8 Affordable Summer Vacation Spots In Mississippi
Mississippi is the perfect place to take a trip. The state has a rich history and culture, as well as beautiful natural scenery. Summer is the perfect time for a vacation to explore Mississippi. However, not everyone can afford to get away. Thankfully, Mississippi has plenty of affordable destinations. No matter what type of trip you are seeking, Mississippi is an excellent vacation spot. From cute towns, to trails and parks, there are plenty of affordable summer destination spots in Mississippi for everyone to enjoy. Here are a few budget-friendly summer vacation spots to unwind and enjoy Mississippi.
Bolivar County
Located on the western border of Mississippi, Bolivar is a great budget-friendly summer destination. From restaurants to local shops, there is lots to explore in Bolivar County. Pottery lovers will particularly enjoy their stay in Bolivar. Bolivar is Mississippi's Pottery Capital. Local pottery shops and artists have been drawing tourists to Bolivar for years. The local pottery uses a unique styling of Delta clay mixed with the county's creativity.
Bolivar County is also home to the famous Burrus house. The house has unique architecture and history. Located in Benoit, it is the last remaining antebellum house in the county. An antebellum home refers to a style of architecture from the 19th-century southern states, known as neoclassical. The house was also the filming location for the 1956 movie Baby Doll. Visitors can tour the home by appointment.
Landrum's Homestead
Those looking for an affordable trip that explores Mississippi's history should check out Landrum's Homestead. The homestead is a replica of the 1800s settlement and is a historically accurate village with more than 70 buildings. The village was built by Thomas Landrum and his sons. Thomas Landrum believed it was important for his sons to see how his ancestors lived. The buildings have age-appropriate furnishings inside, and visitors can tour the area. The village has everything from a general store to a schoolhouse and shooting gallery. Visitors can pick up souvenirs at the general store. Besides touring the village, visitors can also explore the many activities Landrum's Homestead offers. A few activities include wagon rides, trails, a shooting gallery, onsite demonstrations of activities such as butter churning, and a gem mine. The Landrum Homestead is $12 per person for admission.
Natchez
Another Mississippi town with iconic historic homes is Natchez. The history of the town dates back to 1716. The town has historically been important as one of the oldest continuous settlements on the Mississippi River. Today Natchez is home to 1,000 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and many of these homes survived the civil war. Some notable historic buildings include the Dunleith Historic Inn, The Burn, Historic Oak Hill Inn, and the House On Elliot Hill. Some of these buildings offer rooms for rent for visitors looking to stay overnight. For example, The Burn is an 1834 Greek Revival historic home with five rooms for rent.
Visitors looking to experience the nature of Natchez should check out Bluff's Park. Bluff Park is on Natchez Bluff and overlooks the Mississippi River. The park is a great way to relax and enjoy the views of the Mississippi River. Natchez also has a unique, vibrant downtown known for southern hospitality. Those looking for a unique attraction in Natchez should check out the town's hot air balloon festival. Every year in October, Natchez hosts a hot air balloon festival. The festival started in 1986, and features live music and several balloon flights.
Corinth
Another affordable summer destination in Mississippi is the town of Corinth. The town's founding dates back to the 1850s at the crossover of the Memphis and Charleston and the Mobile and Ohio Railroads. For this reason, the town has the nickname Cross City. The town has a rich history. Visitors looking to learn more about the town's history should visit the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center. This is a budget-friendly activity for families to enjoy. The center offers interactive displays and multimedia presentations on the Battle of Shiloh and the Siege and Battle of Corinth.
While in Corinth, visitors should try a world-famous slug burger. Contrary to what the name suggests, these are not burgers with slugs. Slug burgers were a creation from the Depression era and combined ground beef with fillers such as potato flour and soybeans. Corinth made the slug burgers world famous. Downtown Corinth also has a variety of shops, dining, and places to explore. One of Corinth's most popular places to explore is the Coke Museum. The Coke museum is across the street from the Corinth Coke headquarters, and admission to the museum is free. The museum showcases over 110 years of the history of Coke in Corinth, with authentic Coca-Cola memorabilia, old-fashioned drink machines, and other items from the Soda Fountain Era.
Fishbone Alley
One of the most unique and affordable places in Mississippi is Fishbone Alley, located in Gulfport, Mississippi. There are several restaurants, bars, and local cultural attractions located in the alley. What makes the destination spot unique is the fact that the alley has beautiful graffiti art. The walls of Fishbone Alley have numerous art projects that are carefully maintained and repainted. The graffiti in the alley attracts tourists every year to Gulfport.
Fishbone Alley also hosts several events with free admission, from art events to live music. For example, Ugly Tie Fest happens in Fishbone Alley. The fest happens in July for Father's Day and features an ugly tie contest, food trucks, and a vintage motorcycle show.
Clark Creek Nature Area
Beyond towns and cities, some people enjoy a visit to nature. Mississippi's Clark Creek Nature Area is a beautiful place to visit. The area has more than 700 acres, with 50 waterfalls, some higher than 30 feet tall. The park was formed in 1978 and is one of Mississippi's most beloved nature reserves. Visitors can explore the garden year-round. Some activities available at the park include Bird-watching, hiking, photography, and botanizing on established trails. There is a $2 entry fee to use the park, and kids five and under are free, making the park a very affordable visit. The park has many uncommon trees, including southern sugar maple, serviceberry, umbrella tree, pyramid magnolia, chinquapin oak, big leaf snowball, silverbell, and witch-hazel. There are also various birds, snakes, fish, and even a rare land snail at the park.
New Albany
Another place to visit that has a beautiful natural landscape is New Albany. The town is home to a park along the Tallahatchie River and an arboretum. The park is a hidden gem off Main Street in downtown New Albany. The park has a playground, a nature trail, and an 18-hole disc golf course. It is also the perfect scenic picnic spot.
Hikers and bikers can enjoy the many trails in New Albany to explore. One of the most popular trails in New Albany is the Tanglefoot Trail. It is on an abandoned railroad corridor built in 1871 and is part of the Mississippi Hills Natural Heritage Area. The trail is over 44 miles and has a pavement path, making it accessible for everyone to enjoy. It is also the state's longest rails-to-trails conversion. The paved trail winds through historic villages, towns, wetlands, forests, and pastures.
Stone County
Stone County is another affordable travel destination for nature lovers in Mississippi. The county was home to the famed Ramsey Springs. Ramsey Springs was a resort that people from all over would come to in hopes the resort's springs would heal them. People believed the springs had healing powers. At one time, Ramsey Springs was a bustling resort, however, today, the resort no longer exists, and a mere 20 people live in the area. While Ramsey Springs Resort doesn't exist today, there are still many natural attractions in the county. De Soto National Forest is the perfect place for those looking for an affordable natural escape. The forest has pinewood trees and several streams. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, camping, canoeing, and fishing in the forest. There are two trails in the area, the Black Creek and the Tuxachanie. The trails offer over 60 miles of space to explore the pinewoods.
These affordable summer destinations in Mississippi are just the start of the many other fun activities on offer. Whether looking for a day trip or an overnight getaway, Mississippi has fun, affordable trips for everyone to enjoy. Whatever your budget, there is a spot in Mississippi for you to explore.
