With the help of our travel guides, organizing a trip to Meridian, Mississippi, is a breeze. Look at our carefully selected list of top Meridian, Mississippi attractions below on the best thing to do in Meridian, Mississippi and places to go in Meridian, Mississippi. Wondrous Drifter is a cutting-edge, Web 3.0 travel startup that aspires to change the world.
Table Of Content
- Amore Italian Restorante
- Bonita Lakes Mall
- Bonita Lakes Park
- Dentzel Carousel
- Family Bowl Lanes
- Harvest Grill
- Hype
- Jimmie Rodgers Museum
- Meridian Civil War Trail
- Meridian Escape Games
- Meridian Museum of Art
- Meridian Symphony Orchestra
- Merrehope and Frank W. Williams Home
- Mississippi Children’s Museum
- Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum
- Mississippi’s Arts + Entertainment Experience or MAX
- Squealer’s Bar-B-Que
- Rebound Trampoline Park
- Riley Center
- Weidmann’s Restaurant
Amore Italian Restorante
If anyone wants to have a special treat, treat yourself to the Amore Italian Restorante.
This restaurant opened in 2020 during the pandemic. Even though things were hard, the owners of this restaurant were brave and willing to keep it going until things got back to normal.
Today, Amore Restaurant is known for its delicious Italian cooking.
Locals and foreigners have recommended this restaurant, particularly for eating their dishes such as the tasty lasagna and mussels.
It has other dishes like chicken parmesan, manicotti, chicken marsala, and homemade desserts if you plan to eat something else.
Suppose you like to take a sip of wine. In that case, The Amore Italian Restorante has a selection of exceptional wines to drink and enjoy. At the same time, visitors can savor eating their ordered dishes.
The restaurant even has live music to hear if you want a bit of entertainment.
If you have thoughts of eating at this restaurant, it is open every day, except Monday.
Dine at Amore Italian Restorante if you want delectable Italian cuisine.
Address: 1600 24th St, Meridian, MS, US 39301, United States
Bonita Lakes Mall
It is well worth your time to visit the Bonita Lakes Mall if you are searching for a choice of places to dine and shop in one convenient area.
The Bonita Lakes Mall is owned under The CBL & Associates Properties. It is now one of the most popular shopping centers to shop in Meridian.
Since 1997, this shopping center in Meridian has served locals and visitors a unique shopping experience.
The mall has over 90 specialty shops featuring a mine-screen movie complex and Oasis Food Court.
If you love shopping, people around you can buy products such as cosmetic brands, mainstream clothes, and accessories to buy.
There is also a supermarket and department store to buy more products.
Anyone can also stop by this mall as the Bonita Lakes Malls have many different restaurants with delicious food to satisfy you.
This shopping center opens every day during the whole week for anyone planning to visit.
What are you waiting for, then, to get yourself to the Bonita Lakes Mall and do some shopping?
Address: 1210 Bonita Lakes Cir, Meridian, MS 39301-6965, United States
Bonita Lakes Park
Anyone who comes to Meridian has the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors by going to Bonita Lake Park.
Bonita Lake Park is a free park facility open to the public with over 3,300 acres.
This park has stunning views and lovely paved pathways, surrounded by three lakes. There are wooded nature trails woven throughout the park for visitors to enjoy.
This lake park is nice, with a family-friendly environment to bring your dog or have a picnic.
If you are wondering why you have to visit this lake park, Bonita Lake Park has some beautiful terrain, particularly when seeing them during the sunset.
A good thing to know is that the locals love going to Bonita Lake park since they can do different activities like horseback riding, kayaking, and fishing. Visitors can even rent a pavilion for family gatherings or birthday parties.
So time to go out and enjoy the outdoor park in Meridian.
Address: Bonita Reservoir Rd, Meridian, MS 39301, United States
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Dentzel Carousel
One fun place for kids to enjoy would be riding the Dentzel Carousel to have a good time in Meridian.
This carousel is in Highland Park as a fun-filled and historical kid’s center to bring along kids.
During the 1800s, this magnificently crafted carousel was built in Pennsylvania and quickly transported to Meridian, Mississippi.
Today, the Dentzel Carousel is a place for making and cherishing childhood memories by having unique wood-carved animals that not only children will love.
As the carousel spins, it has vintage music to give its listeners riding the carousel a pleasurable and nostalgic experience.
To anyone speculating why to ride it, this carousel not just brings back the old ways of enjoying to kids. It will also let visitors experience something in Meridian since 1909.
In fact, the Dentzel Carousel was already listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, making it a unique carousel to visit.
It is something you may not want to pass up.
Address: 1802 Carousel Dr, Meridian, MS 39302, United States
Family Bowl Lanes
Anyone who loves bowling should not miss visiting the Family Bowl Lane.
The Family Bowl Lane is known as a famous attraction as a family-operated business running for over 60 years.
It has some of the top-notch bowling lanes you can find in Mississippi as a family bowling center with over 24 bowling lanes.
This booming center has a lot to offer with open bowling, competitive tournaments, bumper bowling, arcade games, special needs options, party packages, and more.
Among the attractions that the Family Bowl Lane has, this bowling center features a pool, a Pro-Shop, darts, a snack bar with a selection of food and beverages, and an exclusive Strikers Lounge with a full bar to enjoy.
This bowling center hosts events like school and daycare trips, birthday parties, Christmas parties, office parties, and even church events.
So come here to have a great night of bowling, enjoy, and pay to your heart’s content.
Address: 3510 N Hills St, Meridian, MS 39305-2503, United States
Harvest Grill
Are you looking for a restaurant with a distinctive culinary twist?
Try one of Meridian’s prominent eating establishments, such as the Harvest Grill.
The Harvest Grill is known for being creative in combining foreign cuisines.
This restaurant has a lovely dining room, a cozy bar, and a patio for guests to eat, drink, and enjoy.
The owner created this restaurant based on his travels, as he traveled around the country.
Harvest Grill is now known as a casual restaurant serving delicious food and is an ideal place to bring along any of your family and friends.
They make dishes prepared and made using the freshest and highest quality ingredients from the many farmers of Mississippi, including its seafood from the Gulf of Mexico.
If you get a chance to eat here, you can expect to taste a mix of Hawaiian and Colorado cuisine cooked here in the city of Meridian.
That is why you come to the Harvest Grill to try something new and exciting.
Address: 618 22nd Ave, Meridian, MS 39301, United States
Hype
The Hype is one of the top attractions in Mississippi.
If you desire to have some live-action fun, the Hype is a great place to go if you are searching for a place to visit.
The Hype is a fantastic destination with 93,000-square-foot and is filled with phenomenal adventure and fun to do that you cannot miss.
This place has many adventures to partake in, and it is suitable for any age group of people.
It has fun things to do like laser tag, karts, trampolines, climbing walls, dodge ball, a 70′ zip line, a ninja course, batting cages, a jump tower rope course, basketball, dodge ball, and even ax throwing for adults and older kids who want to play.
As for kids, any kid around 2 to 6 years old can play in the Hypes kiddo zone that was designed for their convenience and safety, as the other fun features mentioned may be too complicated and unsafe for them.
There is also a cafe, a party room, a meeting room, and a 30 big-screen TV to enjoy
The Hype is a must-go to have a full-thrilling experience.
Address: 1740 Bonita Lakes Circle, Meridian, MS 39301, United States
Jimmie Rodgers Museum
Have you ever wondered why this museum included the name “Jimmie Rodgers?”
Guess what? This person is a famous singer-songwriter who lived in the city of Meridian.
If you want to learn more, visit the Jimmie Rodges Museum to know who this famous person is in Meridian.
This museum offers performance footage of Jimmie Rodgers and a gift store for anyone wanting to buy DVDs, CDs, and more.
It shows some of Jimmie Rodgers’ memories regarding his career and life, like having an authentic guitar called “The Singing Brakeman.”
Furthermore, railroad equipment is available since they used a steam engine for traveling during the old times.
Today, the one managing the Jimmie Rodgers Museum is the Jimmie Rodgers Foundation, which even hosts and organizes a series of events every year.
Tours are available and open every Friday until Saturday.
So visit this museum to learn all there is to know about Jimmie Rodgers.
Address: 2118 Front St, Meridian, MS 39301, United States
Meridian Civil War Trail
The Meridian Civil War Trail is no ordinary trail since it was an iconic trail to walk and remember such an event.
When the American Civil War broke out, this trail was where General William T. Sherman and his twenty thousand Union forces marched to Meridian, which was left not defended and evacuated on February 14, 1864.
Despite the damage General William’s Union force caused, the city of Meridian managed to regain its city and rebuild its railroad tracks in just 26 days.
As the city grew, the railroad tracks were soon known as the iconic Meridian Civil War Trail, where people go and visit.
Today, visitors go to the Meridian Civil War Trail to see the remains from the old site of the railroad that is now the historical trail we know today.
If you seem intrigued to learn more about what happened, you should go to the Meridian Civil War Trail.
Address: 1721 Front St, Meridian, MS 39301, United States
Meridian Escape Games
Do you enjoy games that are both challenging and immersive?
If you are, the Meridian Escape Games were something made creatively to challenge you.
The Meridian Escape Games started in 2020, designed by Tanner Goldman.
It has a lot of in-store original escape rooms locally designed to give a uniquely entertaining experience for anyone with a family, friends, groups, and more.
Tanner Goldman made this escape room in Meridian, Idaho, with a few classic puzzles and high-tech puzzles to make the experience immersive and challenging for its guests.
The Escape Room made by Tanners is suitable for both children and adults as its features include having a customized game room that is family-based.
People playing in the Meridian Escape games usually have 60 minutes to solve puzzles, search for clues, and do what it takes to escape the room.
If you think you are up for the challenge, drop by the Meridian Escape Games and try to escape if you can.
Address: 806 Hwy 19 N Suite #285, Meridian, MS 39307, United States
Meridian Museum of Art
The Meridian Museum of Art is one of the best things to do in Mississippi.
The iconic Meridian Museum of Art, or MMA, is a well-known historical destination that everyone interested in art should visit.
They built this historical museum in 1912 and opened it in 1970 to the public.
The Meridian Museum of Art is now a Mississippi Landmark, even included on the well-known National Register of Historic Places. It is near the historic Carnegie Library building.
This museum has a lot to show and see as this museum strives towards helping to assist and promote art, art programs, and art in the region.
The MMA does so by having art exhibitions, collections education, special events, collaborating with organizations, and involving the community regardless of age.
It has iconic permanent collections from European portraits from the 18th to 19th century, American photography from the 20th century, various paperwork, and others.
It also has competitions sponsored by the MMA. The museum lets the public rent out for events like weddings or private gatherings.
The Meridian Museum of Art is a must-see if you’re interested in the fine arts.
Address: 628 28th Avenue, Meridian, MS 39301, United States
Meridian Symphony Orchestra
There is a saying that the people of Meridian have a strong love for music.
If that is the case, you can witness this yourself at the Meridian Symphony Orchestra.
This symphony orchestra has been around for 60 years and is known for bringing art and culture to East Mississippi.
Since the beginning, this symphony orchestra has worked hard to keep up its tradition of putting on great classical music concerts that feature the works of some of the best composers of the past and present.
They have done a series of musical performances to broaden the awareness and its recognition around the community of Meridian through family concerts, pop concerts, and chamber orchestra concerts in area churches.
It has performed some of the best symphonic performances of the highest quality.
The Meridian Symphony Orchestra also provides public educational programs for anyone wanting to learn from them.
If you enjoy appreciating great music, this orchestra is the place to go.
Address: 2120 Main street, Meridian, MS 39301, United States
Merrehope and Frank W. Williams Home
If you are still unsure where to go in the city of Meridian, visit the famous Merrehope and Frank W. Williams homes to see around this particular house.
The Merrehope house is known as a neoclassical and regal revival mansion.
It has over twenty rooms, which the Meridian Restorations Fondation Inc. furnished and restored. This tourist spot house has an impressive stairway, woodwork, mantels, and pillars around the house.
During the American Civil War, a portion of the Merrehope, which served as the headquarters of Confederate General Lindelas Polk, though, General William T. Sherman surprisingly did not destroy the house when he attacked Meridian.
Right next to the Merrehope is the home of Frank W. Willaims. This house is the ideal illustration based on Queen Anne’s Victorian architecture.
As a top attraction in Meridian, it has many unique antique furniture and other features, such as parquet floors, detailed gingerbread, stained glass, and paneling.
Visit the peculiar Merrehope and Frank W. Williams homes with their distinguished history.
Address: 905 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Drive, Meridian, MS 39301, United States
Mississippi Children’s Museum
Bringing kids somewhere only grownups will enjoy will bore them.
Therefore, you have to bring them to the Mississippi Children’s Museum for any kid to have a full-filled experience.
It opened on March 27, 2021, as a cutting-edge facility.
It has an indoor facility of over 9,500 square feet and an outdoor facility of over 25,000-square-foot to accommodate and provide many things to do at the Children’s Museum.
The Mississippi Children’s Museum is famous for its many exciting, interactive exhibits to learn from and tour.
Besides the museum being a place full of fun, it is also educative since it is a top non-profit educational and early learning institution in Mississippi.
It showcases many topics for kids to learn about, including science, math, culture, and technology.
Any parent can bring their children to the museum’s Wonderbox Laboratory to be creative, the Lady’s Playhouse, and the Fantastics Flying Books Library for children to explore and learn a lot.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly destination to bring your kids to, this is it.
Address: 403 22nd Avenue, Meridian, MS, 39301, United States
Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum
Do you have an interest in learning about the history of Meridian?
The last steam engine in the United States is at Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum, making it a unique historical place worth visiting.
The city of Meridian is known for its 1930s offices, assembly shops, iron foundries, and industry for belt-driven machinery around the twentieth century.
Also, tourists can get a sense of how Meridian used to operate in the past by visiting these facilities by going to the Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum.
In 1997, this museum became listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Soulé Steam Feed Works now owns this museum.
The museum has exhibits showcasing things like stories in Soulé regarding the industrial producers and inventors that helped make Meridian an important city around the 19th to 20th centuries.
The museum is open every Thursday through Saturday for anyone wanting to visit.
So come during those days and see some of the old histories in Mississippi.
Address: 1808 4th St, Meridian, MS 39301-5213, United States
Mississippi’s Arts + Entertainment Experience or MAX
Are you seeking a place that offers art in addition to entertainment?
The Mississippi’s Arts + Entertainment Experience or MAX has both of these two in one to give anyone a pleasant experience.
MAX is a museum built in 2018 with an area of over 85,500 square feet. It is an ideal destination in Meridian for music enthusiasts, as the museum is mainly open to music and art.
There are many things that the MAX features, such as visual, musical, written, culinary, cultural, and performing arts, to learn.
It has a modern building with two spaces for changing exhibits, an outdoor amphitheater, fifteen permanent exhibit galleries, and a recording studio.
Some of the famous showpieces that the MAX has are its Hall of Fame, where visitors find memorabilia of famous people like Morgan Freeman, William Faulkner, and others in a two-story building.
The MAX is the place to go if you plan on experiencing something both entertaining and artistic.
Address: 2155 Front St, Meridian, MS 39301, United States
Squealer’s Bar-B-Que
Do you enjoy grilling meat over an open flame?
If yes, try Squealer’s Bar-B-Que to munch on their award-winning and delicious barbeque.
This restaurant opened in 1998 and has been one of the favorite barbeque joint restaurants to eat at in Meridian.
It is known for its tender, juicy barbeque that is deliciously hickory-smoked.
Moreover, you have to try their ribs, sausages, pulled pork, and brisket.
It also comes with an appetizing side dish to pair with the barbeque and a flavored sauce to make it more flavorful and pleasing to enjoy.
This restaurant takes pride in that 80% of its pork comes from Indiana.
As a restaurant, they have been cooking using a southern-style cuisine to ensure cooking fresh and best quality foods as much as possible.
Among the things to eat at the Squealer’s Bar-B-Que, their hickory-smoked barbeque is their well-known dish, and it is irresistible.
So come to Squealer’s Bar-B-Que and taste their delicious barbeque.
Address: 4950 Great River Drive, Meridian, MS, 39305, United States
Rebound Trampoline Park
At the Rebound Trampoline Park, expect aerial freedom and gravity-defying joy are what you’ll find when you go jumping around.
This trampoline park is the new destination center with lots of fun for individuals, groups, and families.
Here, the park is suitable for people of all ages to play games, jump around, and have a lot of fun.
Many Rebound Trampoline Park activities involve dodgeball, airbag jumping, slam dunk, boulder dash, rebound runners, and many other things.
Among the joyful areas to enjoy in this park are their unique trampoline park and adventure area as both a relaxing spot and a fun zone for parents to join in.
The Rebound Park is an ideal site for anyone to host events, whether for a family reunion, office event, church party, school event, party for a sports team, or any other group event.
A trip going in this fun-filled park is a must for a unique experience.
Address: 2014 Hwy 45N, Meridian, MS 39301, United States
Riley Center
The Riley Center is one of the best places to visit in Mississippi.
Are you into watching thrilling, entertaining theater performances whenever you go on a trip?
If so, you must attend the Riley Center for its unique concerts and performances in the city of Meridian.
Located at the heart of downtown Meridian, it is known as the Grand Opera House among locals, built-in 1889.
This theater is famous and unique for its interior, having a Victorian design.
As visitors go inside, the theater has a 200-seat studio theater, 300,000 square feet of meeting space, 950 guest seats, boardrooms, an extensive exhibit hall, and a breakout room.
In fact, it is all with built-in technical and teleconferencing facilities to manage the best environment for them.
Moreover, the Riley Center is known for having educational, cultural, and artistic events that give visitors something unique and memorable.
As a result, it is an ideal place where many concerts, musical performances, and other events take place in the city of Meridian.
Over 60,000 visitors come to this center every year to attend or watch performances, conferences, and meetings, making it an exquisite event center and theater.
So come to the Riley Center to have an entertaining experience worth watching.
Address: 2200 5th St, Meridian, MS 39301, United States
Weidmann’s Restaurant
Even with many restaurant options to eat at, Weidmann’s Restaurant is a must-try, as it still stands tall as the oldest restaurant in Meridian since it first opened in 1870.
Located in an intersection in downtown Meridian, this restaurant is an old restaurant that has been pleasing the palates of its residents in Meridian.
Since the restaurant started in 1870, restaurant owners have changed over the years, and Charles Frazier currently owns the restaurant.
As a restaurant, they specialize in making comfort food of high quality by using true recipes and the freshest ingredients they can provide.
Among the delicious foods to try is their peanut butter crock, a signature dish that is an appetizer served per table.
They mainly serve dishes that are usually Cain and New-Orlean style cuisine.
Even as a restaurant, in 1979, this restaurant was part of the National Register of Historic Places.
Having a bite to eat at this restaurant is worth the trip.
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Address: 210 22nd Ave, Meridian, MS 39301, United States
