These 8 Towns In Mississippi Have Bustling Main Streets
Mississippi, or the Magnolia State, has become almost synonymous with small-town cultures and Southern charm. With countless small communities, each with its own reason to grab your attention, there are many vibrant main streets and town squares to explore. On your journey through Mississippi, you will experience local eats, annual festivals, and historic landmarks that will shape how you feel about the Deep South. From the bustling college town of Oxford with its historical buildings lining the main street to the many festivals celebrated in Amory's main street, here are 8 Mississippi towns to explore on your next getaway to the state.
Oxford, Mississippi
The first town in Mississippi one should visit for an active main street scene is Oxford. With its historic Oxford Square, you will find long-running local businesses like Square Books, a site known for book events and signings, and the Lyric Theater, a venue for live entertainment and concerts.
In addition, the town is always alive in all seasons of the year thanks to the University of Mississippi, helping local eateries like Ajax Diner or The City Grocery thrive on this main strip. The college scene also helps propel the vibrant main street with the Double Decker Arts Festival and the Oxford Film Festival each year.
Starkville, Mississippi
A college town, Starkville is connected with Mississippi State University, even so much as having an official merchandise store right on the bustling main street. This strip is active at all hours, from early morning birds enjoying breakfast at the City Bagel Café to shoppers hitting the Book Mart and Magnolia Records. Businesses are booming with the college traffic.
The main strip splitting the town is also enlivened by the events and festivals that draw in crowds throughout the year, such as the Old Main Music Festival, Pumkinpalooza, and the Cotton District Arts Festival. Whether you need a dose of southern hospitality, outdoor hiking, scenic tours, or just want to be close to Mississippi State University, Starkville is a place to visit.
Canton, Mississippi
Canton is known for its connection with the film industry. Several locations throughout the town, including its main streets, were used for film shoots. This generates a buzz of traffic throughout the year, many of which end up at the Canton Multicultural Center and Museum or the Canton Cinema—both of which feature a look into the roots of this connection.
The historic Canton Square draws many of the town’s visitors, whether arriving for the annual Christmas Festival or the Canton Flea Market. While loaded with quaint shopping and dining, the standouts are the Two Rivers Restaurant and The Emporium, an antiques and collectibles location. Canton is a charming and historic setting worth visiting for those looking for a vibrant community.
Columbus, Mississippi
Columbus boasts one of the most active main street areas and downtown scenes because of its high traffic volume of outdoor enthusiasts. Historic landmarks like the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center and the Princess Theater, which still operates, show live performances and movies. From community events to live theater, the iconic venue is a cornerstone of the bustle of traffic along the town’s main strip.
When you are not eating out of the fresh, local flavors at Café on Main, you can be drawn into the art galleries and performance centers connected to the Mississippi University for Women. Locations like Huckleberry’s Bookstore and Steel Pub amplify the street's atmosphere. The real draws to Columbus are the Spring Pilgrimage event and the Wassail Fest, where thousands descend on the downtown area.
Brookhaven, Mississippi
You do not have to travel far down the main streets of Brookhaven, MS, to begin appreciating its historical value to the state and the South. This hub of the downtown area is dotted with long-time community staples like the Haven Theatre and Janie’s Pastry Shop & Bakery. Between the eats and the culture of spots like the Mississippi School of the Arts or Brookhill Cinemas, there is always something to do and see.
One of the quintessential components of a vibrant main street scene is having many community events that bring out the residents and visitors to fill up the sidewalks. Brookhaven has many annual gatherings, such as the Ole Brook Festival, Christmas on the Boulevard, and the Halloween Festival. No time is wrong to experience the commotion on the main streets, but a festival season is sure to be even more exciting.
Greenwood, Mississippi
Unlike other towns in Mississippi that might be known for their connection to local colleges or arts communities, Greenwood has a cultural heritage almost entirely supported by its long-running businesses and local entrepreneurs running landmarks like the Viking Cooking School. A trip along the main strip can also introduce visitors to attractions like the Crystal Grill, Greenwood Little Theatre, and the Turnrow Book Co.
Many Mississippians know about annual events like Que on the Yazoo and the Hot Tamale Festival, which call Greenwood home. The downtown main streets also liven up with the seasonal Farmer’s Market, which showcases local crafts, products, and produce. From the arts to the sense of close-knit residents, you can expect to find a main street vibe to remember in Greenwood.
Booneville, Mississippi
College towns tend to have active downtown and main street areas, and Booneville and its hosting Northeast Mississippi Community College is no different. The community bustles, especially around sporting events for NEMCC or the many gatherings and town events that the school hosts in the center of the municipality. Even without the school, the main streets are still alive with thriving local businesses like the Bonnie Blue, serving up Southern comfort foods, or the Bayless Antique Mall for collectibles and keepsakes.
History enthusiasts should make sure to stop at the Old Courthouse Museum, showcasing much of the town’s past through artifacts and exhibits. If you arrive at the right point of the year, you can see the bustle of the main streets for annual gatherings like Autumn Fest or the Christmas Parade.
Amory, Mississippi
Looking at Amory, Mississippi, from a bird' s-eye view, it will likely seem like a slow and quaint town. However, the main street bustles with activity all year round thanks to historic locations like the Amory Railroad Museum, which showcases the town’s rich history with the rails. This history is also on display as the town's main avenues enliven once a year for the Railroad Festival.
There is enough along the main strip to keep any visitor occupied, from taking a bite at one of the oldest dining establishments in the community, like Bill’s Hamburgers, or shopping your afternoon away at Southern Star Antiques and Gifts. If you come during the Summer Concert Series or the Down Home Blues Festival, these streets are even more active with food, entertainment, and an electric atmosphere.
The small towns of Mississippi are each a symbolic representation of the state’s history, culture, and tight-knit closeness. Whether you are looking to enjoy a raucous fall Saturday at college towns for The University of Mississippi or Mississippi State, or you are exploring the historical landmarks and countless antique malls and markets, small-town life in the Magnolia State can be quite appealing for travelers of all types.
