Though known primarily for its rivers, the Gulf Coast of the Magnolia state has just as much to offer travelers. Get a taste of both environments in these Mississippi meanderings.

1.   Biloxi

Starting Point • Food, Outdoor Recreation, Casinos

Sitting right along the Mississippi Sound, Biloxi has no shortage of entertainment. The popular local casinos are a great places for you to risk a little in a game of blackjack. Afterward, head to Biloxi’s historic district, where to-go cups of your favorite cocktails are a popular treat. Be sure to hit the city’s beaches, where you can jet ski or simply bask in the sun. And right off of Beach Boulevard lies MGM Park, where you’ll want to grab a seat and enjoy a baseball game of local Biloxi Shuckers.

2.   Laurel

Drive 109 miles, 1 hour 45 minutes • Entertainment, History

This city’s historic district is a time capsule to the past. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this area is home to the biggest and best-maintained 20th-century architecture in the entire state. Stroll down the streets lined with towering trees and breathtaking residences to get a taste of what life here was once like. Then hop on down to Main Street, where the quintessential idea of a small Southern town is brought to life. Set aside some time to walk through the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art where exhibitions cover American, European, and Japanese art.

3.   Jackson

Drive 89 miles, 1 hour 35 minutes • Food, History 

Known as the “City with Soul” and the “heartbeat of the South,” Jackson is the capital of this fine Southern state. With both an “old” and a “new” Capitol buildings, Jackson truly is the convergence of the past and the present. Once you’ve stuffed your belly full of the state’s famous catfish at Cock of the Walk, head to the Mississippi Freedom Trail, where markers teach visitors about Civil Rights leaders and events that were a major part of the movement. Head down to the courthouse square where you’ll recognize the settings of some of your favorite movies, including “The Help.”

4.   Natchez

Drive 103 miles, 1 hour 53 minutes • Food, History, Outdoor Recreation

This small town is the gateway to the Mississippi and is bubbling over with history. A visit to the famous Dunleith plantation is an absolute must, where historic buildings date back to the 1790s. There’s no shortage of Southern charm here. Grab a bike and head a bit out of town to check out a portion of the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway that takes riders through 10,000 years of American history.