7 Best Attractions To Visit In Mississippi

While it is often eclipsed by more popular US states, underrated Mississippi is no less remarkable, boasting incredible natural, historical, and commercial attractions. Underestimated and less crowded as a result, the Magnolia State’s sights and scenes can also be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. From museums frozen in the Civil War to stunning Gulf Coast beaches, these world-class attractions draw a more tame crowd, unlike the congested throngs found just south in New Orleans. Whether visiting the Southern state for its majestic namesake river, its maritime culture, or its frozen-in-time historic sites, these 7 attractions are not only the best in Mississippi, but some of the best in the nation.

Vicksburg National Military Park

Set atop bluffs skirting the Mississippi River, Vicksburg National Military Park offers an immersive trip back in time. The 1,800-acre park is a love letter to history buffs, commemorating the Civil War battles that took place during the 1863 Vicksburg campaign. Today, it spotlights a remarkable range of battlefield preservation, including 1,325 historic markers and monuments. Highlight landmarks include the Vicksburg National Cemetery, the antebellum Shirley House, and the USS Cairo Gunboat. After sinking in 1862 and being salvaged in 1964, the restored river vessel is now a Civil War time capsule, serving as a museum with artifacts from the era it sank.

Mississippi Petrified Forest

One of two petrified forests in the eastern United States, the Mississippi Petrified Forest is as bewitching as it is ancient. Located near the town of Flora, the 40-acre site is a natural wonder, its paths lined with massive fossilized logs dating back 36 million years. The ancient firs and maples, essentially fossilized driftwood, flowed down a river to its current setting, concealed with wind-swept sentiment and slowly petrified. Today, guests can stroll the forest’s Nature Trail to behold these unveiled geological marvels, still standing right where Mother Nature left them. The site is also home to an Earth Science Museum, which houses petrified wood samples from around the world and other fascinating fossils, including dinosaur footprints.

Biloxi Beach

While nothing quite compares to Mother Nature’s paintbrush, Biloxi Beach is one of the best examples of man-made splendor in Mississippi. The shore is part of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, a 26-mile stretch of sand renowned for being the largest manufactured beach in the world. Overlooking the Mississippi Sound, the wide, sugar-white shore is sheltered by barrier islands like Ship and Cat Island, resulting in mellow waves and gorgeous views.

Free to visit year-round, Biloxi’s mild weather makes it a spirited swim beach in the warmer months and a popular place to stroll in the autumn and on. It is also a gateway to the Biloxi Lighthouse, an iconic symbol of the city since its erection in 1848.

Mississippi Aquarium

Eleven miles west of Biloxi Beach, the Mississippi Aquarium is another fun, family-friendly Gulf Coast attraction you can visit year-round. Situated in the coastal city of Gulfport, the nonprofit aquarium blends conservation with entertainment and education. Boasting “something amazing at every turn,” visitors can discover more than 200 aquatic animal species in 12 salt and freshwater habitats, from sharks and dolphins to otters and sea turtles. For an added adventure, guests can also book experiences at an additional cost, including their bucket list-worthy penguin and dolphin encounters. But even if you stick to the general admission ticket, the aquarium’s 360-degree tunnel and interactive touch tanks will make your time here magical.

Tishomingo State Park

Set in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Tishomingo State Park is one of Mississippi’s grandest outdoor attractions, with jaw-dropping views from every angle. Characterized by fern-overgrown hills, rock outcroppings, waterfalls, and waterways like Haynes Lake and Bear Creek, this Mississippi park is teeming with storybook scenes. Visitors can cross the creek atop Swinging Bridge, a hair-raising suspension footbridge with spellbinding views, or stick to its 13 miles of nature trails.

Beginning and ending at the bridge, the Outcroppings Trail is a popular loop, guiding hikers past massive rock ridges and waterfalls. Elsewhere, the CCC Camp Trail is even more tranquil. Departing from a historic Pioneer Cabin, this fern-studded route guides hikers past trickling streams and even more rugged outcroppings.

Longwood Mansion

Back toward the Mississippi River, the city of Natchez is known for its antebellum mansions, including Longwood, the largest octagonal house in the United States. Built circa 1860 to 1861 in the Oriental Villa style, the Longwood Mansion is an architectural feat, topped by an ornate onion dome. It notably remains unfinished, as the Civil War halted construction, forever freezing the former residence in that era. Today, a National Historic Landmark, Longwood's finished basement can be visited year-round, with tours lasting 45 minutes to an hour. The museum also hosts special events throughout the year, like Echoes of Longwood: Ghosts in the Octagon. Taking place September 25th to October 31st, 2025, guests will stroll the mansion by candlelight, accompanied by “historical accounts with bone-chilling ghost stories.”

Elvis Presley Birthplace

For a more lighthearted slice of history, the Elvis Presley Birthplace museum is a unique attraction for fans of the renowned singer. It was here, in a two-room house in Tupelo, that Elvis was born and lived the first years of his life. While the Presleys were forced to move homes due to poverty, the singer lived elsewhere in Tupelo for his first 13 years of life. His ties to the Mississippi city are ingrained in the community and commemorated at the quirky museum with plaques and exhibits. Visitors can view a life-size statue of “The King” aged 13, along with the original house he was born in, his childhood church, and a cozy museum chronicling his life, career, and connection to Tupelo.

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Discover Mississippi’s Best Attractions

While not at the top of everyone’s travel list, Mississippi is home to some of the country’s most unique and underrated attractions. Whether time traveling through Vicksburg National Military Park, breathing in the sea at man-made Biloxi Beach, or walking the same grounds Elvis once lived, Mississippi is as eclectic as it is fascinating. The Southern state may not have the glitz and glam of nearby New Orleans, but if you love history, natural beauty, and one-of-a-kind attractions without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, consider exploring all Mississippi has to offer.