Welcome to Mississippi

No matter where you’re from, it’s easy to feel right at home in the Magnolia State. In many respects, life still moves as slow as molasses here, which is just about the perfect pace for anyone seeking some rest and relaxation while on vacation.

That doesn’t mean the state is uniformly similar. Mississippi can be broken down into five distinct regions, each with its own unique flavors and attractions.

In the northern Hills region of the state, visitors are treated to a world of woodlands and backcountry waterways. Highlights include the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum in Tupelo, and Rowan Oak in Oxford (once the home of William Faulkner).

The northwestern Delta region is dotted with sleepy riverside towns and sprawling cotton fields, while the eastern Pines region is packed with lush forests and world-class golf courses. Highlights here include the casinos in Tunica, the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale and the B.B. King Museum in Indianola.

Southern Mississippi is where most visitors find themselves setting up camp and exploring. Here, the Capital-River and Gulf Coast regions burst with a blend of big cities (Jackson, Natchez, Biloxi and Ocean Springs), white sandy beaches and historic Civil War sites.

Adventure

Summers in Mississippi are long and hot. Winters are short and mild. If you’re a fan of spending time in the great outdoors, the Magnolia State is a picture-perfect place to enjoy some fun in the sun.

Along the state’s southern coast, the main highlight for outdoor adventure seekers is the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Much of Mississippi’s portion of this protected seashore is spread out across a series of scenic barrier islands. Around the Davis Bayou Area, just east of Biloxi, the seashore’s mainland portion features an abundance of hiking trails.

During your road trip, make sure you motor along the Natchez Trace Parkway, a historic route that follows a historic trading route used by Native Americans and European settlers alike. Another must-see attraction is the Windsor Ruins in Port Gibson near the Mississippi River. Once a grand Antebellum mansion, the structure burned down in 1890, and all that’s left are spectacular Corinthian columns.