Mississippi holidays

Holidays to Mississippi reveal the best of the American South. To the west, the majestic Mississippi River feeds the cypress swamps of the Delta, while blues music rolls from late-night bars in the north. You’ll find beaches and buzzing casinos along the Gulf Coast and history-steeped cities from elegant Oxford to funky Jackson. The Natchez Trace Parkway offers scenic driving, with plenty of stops for the region’s famous barbecue.

Top destinations in Mississippi

Biloxi

Welcome to the heart of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, home to white-sand beaches, bucket loads of shrimp and some of the South’s biggest cultural attractions.

Jackson

From Antebellum architecture and Civil Rights history to a new generation of chefs reinventing soul food, come see why Mississippi’s state capital is ready to charm your socks off.

Tupelo

The birthplace of Elvis Presley, this Mississippi town is steeped in rock ’n’ roll history. But it’s a hotspot for southern food and music festivals.

Mississippi: fast facts

Language

English

Currency

United States dollar ($)

Time zone

Jackson - UTC−6 (CST) and UTC−5 (CDT)

High season

March – May; September – November

Low season

June – August

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Mississippi holiday highlights

Jackson

Listen to blues music

Some of the best things to do in Mississippi come with their own soundtrack. The state has more Grammy winners per capita than any other — there’s even a museum in Cleveland celebrating them all. Hear the blues in rural juke joints and city bars, visit Elvis Presley’s birthplace in Tupelo, or head to Meridian for the annual Jimmie Rodgers festival of country music.

Get on the river

The 3,766-kilometre-long Mississippi River is one of the country’s most breathtaking natural landmarks. Take to the water on a pleasure cruise or canoe alongside hundreds of animal species, from otters to eagles. You’ll find amazing river views driving the Great River Road. Or just stand on the levees to marvel at its powerful flow.

Explore literary history

Mississippi has inspired some of the South’s greatest literary works, and you can explore them on the statewide Writers Trail. Stroll through William Faulkner’s elegant house and grounds at Rowan Oak in Oxford. Tour Eudora Welty’s immaculately preserved rooms in Jackson. And don’t miss the Tennessee Williams Rectory Museum in the playwright’s Clarksdale childhood home.

Things to do in Mississippi

Biloxi
Getty Images/iStockphoto

Top attractions

Follow in the footsteps of Native American and frontier history on the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 700-kilometre driving route that’s also a national park. Pick up the backstory to the blues at the BB King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center. Or stand on an American Civil War battlefield at Vicksburg National Military Park.

Beaches

The ‘Secret Coast’ stretches for 99 kilometres along the Gulf of Mexico, its soft, white sands undisturbed by tourism. Tranquil beach towns like Bay St Louis give way to wild beauty at Moss Point. Four barrier islands — including the popular Ship Island, reached by ferry — keep the temperate waters calm. For resorts and seaside attractions, head to bustling Biloxi and Gulfport.

Nature

Many of the Mississippi Delta’s hardwood trees were lost to deforestation in the 20th century, but they remain a key habitat for the alligator snapping turtle, which looks as ferocious as it sounds. Wild turkeys roam the northern forests, which extend to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. To the south, the tidal marshes are bursting with birdlife.

Cuisine

Soul food is the real deal here. Look out for dishes like golden-fried chicken or catfish served with sides of beans, ‘biscuits’ (savoury scones) and cornbread. The restaurants in Mississippi are known for their seafood, be it shrimp, oysters or soft-shell crab plucked from the Gulf. And you’re likely to find po’ boy sandwiches slathered in tangy ‘comeback sauce’ everywhere from lunch counters to petrol stations.

Culture and museums

Some of the most powerful museums in Mississippi are in Jackson. This includes the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Smith Robertson Museum, celebrating African American experiences and culture. Explore the lively arts scene on the Gulf Coast, from the galleries and workshops of Ocean Springs to the eccentric ceramics at the Frank Gehry–designed Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art.

Nightlife

The nightlife in Mississippi is a truly musical one. Catch a gig in Jackson, ‘The City with Soul’, or listen to late-night blues in real-life juke joints throughout the rural Delta. For a touch of sophistication, check out the wine and cocktail scene in Oxford and Vicksburg. Or feel the sand in your toes as you chill at Biloxi’s beach bars.

Find the best time to visit Mississippi

Weather in Mississippi through the year

March – May: Average temperatures rise from 16°C to 29°C during the spring. Enjoy outdoor activities like boating on the Ross Barnett Reservoir or hiking in Tishomingo State Park.

June – August: Summer is hot and humid with frequent thunderstorms. Cool off at the longest man-made beach in the world, which stretches 42 kilometres from Biloxi to Pass Christian.

September – November: The Gulf waters stay pleasant for swimming, even as temperatures cool. Check out the autumnal colours along the Natchez Trace Parkway or the Clark Creek trails.

December – February: The mild winter rarely drops below 7°C, and you’re unlikely to see snow. Spot sandhill cranes and other migratory birds in the state’s many wildlife refuges.

Events in Mississippi

World Catfish Festival (April): Mississippi is the largest producer of catfish in the US, and the town of Belzoni has been celebrating this favourite food since 1976. Join a massive fish fry and see the crowning of the Catfish Queen. If you’re feeling hungry, try your luck in the catfish-eating contest.

Tupelo Elvis Festival (June): Elvis Presley’s hometown honours the rock ’n’ roll legend with performances, including an ultimate tribute artist contest.

Cruisin’ the Coast (October): Each autumn, Mississippi’s coast becomes the sunlit backdrop to a classic car parade. This week-long, colourful meet stretches 80 kilometres from Bay St Louis to Pascagoula, with block parties in every town.

Know before you go

Budget

It’s easy to have a cheap holiday in Mississippi. The state remains under the radar for tourists, and prices tend to reflect that. A beer will set you back less than five US dollars ($), and you can have an inexpensive meal in a restaurant for under $20. A plate of hot tamales — a local favourite for lunch — will cost you far less.

Health and safety

Mosquitoes and ticks are more than just nuisances in Mississippi — they can spread West Nile virus, Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves outdoors. Weather-wise, stay alert. Tornado season runs from February to May, while hurricanes are most common from June to November. Always check local forecasts.

Free things to do

Check out the marbled interiors of Mississippi’s Beaux Arts–style State Capitol on a guided weekday tour. The permanent collection and gardens at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson are the state’s largest. Southern folk art looms large at the University of Mississippi museum in Oxford. Walking the classically inspired campus is a cultural experience in itself.

Family friendly

The Mississippi Children’s Museum at LeFleur’s Bluff State Park welcomes kids with playful exhibits, puppet theatre and an edible garden. Nearby, the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science features a dinosaur trail and a greenhouse called The Swamp. In Leland, The Birthplace of the Frog honours Jim Henson and his beloved Kermit.

Getting around Mississippi

Nativity of BVM Cathedral

Public transport

Buses: Greyhound operates intercity services, while Jackson’s JTRAN network has 11 local routes serving various areas of the capital. Nostalgic trolley buses offer a useful hopper service along the coast.

Trains: Mississippi is served daily by two Amtrak lines — the City of New Orleans runs north to south, while the Crescent cuts across the southeast, linking Louisiana and Alabama. A third route connecting Gulf Coast cities will eventually expand rail access across the southern part of the state.

Boats: From March to October, the Ship Island ferry offers a scenic ride to the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The hour-long trip from Gulfport Harbor covers 17 kilometres, with a good chance of spotting dolphins along the way.

Domestic flights

Jackson–Evers is Mississippi’s largest airport, with flights to major US hubs like Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Gulfport–Biloxi serves the coast, and regional airports in Tupelo, Greenville, Columbus and Meridian offer additional domestic connections.

Find domestic flights

Driving and car hire

As in all US states, you’ll drive on the right in Mississippi. Expect plenty of long, straight roads here. If you’re tempted to put your foot down, remember that speed limits are 70 miles per hour on the interstate, 65 on four-lane highways and 50 on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Check car hire

FAQs about Mississippi holidays

The Gulf Coast offers options for beach lovers, from major casino resorts in Gulfport to boutique hotels in Ocean Springs. On the blues trail, places to stay range from major chain hotels in Jackson to quirky self-catering in Clarksdale.
Mississippi’s cities are relatively small — you could see Jackson, Oxford or Tupelo in a couple of days. A week is a good amount of time for a road trip that takes in a number of destinations, like the Delta and the Appalachian foothills or the capital region and the coast.
Summer here can be hot and humid, making it a great time to cool off in the state’s coastal waters. For more heart-pounding activities, the best times to visit Mississippi can be in spring and autumn when temperatures are milder. Outdoor festivals begin in March and go on to late October, while winter brings festivities from Christmas to Mardi Gras.
Most of Mississippi is as safe as anywhere else in the US to travel. Avoid walking down unknown streets after dark, and take the usual precautions with your belongings when in busy areas.
English is the official language of Mississippi. Spanish is the second most common language, followed by Vietnamese. There are also Native American communities speaking Muskogean. In Mississippi, it’s considered polite to call your elders ‘sir’ and ‘ma’am’.
You’ll be using the US dollar ($) in Mississippi, and you’ll find plenty of banks and ATMs in towns and cities. Some smaller, independent businesses still prefer cash to cards, so carry a few bills. And when you’re listening to live music, remember to tip your musicians as well as your servers.