Welcome to Mississippi

Mississippi is a place where the chicken comes fried, the blues play loud and Southern hospitality pours out of every door. This bastion of the Deep South serves up remarkable experiences. From paddling down the Mississippi River to exploring antebellum mansions, visitors to the Magnolia State will find history at every turn.

State Bird: Mockingbird. Getty images

Drive Through 10,000 Years of History

Mississippi is a land of cypress swamps, rolling hills and dense forest. The easiest way to see this multifaceted landscape is by driving the Natchez Trace Parkway. Spanning 444 miles from Natchez to Nashville, Tennessee, this scenic highway was once a historic route used by Native Americans and pioneer settlers. Today, you’ll find plenty of hiking, biking, horseback riding and camping opportunities along the way.

Have a Reel Good Time

Mississippi has a reputation for outstanding crappie fishing. Cast a line in 119 public lakes or participate in the World’s Largest Crappie Fest, held every May at Enid Reservoir in Water Valley. Saltwater anglers can hire a charter guide to catch amberjack, cobia and red snapper off the Gulf Coast. Fishing isn’t the only fun to be had in the rivers and streams here. Avid kayakers and canoers can get their hearts racing while paddling down the Mississippi River, Pascagoula River and Black Creek, the state’s only National Wild and Scenic River.

The Birthplace of American Music

The blues, rock ’n’ roll and country music all trace their roots back to Mississippi. Celebrate the state’s rich musical heritage at Cleveland’s Grammy Museum and stop by Elvis Presley’s childhood home in Tupelo. You’ll also find blues and country music trail markers sharing stories about famous artists all throughout the state. Scores of renowned museums await in the capital city of Jackson, including the Old Capitol Museum, Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and Mississippi Museum of Art.