What to do in Mississippi

[hotLAVA]

Greetings fellow campers!
We're planning a family vacation to Mississippi to visit a dear friend of mine from college. She lives in Starkville.

I've gotten lots of great tips here for vacation "must see" destinations in the past, so I'm hoping you all have some ideas of things to do in the state of Mississippi. Know of any great places to eat? Hike? Quirky museums? Strange holes in the wall we'd never find through the chamber of commerce? Perfect!

We are traveling with two children, ages 10 and 6. My 10 year old is a history fanatic. My 6 year old is fascinated by water and the creatures that live there. We're pretty easy to please - equally thrilled with a day spent hiking and a day at a theme park.

Thanks for any help!

[SteveH]

I have just one suggestion....on the way down from Nashville, take the Natches Trace Parkway. Very interesting for history buffs.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Go to New Orleans.

sorry couldn't resist



Stream Safe...

[Kevin245]

Definitely consider riding the Natchez Trace. It is beautiful with plenty history including Civil War sites, Indian mounds, and the burial site of Meriwether Lewis of "Lewis and Clark" fame. There are still sections of the original Trace that can be accessed as well.

If you don't mind a slight detour there's Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Muscle Shoals is a short drive from the Trace and area attractions include the Ivy Green-Home of Helen Keller, Wilson Lock and Dam, Indian Mound, the Birthplace of W.C. Handy, and Coon Dog Cemetery.

It's also one of several proclaimed birthplaces of Southern Rock. Greg Allman was a session player working in a local recording studio before forming the Allman Brothers.

The Legendary Muscle Shoals Sound : NPR


I would also recommend the Vicksburg, MS area if your route and schedule permit. Plenty of Civil War history there.

Regards,

[handn]

Vicksburg. The battlefield national monument is very interesting, even if you don't like battles. Bike or walk through the monument. The Mississippi River runs through the town. The town and the battlefield are on scenic bluffs above the River. The town itself is interesting. There is even riverboat gambling nearby if that is your thing.

[tschat]

As a Miss. State Univ alum, I have spent far too much time in Starkville (according to my parents). There isn't much hiking/etc and as a college student I wasn't into the museums. I would strongly suggest for dinner driving to West Point and eating at Anthony's. I don't make a trip to Starkville without going there. I always get the prime rib blackened with a crawfish sauce (it's not on the menu, but the chef will make it). Anthony's is the type of local place where the silverware does not match with the best food.

-thomas

[DaveFL]

We enjoyed the scenic trail running south crisscrossing the Mississippi River, lots of museums and famous landings. Natchez Trace was great but not on the way to Starkville.

[airstream66]

If your coming from Illinois, you should stop in Memphis for some good BBQ and Graceland. There is also Holly Springs, MS. It had some old Civil War houses that were neat, if you like that sort of thing. Stayed at Wall Doxey State Park. It had a frisbee golf course that was interesting. Your kids might like that.

[mouth012006]

If you are going down in the summer time check out the parks...on pat harrison water district....the Oakatibe (I think that is the spelling) has a really nice water park that is located inside of the park....really nice for the price and not to big that you will feel dead at the end of the day. They also have a lake that is in the park. Don't forget to try lots of the food down there....best in the world. Also even if you are not into the casino night life....the buffets there are fantastic!

[vswingfield]

Agree about Vicksburg. Photo is of the bridges from the welcome center on I20 facing west across the river. The near on is on the National Register of Historic Places. A beautiful city with great history.

Also, more Memphis if you stop there. Check out the Pink Palace Museums. A whole bunch of stuff including an IMAX. The name comes from the pink marble that was used in construction. It was begun in the 1920s by the founder of Piggly Wiggly and, due to hard times (sound familiar?) donated to the city.

[HiHoAgRV]

Are you bringing the trailer? There are some pretty good campgrounds in that corner of the state. Our favorite is closed during the slow season but there are other options.

Are ya'll headin to Starkville, then splittin or will ya have a chance to look around the state a bit?

Tupelo has Elvis's burth place (I've never been...), Vicksburg has the Civil war battlefield that has more memorials than anywhere else in the USA as well as some quirky downtown museums. Natchez is always a neat place to visit and tour some of the antibellium homes. Of course the Casinos in Tunica, Vicksburg, Natchez and on the gulf coast. Jackson has a natural science museum with live fish from the local waters.

Funny, we live here and are always lookin for other places to go...