8 Standout Main Streets In Mississippi
Every great Mississippi town has a street where the heart of the community beats strongest. The smell of barbecue drifts past old storefronts, church bells echo in the distance, and laughter spills from a corner café. From the breezy Gulf Coast to the historic heart of the Delta, Mississippi’s Main Streets reflect the spirit of their communities. Some are filled with murals and music, while others carry the rhythm of small-town conversation and the comfort of a familiar porch swing. Here are eight Main Streets that stand out for their beauty, personality, and sense of belonging. Whether you’re searching for live music, great food, or a walk through history, you’ll find it right here in the Magnolia State.
Ocean Springs
Ocean Springs’ Main Street feels like a watercolor painting brought to life, which makes sense in a town so many artists call home. Washington Avenue is the heart of it all, a tree-lined walk filled with small boutiques, inviting cafés, and shops brimming with handmade treasures. It’s the kind of place where creativity feels close enough to touch, and every doorway seems to open to something beautiful and unexpected.
The Walter Anderson Museum of Art celebrates one of the Gulf Coast’s most beloved artists, whose vibrant paintings and sketches capture the coastal light in unforgettable ways. Just around the corner, galleries like the Pink Rooster and Hillyer House display pottery, jewelry, and artwork by Mississippi artisans. When hunger strikes, grab a bacon jam burger or some honey butter fried chicken at The Lady May, a favorite hangout for live music and casual bites. When the sun begins to set, the whole town seems to slow its pace. This Main Street feels like the perfect meeting place between art and the sea.
Laurel
Laurel’s Main Street draws you in with its mix of old brick buildings, welcoming storefronts, and a steady rhythm that feels distinctly Southern. The town’s revival, helped along by HGTV’s Home Town, has given its downtown new life without losing its soul. Along Central Avenue, you’ll find cheerful boutiques, art-filled windows, and the warm smell of roasted coffee drifting from nearby cafés.
Anchoring the downtown revival is Laurel Mercantile Co., where local artisans and makers fill the shelves with handcrafted goods and décor that celebrate Southern living. Just down the street, Lee’s Coffee & Tea welcomes guests with the smell of fresh espresso and the comfort of old brick walls. The Rusty Chandelier adds a touch of nostalgia with its mix of antiques, handcrafted furniture, and one-of-a-kind finds spread throughout a spacious showroom. When you’re ready to slow down, Café La Fleur serves shrimp étouffée and gumbo that taste as comforting as home. Laurel’s Main Street is proof that community thrives in everyday moments: a friendly greeting, a handmade sign, and the steady heartbeat of a town that knows exactly who it is.
Bay St. Louis
Along Main Street in Old Town Bay St. Louis, the scent of salt air drifts through the trees as shop doors open to laughter and the sound of footsteps on old brick. Local galleries, bright murals, and colorful shopfronts line this historic district, each one reflecting the town’s coastal personality and love for the arts.
The Mockingbird Café is just two blocks from the beach and is a favorite gathering spot where locals sip lattes beneath the shade of old oaks. Gallery 220 is a cooperative of more than twenty regional artists showcasing coastal-inspired paintings, pottery, and photography. Inside the Bay St. Louis Historic L&N Train Depot, the Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum brings Mississippi’s folk traditions vividly to life. The museum highlights the whimsical work of Alice Moseley, a self-taught artist whose humor and heart shine through every brushstroke. Her colorful paintings celebrate the simple joys and playful ironies of Southern life, adding depth and personality to this already creative coastal town.
Columbus
Visitors to Columbus will find its Main Street framed by iron balconies, colorful storefronts, and the steady rhythm of people. Every block of the historic district carries a sense of community pride, shaped by the town’s deep history and its appreciation for art and architecture.
The Tennessee Williams Home & Welcome Center draws visitors with its restored Victorian charm and personal glimpse into the playwright’s early years. Inside, heirlooms and family photographs bring his Mississippi childhood to life. A short walk away, the Coffee House on 5th fills the air with the smell of fresh muffins, and at Huck’s Place, a unique Creole and Cajun restaurant that has earned loyal fans across town. Small stores like Southern Lux Boutique line this main street, giving the town a warm ambiance. Columbus keeps its past alive through its people, its stories, and the way this Main Street makes visitors feel connected long after they’ve gone.
Brookhaven
Brookhaven’s Main Street enjoys red-brick storefronts, iron planters filled with flowers, and a small-town energy that beats with small-town pride. Locals call it the “Homeseeker’s Paradise,” and a few minutes downtown make it clear why. The air carries the sound of friendly chatter from cafés and shop doors that always seem to stay open a little longer than expected.
One of the must-stop places is Janie’s Pastry Shop & Bakery. This nostalgic bakery has filled the air with the aroma of cinnamon rolls and cakes since 1939. As you step inside, the retro décor and vintage photos create a cozy, old-time atmosphere. The real treasure waits in the display cases—handmade pastries and savory bites like chicken-on-a-stick that locals swear by. Nearby, boutiques showcase locally made décor and stylish apparel, and just a short walk away, the Military Memorial Museum stands inside a restored depot, its exhibits honoring Lincoln County’s veterans and offering a quiet moment of reflection. When it's time for lunch, Magnolia Blues BBQ offers smoke-kissed ribs and brisket that are among the best around.
Corinth
Once a key railroad crossroads during the Civil War, Corinth has grown into a downtown where history and hospitality share the same street. Much of Main Street has historic brick buildings housing local businesses, boutiques, and shops. The pace of life here is unhurried, but there’s always something happening—a quiet rhythm that feels unmistakably Southern.
No visit to downtown Corinth is complete without a stop at Borroum’s Drug Store and Soda Fountain, a local landmark that has been serving hand-spun milkshakes, sandwiches, and its famous slugburger since 1865. The counter still buzzes with activity, and the walls tell their own story through old photographs and vintage signs. From there, walk to the Crossroads Museum, where antique locomotives, telegraph equipment, and Civil War relics highlight Corinth’s historic role as a railroad hub. Nearby, the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center expands on that legacy with immersive exhibits, short films, and walking trails that overlook the land once crossed by two vital rail lines. This downtown reveals how Corinth protects its history, celebrates its legacy, and passes its story forward with pride.
New Albany
Bright storefronts, flower boxes, and the gentle rhythm of traffic set the pace for Main Street in New Albany. Over the past two decades, a steady revitalization effort has turned this historic corridor into one of north Mississippi’s most vibrant downtown destinations. Community pride is evident at every turn, and there is strong support for the locally owned businesses that have made the downtown district their home.
The Tanglefoot Trail, Mississippi’s longest rails-to-trails pathway, begins here, bringing cyclists and travelers right into the heart of town. For a quick bite, the Tallahatchie Gourmet offers a taste of New Orleans in every dish. A few steps away, Sugaree’s Bakery, voted best in Mississippi, tempts visitors with layer cakes, brownies, and cookies made from old family recipes that have earned national attention. To round out your visit, stop by the Magnolia Theater, a restored 1920s theater that hosts live music, plays, and community events year-round.
Tupelo
South Broadway in Tupelo hums with the rhythm of the Mississippi blues. The street echoes Elvis Presley’s early years while embracing a new generation of restaurants, shops, and gathering places that keep downtown alive with sound and color. Restored brick façades now hold cafés, galleries, and studios that mix heritage with fresh energy, grounded in the soulful spirit that only the blues can bring.
For breakfast, try Crave, a local favorite known for its skillet cinnamon rolls and strong coffee. For lunch or an evening meal, Jobos delivers a lively mix of Southern and Asian fusion menu items with live music that feels right at home in Tupelo’s creative downtown. For shopping, Reed’s Department Store anchors the district with decades of history, offering apparel, gifts, and friendly service that feels straight out of another era. Just around the corner, Tupelo Hardware Co. holds a special place in the city’s story. This nostalgic store is where Elvis Presley’s mother bought him his first guitar, and the shop still welcomes guests looking to stand where history began.
Final Thoughts
From the breezy coastal streets of Ocean Springs to the blues-filled avenues of Tupelo, Mississippi’s Main Streets reveal the heart of a state that values connection over hurry. Each town carries its own rhythm, shaped by the land, the people, and the stories that linger in every storefront. The cafés, bakeries, and galleries found along these streets speak of hard work, renewal, and Southern pride.
These towns invite you to slow down, share a meal, and get to know the faces behind the counters. Whether you’re admiring local art in Laurel, sampling a pastry in Brookhaven, or standing where Elvis might have stood in Tupelo, every Main Street adds its own note to Mississippi’s enduring melody. That tune continues to play, steady and soulful, across the state’s most welcoming streets.
