7 Quirkiest Mississippi Towns To Visit In 2025

Although the US is not even 300 years old, Mississippi's history is rich with people and natural landscapes that existed long before Europeans came ashore. Like in Natchez, at the state's oldest settlement, whose earthwork mounds help us understand the cultures of the Natchez people and the Plaquemine people before them. Or in Leland, where, hundreds of years later, Jim Henson made memories that he drew upon to create Kermit the Frog. In art galleries, museums, and statues, Mississippi towns showcase their most cherised residents and trailblazers, the way Bay St. Louis honors folk artist Alice Moseley and Tupelo honors Elvis Presley. Here are some of the quirkiest towns with unconventional ways to tell their stories.

Natchez

The oldest settlement in Mississippi and the oldest on the Mississippi River, Natchez awes visitors with the stately mansions that line its streets. Many of the mansions were originally built partially with slave labor for plantation owners, and the grandeur of the mansions rivals today's most exquisite homes. Stanton Hall is five stories tall and occupies an entire city block, while Longwood, the largest octagonal home in the US, remains unfinished from when its construction was stopped due to the Civil War. Natchez Pilgrimage Tours offers packages that include tours of both mansions, as well as other historic hot spots in the area.

Another curiosity is Grand Village, a historical site of the Natchez people. It includes a reconstructed house plus three actual earthwork mounds where the tribe, like many tribes, disposed of their garbage. Archaeologists analyze these mounds of centuries-old refuse for clues to ancient inhabitants' lives and culture. These mounds show that they were built in stages, beginning around 1200 CE, by the Plaquemine people who predated the Natchez; the Natchez then built the mounds further, adding layers of history upon history.

In the here and now, Natchez offers many opportunities to enjoy the splendor of its outdoor spaces. As a river town, there are several places to launch a boat, including the boat launch in Natchez Historic District, Under the Hill. For dining with a Mississippi River view, try Magnolia Grill, which specializes in seafood with creative flair as well as steaks and burgers.

Leland

The little town of Leland has a large legacy as the place where famous puppeteer Jim Henson spent his formative years. He was born in Greenville, MS, but the family called Leland home for many years before moving to University Park, MD, where Henson attended high school and college. Kermit the Frog, the first puppet Henson created, was undoubtedly influenced by his childhood spent exploring nature in Leland along with his childhood friend, who just so happened to be named Kermit. The town honors Henson at The Birthplace of the Frog, an exhibit that includes childhood photos of Henson, a scene from "Swamp Kermit," and a gift shop with lots of Kermit and Muppet paraphenalia.

While in Leland, visit another arts-themed site, Highway 61 Blues Museum. Highway 61 is also called Blues Highway and runs through Leland, so the museum is a natural fit for the town. Its exhibits feature local and regional blues artists. Four murals downtown also celebrate the Blues. Three feature the area's many blues musicians, while one is an homage to Mississippi native, guitarist, and singer-songwriter B. B. King.

Bay St. Louis

Lots of towns are described as artsy when they have more art galleries or artists in their midst than the average small town. But for Bay St. Louis, it is not only the number of art galleries and art outlets they have, but also the types and varieties of arts activities, combined with other attributes of the town, that make it so unique. The Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum has 100+ of her paintings, and aims to help visitors understand the life and art of the nationally acclaimed artist and storyteller who lived in the town. The Mardi Gras Museum celebrates the significance of Mardi Gras culture, cutoms, and costumes, showcasing a dozen vibrant examples. Both unusual museums are located in the historic L&N Train Depot and are free of charge.

The Creative Arts Center has a different, yet complementary goal of providing makerspace to emerging artists, as well as a place where the public can create art like pottery and metalworking.The Center offers classes in these and other art forms. Bay St. Louis also has a monthly Second Saturday Artwalk, where galleries and shops offer special deals, live music fills the streets, and bars and restaurants invite diners to grab a bite and take a break. You'll find no quiet whispers in awe of lofty art here, as decorative storefronts and a beachy vibe add to the town's quirky charm.

Ocean Springs

If New England can claim Andrew Wyeth, and the Southwest Georgia O'Keefe, the South has its own prolific artist in Walter Inglis Anderson. The intricate details and architectural elements in his work, at times combined with bright colors reminiscent of folk art, and sometimes fantasy themes, make The Walter Anderson Museum of Art memorable by opening visitors' eyes and imagination to his unusual style. In addition to Anderson, the museum gives local and regional artists the attention they deserve, including traveling exhibits that expand the museum's depth of artists.

While in Ocean Springs, check out the Charnley-Norwood House, a sprawling cottage co-designed by famous architects Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. The house's T-shaped design with three sides that could open for air flow, and its octagonal guest house, were departures from the typical Victorian houses of the day but became the norm for more modern styles and archetectural trends. You can learn about the history of Charnley-Norwood House and Frank Lloyd Wright's contributions by touring the cottage and grounds on East Beach Drive. Speaking of the beach, no trip to Ocean Springs would be complete without a visit to one of the towns two beaches. Front Beach and East Beach feature shallow, warm water and soft, white sand for miles of recreation and relaxation.

Tupelo

Although Elvis Presley built his famous home, Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee, he was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. Tupelo's pride in being Elvis' birthplace is evident throughout the town. The small, two-room home where he was born and raised for the first thirteen years of his life speaks to his humble beginnings and can be toured on its own or as part of a package that includes the museum, chapel, and park. Statues of Elvis can be seen around town, including "Elvis at 13" and "Elvis' Homecoming," which commemorates him coming back to Tupelo to play a concert in his hometown. Downtown, huge murals light up the walls and depict the town's history, and are primarily focused on Elvis.

There is more to Tupelo than Elvis, however. Drive or hike along the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway, which follows a historic travel corridor used by Native Americans, soldiers, settlers, and slave traders, and today cuts right through town. Other trails take you through forests and past waterfalls. The Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo is the state's largest zoo, with buffalo, sloths, giraffes and more.

Vicksburg

Many US towns claim to have haunted buildings, but if you want to see many such spots in one town, head to VIcksburg. The McRaven House is often called the most haunted house in the state, and has gone by different names in its long history, depending on who owned it at the time; the Bobb House was another common name for the home. Both a 45-minute History Tour and a 75-minute Haunted Tour are available, as well as a combination tour that includes both. Once a month, there is also a Ghost Hunt, in which visitors are invited to stay late into the night for their own investigations with the actual equipment used in paranormal investigations. If one visit is not enough to satisfy your ghostly cravings, head to Vicksburg for Scare Con weekend, with investigations of McRaven House and another haunted spot, the Old Depot Museum.

For a more different sort of history lesson, check out the National Military Park with over 1400 monuments and memorials, including the Vicksburg Battlefield. Visitors say you can sometimes hear cannons and gunfire to this day. Vicksburg also has four casino hotels that offer lodging and dining for a rest and reset between haunted houses and ghost walks. Choose between Ameristar, Bally's, Riverwalk and WaterView.

Belzoni

The fact that this town was named for a 19th century Italian archaeologist and explorer, Giovanni Battista Belzoni, makes the town a bit quirky by virtue of its name alone. Belzoni is also the self-proclaimed Farm-Raised Catfish Capital of the World, which is definitely not your typical slogan. They come by it honestly, however, raising catfish in numerous ponds and supplying 60% of the farm-raised catfish in the US.

Another amazing claim to fame must be seen in person to be truly appreciated. Just outside of Belzoni is Sky Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) which contains some of the largest and oldest bald cypress trees known to exist, some more than 2,000 years old. Taking the 1,700-foot boardwalk through the cypress swamp to the towering trees is an awe-inspiring experience.

The Mississippi Blues Trail has two markers in Belzoni: one for blues singer Denise LaSalle, who grew up in Belzoni, and the second for Turner Drug Store, an early sponsor of blues radio shows and a location where some blues singers performed. The Mississippi Freedom Trail also has a marker in town for Reverend George Lee for his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.

Small towns with big stories

From Vicksburg, the most haunted town in the state, to Belzoni, the catfish capital of the world, Mississippi's quirky small towns have much to explore. Like 2,000-year-old bald cypress trees, the birthplace of Elvis Presley and childhood home of Jim Henson, huge mansions of pre-war plantation owners, and the Mississippi Blues Trail where musicians told (and still tell) their stories with their guitars and voices, and are remembered in murals and museums. These small southern towns, while quaint and quirky, have stories to tell to anyone who takes the time to look and listen. They will welcome you with southern hospitality, regale you with their histories, and share with you their pride in their local heroes, serving as a beautiful reminder that weird can be truly wonderful.