8 Of The Quietest Mississippi Towns

From the Ojibwa (Chippewa) Native American word "misi-ziibi," meaning "great river,” as an allusion to the Mississippi River, the state of Mississippi has some of the quietest and most beautiful small towns for you to enjoy the laidback and peaceful countryside beyond big cities like Cleveland and Jackson. In towns like Holly Springs, you can stroll through well-preserved antebellum architecture while learning about the town’s layered past. In places like New Albany, you can go traipsing through the lush and vibrant outdoors that Mississippi is famous for preserving. This year, escape the noise and bustle of the big cities and retire to some of the quietest Mississippi towns worth visiting.

Holly Springs

Holly Springs, originally called Suavatooky before immigrants from Europe officially established a lasting residence in 1836, boasts a remarkable series of historic relics and architecture about 60 miles away from Corinth. It was formerly a town that profited from slave labor, specifically from African-American slaves who were worked to death to make cotton. During the American Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant liberated Holly Springs from slavery. He changed the town into a supply depot and headquarters, a defensible site that Confederate General Earl Van Dorn would raid on occasion.

Visitors these days need not fret over the terrible moments of the past, and instead, they can enjoy leisurely sojourns through destinations like the Holly Springs National Forest. This 155,000-acre expanse provides opportunities from swimming and hiking to camping through the night. At the Kate Freeman Clark Art Gallery, you can marvel at the impressive artworks Holly Springs' artisans have devised. Most of all, you can learn more about Holly Springs' multi-layered history at both the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum and during the “Behind the Big House” tour.

Flora

Flora promises a panoply of unique outdoor attractions in Mississippi's untamed and unparalleled wilderness. One of its most fascinating sites is the Mississippi Petrified Forest, a 36-million-year-old natural wonder where visitors can walk among ancient fossilized trees. Within this forest, you can tour the Earth Science Museum, which contains an outstanding collection of fossils, petrified wood, and minerals from the area. More opportunities for exploration and camping can be experienced when entering The Resting Place Retreat, a lush and vivacious wilderness area replete with picnic and camping sites. Nearby, Lake Lorman provides peaceful moments for fishing, boating, and other lakeside pursuits and endeavors. Only about 25 miles north of Jackson, Flora offers a quiet yet enriching getaway suitable for individuals enthusiastic about the outdoors.

Raymond

Raymond, about 20 miles west of Jackson, is a quiet and serene small town with a number of historic attractions worth seeing. A key attraction is the Raymond Battlefield or the Battle of Raymond, the site of a significant Civil War clash in the year 1863. There are also relics and remnants of cannons and other articles from the American Civil War at the Raymond Military Park. For more history, the Hinds County Courthouse, a captivating and unique Greek Revival-style building, is a must-see destination. It dates back to 1857 and has survived much of the destruction that raged on the battlefield nearby. For those of you more interested in the outdoors than the indoors, you can go traipsing along Raymond Lake, a peaceful spot for fishing and relaxation that is right next to the Eagle Ridge Conference Center.

Tunica Resorts

Nestled right next to the Mississippi River, which marks the border separation between Arkansas and Mississippi, the small town of Tunica Resorts, or Tunica, was once an impoverished area until casinos and gambling opened up in the 1990s, bringing industry, tourism, and entertainment to all. Places like the Tunica Museum explain much of how Tunica's casinos and gambling helped improve the industry and economy of the place. On the other hand, other museums like the Gateway to the Blues Museum features a variety of famous guitars and harmonicas, as well as the history of how the blues music genre was born in the Delta. If you are interested in heading to one of the many casinos in Tunica Resorts, you can find many games of chance to play at the Gold Strike Casino Resort, the 1st Jackpot Casino Tunica, and many more. Excitement and adventure never end even when the sun goes down, for Tunica Resorts is always alive and thriving with lights and laughter.

Leakesville

Lounging on the Chickasawhay River, the beloved small town of Leakesville exudes amicability and tranquility close to the Alabama state border. One of its standout features is Green Park, a humble and comfortable spot for immersing yourself in the outdoors and Leakesville's rural scenery. For those interested in a quiet excursion, the Wild Country Offroad leads you to some of Leakesville's many trails and treks crisscrossing the countryside. Most importantly, the nearby Desoto National Forest is an expansive wilderness landscape replete with horse-riding expeditions and camping grounds for your leisure. On a different note, the Greene County Museum chronicles much of Leakesville's history from inception to the present, especially how the town contributed much to the timber industry during the American Civil War.

Bay Saint Louis

Bay Saint Louis is a quiet yet eventful vacation destination along the Mississippi Sound, an embayment of the Gulf of Mexico. After it was connected via rail in the mid-19th century (a history you can learn more about at the Bay St. Louis Historic L & N Train Depot), Bay Saint Louis prospered as a resort for wealthy planters and tourists all over the states of Mississippi and Louisiana who wanted peace and relaxation in one of the quietest small towns on the Gulf of Mexico.

Businesses bloomed in Bay Saint Louis, among them the Hollywood Casino & Resort Gulf Coast, whose Hollywood and Las Vegas entertainment themes have fueled Bay Saint Louis’ economy and tourism since its opening in the 20th century. Even though Bay Saint Louis suffered from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the town continues to be a tranquil and respectable location for you to savor. Those with an aptitude for science and education can explore the nearby John C. Stennis Space Center of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the INFINITY Science Center. Most importantly, you can feel welcome and accommodated in one of Bay Saint Louis’ quiet abodes like The Adobe Guest House or the Bay Town Inn.

New Albany

The Little Tallahatchie River bisects the quiet, small town of New Albany, a delightful and carefree community only about 30 minutes away from Tupelo. It is renowned for its cultural ties to American author William Faulkner, whose works and life you can peruse at the William Faulkner Literary Garden. The rustic landmark features plants and quotes from the Nobel Prize-winning writer. If you want to learn more about New Albany’s past, you can do so at the Union County Heritage Museum, which also provides a Sculpture Trail & Scavenger Hunt program for you to go hunting for around 20 pieces of sculptures related to New Albany’s historical figures and moments.

For quiet moments of reflection and adventure, the Tanglefoot Trail takes you through 44 miles of trails and routes throughout New Albany and towards the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The route is perfect for bikers, runners, and people who generally want to take leisurely walks through the rural countryside. Those planning to visit in September will be delighted by the Tallahatchie Riverfest, which enlivens and energizes New Albany with outdoor concerts, arts and crafts, food vendors, and family-friendly fun and entertainment beside the Little Tallahatchie River.

Port Gibson

Port Gibson has thrived as the third oldest town in Mississippi, being halfway between Vicksburg and Natchez. Having been settled in 1729 by French colonists, Port Gibson has retained many of its antebellum buildings and landmarks for all to see during the annual spring pilgrimage. The survival of Port Gibson was owed to General Ulysses S. Grant, who claimed that the town was “too beautiful to burn.” However, one particular structure did not remain intact during the Battle of Port Gibson: the ruins of Windsor, where only 23 Corinthian columns are all that remain of what was considered to be the state’s most extravagant Greek Revival mansion. There are other surprises and secrets to discover in this quiet and laidback small town on Bayou Pierre, so you should consider booking a room in one of Port Gibson’s lovely establishments like the Isabella Bed & Breakfast or the Collina House.

Conclusion

When President Theodore Roosevelt went hunting in Mississippi in 1902, he refused to shoot a bear that had been captured and surrounded. This event prompted the creation of the world-famous toy, the Teddy Bear, and you can definitely purchase and hug or give away one of these adorable stuffed animals from some of the quietest Mississippi towns to visit this year. You can also take away mementos of Rock and Roll music from New Albany, which celebrates its cultural ties to William Faulkner. You can feed yourself new information and insights into the American Civil War in historic towns like Raymond and Port Gibson, which endured and survived the worst of warfare. As for destinations like Flora and Leakesville, you can get a grand view of Mississippi’s preserved wilderness and enjoy peaceful moments in nature. Peace and prosperity go hand in hand in some of the quietest Mississippi towns to visit in 2025.