8 Of The Most Hospitable Small Towns In Mississippi
Admitted to the Union in December 1817 as the 20th State, Mississippi, with its breathtaking Gulf coastline and luxuriant evergreens, is one of the most beautiful destinations in the Southeast United States. Even though a majority of vacationers who make a trip to the Magnolia State mostly visit the state’s capital and biggest city, Jackson, and other buzzing cities such as Gulfport, Hattiesburg, and Southhaven; the uncountable Mississippi small towns appeal to vacationers of all ages and interests, with their extraordinary natural surroundings, fascinating historical landmarks, colorful yearly celebrations, and loads of Southern charm. So, what is all the waiting for? Pack your bags and embark on a tour of these most hospitable hamlets in ‘The Hospitality State.’
Ocean Springs
A part of the Pascagoula, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, this quaint seaside town in Jackson County occupies the heart of the Mississippi Gulf Coast along the eastern banks of Biloxi Bay, around 2 miles east of Biloxi. Called the “City of Discovery” by tourists and residents alike and specially reputed as an eclectic arts community, the centuries-old live oak tree-lined streets of Ocean Springs’ walkable downtown features over 200 locally-owned shops, clothing boutiques, art galleries, artist studios, charming bed & breakfasts, and ethnic eateries serving delicious seafood.
Do admire the coastal art at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, tour the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center, the family-owned Shearwater Pottery, stop by the L & N Depot Plaza, currently home to the Ocean Springs Welcome Center, partake in multiple recreational activities at the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and dig your toes in the white sands of the Front Beach. Additionally, the state’s biggest fine arts festival – the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, lures more than 120,000 art lovers to Ocean Springs annually.
New Albany
Originally established along the Tallahatchie River around a grist and sawmill site in 1840, this Union County town is located amidst North Mississippi’s rolling hills about an hour south of Memphis. Nicknamed “The Fair and Friendly City,” New Albany is best known for being the hometown of the famous American author William Faulkner. Holidayers from around the globe come to this friendly community to browse its high-spirited downtown overflowing with specialty shops, art galleries, vintage stores, boutiques, and eating joints where one can savor fried chickens, tasty burgers, and pimento cheese sandwiches.
One can also traverse the 43.6-mile-long Tanglefoot Trail that winds through the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area, relax at the Mississippi Arboretum & the Park Along the River, check out the various exhibits at the Union County Heritage Museum & Ingomar Indian Mounds, and catch a live performance at the Magnolia Civic Center & Cine Theatre.
Tupelo
Tupelo, named after the umpteen tupelo trees, is situated in northeastern Mississippi’s Lee County, midway between Memphis, Tennessee, and Birmingham, Alabama. Besides being the commercial, cultural, and industrial mecca of North Mississippi, Tupelo is best known for being the birthplace of Elvis Presley, an international icon and the King of Rock ‘n Roll. Tourists flock to the town in large numbers to tour the Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum, Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo, Oren Dunn City Museum, Ballard Park, Vietnam Veterans Replica Wall Memorial at Veterans Park, and the 10,000-seat multipurpose Cadence Bank Arena.
Every June, the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association hosts the Tupelo Elvis Festival – a musical celebration to honor its renowned native son, which includes multiple concerts, the Elvis Youth Competition, Running with The King 5k, and Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition Showcase.
Natchez
Christened after the indigenous Natchez tribe, this scenic river town in southwestern Mississippi’s Adams County, founded in 1716 by French colonists, is one of the oldest and most significant European settlements in the Lower Mississippi River Valley. Natchez, situated approximately 85 miles north of Baton Rouge and 90 miles southwest of Jackson, mesmerizes travelers with its painstakingly maintained antebellum structures and noteworthy sites like Auburn Museum & Historic Home, First Presbyterian Church of Natchez, Monmouth Historic Inn & Gardens, Natchez Museum of African History & Culture, Rosalie Mansion, and Stanton Hall, which remain open for public all year-round or during the fall and spring pilgrimages.
Sightseers can also window-shop from the numerous boutiques, retail stores, microbrews, and eating joints that fill the Natchez Under-the-Hill site or start a walking trip or a bike ride on the 444-mile-long Natchez Trace Parkway commemorating the iconic Natchez Trace. The town hosts fun-filled celebrations like the Natchez Balloon Festival, the Natchez Biscuit Festival, a pow-wow by the Grand Village of Natchez Indians at the Emerald burial mounds, and the Mississippi Bluff Blues Heritage Festival.
Corinth
First established as Cross City in 1853 and later renamed after an ancient Greek city, Corinth is situated in northeastern Mississippi at the junction of U.S. Route 72 and U.S. Route 45 highways near the state boundary with Tennessee. Often dubbed the “Crossroads of the South,” this Alcorn County seat invites heritage buffs to come and witness its spellbinding attractions like the Siege & Battle of Corinth sites, Veranda House, Fort Williams Downtown & Midtown Historic districts, and Corinth National Cemetery.
Different museums, such as the Northeast Mississippi Museum, Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center, Museum of Southern Culture, and Black History Museum, provide a glimpse into Corinth’s glorious past. The Pickwick Landing State Park, about 20 miles northeast of Corinth, provides outdoorsy types a variety of recreations around the 43,100-acre Pickwick Lake created by the hydroelectric Pickwick Landing Dam.
Port Gibson
Port Gibson, Claiborne County’s administrative center and the state’s third-oldest European-American settlement, is situated on a turn of the Bayou Pierre, close to the Mississippi River, approximately 28 miles south of Vicksburg. Acclaimed for its grand antebellum mansions, elegant churches, and a burgeoning commercial center, all of which were spared destruction during the Civil War Battle of Port Gibson, the town fittingly upholds its motto “too beautiful to burn” as proclaimed by the Union General Ulysses S. Grant.
Travelers must visit Port Gibson’s notable points of interest like Windsor’s standing Corinthian columns, Collina Plantation Inn, Old Country Store Restaurant, Claiborne County Courthouse, Wintergreen Cemetery, A.K. Shaifer House, Bethel Presbyterian Church, Mississippi Blues Trail, and Grand Gulf Military Park. Every year, the town celebrates its rich heritage and vibrant culture through the Port Gibson Main Street Heritage Festival, where aside from the Mississippi Venison Cook-Off, music, and arts, guided tours are also offered to Port Gibson’s famed sites.
Vicksburg
The seat of government of western Mississippi’s Warren County, Vicksburg, named in honor of Newitt Vick – a Methodist missionary, is located atop a high bluff overlooking the confluence of the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, roughly 44 miles west of Jackson. Vacationers touring this charming community should not miss the Vicksburg National Military Park (including the Pemberton’s Headquarters and the U.S.S. Cairo Gunboat & Museum), Old Court House Museum, Gray & Blue Naval Museum, Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum & Interpretive Center, Old Depot Museum, Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum, and other noteworthy properties such as the McRaven House, Anchuca Mansion, and Balfour House.
The town’s brick-paved downtown is packed with antique shops, art galleries like H.C. Porter Gallery & Attic Gallery, boutiques, casinos, and diners like The Tomato Place. The Riverfront Murals, painted by American artist Robert Dafford on the Mississippi River floodwalls in Levee Street, depicts different periods of Vicksburg’s history.
Bay St. Louis
Hancock County’s seat, this teeny beach town is situated on the western shores of the Bay of St. Louis (emptying into Mississippi Sound), approx. 58 miles northeast of New Orleans. Being a part of the Gulfport-Biloxi Metropolitan Statistical Area, Bay St. Louis entices travelers with its impressive waterfront, impeccable beaches, amazing architecture, trendy storefronts, vibrant cultures, and welcoming atmosphere. Tourists must spend an afternoon strolling the Old Town area and checking out the numerous antique stores, independent shops, art galleries, beach boutiques, and restaurants like The Blind Tiger, 200 North Beach Restaurant & Bar, and Cuz’s Old Town Oyster Bar & Grill serving mouthwatering Gulf seafood.
In addition, revelers at the Old Town can attend a giant art walk with live music, special events, and local merchants on the second Saturday of every month. Some of Bay St. Louis’s interesting attractions include the Bay St. Louis Creative Arts Center, 100 Men Hall, Bay St. Louis Little Theater, Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum, Saint Rose de Lima Catholic Church, and Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast. The neighboring Buccaneer State Park offers adventure lovers abundant fishing, hiking, and camping activities.
From the artsy Ocean Springs to the alluring Bay St. Louis, each of these gorgeous small towns perfectly exemplifies the nation’s 32nd-largest and 35th-most-populous state’s welcoming ambiance and the warm hospitality of the friendly residents. If you are in search of an incredibly beautiful locale to spend your weekends and long vacations with your loved ones, look no further than these hospitable small towns in The Magnolia State.
