8 Mississippi Destinations Worth the Drive
Discover eight Mississippi destinations made for memorable moments, from standout dining and music history to cultural landmarks and small-town charm. Image: Visit Oxford
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Mississippi isn’t a place you rush through. It’s an invitation to slow down and collect the kinds of experiences that linger long after the trip ends. Across the state, moments unfold in unexpected ways: the perfect song, a quiet walk steeped in history, shared laughs over delicious meals. From vibrant college towns to soulful Delta communities, explore these eight destinations designed for making memories!
Oxford
Oxford’s magic lives in moments you don’t rush. Start on the Square, where you’ll find award-winning meals and a sense of history that hums beneath your feet. City Grocery anchors the scene, whether you’re lingering over shrimp and grits downstairs or slipping upstairs for a drink.
Nearby, Snackbar turns oysters and cocktails into a communal sport, while Ajax Diner delivers comfort food. Just south in Taylor, Taylor Grocery rewards the wait with legendary catfish, BYOB charm, and walls scribbled with decades of devotion.
Beyond the plate, Oxford invites you to slow down and look closer. Walk through Bailey’s Woods to Rowan Oak, where William Faulkner’s words still linger on the walls. Lose an afternoon at Square Books or scour the crates at End of All Music, a vinyl lover’s dream. Wander The Grove at Ole Miss under towering oaks and browse Neilson’s Department Store or the local boutiques that define Oxford style.
When the day winds down, hang your hat where the stories continue, whether it’s the playful charm of The Graduate, the campus-rooted Inn at Ole Miss, or the quiet luxury of The Oliver. In Oxford, every moment feels intentional — and that’s the point.
Tupelo
In Tupelo, MS, your visit comes with a soundtrack and a side of something delicious. Start by eating your way through a culinary scene that feels deeply rooted. Sweet Tea & Biscuits Café serves generational Southern recipes that taste like home, while Johnnie’s Drive-In keeps things classic with the legendary doughburger, a favorite of a young Elvis Presley.
In the Jackson West neighborhood, Chef Cooper Miller’s Forklift layers bold flavors over Southern tradition, and CharCutie offers hands-on appreciation for the art of charcuterie. Raise a glass at Queen’s Reward Meadery — Mississippi’s first and only meadery — for a toast that feels uniquely Tupelo.
Elvis’ presence is everywhere in Tupelo, starting at the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum, where his two-room childhood home, original church, and life-spanning exhibits tell the story of the global icon’s humble beginnings. Follow the Elvis’ Tupelo Driving Tour or dive deeper with the All Shook Up: Elvis’ Tupelo Experience to trace his early days.
Beyond music, Tupelo’s history and culture unfold along the Natchez Trace Parkway, at the Gumtree Museum of Art, and on stages across town. Tupelo gives you a chance to slow down, rest, and enjoy big-city amenities in a small-town setting.
Starkville
In Starkville, moments are playful and creative, shaped by festivals, food, and a community that knows how to celebrate itself. Known for its spirited college community, it surprises visitors with an arts-forward personality that extends well beyond campus.
The Cotton District anchors that vibrancy, transforming a former industrial area into a gathering place for festivals, food, and local flavor. Nearby, Main Street adds locally owned shops, cafés, and easy strolls between stops. Both areas are go-cup friendly, making it simple to sip, browse, and soak in the scene.
Throughout the year, events bring these neighborhoods to life with visual art, live energy, and food-focused celebrations. Game days bring their own excitement, especially during SEC baseball season, when Bulldog pride fills the streets.
Food plays a central role in the experience. Brick-oven pizzas, stacked burgers, creative sandwiches, Venezuelan coffee, and rooftop cocktails offer plenty of ways to fuel a day of exploring. Whether you’re grabbing a casual lunch or lingering over drinks with a view, Starkville’s dining scene feels social and welcoming.
Art lovers will find plenty to explore just by walking. Bold murals line buildings and bridges, including a newly added fairytale-inspired piece, turning everyday strolls into open-air gallery moments.
Ridgeland
Ridgeland’s adventures unfold at an easy pace, balancing polished indulgence with plenty of room to roam. Known proudly as the Steakhouse Capital of Mississippi, this town takes dining seriously. Local 463, Shapley’s, Lou’s Full-Serv, and CAET lead a food scene focused on local sourcing and Southern hospitality, while allergen-friendly menus at TASTE Italian Kitchen, Zea, Bulldog Burger, and Trace Grill ensure everyone finds a seat at the table.
Craving global comfort? Anjou, Aplos, Buenos Aires, Krilakis, and Amerigo bring international flavors that feel right at home in Mississippi.
Beyond the plate, Ridgeland invites you outside. Nestled along the Natchez Trace Parkway, it’s a haven for cyclists and hikers, with miles of trails that turn an afternoon into a slow, scenic escape. “The Rez” draws boaters, paddlers, and anyone looking to trade emails for open water and sunlit afternoons.
Between adventures, browse artisan shops, explore pop-up markets, or catch a music festival or art exhibit that adds an unexpected element to your stay.
Ridgeland moments are about choice. One day might call for a long ride and lake views, the next for a perfectly cooked steak and a lingering dinner. Here, small-town warmth meets big-city style, and the balance feels just right.
DeSoto County
In DeSoto County, moments feel both spirited and grounded, blending music history, creative dining, and wide-open spaces. Start in Southaven at Sippin Silo in Silo Square, an elevated spot where self-service wine taps, specialty cocktails, and shareable bites turn an ordinary evening into something worth lingering over. It’s the kind of place that invites a second pour and unhurried conversation.
Music lovers can deepen their connection to music by following the Mississippi Blues Trail, which features five markers across DeSoto County honoring the artists who shaped one of America’s most influential genres.
Food lovers will want a table at Magnolia Bend Grille — located at the Bonne Terre Inn — where Southern tradition meets inventive flair in dishes like Lobster Pronto Pups, Chorizo Meatloaf, and indulgent bacon tastings. (Yes, bacon tastings!)
Balance it all with a visit to Bolin Grove Farms in Hernando, where seasonal fruits, muscadines, fresh eggs, honey, and sunflower fields offer a slower, sun-soaked moment.
Just south in Nesbit, the Lewis Ranch Experience offers a unique connection to rock and roll history. This was home to Jerry Lee Lewis for more than four decades, and guided tours reveal personal details that bring the legend to life, from his iconic grand piano-shaped pool to vintage cars, stage-ready style, and an impressive collection of awards.
Greenwood
Greenwood knows how to gather, whether it’s runners flooding the streets for the Viking Half Marathon or smoke curling into the air at Que on the Yazoo, where barbecue and community take center stage.
Between events, Greenwood’s food scene delivers memorable meals at every turn. Fan & Johnny’s brings inventive Southern cooking to a welcoming table, Giardina’s offers white-tablecloth classics with old-school flair, Serio’s serves up Italian comfort with heart, and Zoe Coffee Co. is the go-to for a slow morning reset.
Stay close to the action at The Alluvian, a refined Southern hotel that anchors downtown, or settle into Tallahatchie Flats for a more residential, extended-stay feel.
Shop local at Fincher’s or The Mississippi Gift Company, or dive into Delta history at the Museum of the Mississippi Delta. Hands-on travelers can sharpen their skills at the Viking Cooking School, while Brightr digital passports make exploring feel like a choose-your-own adventure.
Greenwood also invites you to roam beyond downtown with its interactive map, connecting visitors to neighboring Delta communities.
Columbus
Columbus is a town that invites you to lean into the simple joys that make travel meaningful. Start with the people. Laughter comes easily here, whether you’re chatting with artisans at a local market, joining a community festival, or stumbling into a playful, unexpected moment that reminds you why small towns feel so alive. Music adds another layer, from soulful jazz and blues to intimate acoustic sets.
Food in Columbus is about togetherness, and it shows on the plate. Down-home favorites are easy to find at spots like Café on Main and Doug & Hazel’s Drive-In, where Southern comfort takes center stage. For barbecue lovers, Hank’s delivers smoky, satisfying classics. Meals here linger, not because they’re fancy, but because the company is good.
When it’s time to unplug, Columbus offers space to breathe. Walk along the Tenn-Tom Waterway, settle into a quiet park, or explore local landmarks like the Tennessee Williams House Museum & Welcome Center or the Columbus Arts Council galleries.
Riverfront strolls, shared meals, and easy conversations turn moments into memories. In Columbus, savoring Mississippi isn’t an itinerary; it’s a way of being.
Cleveland
Cleveland delivers moments that feel both iconic and unexpected. Explore Mississippi’s GRAMMY Museum — one of only two in the world. Here, interactive exhibits and live programming connect visitors to the sounds, stories, and artists that shaped American music.
Food and performance are standout experiences. Leña Pizza earned a spot on the 2025 50 Top Pizza list, proving great pies thrive in the Delta, while the Bologna Performing Arts Center, voted Mississippi’s Best Performing Arts Center in 2025, brings world-class shows to an intimate stage.
Just outside town, Dockery Farms offers a powerful pilgrimage into the past, widely regarded as the birthplace of the Blues and a cornerstone of Mississippi’s musical legacy.
Downtown Cleveland blends culture with comfort. The Cotton House Hotel offers luxury in a beautifully restored building, while The Lyric Hotel in the West End District provides a stylish, walkable home base steps from dining and entertainment.
When the calendar turns to winter, the city quite literally shines. From November 8 through January 1, 50 Nights of Lights transforms downtown into a dazzling spectacle with over one million lights, creating a festive, can’t-miss seasonal moment.
This article is sponsored by Visit Oxford, Tupelo CVB, Visit Starkville, Explore Ridgeland, Visit DeSoto County, Visit Greenwood MS, Visit Columbus MS, Visit Cleveland MS, and Visit Mississippi.
Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Editorial Operations Manager and Lead Content Editor. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.