8 Mississippi Towns With A Slower Pace Of Life
Some Mississippi towns are made for sitting still. The eight in this list aren't sleepy. They have battlefields and Grammy exhibits and downtown art museums and Main Streets where the same family runs the same diner. But none of them are in a hurry. They expect you to take your time too. These are towns where you order a second cup of coffee and actually read the historical marker.
Ocean Springs
Once you arrive in Ocean Springs, you may notice the pedal tour bikes rolling through downtown. The bike doubles as a bar, so bring a group of friends, your favorite drink, and settle in for a leisurely ride. If pedaling does not float your boat, charter a sailboat. Don't worry if you do not know how to sail; the Red Wing sailboat, which you can rent, has a full crew. Just relax and enjoy sailing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Mississippi sun can be hot, so a stop at Caboose Cones Sno Ball and Ice Cream is a welcome break for kids and adults alike. With an ice cream cone in hand, sit back and relax on Front Beach. You can even rent chairs and umbrellas for $25 a pair.
Pontotoc
Pontotoc has a lot to offer, including the Town Square Post Office and Museum on Main Street, which is both a working post office and a museum. Patrons can learn about the hardships and lives of pioneers and even hear the nearby train whistle. For outdoor recreation, Howard Stafford Park gives the town a quiet place to slow down. The park includes an 80-acre lake stocked with bass, catfish, and bream, and fishing is permitted. On the 4th of July, fireworks light up the sky, so bring a blanket and lawn chairs. Shopaholics can browse the small downtown antique shops, such as Antiques Downtown, or gift and clothing shops like Anna Jade Boutique. After a long day of sightseeing, try a steak at 41 Steakhouse, which has been a staple of the town for decades.
Cleveland
Music lovers visiting Cleveland will likely start with the Grammy Museum Mississippi. Patrons can wander the halls at their own pace through the 28,000-square-foot museum and enjoy two dozen exhibits spanning rock, hip-hop, classical, Latin, R&B, jazz, and more. There is also a 130-seat soundstage for educational programs, films, lectures, and other performances. Schedule multiple trips, as it may take more than one visit to see everything the museum has to offer. During the holiday season, 50 Nights of Lights spreads cheer with light displays, festive decor, markets, rides, and ice skating. Train aficionados would enjoy the Cleveland Railroad Museum, which features one of the largest O-gauge model railroads and thousands of artifacts.
Laurel
Our next stop is Laurel, the setting for HGTV's Home Town. You can visit the hosts' store, Laurel Mercantile Co., for gifts and small trinkets. Sit back and take in the exhibits at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, which also runs yoga, ceramic workshops, and historic walking tours throughout the year. If you work up an appetite, Crawfest is a good stop for seafood lovers. For dessert, try Shug's Cookie Dough and Candy for a refreshing milkshake.
Raymond
In Raymond, a large mural in the heart of the historic district offers an easy first look at the town's past. It features buildings like the Movie Theater, Cain Hall, and the Ice House from 1928. Some of the historical landmarks in the mural are still active today, including St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Built in 1854, it is the oldest church in town and blends Greek and Gothic Revival architecture, making it a frequent target for photographers. For history buffs and nature lovers, Raymond Military Park is a natural next stop. The park preserves part of the battlefield where Union and Confederate soldiers fought on May 12, 1863. Today, walking trails and green spaces invite a slow stroll. The town is just 25 minutes west of Jackson, making it an excellent day trip.
Bay St. Louis
Bay St. Louis has a rich history and an active art scene. Visitors can drop by the Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum, a local stop that reflects the town's creative side. The museum is dedicated to Alice Latimer Moseley, who began painting at 65 while caring for her mother, and contains more than 100 original paintings plus a gift shop. If you can't get enough of art, Under the Flower Moon is a nearby annual event in Kiln, about a 20-minute drive from Bay St. Louis. As the sun sets, 25 artists create unique sites for a relaxing evening walk, and you can watch the artists at work. Window shoppers can browse the small shops, including Katie's Jewelry and Gifts.
Corinth
Corinth is a great place to relax, with a blend of parks, trails, and historical landmarks. Visitors can spend the day at Edward S. Bishop Memorial Park, which features a one-mile paved trail along with open fields for sports and picnics, and family playgrounds. Tourists can enjoy a round of golf at the Hillandale Golf Course or Shiloh Ridge Athletic Club. The town also has a Coca-Cola Museum displaying the history of the popular beverage; you can even purchase a custom Coke bottle with your name on it. For a lazy afternoon, catch a show at the Coliseum Theatre or Corinth Theatre-Arts, or see a movie at the Malco Corinth Cinema.
Water Valley
Water Valley was a railroad town in its day, and Casey Jones lived and worked here. Jones was an Illinois Central engineer, a member of the local Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Division 99, and the man at the throttle of the Cannonball Express when it plowed into a stalled freight train near Vaughan in 1900. He died in the crash and was the lone fatality; his actions are credited with saving his passengers. The small Water Valley Casey Jones Railroad Museum on Railroad Avenue holds local memorabilia and railroad records, though the bigger collection (and the family home) is at the Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum in Jackson, Tennessee. If you want to stretch your legs, the self-guided Historic Downtown Walking Tour leads past longtime landmarks along Main Street and Railroad Avenue. The town is also known for watermelons and holds an annual Watermelon Carnival on the first weekend of August.
Mississippi's small towns are some of the most peaceful places you can find. They have rich history that visitors can explore at the Cleveland Railroad Museum, music landmarks at the Grammy Museum, and battlefield walks at Raymond Military Park. Some towns have unique stops like the Coca-Cola Museum and the Watermelon Carnival. These eight towns offer a slower pace of life with enough history, art, and local tradition to keep each stop interesting.
