer State Park. Do not skip the giant art walk organized by the Old Town Merchants Association on the second Saturday of every month, replete with festive shopping options, special events, and live music.
Cleveland
One of Bolivar County’s two administrative centers, Cleveland is located alongside Mississippi Highway 8 at the nucleus of the Mississippi Delta region, precisely 19 miles southeast of Rosedale and the Mississippi River. In addition to being home to the Delta State University campus, this 11,199-inhabitant community is esteemed for its rich musical inheritance predominantly due to its affinity to multiple prominent Blues musicians as well as the setting of four Mississippi Blues Trail markers. When in town, a tour of the Bologna Performing Arts Center, Mississippi Delta Chinese Heritage Museum, Ellis Theater, Boo Ferriss Baseball Museum, Dockery Farms, Grammy Museum Mississippi, Railroad Heritage Museum, Amzie Moore House, and Maring & Sue King Railroad Museum are not to be missed. Yearly from mid-November till the New Year, Cleveland’s alluring downtown is transformed into a mind-blowing Christmas wonderland with a brilliant display of more than 1,000,000 Christmas lights during the 50 Nights of Lights celebration.
New Albany
This Union County seat, affectionately dubbed “The Fair and Friendly City,” is situated betwixt the Tallahatchie River banks and Northern Mississippi’s undulating hills. Originally founded in 1840 around a grist and sawmill site close to the meeting of two Indigenous trade trails on the Tallahatchie River, the settlement expanded as a riverport and a regional commercial and agricultural epicenter. Holidayers from far and wide flock in large numbers to this native land of the eminent American writer William Cuthbert Falkner, enticed by the appealing downtown chock-a-full of boutiques, specialty shops, art galleries, antique stores, and first-class restaurants like El Agave Mexican Restaurant and McAlister’s Deli. Additionally, trek the Tanglefoot Trail that winds its way via the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area, witness performances at the Magnolia Civic Center & Cine Theatre, observe the displayed exhibits at Ingomar Indian Mounds and Union County Heritage Museum, and enjoy a serene saunter at the Park Along the River & Mississippi Arboretum.
Vicksburg
Vicksburg, the seat of government of Warren County in western Mississippi, occupies the top of a bluff commanding the conflux of Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers, just 44 miles west of Jackson. Travelers visiting this town named in honor of the Methodist Minister Newitt Vick should take note of the conspicuous points of interest such as the Vicksburg National Military Park, Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum & Interpretive Center, Old Depot Museum, Gray & Blue Naval Museum, and Old Court House Museum, and other eye-catching historic properties including the Anchuca Mansion, Balfour House, and McRaven House. Take a walk down the downtown’s brick-paved streets and browse the miscellaneous casinos, boutiques, vintage shops, the H.C. Porter Gallery, and eating establishments like the Rusty’s River Front Grill.
Oxford
Christened after the city of Oxford - the county town of southeast England’s Oxfordshire County, this high-spirited college town is the Lafayette County seat situated in the North Central Hills region, more or less 75 miles south-southeast of Memphis - Tennessee’s second-most populous city. Aside from being partly home to the University of Mississippi’s main campus, Oxford is widely known for the august Lafayette County Courthouse and a vibrant downtown brimming with museums like the University of Mississippi Museum, old departmental stores like J.E. Nielson Co., art galleries like the SouthSide Gallery, independent bookstores like Square Books, entertainment venues like the Gertrude Castellow Ford Center for the Performing Arts and the Lyric Theater, and upper-class restaurants like Big Bad Breakfast, and Chancellor’s Grill. Imbue the town’s varied musical culture besides exploring the other noteworthy attractions including the Ammadelle House, Rowan Oak Mansion, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, and Barnard Observatory.
Corinth
Aptly nicknamed the ‘Crossroads of the South,’ this Alcorn County administrative center is placed at the meeting of U.S. Route 45 and U.S. Route 72 highways in Northeastern Mississippi, close to the state borderline with Tennessee. History connoisseurs on a sightseeing tour to Corinth gotta check out some riveting attractions like Fort Williams Downtown & Midtown Historic districts, Siege & Battle of Corinth Sites, Corinth National Cemetery, and Veranda House. Likewise, the Black History Museum, Northeast Mississippi Museum, Museum of Southern Culture, and Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center provide tourists with exclusive insights into the town’s bygone days. Adventurists should head straight for the Pickwick Landing State Park and partake in hiking, camping, and picnicking activities around the Pickwick Lake reservoir.
Ocean Springs
Ocean Springs, fondly called the ‘City of Discovery,’ is a bewitching seaside destination in Jackson County of southeastern Mississippi by Biloxi Bay’s eastern shores, roughly 2 miles east of Biloxi. Widely known as an all-inclusive creative community, the tree-lined streets of the dynamic downtown feature above 200 independent shops, clothing boutiques, art galleries, artist studios, comfy boutique inns like The Inn at Ocean Springs, and traditional diners like Pleasant’s BBQ Restaurant offering delectable dishes. The Walter Anderson Museum of Art, Shearwater Pottery, and Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center are some best spots to observe the town’s energetic artistic realm, while over 120,000 art admirers throng to the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival held every year. Outdoorsy types must stop by the Ocean Springs Welcome Center at L & N Depot Plaza, dip their toes in the pristine white sands of Front Beach, and partake in ample water-based recreations at Gulf Islands National Seashore.
From Bay St. Louis’ coastal glamor to Ocean Springs’ artistic vibe, each tiny town in the 35th most populous and 32nd largest state of the nation flawlessly exemplifies the serene atmosphere and generous hospitality of the kind-hearted locals. So, if you are in search of endearing locales to spend your lengthy holidays or brief weekend escapes far away from congested urban areas, these towns in the Hospitality State promise unforgettable experiences for every excursionist.
