9 Most Breathtaking Towns In Mississippi
Derived from the Ojibwa word “misi-ziibi,” meaning “great river,” Mississippi is a state glimmering with soulful tranquility and home to some of the most breathtaking small towns to visit. Each of these small towns has as much character and charm as the big cities of Jackson and Gulfport. For example, in Ocean Springs and Bay St Louis, the calm shores of the Gulf Coast blend with artistic culture and colonial pasts for you to learn all about. Meanwhile, inland, towns like Natchez, Vicksburg, and Tupelo are brimming with stories of Native peoples, Civil War legends, and musical legacies. Whether wandering historic battlefields in Corinth or following the literary trail in New Albany, each place reveals a story worth learning about and experiencing. If you are yearning for a peaceful retreat full of heart and history, the most breathtaking towns in Mississippi deserve a spot on your travel list.
Ocean Springs
Ocean Springs, a couple of miles east of Biloxi, is a soothing, coastal paradise filled with artistic energy and historic appeal. Once explored by Frenchman Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville in 1699, the area later passed through British, Spanish, and American hands during and after the Seven Years’ War, and its variegated history is preserved and promoted in places like Fort Maurepas Park. Today, Ocean Springs is one of Mississippi’s most charming and breathtaking towns, where lush green spaces meet the blue expanse of the Gulf of Mexico.
You will find harmony and solace at the Davis Bayou Area, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which teems with marsh wildlife and peaceful walking trails. The nearby Deer Island and Old Fort Bayou Preserve also offer quiet getaways into the coastal ecosystems that thrive in Ocean Springs’ sunny atmosphere. The Charnley-Norwood House, co-designed by famed architects Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, is one of many captivating edifices to admire in Ocean Springs. After a day of beachcombing and gallery hopping, you can unwind at The Inn at Ocean Springs or the cozy Front Beach Cottages for a serene and splendid vacation in this Gulf Coast wonderland.
Natchez
Perched high above the Mississippi River, Natchez is one of the oldest—and most historically diverse—towns in the state, founded in 1716 as Fort Rosalie. Its complex past includes colonial conflicts in the French and Indian War, Native American raids and massacres, and a prominent role in the American South’s antebellum period. Visitors can step into that past by touring Longwood, a striking octagonal mansion left unfinished during the American Civil War.
Additionally, you can visit the elegant Melrose estate with its unique antebellum structures that endured the violent periods of the American past, all of which can be found within the Natchez National Historical Park. The House on Ellicott’s Hill and Natchez Under-the-Hill both provide glimpses into river-town life, from 18th-century inns to rough-and-tumble taverns.
For a deeper cultural dive, you can head to the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, where you will find reconstructed mounds and a museum honoring the area’s original inhabitants. With its stately homes, rich storytelling, and scenic river views, Natchez encourages you to go far into the past and learn of all the heroics and mistakes produced from those times, all the while staying in historic inns like Dunleith Historic Inn, Monmouth Historic Inn and Gardens, or the Natchez Grand Hotel.
Bay St. Louis
Bay St. Louis, around 33 miles from Ocean Springs, is a small yet impactful coastal town with many quirks and attractions beside the Mississippi Sound, an embayment of the Gulf of Mexico. Since the 19th century, Bay St. Louis has enjoyed the status of being one of the best and most favored waterfront resorts after the railroad arrived in 1869. It is a compelling and inspiring story you can learn about at the Bay St. Louis Historic L & N Train Depot.
Despite enduring destruction during Hurricane Katrina, the town has rebounded with resilience and charm, and travelers can relish in the revival along the beach or explore local shops and cafés near the Bay Town Inn. Families and science buffs will definitely enjoy a visit to NASA’s INFINITY Science Center and the nearby John C. Stennis Space Center, both of which offer interactive exhibits and space-age insights. For a touch of Las Vegas on the coast, you can try your luck at the Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast. Bay St Louis is perfect for visitors who crave calm seaside vibes with a splash of culture and fun.
Corinth
Corinth, a peaceful crossroads town in northeastern Mississippi, casually and unobtrusively holds a central place in American Civil War history. Founded in the 1850s at the junction of two major rail lines, it was once dubbed “Cross City” before taking its classical name of an ancient city in Greece. During the war, both Union and Confederate forces vied for control of the vital transportation hub. Today, that legacy is preserved at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center, a satellite site of Shiloh National Military Park, which brings the Battle of Corinth to life through multimedia exhibits and preserved earthworks. The nearby Corinth National Cemetery honors thousands of fallen soldiers who perished in the aforementioned battle.
Beyond the battlefield, the town’s quieter side shines at the Corinth Coca-Cola Museum, featuring vintage memorabilia from the beloved brand. Similarly, the Corinth Black History Museum celebrates African-American history and the resilience of former American slaves. When it is time to rest, you can cherish the elegant Southern hospitality at lodgings like The General’s Quarters Inn for a more reflective and lovable stay in Corinth.
Tupelo
Tupelo hits all the right notes, especially as it is famously the birthplace of Elvis Presley, where newcomers can explore the King of Rock and Rolls’ humble origins at the Elvis Presley Birthplace, a museum and park centered around the two-room house where he was born. Furthermore, the annual Tupelo Elvis Festival in June keeps his legacy rocking and rolling for those eager to experience the beauty of Rock and Roll.
However, Tupelo’s appeal does not stop with the King, as visitors can traverse the historic route of the Natchez Trace Parkway all the way to sites like the Chickasaw Village Site, which honors the Native American people who once called the area home. At the Tupelo National Battlefield, you can learn about the 1864 clash between Union and Confederate forces.
For family-friendly fun, the Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo features bison, zebras, and exotic animals in a sprawling open-air setting. After all the explorations and musical genres, you can relax and recharge for a new day of adventure at stylish inns like the Hotel Tupelo.
Vicksburg
Found high on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, Vicksburg is a breathtaking small town in Mississippi that was once considered the “Gibraltar of the Confederacy” during the American Civil War, where Jefferson Davis gave his first address as the first President of the Confederate States of America in 1861. Its fall to Union forces in 1863 marked a pivotal moment in the Civil War, as President Abraham Lincoln admitted that Vicksburg was the “Key to the South” or the gateway to success against the Confederacy.
Today, that legacy lives on at the expansive Vicksburg National Military Park, which features the USS Cairo, a salvaged Union ironclad, and the solemn Vicksburg National Cemetery, resting place for over 17,000 Union soldiers. For a closer look at wartime life, you can visit the Old Courthouse Museum or the Old Depot Museum, both filled with artifacts, uniforms, and stories of the martial past.
If you are curious about the broader region, the Lower Mississippi River Museum offers an interactive experience complete with a flood model and aquarium. After choosing from elegant stays like the Duff Green Mansion or the Riverwalk Casino Hotel, you will find Vicksburg a breathtaking and essential town to visit this year.
New Albany
Peaceful, beautiful, and full of charisma and flair, New Albany is a town that will take your breath away. Located along the Little Tallahatchie River and framed by Mississippi’s rolling hills, this inviting town holds a special literary legacy as the birthplace of Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner. Fans can visit the Union County Heritage Museum, which houses a room dedicated to Faulkner and features exhibits on the town’s history. Nearby, the William Faulkner Literary Garden delights with fragrant blooms and quotes from Faulkner’s works.
Outdoorsy visitors will love the Tanglefoot Trail, a 44-mile cycling and walking path built along a former railroad corridor that stretches through picturesque landscapes into the Appalachian foothills. In late September, the town comes alive with the Tallahatchie Riverfest, a celebration of music, art, and local flavor.
Port Gibson
Port Gibson, the third-oldest town in Mississippi, has accommodated and amazed newcomers since its founding in 1788. Situated between Natchez and Vicksburg, this riverside town escaped destruction during the American Civil War when General Ulysses S. Grant declared it “too beautiful to burn.” That sentiment lives on in Port Gibson’s striking architecture and historical landmarks. A haunting highlight is the Windsor Ruins, where 23 towering Corinthian columns are all that remain of what was once Mississippi’s grandest antebellum mansion.
You can explore more of the town’s military past at Grand Gulf Military Park, home to the remnants of Confederate forts Cobun and Wade, as well as a museum and cemetery. Strolling through Port Gibson also reveals treasures like the golden hand atop First Presbyterian Church, pointing heavenward in one of the South’s most unique steeples. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful stay at the elegant Isabella Bed & Breakfast or the stately Collina House.
Iuka
Adjacent to Pickwick Lake, which is part of the Tennessee River, travelers will find the humble and harmonious town of Iuka. It is known primarily for its access to Woodall Mountain, the highest point in the state of Mississippi, where trekkers and hikers can find a decent view of both Mississippi and the neighboring state of Alabama. Within the town bounds, newcomers can enter the Old Courthouse Museum to learn all about the archaic and bygone ways the legal system operated in Mississippi.
In contrast, you can appreciate the unique exhibits of the Apron Museum, which showcases a multitude of historic and contemporary aprons that you can purchase. Some might also relish J P Coleman State Park's outdoor landscapes, which give you opportunities to soak in the waters of the Tennessee River and Pickwick Lake. With humble attractions and a cool, small-town vibe, Iuka is a lukewarm yet lovely destination that will nevertheless take your breath away.
Back in 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt famously refused to shoot a bear in Mississippi. This inspired the creation of the beloved teddy bear, a fitting symbol for the quiet strength and gentle charm found throughout the most breathtaking towns in Mississippi to visit. Between exploring Civil War landmarks in Vicksburg and Port Gibson to soaking up the coastal calm of Ocean Springs and Bay St Louis, these towns are soulful destinations in a state of gorgeous wonders. Consider trading traffic for tree-lined trails, noise for nature, and the rush for reflection from some of the most breathtaking towns to visit in Mississippi.
