What to do in Mississippi?
Aug 21st, 2004, 06:15 AM
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What to do in Mississippi?
I know, it's a vague question. I have the Fodor's guide to The South and have been looking through it for ideas. So far, I was wondering if anyone knows what to see in Biloxi (we don't gamble) and Jackson (my husband loves Civil War stuff). We will be visiting family at the end of Oct for 4 days with our 10 mo. old. They live in Hattiesburg and we would fly into Jackson. Any suggestions for towns/state parks to visit and the names of any great southern restaurants in the vicinity would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Aug 21st, 2004, 08:01 AM
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We've driven thru Mississippi on our way to Fla gulf coast several times in recent years. I think you can go to the beach near Biloxi - or just head east a bit to Alabama and Gulf Shores. Vicksburg is an interesting place for Civil War and Antebellum Houses. I believe they have several homes open for a tour in the fall. Maybe it would coincide with your trip. There is a Civil War battlefield park where you can take a tape recorder and drive thru in your car and stop to see any of the several monuments along the way. I found this very interesting, but that was 30 years ago. I doubt it's changed much.
Aug 21st, 2004, 04:55 PM
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If your husband likes Civil War stuff, then a journey to Vicksburg is a must. If I recall correctly, it is no more than a 1 hour drive from Jackson. We were there about two years ago and I would rate it as one of the finest military parks in the U.S., and I've been to many. I highly recommend purchasing the audio tape/CD in the park shop. It's about $20 and well worth it. Mrs. MileKing, who is not into history at all, actually ended up enjoying the experience very much with the tape.
Aug 24th, 2004, 02:00 PM
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Lots to do here. You can start in the Delta - Clarksdale/Greenville. They have a GREAT blues museum there, and they also have a nice resturant and club owned by the actor Morgan Freeman. The restaurant, called Madidi's, serves delicious food.
On the coast, there are several things to keep you busy. Biloxi, Gulfport, and Ocean Springs all kind-of run together. In Biloxi, you can catch shows at the casinos. I think that at Beau Rivage, they are showing a Cirque de Soleil-type show right now called Red Dream. It's supposed to be very good. Beauvoir, Jefferson's former home, is on the coast and open to the public. Also, the Walter Anderson Museum is a great place to stop by in Ocean Springs. It's in a funky part of town with lots of cool shops and boutiques around it. The Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art also has some interesting exhibits. Lastly, if you're bringing kids with you, the Lynne Meadows Discovery Museum is a must-do. Try Chappy's on the coast for a good local dinner/lunch.
For Civil War history, Vicksburg is a great stop. They have a beautiful military park (get the audio tour), homes you can tour, and good restaurants. (Again, even if you don't gamble, the casinos are great places to eat.) They also have an outlet mall.
Also, I wouldn't count out Natchez.
They have some of the most gorgeous homes open to the public. Try Rosalie and Dunleith. Beautiful, and most of them have never been "restored" because they've remained exactly the same as they always were. If you visit Natchez by way of the Natchez Trace (scenic parkway), stop at Emerald Mound. It is a HUGE Indian mound, and a great place to stretch your legs. Pearl Street Pasta is a great place to eat in Natchez, although some of the antebellum homes (I think Dunleith) offer delicious (though pricey) dinners as well.
In Jackson, you can take the Civil Rights driving tour, visit the MS Museum of Natural Science, and go by the Mississippi Museum of Art. You can have lunch at one of the old downtwon restaurants, like the Elite or the Mayflower (seafood and blue plates), or you can hop over to north Jackson for newer establishments, like Char (steaks - yum) or Bravo's (great Italian). In Flowood (which kind-of runs into Jackson), you can eat at Primo's. (If you do, be sure to get a biscuit. Divine!)
Hope this helps!
On the coast, there are several things to keep you busy. Biloxi, Gulfport, and Ocean Springs all kind-of run together. In Biloxi, you can catch shows at the casinos. I think that at Beau Rivage, they are showing a Cirque de Soleil-type show right now called Red Dream. It's supposed to be very good. Beauvoir, Jefferson's former home, is on the coast and open to the public. Also, the Walter Anderson Museum is a great place to stop by in Ocean Springs. It's in a funky part of town with lots of cool shops and boutiques around it. The Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art also has some interesting exhibits. Lastly, if you're bringing kids with you, the Lynne Meadows Discovery Museum is a must-do. Try Chappy's on the coast for a good local dinner/lunch.
For Civil War history, Vicksburg is a great stop. They have a beautiful military park (get the audio tour), homes you can tour, and good restaurants. (Again, even if you don't gamble, the casinos are great places to eat.) They also have an outlet mall.
Also, I wouldn't count out Natchez.
They have some of the most gorgeous homes open to the public. Try Rosalie and Dunleith. Beautiful, and most of them have never been "restored" because they've remained exactly the same as they always were. If you visit Natchez by way of the Natchez Trace (scenic parkway), stop at Emerald Mound. It is a HUGE Indian mound, and a great place to stretch your legs. Pearl Street Pasta is a great place to eat in Natchez, although some of the antebellum homes (I think Dunleith) offer delicious (though pricey) dinners as well.
In Jackson, you can take the Civil Rights driving tour, visit the MS Museum of Natural Science, and go by the Mississippi Museum of Art. You can have lunch at one of the old downtwon restaurants, like the Elite or the Mayflower (seafood and blue plates), or you can hop over to north Jackson for newer establishments, like Char (steaks - yum) or Bravo's (great Italian). In Flowood (which kind-of runs into Jackson), you can eat at Primo's. (If you do, be sure to get a biscuit. Divine!)
Hope this helps!
Aug 24th, 2004, 06:10 PM
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Thank you for the suggestions! It sounds like I would love Natchez. We fly into Jackson in the early morning so I'm hoping we can drive down to Natchez and explore, stay the night, then drive to Hattiesburg to see my family.
One more question - has anyone been to the Gulf Islands National Seashore? Does anyone live on the islands or are they uninhabited? Do you have to take a ferry, or is there a bridge to get onto the island? Also, can you snorkel off of these islands?
Thanks again!
One more question - has anyone been to the Gulf Islands National Seashore? Does anyone live on the islands or are they uninhabited? Do you have to take a ferry, or is there a bridge to get onto the island? Also, can you snorkel off of these islands?
Thanks again!
Aug 25th, 2004, 06:05 AM
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I have never been to Gulf Island National Seashore. I know that you can take a ferry to Ship Island off the coast of MS; they have great beaches and beautiful blue water out there. No snorkeling to my knowledge, though. Have a great trip!
Mar 31st, 2005, 04:22 PM
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ttt - We never did go to MS in October but are finally going next week (4/8/05-4/12/05).
Does anyone have a suggestion of where to have lunch on a Fri afternoon upon arriving into Jackson? Something casual and family-friendly, perhaps BBQ or Southern-style food? We are driving down to Hattiesburg after lunch so I'd like to find something that's not out of the way. I'm not exactly sure of the proximity of downtown Jackson to the airport.
Does anyone have a suggestion of where to have lunch on a Fri afternoon upon arriving into Jackson? Something casual and family-friendly, perhaps BBQ or Southern-style food? We are driving down to Hattiesburg after lunch so I'd like to find something that's not out of the way. I'm not exactly sure of the proximity of downtown Jackson to the airport.
Mar 31st, 2005, 05:13 PM
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I don't know much about eating around Jackson but I am seriously considering taking a ride to Hattiesburg to eat at Leatha's BBQ. Southern Living just had a writeup on that place & it sounds DIVINE! I wish they'd have done a scratch & sniff thing cause my mouth was watering. If you have time while visiting family stop there & let us know if it really is THAT good. Here's the info on it- www.leathas.com.
Leatha’s Bar-B-Que Inn, 6374 U.S. Highway 98 West, Hattiesburg, MS 39402, (601) 271-6003
Leatha’s Bar-B-Que Inn, 6374 U.S. Highway 98 West, Hattiesburg, MS 39402, (601) 271-6003
Apr 1st, 2005, 10:58 AM
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Try checking out this site for recommendations. http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/foru...=5438_0_25_0_C
Eat some pulled pork for me! My mouth is watering right now for some.
Eat some pulled pork for me! My mouth is watering right now for some.
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