This Is The Most Welcoming Town In Mississippi
People like the city of Clinton, Mississippi, for many reasons. Some think it is one of the safest and most cost-effective places for retirement, while others look at this town as having a big heart that welcomes everyone who arrives. The population is such that a lot is happening here, with small businesses, restaurants, and attractions, making it an excellent launch point to explore both this welcoming community and nearby Jackson, just 10 miles away. When you are traveling through Hinds County, make sure to take a minute to check out Clinton.
How Clinton Became the Town It Is Today
It is important to get a bit of the town's backstory to fully appreciate how things got to where they are. Clinton’s roots go all the way back to 1805, when settlers picked this spot right where the Natchez Trace crossed Old Vicksburg Road. Back then, the town was called Mount Salus, meaning "Mountain of Health." That name came from Governor Walter Leake’s plantation, which sprang up in 1812 and enticed travelers to stop and enjoy the fresh springs here, believed to have medicinal properties.
There are serious roots to education in the Magnolia State as well. Mississippi College showed up in 1826, first as Hampstead Academy. It’s the oldest college in the state and the first co-ed college in the country to award a degree to a woman. For close to two centuries, the college has shaped what Clinton is all about, keeping learning front and center and filling the town with students. You can feel the buzz with year-round events and gatherings, not to mention downtown's gentrification.
The 1830s were wild for Clinton. The place exploded, and suddenly, it was the third-largest city in Mississippi, just behind Natchez and Vicksburg. The Clinton-Vicksburg Railroad rolled in by 1831 and turned Clinton into a cotton powerhouse, shipping 20,000 bales every year. That boom left its mark. If you wander through Olde Towne, you’ll see the old buildings still standing, reminders of when the city was riding high. It’s history you can touch, not just read about.
Dining Destinations Worth Discovering
When you’re hungry in Clinton, you’re in luck. The town’s restaurants celebrate classic Southern food but aren’t afraid to mix in something new. Two spots in particular capture what Clinton’s all about when it comes to eating well.
Start with 303 Jefferson. This place has been part of Clinton since the 1870s, inside a building that once served as a Civil War-era livery stable built by Captain William Lewis. These days, it’s all about delicious Southern cuisine, the kind with a main and three sides. Dinner brings steaks and seafood, all in a relaxed space that feels right at home on Olde Towne’s brick streets. The history alone is worth the visit. Charles Lindbergh once landed nearby and walked over for fuel when the spot was the Ratliff brothers’ shop.
Then there’s The Froghead Grill, over on Clinton Center Drive. This place is all about comfort-style foods that are not something you find everywhere, whether that’s appetizers like sausage queso dip and fried mushrooms, or entrees like the froggy cheese steak po’boy and the crawfish etouffee. This place has a laid-back vibe that offers a friendly environment and an authentic taste of Creole/Bayou cooking in Mississippi.
Shopping in Historic Olde Towne
If you want to shop, head to Olde Towne. The brick streets, laid down in 1929, make it perfect for strolling. Right next to Mississippi College, the district has a mix of one-of-a-kind shops where you get honest service and find things you won’t see anywhere else.
Take Lovely Boutique at 305 Jefferson Street. It’s a women’s boutique with clothes and accessories that feel fresh but still have that unmistakable Southern style. Open Tuesday through Saturday, the staff goes out of their way to help you find just what you want, something you don’t get at big box stores. And shopping here is more than just picking something off the rack; it’s about slowing down, enjoying the neighborhood, and finding the perfect thing to commemorate your trip to Clinton.
Festivals and Gatherings That Solidify the Welcoming Vibe
Clinton knows how to throw a party, too. The town stays busy all year with events that bring people together. A couple of big ones stand out.
First, there’s Red Brick Roads in March. Imagine this—live music and an art show all happening outside on those historic brick streets downtown. Artists come in from all over, bands play, and the whole place turns into one giant block party. You get to hear great music, see local art, and enjoy countless food vendors and entrants for the best homebrew contest. Doesn’t matter if you’re with family, friends, or just flying solo—everyone fits right in.
Then, every third Saturday in September, it’s the Cruzin’ Clinton Car Show. Car fans and collectors from all over roll in for this one. Classic cars and vintage models shine on display after a parade through Olde Towne. It’s like stepping back in time, especially if you love old cars and the stories behind them. Thousands show up, local shops get busy, and the whole town feels electric. It’s a Clinton favorite and a real highlight every year.
Nearby Towns You Should See While Staying In Clinton
If you’ve got a little extra time, Clinton’s a great jumping-off point for checking out a few other interesting Mississippi towns beyond the ten-mile trip over to nearby Jackson.
Raymond, just fifteen miles south, is a place where Civil War history runs deep. You see it in the old Hinds County Courthouse (built in 1859 and honestly, it’s a stunner) and at Raymond Battlefield Park, where you can walk the same ground as soldiers did in 1863. St. Mark’s Church, once a field hospital, still stands as proof of the town’s past.
Drive about twenty miles north, and you’ll find Flora, which feels totally different. Nature lovers head here for the Mississippi Petrified Forest, designated a National Natural Landmark in 1965. Trails wind past ancient logs turned to stone, leftovers from 36 million years ago. The museum is full of petrified wood from all over, plus fossils like dinosaur tracks and whale bones.
Clinton Welcomes You
If you are looking for one of the most welcoming and friendly locations in all of the Magnolia State, it is an easy choice to start with Clinton. The combination of history, natural wonders, and amazing festivals throughout the year provides a vibe you are unlikely to find in the towns and cities across the state. It is a fitting choice for the town to adopt the motto “You Belong Here,” as this showcases the effort and time put into preserving Olde Towne, keeping the city safe, and why it’s a place you and your family should experience.
