When looking for things to do in Mississippi, people tend to look to the more popular, well-known cities like Natchez or Biloxi, but the state is filled with smaller towns that shouldn’t be discredited. So, in order to make our readers’ lives a bit easier, we’ve put together this list of awesome attractions in some of the state’s smaller towns (populations of 10,000 or less).
- The Kermit the Frog Museum/Jim Henson Exhibit, Leland
tinkerbrad/Flickr A huge celebrity living in a small town in Mississippi? Yes, it’s true. The lovable green muppet and his pals can be visited in Leland.
- Yellow Fever Martyrs Church and Museum, Holly Springs
Joseph/Flickr Mississippi was greatly affected by the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878, so it only makes sense that the state would house a museum to honor those who lost their own lives while selflessly caring for those in need.
- Emmett Till Historic Intrepid Center, Glendora
Emmett Till Historic Intrepid Center – ETHIC/Facebook The murder of young Emmett Till greatly impacted the state of Mississippi as well as the Civil Rights Movement. One of the darkest times in the state’s history has been turned into a learning experience thanks to the Emmett Till Historic Intrepid Center.
- Grand Paradise Waterpark, Collins
Grand Paradise Waterpark Inc./Facebook With a population just under 3,000, the city of Collins wouldn’t be the first place that came to mind when looking for fun things to do, but that couldn’t be more wrong. Sitting on 7 acres, this waterpark has it all – including a relaxing lazy river.
- Infinity Space Center, Pearlington
Infinity Space Center/Facebook Who knew you could get to space by way of Pearlington? Well, you can…sort of. The Infinity Space Center, NASA’s official visitor center for the Stennis Space Center, is a unique museum that promises to deliver a “fascinating learning experience.”
- Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company, Kiln
Lazy Magnolia Brewing/Facebook You know this brewing company is located in a small town because they have to include this message on their website, “Do not attempt to put our address in your GPS. It will take you into the backwoods of Kiln, MS!” Nonetheless, touring this place seems to be the thing to do in the Kiln as it was mentioned over and over again on several customer review websites.
- Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site, Baldwyn
Ron Cogswell/Flickr Most people are familiar with the battlefield sites at Vicksburg and Tupelo but many are unaware of this Baldwyn battlefield site. The site also includes a visitor’s center that features a number of exhibits, allowing visitors to experience history firsthand.
- Camp Van Dorn World War II Museum, Centreville
vandornmuseum.org Sure, Civil War museums and memorials are scattered throughout the state but did you know that the small town of Centreville is home to a WWII museum? The camp-turned-museum offers an unforgettable experience as visitors have access to old photographs and memorabilia from Camp Van Dorn as well as items that the camp’s soldiers brought back from war.
- Rosemont Plantation, Woodville
“Rosemont Plantation, home of Jefferson Davis” by Bruceb28 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons Think Biloxi’s Beauvoir is the only home in the state in which Jefferson Davis resided? Well, think again. As it turns out, the Rosemont Plantation, which was built by Davis’ parents in 1810, was where the family resided until moving to Kentucky. Today, the home along with the grounds are available for touring.
Have you been to any of these places? Or, do know of other small Mississippi towns with must-see attractions? Tell us in the comments section below!
tinkerbrad/Flickr
A huge celebrity living in a small town in Mississippi? Yes, it’s true. The lovable green muppet and his pals can be visited in Leland.
Joseph/Flickr
Mississippi was greatly affected by the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878, so it only makes sense that the state would house a museum to honor those who lost their own lives while selflessly caring for those in need.
Emmett Till Historic Intrepid Center – ETHIC/Facebook
The murder of young Emmett Till greatly impacted the state of Mississippi as well as the Civil Rights Movement. One of the darkest times in the state’s history has been turned into a learning experience thanks to the Emmett Till Historic Intrepid Center.
Grand Paradise Waterpark Inc./Facebook
With a population just under 3,000, the city of Collins wouldn’t be the first place that came to mind when looking for fun things to do, but that couldn’t be more wrong. Sitting on 7 acres, this waterpark has it all – including a relaxing lazy river.
Infinity Space Center/Facebook
Who knew you could get to space by way of Pearlington? Well, you can…sort of. The Infinity Space Center, NASA’s official visitor center for the Stennis Space Center, is a unique museum that promises to deliver a “fascinating learning experience.”
Lazy Magnolia Brewing/Facebook
You know this brewing company is located in a small town because they have to include this message on their website, “Do not attempt to put our address in your GPS. It will take you into the backwoods of Kiln, MS!” Nonetheless, touring this place seems to be the thing to do in the Kiln as it was mentioned over and over again on several customer review websites.
Ron Cogswell/Flickr
Most people are familiar with the battlefield sites at Vicksburg and Tupelo but many are unaware of this Baldwyn battlefield site. The site also includes a visitor’s center that features a number of exhibits, allowing visitors to experience history firsthand.
vandornmuseum.org
Sure, Civil War museums and memorials are scattered throughout the state but did you know that the small town of Centreville is home to a WWII museum? The camp-turned-museum offers an unforgettable experience as visitors have access to old photographs and memorabilia from Camp Van Dorn as well as items that the camp’s soldiers brought back from war.
“Rosemont Plantation, home of Jefferson Davis” by Bruceb28 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons
Think Biloxi’s Beauvoir is the only home in the state in which Jefferson Davis resided? Well, think again. As it turns out, the Rosemont Plantation, which was built by Davis’ parents in 1810, was where the family resided until moving to Kentucky. Today, the home along with the grounds are available for touring.
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