Top 10 Places to Visit in Mississippi
Photograph by Michael Barera, via Wikimedia Commons
#1 Jackson
The capital city Jackson on the Pearl River is the most populous city of Mississippi. Named after General Andrew Jackson, Jackson was founded as the site for a new state capital. Today, it is home to the Jackson State University and numerous musicians. Jackson is filled with number of fun places for children and whole family. Things to see and places to visit include Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Jackson Zoo, Mississippi Children's Museum, Mississippi Museum of Art, Old Capitol Museum, Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.
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#2 Gulf Islands National Seashore
Gulf Islands National Seashore is known for its white sandy beaches and the aquamarine waters. It offers recreation opportunities such as boat ride, camping, and fishing along the Gulf of Mexico of Mississippi. The seashore features beaches, historic sites, and wildlife sanctuaries. The area includes trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds.
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#3 Biloxi
Biloxi is known as the first permanent European settlement in French Louisiana. The historic city is popular in tourist for its beachfront. The city was hardly hit by Hurricane Katrina making it 5th largest from 3rd largest city in the state. Now the city is known for meorial to Katrina victims that was created by local artists. Biloxi is home eight popular casino resorts. Things to do and family fun places to visit include Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Beauvoir, Biloxi Lighthouse, and Walter Anderson Museum of Art.
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#4 Natchez Trace Parkway
Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444 mile historic scenic road that extends from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee. The national parkway runs through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. The southern end of the route is in Natchez and the northern end is in Fairview, Tennessee. Historical sites along the Parkway include Meriwether Lewis Museum, Mount Locust stand, Historic French Camp, and Mississippi Craft Center. Attractions along the parkway include Gordon House Historic Site, Jackson Falls, Tobacco Barn & Old Trace Drive, Fall Hollow Waterfall, Meriwether Lewis Burial Monument, Old Trace Drive, and Rock Spring.
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#5 Vicksburg National Military Park
Vicksburg National Military Park located in Vicksburg preserves the site of the American Civil War Battle of Vicksburg. The park includes many hiking and walking trails. The Tour Road offers up to 16 miles of walk, run, or bicycle experience. Vicksburg National Military Park has 1,325 historic monuments and markers. Other notable areas include antebellum homes, cannons, restored gunboat USS Cairo, and the Grant's Canal site.
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#6 Clarksdale
Clarksdale is located along the Sunflower River in the Mississippi Delta. The city is named after settler John Clark who founded the city in 19th century. The historic city is known for its important role in the civil rights movement in Mississippi. It is also known for its significant in the history of the blues. Popular places to visit and things to do include Delta Blues Museum, Mississippi Blues Trail, The Blues Crossroads, and Clarksdale Walk of Fame.
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#7 Clark Creek Natural Area
Clark Creek Natural Area is located in southwestern Mississippi near Woodville. The 700 acres park features around 50 waterfalls ranging 10 to 30 feet high. It has mixed hardwood and pine forest with beech and magnolia trees. Uncommon trees found in the area are Southern sugar maple, serviceberry, umbrella tree, pyramid magnolia, chinquapin oak, big leaf snowball, silverbell, and witch-hazel. Park activities include hiking, photography and bird watching.
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#8 Dunn's Falls Park
Dunn's Fall's Water park is located in the pristine hills along the Chunky River. This park features a 65-foot water fall that was created in 1850 by Irish immigrant John Dunn. Park main attraction is the waterfall with iconic water wheel. Other attractions of the park include 1857 grist mill and natural trails. Recreation activities include hiking, swimming, boating, canoeing, picnicking, camping, and fishing.
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#9 Arkabutla Lake
Arkabutla Lake on the Coldwater River is a reservoir located near Hernando, MS and Memphis, TN. The lake was created on Arkabutla Dam that is located 4 miles north. Arkabutla Lake is known for wide variety of recreational opportunities and it attracts more than 2 million visitors annual. Recreation activities include hiking, biking, fishing, boating, camping, horseback riding, and picnicking.
Photograph by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, via Wikimedia Commons