With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we figured it was the perfect time to highlight some of the amazing date destinations in Mississippi. However, rather than focus on traditional date ideas, like dinner and a movie, we searched high and low for ideas that were a bit out of the box. So, the next time you want to spend time with that special someone, give one of these unique date ideas a try.
- Have some “After Hours” fun at the Mississippi Museum of Art.
Mississippi Museum of Art/Facebook Visit this Jackson museum at 5:30 pm on the third Thursday of the month for “After Hours.” The monthly event features one-night pop up exhibitions and unique dining experiences, which are often accompanied by live music, outdoor movies, games and more. For more information, click here.
- Try out the rope course at the Hattiesburg Zoo.
High Ropes Course at Hattiesburg Zoo/Facebook If you’re looking for a little adventure, then the High Ropes Adventure Course is definitely a great option. The only one of its kind in the area, the four story ropes course is located within the Hattiesburg Zoo and is designed for people of all ages. For more information, click here.
- Dance the night away at Salsa Mississippi.
Salsa Mississippi Club & Studio/Facebook Every Saturday night, from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm, this Jackson dance studio hosts free salsa lessons, which are perfect for beginners. Following the lesson, is a party that lasts until 2:00 am, giving you plenty of time to practice your new moves. For more information, click here.
- Visit an old-fashioned soda fountain for some classic fun.
Turnage Drug Store/Facebook Exactly the type of place you’d expect to find in a charming town like Water Valley, Turnage Drug Store first opened its doors in 1905. Still in operation today, the nostalgic shop is the perfect place to grab a sweet treat with your sweetheart. Visit Turnage Drug Store at 323 North Main in Water Valley.
- Go on a safari.
Visit Mississippi/Flickr The Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo is home to a variety of animals, including many exotic species that are scarcely found anywhere else in the state. One of the best ways to see all the animals is the open-air trolley tour. During the tour, you’ll get up close views of the animals as well as a chance to feed them. For more information, click here.
- Take a peaceful stroll through Jackson’s secret garden.
Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent, Vicksburg, Mississippi Quickly and easily escape the hustle and bustle of the capital city with a trip to Mynelle Gardens. The once private garden now serves as a city park and is filled with a variety of flowers, beautiful greenery, fish ponds, bridges, an island, and gazebos. For more information, click here.
- Go on a carriage tour of Natchez.
shopnatchezpilgrimage.com What better way to explore one of the state’s oldest cities than with a tour on a horse-drawn carriage? Lasting about an hour, the tour will take you through the city’s historic district, while a guide provides information on some of the area’s most significant sites. For more information, click here.
- Cook up some fun at the Farmer’s Table Cooking School in Livingston.
Farmer’s Table in Livingston/Facebook Located in the small town of Livingston, the Farmer’s Table Cooking School provides a fun, hands-on cooking experience centered on fresh, locally grown ingredients. And with lessons focusing on everything from chicken and waffles to French cuisine, there’s definitely a class for everyone’s tastes. After the class, spend some time walking around the charming town, where you’ll find everything from a candy shop to Livingston Cellars, a wine and spirits store. For more information, click here.
- Check out “Art in the Alley” in Cleveland.
Art in the Alley/Facebook Voted one of the best small towns in the state, Cleveland has a lot to offer, including Art in the Alley. Held on the first Thursday of each month in, you guessed it, an alley, the event gives local artists the chance to feature their one-of-a-kind creations. For more information, click here.
- Dine on the Gulf of Mexico.
northstarsailingcharters.com Turn an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience with a dinner cruise. The private cruises are offered by North Star Sailing Charters with dinner provided by the Half Shell Oyster House of Gulfport. For more information, click here.
- “Lock in” your love at the Byram Bridge.
Charles Tucker/Flickr Following a 2015 renovation, people began placing padlocks on the bridge’s railing - a tradition that actually dates back to Serbia during WWI. As a way to symbolize unbreakable love, sweethearts would inscribe or paint their names on a lock, attach it to a bridge, and throw away the key (into the water below). The perfect date destination, visit the bridge with your love and bring along your own lock to attach to the bridge. For more information, click here.
Ever visited any of the places listed above? Have an idea to add to the list? We want to hear from you; share your thoughts in the comments section!
Mississippi Museum of Art/Facebook
Visit this Jackson museum at 5:30 pm on the third Thursday of the month for “After Hours.” The monthly event features one-night pop up exhibitions and unique dining experiences, which are often accompanied by live music, outdoor movies, games and more. For more information, click here.
High Ropes Course at Hattiesburg Zoo/Facebook
If you’re looking for a little adventure, then the High Ropes Adventure Course is definitely a great option. The only one of its kind in the area, the four story ropes course is located within the Hattiesburg Zoo and is designed for people of all ages. For more information, click here.
Salsa Mississippi Club & Studio/Facebook
Every Saturday night, from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm, this Jackson dance studio hosts free salsa lessons, which are perfect for beginners. Following the lesson, is a party that lasts until 2:00 am, giving you plenty of time to practice your new moves. For more information, click here.
Turnage Drug Store/Facebook
Exactly the type of place you’d expect to find in a charming town like Water Valley, Turnage Drug Store first opened its doors in 1905. Still in operation today, the nostalgic shop is the perfect place to grab a sweet treat with your sweetheart. Visit Turnage Drug Store at 323 North Main in Water Valley.
Visit Mississippi/Flickr
The Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo is home to a variety of animals, including many exotic species that are scarcely found anywhere else in the state. One of the best ways to see all the animals is the open-air trolley tour. During the tour, you’ll get up close views of the animals as well as a chance to feed them. For more information, click here.
Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent, Vicksburg, Mississippi
Quickly and easily escape the hustle and bustle of the capital city with a trip to Mynelle Gardens. The once private garden now serves as a city park and is filled with a variety of flowers, beautiful greenery, fish ponds, bridges, an island, and gazebos. For more information, click here.
shopnatchezpilgrimage.com
What better way to explore one of the state’s oldest cities than with a tour on a horse-drawn carriage? Lasting about an hour, the tour will take you through the city’s historic district, while a guide provides information on some of the area’s most significant sites. For more information, click here.
Farmer’s Table in Livingston/Facebook
Located in the small town of Livingston, the Farmer’s Table Cooking School provides a fun, hands-on cooking experience centered on fresh, locally grown ingredients. And with lessons focusing on everything from chicken and waffles to French cuisine, there’s definitely a class for everyone’s tastes. After the class, spend some time walking around the charming town, where you’ll find everything from a candy shop to Livingston Cellars, a wine and spirits store. For more information, click here.
Art in the Alley/Facebook
Voted one of the best small towns in the state, Cleveland has a lot to offer, including Art in the Alley. Held on the first Thursday of each month in, you guessed it, an alley, the event gives local artists the chance to feature their one-of-a-kind creations. For more information, click here.
northstarsailingcharters.com
Turn an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience with a dinner cruise. The private cruises are offered by North Star Sailing Charters with dinner provided by the Half Shell Oyster House of Gulfport. For more information, click here.
Charles Tucker/Flickr
Following a 2015 renovation, people began placing padlocks on the bridge’s railing - a tradition that actually dates back to Serbia during WWI. As a way to symbolize unbreakable love, sweethearts would inscribe or paint their names on a lock, attach it to a bridge, and throw away the key (into the water below). The perfect date destination, visit the bridge with your love and bring along your own lock to attach to the bridge. For more information, click here.
Looking for the perfect restaurant to take that someone special? Check out “Try These 11 Mississippi Restaurants For A Magical Outdoor Dining Experience.“
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