Mississippi Travel Guide

Jackson, Mississippi

Although it is Mississippi's largest city, and the state capital, Jackson has a slow pace with a distinctly southern lifestyle, and its population of about 400,000 is spread over a large geographic area, making it seem smaller than it is. The main landmark in the city is the old Mississippi State Capitol building in the very center of the downtown area, modeled on the US Capitol in Washington and adding an impressive dimension to the city skyline.

Jackson meanders along the banks of the winding Pearl River, having been founded in 1821 as a trading post and incorporated into the United States in 1833 for the deliberate purpose of being the state capital. It is an exceedingly well-ordered city thanks to thoughtful town planning, but because it is spread out, exploring its distinct neighborhoods is best done by car.

Downtown are the cultural centers, historic buildings and museums, but visitors need to travel to areas like Ridgeland, a few miles out, to find good shopping, eating, lodging and nightlife opportunities. The neighborhood of Mid North has some great recreational areas, like Le Fleur's Bluff State Park, while to the west of Downtown is the significant Farish Street Historical District, a center of black culture, politics, religion and business.

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Natchez

The easy-going city of Natchez is the oldest civilised settlement on the Mississippi River, perched on the highest promontory north of the Gulf of Mexico, 200ft (61m) above the rolling river. Across the river, which forms the state border, Natchez looks down on Louisiana.

Natchez was an Indian settlement for centuries before being colonized first by the French in 1716, then the British in 1763, the Spanish in 1779 and then joining America in 1798. The city became the first capital of the State of Mississippi in 1817 and experienced an economic boom as a center for the export of cotton by river steamer. The cotton poured in from the vast rich plantations of Mississippi and neighboring Louisiana.

Today Natchez has more antebellum houses than any other place in the United States, with nine available for daily tours and many more opening their doors during spring and fall pilgrimages. Many hundreds of the beautiful homes are privately owned and stand to be admired by passers-by. The city's downtown area is packed with late 19th-century buildings housing antique shops, hotels, churches and restaurants, and more than 40 Bed and Breakfast establishments. In addition to all the historic fare, Natchez is a recreational center offering a semi-tropical climate and numerous hunting, fishing, hiking and biking opportunities. The city is also the starting point for the famous Natchez Trace Parkway; a 450-mile (724km) national park route based on ancient Indian trails, which connects Natchez to Jackson, the state capital, 105 miles (169km) away, and ends in Nashville, Tennessee. All this, plus a healthy dose of southern hospitality, cuisine and exciting riverboat casinos, makes Natchez a tourist's delight.

Gulf Coast

The Mississippi Gulf Coast was one of the hardest hit areas when Hurricane Katrina made landfall in August 2005, causing extensive flooding and damage. But travel through the sparkling Gulf Coast today and it's hard to see the evidence, apart from shocking postcards in tourist and trinket stores.

The area, centered on the resort towns of Gulfport and Biloxi, is once again the casino Mecca of the South and a popular vacation destination, brightly lit with neon colors, carpeted with over 20 championship golf courses and endowed with top notch cultural attractions such as the must see Ohr-O'Keefe Museum. Couple that with an impressive array of local restaurants and excellent childrens' facilities such as the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, one of the USA's top children's museums and you've got the perfect family destination.

For a change of pace, head along Mississippi's coastal road, boasting over 26 miles (42km) of unblemished white sand beaches and a year round temperate climate. Set a leisurely pace and watch the sailing yachts criss-cross the bay, while those feeling a bit more active may try their hand at fishing or windsurfing or take a stroll up to one of the animated beach restaurants and sample some of the regions renowned shrimp gumbo. The Mississippi Gulf Coast, the 'playground of the south' has finally returned to its former glory.