For your next holiday, make it a point to visit Mississippi. Make the most of your vacation time in Mississippi, we have compiled a list of our favorite things to do in Mississippi. Explore the top attractions and activities in the best places to go in Mississippi by scrolling down! Wondrous Drifter is a Web 3 travel company that brings the best travel ideas to travelers.
The state of Mississippi is where a great deal of the music of the United States started, and it also carries real scenery, art and culture museums, and a long list of other distinctive features.
For anybody who travels for its own sake, Mississippi rewards both living in and visiting.
Every stretch of the drive reads differently, from the lush Appalachian highlands to the wide Delta views to the coastal roadways dotted with live oak trees, and Louisiana is the state next door.
In Mississippi, there is a vast selection of activities and sites for visitors to enjoy.
Mississippi’s capital city, Jackson, also serves as the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science site.
The two-room house where Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, a tiny community, draws travellers from near and far.
As a Civil War relic, Vicksburg is one of Mississippi’s most important cities, and it’s home to the Vicksburg National Military Park.
In addition, Mississippi has been a haven for generations of Southern artists and creatives.
The state’s rolling hills, shimmering lakes, and quaint towns are an excellent source of inspiration for local artists because of their natural beauty.
If you’re a fan of the arts, there are dozens of galleries across the state that showcase the work of artists from around the country and even the world.
Visitors to Mississippi can get more information about civil rights, including an overview of the state’s civil rights sites.
Even though it’s sometimes ignored, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is full of marine life. The facility is the only dolphin rehabilitation facility in Mississippi.
If you visit Mississippi, you won’t be able to resist all of the exciting things to do.
A guide to the best sites to see in Mississippi, including some of the state’s most well-known tourist attractions, is provided below.
Angel Tree (Jackson)
The state runs a long way between the entries on this list. You will drive from the Delta to the coast and back inland again. The walking is easy at Clark Creek Nature Area, where the falls do the work. The ferry to Ship Island takes 50 minutes each way, so that is a day. You want a car and you want the time to use it.
When Hurricane Katrina hit Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, a dead oak tree saved the lives of three people.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, there are a number of dead oak trees across the city, but none as unique as the Angel Tree.
Doug Niolet, Kevin Guillory, and Nikki Moon survived the 40-foot storm surge by holding onto an oak tree.
However, the tree did not survive. Its history lives on in a sculpture made from oak and gracefully soars toward the sky along the bayside.
Then, the tree trunks of the oak tree were converted into “Angel Creations” by Dayle K. Lewis, a chainsaw sculptor from Indiana.
Two of the carved angels can be found in front of Our Lady of the Gulf Church, and on the first block of Demontluzin Avenue, near Century Hall, lies the other.
It’s been said that three Katrina survivors and their dog used the “Demontluzin Avenue Angel” sculpture as a life raft when the storm surge came in during the storm.
Attractions like this one are places you’ll both love and respect.
Angel Tree is a must-visit location for those who wish to witness a stunning sculpture and honor the hurricane’s survivors.
Address: Bay St Louis, Mississippi 39520
Mississippi is home to many fun and interesting tourist attractions. While planning for your vacation in exploring Mississippi, do check out things to do in East Coast USA for other travel ideas. The East Coast has a lot to offer.
Birthplace of Kermit the Frog (Leland)
The Birthplace of Kermit the Frog museum works through the history of Jim Henson’s Muppets. It sits in a small Mississippi town.
Jim Henson was born in neighboring Greenville, Mississippi, in 1936, and he grew up in the swamplands of Leland, Mississippi.
With a permanent exhibit covering the man and Kermit the frog, the small town has officially claimed the birthplace of the creation he is remembered for.
At the Leland Chamber of Commerce today, two small rooms are filled with people who love Jim Henson and Kermit the Frog.
Also on display at the museum are tidbits about the Muppets, including an original Kermit the Frog puppet that Henson’s wife contributed.
A giant stuffed Kermit can be cuddled up for photos if visitors desire.
Moreover, there are also small souvenir shops available.
One of the best things about the museum is that it is free to visit. Of course, donations towards the exhibit’s maintenance and care are gladly appreciated.
This is a must-see attraction even if you aren’t a huge admirer of Kermit the Frog.
Address: 415 S Deer Creek Dr W, Leland, MS 38756, United States
When you travel to the state of Mississippi, you cannot miss out on what Biloxi and Tupelo have to offer. Check out our Mississippi travel ideas on these 2 places – the best things to do in Biloxi and the best things to do in Tupelo. Get the most out of your vacation in Mississippi!
Clark Creek Nature Area (Woodville)
Clark Creek Nature Area runs 700 acres and more than 50 waterfalls, some of them more than 30 feet high, and it suits hikers, cyclists and anybody who walks.
In the southwest part of Mississippi, the Clark Creek Natural Area is among the natural areas the state is known for.
Clark Creek Nature Area is a popular state park and it earns that.
However, don’t be fooled—the terrain is rough, and it’s strongly recommended that you bring the proper equipment.
In 1978, this beautiful area was made a nature preserve and opened to the public.
There is an abundance of beech and magnolias in mixed hardwood and pine forest on the bluffs of loess.
In addition, there are several rare trees in the area, including Southern sugar maple, serviceberry, umbrella tree, pyramid magnolia, chinquapin oak, big leaf snowball, silverbell, and witch-hazel.
A wide diversity of birds, invertebrates, dangerous snakes, uncommon land snails, the federally endangered Carolina magnolia vine, and many other endangered species can be found here.
Black bears are another threatened species in Mississippi, and the forest track provides their ideal habitat.
The Clark Creek Natural Area trails can be used for bird-watching, hiking, photography, and botanical exploration.
For those who want to see gorgeous scenery and rare animals, this is a great spot to visit.
Address: 366 Ft Adams Pond Rd, Woodville, MS 39669, United States
Dunn’s Falls
Curious travelers and anybody who walks for the country will end up here.
In the mid-1850s, an Irish immigrant named John Dunn came to the United States and built the 65-foot waterfall called Dunn’s Falls in this park.
The water park at Dunn’s Fall sits in South Lauderdale County, Mississippi, back in the rolling hills along the Chunky River’s banks.
A working water wheel provides natural power from the stream before it falls seventy feet into the river below.
High above the ground, the flowing stream water can be used to power the water wheel before it falls 60 to 70 feet into the river below.
In addition to fishing, canoeing, and swimming, this peaceful spot has a lot to offer anyone who wants to see the wonders of 19th-century engineering.
This park also has an 1857 grist mill built on the site of Dunn’s old mill in 1987 and moved from Cave Springs, Georgia.
In the woods, hikers will see wild turkeys, deer, squirrels, and other species as they make their way back to the pond on nature trails that take them through the forests and out into the countryside.
For those who prefer roughing it, there are primitive camping areas accessible.
Dunn’s Falls is recommended for adventurers because it’s an excellent place to find your next big adventure.
Address: Dunns Falls Rd Mississippi 39330, USA
Looking for the top tourist attractions in Mississippi? Find out the top places to visit in Gulfport and Meridian in Mississippi by visiting our travel guides – the best things to do in Gulfport and the best things to do in Meridian.
Emmett Till Interpretive Center (Sumner)
The Emmett Till Interpretive Center began with the late Jerome G. Little, the first African-American Board of Supervisors President in Tallahatchie County.
As a museum and interpretive center, the courtroom where Till’s murder trial took place tells the story of sorrow and points toward racial healing.
The center remembers Till while portraying a harmonious picture of what the future could look like.
Self-guided tours are available at this small museum, which sits in the courthouse where the trial took place.
On the self-guided tour, you can see exhibits regarding the trial and the people’s reactions, and the courtroom is set up to seem exactly like it did during the trial.
Suppose you’re looking for a more in-depth look at the area’s history. In that case, the interpretative center may recommend third-party tour operators.
Specifically, the center combines the arts and storytelling to help people process their past trauma and conceive new possibilities for going forward.
The Emmett Till Seed Project and the Day of Forgiveness are just two of the many events held at the facility in Till’s honour.
A sign marking where Till’s body was recovered from the Tallahatchie River in 2018 has bullet holes in it, a reminder of the Till murder’s echoes in this area.
In one of the best museums in the country, the Emmett Till Interpretive Center, you can observe history being made up close and personal.
Address: 120 N Court St, Sumner, MS 38957, United States
Fort Massachusetts on Ship Island (Gulfport)
The Gulf Islands National Seashore’s Fort Massachusetts now draws a steady stream of visitors.
The Gulf Islands National Seashore manages Fort Massachusetts, which stands on Ship Island’s western point, 12 miles south of Gulfport.
The fortifications of the Third System ended with the construction of Fort Massachusetts.
The strategic deep-water harbor near the island makes this site important.
In commemoration of the Union Navy ship USS Massachusetts, the fort remained operational until 1903.
The military was told to leave the fort because of bad weather on the islands.
In addition, during the spring, summer, and fall, Fort Massachusetts rangers and volunteers offer free guided tours.
Both on the boats and on the island, guests can enjoy a variety of cuisines. Beach chairs and umbrellas can also be rented.
To understand why it was built on a deserted island and what it was protecting, you must visit this area.
This tourist destination has a lot to offer its visitors.
Address: Ship Island, MS, United States
GRAMMY Museum Mississippi (Cleveland)
The GRAMMY Museum Mississippi in Cleveland, Mississippi, sets out how music has changed the lives of the people who made it and heard it.
The Mississippi GRAMMY Museum, one of two in the U.S. and the other in Los Angeles, has been open since 2016, and it covers the state’s musical past alongside the evolution of recorded music.
This works through current exhibitions, interactive encounters and videos that inform as much as they carry you along.
The Mississippi Music Bar features performances by some of the best artists in the state, including Charley Patton and Faith Hill.
On display are early wax cylinders, the latest in 5.1 surround sound, and a cubicle where you can listen to the sound of Beyonce’s music played on all of these different musical instruments.
Music lovers will find more than two dozen exhibits that explore a wide range of genres, from hip-hop to classical music and jazz.
Moreover, programs for both public and educational use include films, lectures by experts, and small performances.
As a whole, this institution serves to preserve the musical contributions of Mississippians.
Whether you’re a music fan or just want to learn more about the history and achievements of the Mississippi music industry, the Grammy Museum Mississippi is the place to go.
Address: 800 W Sunflower Rd, Cleveland, MS 38732, United States
Highway 61 Blues Museum (Leland)
As the “blues route,” U.S. Highway 61 rivals Route 66 in American music history.
With its collection of images and artifacts relating to local Mississippi Delta blues musicians, the Highway 61 Blues Museum has the feel of a museum attic mixed with an archived Instagram feed.
Because of what came out of Leland’s music, rock and roll carries some of its main influences from here.
Songs about Highway 61 have been recorded across the blues, by Mississippians such as Sunnyland Slim, James “Son” Thomas, “Honeyboy” Edwards, Big Jo Williams and Joe McCoy, and by others including Charlie Musselwhite and Eddie Shaw.
Old Highway 61, the current name for what was once this route, is located just a few miles to the west.
The people who manage the establishment are usually more than happy to tell you about the history of the area and the blues.
Pat Thomas, the son of James “Son” Thomas, a blues guitarist and folk artist, maybe play guitar and sing while you travel around the city.
You’ll soon find yourself no longer roaming to hear what others have to say.
Hidden musical treasure Leland is a sure bet for a trip down the Blues Highway that you’ll never forget.
When it comes to wonderful music and attractions, the Highway 61 Blues Museum is a must-visit.
Address: 307 N Broad St, Leland, MS 38756, United States
International Museum of Muslim Cultures (Jackson)
The International Museum of Muslim Cultures, the country’s first Muslim museum, sets out Islamic history and culture along with the contributions made by Muslim communities around the world.
At the International Museum of Muslim Cultures, the material covers what has mattered in the United States and around the world.
In alternating displays at this museum, Timbuktu, Moorish Spain and other Muslim-majority societies come round in turn.
When Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Medina lived peacefully and worshiped together, the exhibition takes visitors back to that era. It shows them the historic covenants and treaties that Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) established with Christians and Jews.
According to the exhibit, Muhammad prepared the first Constitution in history for his multiethnic, multiracial, multilingual, and multi-religious Commonwealth.
Major covenants, such as the Constitution will be shown at the event. They may have had an impact on the United States Constitution.
In addition, in its first month of operation, the museum had more than 2,000 visitors.
It has been a leader in highlighting the beauty and majesty of Muslim cultures worldwide.
Educational workshops, seminars, and other activities for the general public and curricula for students in grades 6–12 and colleges and universities are also available.
Learning more about Muslims would be a fascinating experience.
There are several museums worldwide where you can learn about Muslim culture. Still, none compares to the International Museum of Muslim Cultures.
Address: 201 E Pascagoula St, Jackson, MS 39201, United States
Longwood (Natchez)
A man’s unrealized ambition to build an extravagant house beyond anything around it is where this building’s existing designs came from.
Longwood, the largest octagonal home in the United States, stands in Natchez, Mississippi.
In his own right, Dr. Haller Nutt, one of Mississippi’s many cotton plantation millionaires, set out to be a philanthropist.
He decided to go after his dream of owning a magnificent mansion, which had been a longstanding ambition.
When construction began in 1860, it employed many skilled workers from the same town as the architect.
The mansion’s 32 rooms, each with its own private balcony, were purposefully built to be obtrusive.
One of the mansion’s most recognizable features is its byzantine onion-shaped dome and the stark difference between the first and second levels.
Except for the spire atop the dome, the original construction has been preserved and is open to the public today.
In addition, Longwood is a National Historic Landmark and is on the US National Register of Historic Places.
You can take a short walk through the oaks to the family cemetery, which is located just beyond the home.
One way to spend a vacation in Natchez, Mississippi, is to tour the house!
Address: 140 Lower Woodville Rd, Natchez, MS 39120, United States
The Angel Tree and the Yellow Creek Nuclear Power Plant both cost you nothing at all. The museums are where the money goes, and none of them are expensive. The ferry out to Ship Island is the real cost of the whole trip. The state parks and the refuge ask very little of you at the gate. You can put a week together here on very little money at all.
Mississippi State Capitol (Jackson)
The Mississippi State Capitol is where to start if a historical site in Jackson is what you want.
This landmark in Jackson, Mississippi, was finished in 1903 at over 1 million dollars, and it was the state’s third Capitol building.
Following renovations between 1979 and 1983, the Capitol building reads as it did when it was built. This was what the restoration set out to do.
Mississippi’s state government offices are housed in this beautiful Beaux-Arts structure.
The Capitol’s length is 402 feet, and its height is 180 feet.
It has 750 lights that show “Blind Justice,” a blindfolded woman, and four other scenes.
There are two Indians, a Spanish exploration party, and a Confederate general.
The 8-foot-tall, 15-foot-wide eagle perched atop the dome is crafted from pure copper and gold leaf.
The National Register of Historic Places is located at 400 High Street, Jackson, Mississippi.
The Capitol building is a superb example of the Beaux-Arts style.
The Mississippi State Capitol is a must-see, with daily free tours and group reservations subject to availability.
You should be able to see the magnificent Mississippi State Capitol structure, which is an essential part of the history of this region.
Address: 400 High St, Jackson, MS 39201, United States
Noxubee Refuge (Starkville)
The Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1940 to hold migratory bird habitats.
Originally known as the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, after the former Fish and Wildlife Service director who grew up here, the refuge took its current name from Congress in 2012.
Noxubee, Oktibbeha and Winston counties in Mississippi carry the wildlife refuge between them.
At the time, Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge had been designated as an Important Bird Area, one of only five in Mississippi.
One of the world’s largest and most beautiful wildlife refuges covers three counties and is now home to species and forests threatened with extinction at the beginning of the twentieth century.
The diversity of wildlife, both native and migratory, is unmatched anywhere else in Mississippi.
Seriously, the scenery here will take your breath away.
To see why it attracts 150,000 tourists a year, you only have to visit the Noxubee Refuge.
Visitors to the refuge will be allowed to disconnect from their daily lives and reconnect with nature.
Suppose you’re looking for some peace and quiet while still being able to take in the breathtaking scenery. In that case, the Noxubee Refuge is a great option.
Address: 13723 Bluff Lake Rd, Starkville, MS 39759, United States
Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art (Biloxi)
The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art carries the independent, creative work of Mississippi’s ceramic art through Biloxi master potter George Ohr (1857-1918).
Gehry’s award-winning campus holds Ohr’s legacy in a collection of avant-garde structures that work on their own and together.
The renovated Pleasant Reed home and the four new structures read as a single piece, linked by the broad brick plaza and the Live Oaks.
In addition, many displays highlight the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s artistic culture. Nearby Deer Island, where Joseph Fortune Meyer, who taught George Ohr the pottery trade, kept pottery and kiln until the 1930s, is clearly visible.
Explore the museum shop for a wide variety of regional ceramics and crafts.
For groups of 10 or more, the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art offers discounted pricing for guided and self-guided tours for school groups, college students, adults, and elderly citizens.
People of all ages and interests can unwind and take in the stunning scenery and thought-provoking artwork and architecture.
The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art is the best place to go to see exhibitions on innovative artists.
Address: 386 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39530, United States
Po’ Monkey’s Lounge (Merigold)
Po’ Monkey’s Lounge, a rural juke joint known for its knickknacks, string lights and Thursday night gatherings, closed in 2016.
According to Willie “Po’ Monkey” Seaberry, he started a juke bar at his home on this site in 1963, farming during the day and running the club out of his house at night. Seaberry was born in 1941.
From locals to Delta State University students to music-lovers in quest of “genuine” juke joints, The Po’ Monkey attracted an eclectic crowd by the late 1980s and early 1990s.
As the sun sets, the abandoned house, stripped of its furnishings (sold at auction), stands lonesomely beside a cotton field, a sad yet striking sight.
An essential part of the evolution of blues music was played by rural juke joints like Po’ Monkey’s Lounge.
It provided an atmosphere where people could come together, dance, and forget about the day’s problems.
Although there were many jukeboxes in the Delta region, Po’ Monkey’s was one of the few that lasted into this century.
In the 1990s, it began to attract blues fans from all over the world.
A DJ or live band might be playing in Po’ Monkeys’ backroom on rare occasions.
Po’ Monkey’s Lounge is a must-see if you’d like to see a vibrant location that has become a cultural hub in Mississippi.
Address: 99 Po Monkey Rd #93, Merigold, MS 38759, United States
Rowan Oak (Oxford)
Rowan Oak, formerly known as “The Bailey Place,” was built in the 1840s by Colonel Robert Sheegog, and it was sold to William Faulkner and his wife, Estelle, in 1930.
Many of William Faulkner’s novels are set in Mississippi. In July, an annual conference runs in Oxford around his work.
The two-story house, renamed by Faulkner after the mythological tree, was in poor condition when he bought it.
During these 32 years, Faulkner created many of his iconic Southern Gothic novels.
He won a National Book Award, the Pulitzer Prize, and the Nobel Prize for Literature while living at Rowan Oak, his home in Mississippi.
William Faulkner is still one of the world’s most recognized and studied authors, with conferences, societies, and journals devoted to his life and work.
William Faulkner’s old house, Rowan Oak, and the University Museum are connected by the Bailey Woods Trail National Recreation Trail.
Walking the trail’s 3,000-foot length takes around 20 minutes, and bikes are not allowed on the path.
There are a variety of gardens to explore, including the Concentric Circle and English knot and a Cedar pathway, Scuppernong Arbor, and a Post Oak Barn.
The University presently owns and maintains the house for educational and memorial purposes.
Stop by and stroll around the museum grounds, which are packed with literature and nature.
Address: 916 Old Taylor Rd, Oxford, MS 38655, United States
Ship Island MS (Biloxi)
Thanks to the white-sand beaches and the clear Gulf water, the Ship Islands make a straightforward summer day trip.
A hurricane in 1969 split the island in half, leaving two separate islands. Beautiful beaches sit eleven miles south of Gulfport and Biloxi in southern Mississippi.
To get to Ship Island, you take a 50-minute ferry that runs past bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat.
Visitors to the National Park Service-managed area will find plenty to do along the miles of serene beach and a warm, gently sloping shoreline.
As a result of the Ship Island Excursions ferry service out of Gulfport and Biloxi, Ship Island is the most accessible barrier island to tourists.
The walk-up ticket counter opens one hour before each ferry departure. Still, tickets can be purchased online ahead of time as well.
Moreover, there is also a boardwalk that goes from the north side to more popular beaches, pristine seas, bathrooms, and a snack bar on the island’s south shore, all provided by the National Park Service for visitors.
They also have a Dolphin-Watching Cruise, an evening cruise in Biloxi called Sunset Magic, and a Fourth of July cruise during the hot months.
Ship Island in Mississippi is the place to go if you’re searching for a vacation packed with excitement and activities.
Address: MS 39501, Biloxi, United States
The Mississippi River Basin Model (Jackson)
Over the site of the world’s largest small-scale model, built by prisoners of war, miles of miniature streams lie abandoned.
The Mississippi River Basin Model, the largest of its kind built to date, lies abandoned in Buddy Butts Park in Jackson, Mississippi, back among overgrown trees.
The model went up over 23 years, from 1943 to 1966, on 200 acres in Clinton, Mississippi.
Commencing in 1943, the Army Corps used manpower that was already on hand – captured Italian and German POWs – because the US was low on manpower at the time.
The small-scale model helped avert massive destructions and became a unique tourist attraction at the time.
Because of computer modeling’s development, the expense of maintaining the site became prohibitive. Therefore it was relocated to Jackson, where it now lies abandoned.
Listed as one of the state’s 10 Most Endangered Species by the Mississippi Heritage Trusts in 2000, the model now resides in Buddy Butts Park’s overgrown woods.
Tourists go to this spot to walk like giants on elevated walkways above the little Mississippi River. At a time, it was a popular tourist attraction.
It’s available to the public, but the concrete banks of the rivers have been overrun by life-size flora.
If you’re ever in the area, visit this natural wonder.
Address: 6180 McRaven Rd, Jackson, MS 39209, United States
U.S.S. Cairo (Vicksburg)
The U.S.S. Cairo was one of seven City Class river ironclads commissioned in January of 1862, and it is the oldest of the seven ships in that class.
Designed by James B. Eads, this gun was built for the American Civil War and it has lasted since.
The seven City Class gunboats worked the Mississippi River and its tributaries, pressing Confederate supply lines and shore batteries alongside their namesake, the U.S.S. Cairo.
During the American Civil War, it was one of a group of armored gunboats that were built to help Union forces fight the Confederacy and help them win.
On the other hand, Cairo was doomed from the start and sank in the Yazoo River north of Vicksburg, Mississippi, by a torpedo that was set off electronically. It was only there for a short time.
At their U.S.S. Cairo Gunship and Museum, visitors can take in the sights.
The museum and the actual gunboat are the two main parts of this popular Vicksburg attraction.
Visitors to the museum will see the different artifacts that were found on board the boat.
If you want to see this one-of-a-kind historical artifact, schedule a trip to Vicksburg National Military Park.
Visiting the U.S.S. Cairo will be the highlight of your trip.
Address: 3201 Clay St, Vicksburg, MS 39183, United States
Vicksburg National Military Park (Vicksburg)
Learn the history of ground that was fought over.
In the American Civil War, the siege of Vicksburg ran 47 days and ended with the city’s surrender, which handed the Union complete control of the Mississippi River.
The National Park Service manages Vicksburg National Military Park in memory of that turn in American history and of the soldiers who fought there.
Within the park’s boundaries are over 1,300 historical monuments and plaques and the somber Vicksburg National Cemetery, which is home to over 18,000 souls, most of whom remain unidentified.
Vicksburg National Military Park attracts more than 500,000 people each year. They come to pay their respects to the fallen troops of the Civil War battle of Vicksburg and learn more about the park’s history.
It is recommended that you stop at the U.S.S. Cairo Museum to see its collection of ironclad gunboats employed by Union soldiers.
Historical weapon firing demonstrations and living history activities also begin on Memorial Day weekend and last through Labor Day weekend.
Moreover, cycling is a great way to see the city if you have your own bike.
The B.A.R.K. ranger badge is a great way to reward your dog for being a good citizen in the park.
A one-stop tourist attraction, Vicksburg National Military Park offers a wide range of activities, including the opportunity for visitors to experience history first-hand.
Address: 3201 Clay St, Vicksburg, MS 39183, United States
Woodall Mountain (Iuka)
At 806 feet, Woodall Mountain is Mississippi’s highest point. The 1862 Battle of Iuka gave it the name “America’s Bloodiest High Point.”
In honor of Tishomingo County Sheriff Zephaniah Woodall, it carried the nickname “Yow Hill” from 1878.
On September 19th, 1862, Union General William Rosecrans sent an army of 4,500 soldiers to open fire on the nearby village of Iuka.
An army of 3,200 Confederate soldiers commanded by General Sterling Price responded by opening fire on the city’s civilians and business districts.
Rosecrans took control of the town when Price ceased firing.
Currently, the mountains are mainly used as a hunting ground.
The summit, which has a bench, a register, and multiple communication towers, is accessible to anyone with a valid road permit.
The Highpointers Club has built a bench and an educational plaque on the hilltop for those who want to relax before making their mark.
You must visit Woodall Mountain in Mississippi, a natural sanctuary with a rich history.
Address: Woodall Mountain Rd Mississippi 38852, USA
Yellow Creek Nuclear Power Plant (Iuka)
In concept, the Yellow Creek Nuclear Power Plant should be powering the town, and it never has.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (T.V.A.) had 17 new nuclear power facilities under way by the end of the 1970s, Yellow Creek among them.
As a result of the T.V.A. being forced to abandon eight other unfinished projects, the Yellow Creek Nuclear Power Plant never got its planned observation tower.
Despite spending $1.2 billion, the agency decided to call time on development due to overestimating the region’s electrical needs.
Iuka and its adjacent villages were devastated by the cancellation of the power plant, which they had counted on for years to provide jobs and tax income.
When NASA decided to locate a new production facility for solid rocket motors near Yellow Creek in the 1980s, the economically devastated region appeared to have been given a second windfall.
A $1.5 billion investment in the NASA complex was scuppered by Congress in 1993 after years of planning and building.
It had completed 80% of the work. As a result, both facilities are left to languish in disrepair, an actual monument to failure.
Despite being protected from the road around them, the sites of two major disasters are still open to the public.
You haven’t made up your mind to go to Mississippi yet, have you? Click here for why visit Mississippi at least once in your lifetime here.
Address: Mississippi 38852, United States
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Frequently asked questions about Mississippi. #Top Attractions
Is the Emmett Till Interpretive Center worth the drive to Sumner?
Yes, without question. The center sits in the courthouse where the murder trial was held, and the self-guided tour walks you through what happened there and what came after it. The late Jerome Little began the work, and Tallahatchie County has stood behind it since. You want to give the visit an hour, and to go in quietly. The building is small, so the day it anchors will want something else alongside it as well.
Is Ship Island a morning trip or a whole day out?
A full day. The ferry from the coast runs 50 minutes in each direction, and Fort Massachusetts and the beach together will take the hours between the crossings. The bottlenose dolphins turn up on the crossing more often than they do not. The water out there is clear and the sand on it is white. You want the earlier ferry out, because the later one cuts the time on the island badly short.
Is Clark Creek Nature Area harder walking than the Noxubee Refuge?
Yes, considerably harder. Clark Creek runs 700 acres of steep ground with more than 50 waterfalls in it, and the drops of more than 30 feet are what make the climbing out hard. The Noxubee Refuge is flat ground, and the migratory birds are the reason to go. The refuge suits a slow morning and a pair of binoculars. You want boots and water at Clark Creek, and you want neither of those at the refuge.
Best cities to visit in Mississippi
- Things to do in Meridian, Mississippi
- Things to do in Tupelo, Mississippi
- Best of Biloxi, Mississippi
- Best of Gulfport, Mississippi
- Things to do in Jackson, Mississippi
- Our Laurel, Mississippi travel guide
- Best of Natchez, Mississippi
- Vicksburg, Mississippi: what to do
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