Mississippi's 6 Unsung Small Towns

Blues, Elvis, and root beer. It may seem like these three things have nothing in common, but the more you learn about the state of Mississippi, the more you'll learn how these three things are all tied together. They all originated in the state of Mississippi, along with the creation of Pine-Sol, amongst other things. Visit the birthplace of these unique and peculiar commodities in Mississippi’s six unsung small towns.

Belzoni

Taking pride in the fact that it is the leading catfish producer in the US, Belzoni honors its legacy with the annual World Catfish Festival. Beginning in 1976, the festival has been declared one of the biggest “foodie” festivals by MSN.com, and it provides vendors from all over the state. Arts and crafts, live music, including Grammy winners and local Blues Challenge Winners, and family-friendly activities are just a few of the attractions for festival goers. Join the locals in April to see who will get crowned Miss Catfish.

To partake in more catfish spectacles, visit the Catfish Capitol Visitor's Center and Museum. Featuring handcrafted exhibits created by local artists, the museum offers videos and displays that demonstrate the life of a catfish from fingerling to frying pan. Outside the museum, a statue of “King Cat," the world's largest catfish, measuring over 40 feet tall, welcomes visitors. In addition to the king, other sculptures of spawning cans, hatchery tanks, and seining nets can be found amongst the grounds.

With all this talk about catfish, don’t miss a chance to try the fried delicacy. Dine at Belzoni’s Catfish Café and enjoy mouthwatering fried catfish, ribs, burgers, and more at the establishment that has been serving patrons for over 25 years. Fish from the Catfish Capitol of the World expand far and wide beyond Belzoni, as the Catfish Café has provided meals at other significant events and places, including the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, Texas Motor Speedway, and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Vardaman

How sweet it is. Sweet potato, that is. The self-proclaimed sweet potato capital of the world, Vardaman, invites visitors and locals to partake in their traditional, annually hosted Vardaman Sweet Potato Festival. Participate in and view the festival races, car and truck show, tractor show, and enjoy the famous chicken dinners. Guests are also encouraged to partake in the Sweet Potato Recipe Cooking Contest. Offered to any interested participant, contestants are encouraged to use unpublished recipes or adapt an old recipe with personal touches. Winners are awarded in 10 different categories.

If you don’t want to bake your own sweet treat but still want to enjoy one, pick up a delicacy from Sweet Potato Sweets. The family-owned bakery and confectionery specializes in handmade treats and desserts. All items are made by the team using recipes passed down from friends and family. The pies, breads, and muffins are all sweetened with locally obtained potatoes cultivated in Vardaman soil.

Although not all dining options include sweet potatoes on the menu, they are somehow still incorporated in this sweet town. Located on Sweet Potato Street, grab a bite at Ram Shack. The welcoming atmosphere and lavish portions keep patrons coming back for more. Ribeye steak, hamburger steak, and fried oyster plates are just a few of the specialties offered that keep patrons coming back for more. And of course, for dessert, enjoy coconut meringue. Experience the cozy hometown feeling and flavorful dishes offered at Ram Shack.

Clarksdale

A monumental movement in musical advancement was the creation of the blues. Considered one of the most significant towns in the introduction of blues, Clarksdale is hailed as the epicenter of Delta blues. Learn about the Delta blues and its impact on the musical world at the Delta Blues Museum. Muddy Waters, one of the most prolific blues artists of his time, is a prominent figure in the museum. The remains of his cabin are on display, too. A pioneer of blues, Muddy Waters influenced many artists to come.

Enjoy a night at Ground Zero Blues Club with an up close and personal listening experience. Four nights a week, live music can be heard on stage, and on other nights, up-and-coming artists are invited to participate in a jam session, allowing them to perform on stage and try and get their name out. Bring the blues home with you after you visit Clarksdale with an album from Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art. This iconic record store has all the current information on the events in town and also serves as a local meetup. The folk-art museum, souvenir shop, and cultural hub are lined top to bottom with blues paraphernalia. Portraits and paintings line the old brick and plaster walls, while bins of CDs crowd the already cramped aisles.

Greenville

Greenville is home to a very unique historical event that forever changed children's toys and childhood nostalgia. Holt Collier was a former slave who, in time, became a hunting guide, taking on one highly prolific client, Theodore Roosevelt. Collier trapped a bear for Roosevelt to shoot, but deeming it unsportsmanlike, Teddy refused to shoot the bear. His act of valor led to an editorial piece to be run in a local paper. Read by a toy store owner who renamed a small plush bear to Teddy’s Bear, thus creating the renowned Teddy Bear. The Holt Collier Gravestone is a simple, understated piece, but it represents a monumental time in childhood toys.

Learn about more local history at Winterville Mounds. One of the largest US sites of Native American mound sites, the mounds are estimated to have been created between 1000 and 1440 CE. The communal and ceremonial space contains 12 of the original 23 mounds, allowing guests to visit the grounds, but they must refrain from climbing on the actual mounds.

Continue exploring the local land at Warfield Point Park. In the heart of the Mississippi Delta, let the park soothe you to tranquility with the sounds of katydids in the cottonwood trees or the rustling of the light waves upon the Mississippi River. Located on 80 acres between the levee and the Mississippi River, the park provides stunning panoramic views atop the 38-foot observation tower.

Vicksburg

Vicksburg is historically renowned for its pivotal role in the Civil War, and it boasts numerous memorials, monuments, and parks dedicated to its perseverance and resilience during that era. The Vicksburg National Military Park features nearly 1,400 monuments and memorials, including free-standing bronze statues, regimental monuments, regimental markers, relief portraits, guideposts marking trench lines, and more. The Vicksburg National Cemetery, one of the first national cemeteries in the US, and the USS Cairo are also featured in the park.

The Vicksburg Civil War Museum also displays artifacts and exhibits from that crucial time in the US’s history. The owner, Charles Pendleton, is the first African American owner of a Civil War museum and prides himself on preserving rare artifacts, offering interactive tours, and highlighting Black history within the Civil War era. The museum focuses on the unsung heroes of the Civil War, including Black soldiers, freedmen, and abolitionists who helped shape the course of the Civil War.

For a unique and different historical display of the town’s heritage, the Vicksburg Riverfront Murals paint an accurate depiction on the waterfront. The floodwalls tell the story of Vicksburg’s past, present, and future and its role in shaping the US’s history involving commerce, culture, religion, and technology.

Flora

Flora is home to one of the oldest attractions in the state. The Mississippi Petrified Forest is over 36 million years old and was created by a log jam deposited by a river from halfway across North America. The park is equipped with nature trails featuring a trail guide at all points of interest. Learn about the creation of the forest and surround yourself in the beauty it has made over the years. Stop at Caveman’s Bench, nestled right on the Forest Trail after it was deposited there by eroding sands. The log is reminiscent of the prehistoric times of the continent.

On the grounds of the forest, visitors can stop at The Earth Science Museum and view the oversized map of petrified wood found in various states throughout the US, as well as observe the exhibits of plant life, fossil woods, dinosaur footprints, whale bones, turtle shells, and a complete cast of a prehistoric camel. After a calming hike in the petrified forest, replenish yourself with a meal at Blue Rooster. Famous for its southern menu and hospitality, and casual atmosphere, the Blue Rooster keeps its patrons coming back by serving comfort food with a modern twist. Come for the locally sourced meals and stay for the live entertainment.

Discover Mississippi’s hidden gems in some of its smaller towns, and visit the attractions and sites that are historic, significant, and alluring. Learn about the state’s role in the Civil War, the birth of the blues, and, of course, its strong ties to catfish and sweet potatoes. Immerse yourself in the culture and become a part of the history in these six unsung small towns in Mississippi. Whether you are coming for a day or want to make a weekend trip out of your visit, there is something to learn and explore in every avenue.