23 Things You Must Do In Mississippi

Life in Mississippi is pretty easygoing, but if you want to enjoy the state to the fullest, there are some decisions that will need to be made. From must-try foods to can’t-miss attractions, here are 23 of the best decisions you can (and should) make while in Mississippi.

Explore the Natchez Trace.

Robert/Flickr From a ghost town to some of the most beautiful sites in the state, there’s a lot to see on the historic trail.

Spend a day at Flora’s Petrified Forest, which is the only one of its kind in this region of the country.

“Mississippi Petrified Forest” by Csarsene - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons

Follow one of the state’s trails.

Matt Taylor/Crooked Letter Photography The Mississippi Blues Trail, The Hot Tamale Trail, and The Southern Literary Trail are great ways to learn about the state’s history.

Spend the day outdoors at one of Mississippi’s state parks or wildlife refuges.

Roger Smith/Flickr

Check out the beautiful coast.

Mike Rauls

Fill up on some fried seafood.

Elliot/Flickr

And slugburgers.

Southern Foodways Alliance/Flickr

Attend a state fair or festival.

Parminder Vig

Visit the state’s oldest drug store and soda fountain, Borroum’s in Corinth.

Mike Talplacido/Flickr

And the oldest restaurant in the capital, the Mayflower Café.

Steve Snodgrass/Flickr

Learn about one of the state’s most famous residents, Kermit the Frog, at the Leland museum dedicated to the lovable Muppet.

tinkerbrad/Flickr

Educate yourself on one of the most infamous battles fought on the state’s soil with a visit to the Vicksburg National Military Park.

Robert/Flickr

Attend one of the many pilgrimage tours in Mississippi and see some of the state’s most historic homes and churches for yourself.

Jack E. Boucher/Wikimedia Several Mississippi cities, including Natchez, Columbus, and Holly Springs host pilgrimage tours.

If you’re brave enough, visit the state’s most haunted house, McRaven in Vicksburg.

McRaven Tour Home/Facebook McRaven is also considered to be the third most haunted home in the entire country! The home’s paranormal activity has been documented by A&E, The Travel Channel, and 48 Hours.

Tour the homes of some of the state’s most famous residents, including William Faulkner and Jefferson Davis.

Amy Shepherd Allmand

Spend a day island hopping.

Horn Island: MS Gulf Coast/Facebook Several islands are located just off of Mississippi’s coast, making a tropical getaway possible without ever leaving the state.

Fill up on some good gas station grub.

Fuzzy Gerdes/Flickr

And wash it down with some ice cold sweet tea.

Darwin Bell/Flickr

Try some local pairings, like peanuts in Coke or biscuits and gravy.

Glenn Dettwiler/Flickr

Eat some of the best fried chicken in the country at the Old Country Store.

Nolen G/Yelp

Go back in time to the 1800s with a trip to Landrum’s Homestead and Village in Laurel.

Landrum’s Homestead and Village/Facebook

Take a relaxing drive down one of Mississippi’s many back roads.

Ryan Hollis

Stop and smell the Magnolias.

Sara Goughenour

What are some other decisions that should definitely be made while in Mississippi?

Robert/Flickr

From a ghost town to some of the most beautiful sites in the state, there’s a lot to see on the historic trail.

“Mississippi Petrified Forest” by Csarsene - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons

Matt Taylor/Crooked Letter Photography

The Mississippi Blues Trail, The Hot Tamale Trail, and The Southern Literary Trail are great ways to learn about the state’s history.

Roger Smith/Flickr

Mike Rauls

Elliot/Flickr

Southern Foodways Alliance/Flickr

Parminder Vig

Mike Talplacido/Flickr

Steve Snodgrass/Flickr

tinkerbrad/Flickr

Jack E. Boucher/Wikimedia

Several Mississippi cities, including Natchez, Columbus, and Holly Springs host pilgrimage tours.

McRaven Tour Home/Facebook

McRaven is also considered to be the third most haunted home in the entire country! The home’s paranormal activity has been documented by A&E, The Travel Channel, and 48 Hours.