11 minute read
DESTINATIONS
REGION
Savor the Great Outdoors in MARVELOUS MISSISSIPPI
Regardless of the season, getting outside in the Magnolia State is the right choice
By Dave Bodle
Mississippi is home to a variety of beautiful locales which are perfect destinations for lovers of the great outdoors. With pristine scenery and a diverse landscape, Mississippi is an unforgettable outing for groups.
Lovers of national parks, forests and seashores will find a slew of great stops in Mississippi. Among them are Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield, Tupelo National Battlefield, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Vicksburg National Military Park, Tombigbee National Forest and Natchez National Historical Park.
Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge
Visitor Center is a short drive from Cleveland, Mississippi. Operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it’s well-known for educational programs and trails. A national parkway, The Natchez Trace traverses the southeastern United States from Natchez to Nashville with sections preserved from the original trail. In addition to Natchez, larger Mississippi cities along the two-lane road are Jackson, Ridgeland and Tupelo.
Vicksburg National Military Park
preserves the site and tells the story of the Battle of Vicksburg that was waged from March 29 to July 4, 1863. The Vicksburg campaign led up to the pivotal battle that gave control of the Mississippi River to the Union Army. Gulf Islands National Seashore in Ocean Springs preserves the natural resources along the Gulf of Mexico, including mainland areas and portions of seven islands. Recreational options are around every corner, including boating, fishing and camping.
Near Tupelo, Tombigbee National Forest is located in northeastern Mississippi. Horseback riding, camping, fishing, hiking trails for various skill levels and picnicking areas are great options for an outdoor adventure.
Mississippi Parks
J.P. Coleman State Park in the upper northeast corner of Mississippi has all types of water sports available, while in the lower southeastern corner of the state Clark Creek Natural Area features more than 50 waterfalls. Located on I-20 between Jackson and Meridian at Morton, Roosevelt State Park is right where you want it to be. The park surrounds the 150-acre Shadow Lake. In addition to RV, tent camping and group camping, there are also vacation cabins and the Alfreda-Harris Lodge. There’s fishing and boating, a swimming pool and waterslide, a picnic area and pavilions, playgrounds, a nature trail, softball fields, tennis courts and disc golf.
Cabins accommodating four to seven guests offer lake or forest views at Wall Doxey State Park. The park also has a twobedroom cottage. The setting is a wealth of natural beauty just 40 miles from Memphis and seven miles from the historic homes of Holly Springs. Before planning a visit, check out the University of Mississippi football schedule of home games.
With a Hattiesburg address, Paul B. Johnson State Park is in the center of the pine belt region. Long leaf and loblolly pines share the land with ancient oaks and gorgeous dogwoods. The 225-acre Geiger Lake is available for freshwater fishing, boating and swimming. There are several options for overnight stays, including 16 cabins, three cottages and a group camping facility. To find the Mississippi State Park that fits your needs begin your visit online at mdwfp.com/parksdestinations/state-parks/.
Located at the entrance to the Mississippi Delta, Grenada Lake was a 90,427-acre project of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Hugh White State Park is located on the lake and almost every outdoor enthusiast
Photo courtesy of Visit Ridgeland
Ridgeland, MS is one of the entrance/exit points on The Natchez Trace Parkway.
will find his or her calling at this inland paradise. Naturally, you can expect boating, swimming, water skiing and world-class fishing for a half dozen species. Hiking, bird watching and golfing are just a few other amenities you can enjoy. Begin your visit at the Grenada Lake Visitor Center to learn the history and cultures impacting the region.
Located near Meridian, Dunn’s Falls Park is one of eight parks in the Pat Harrison Waterway District. The park features an 1857 grist mill from Georgia that was moved and reconstructed in 1987 on the site of Dunn’s original mill. The rustic homestead on site is popular with history buffs and the pristine beauty appeals to groups. For more information, visit online at
phwd.net/index.html?
Mississippi Mound Trail
The huge earthen works that appear on Mississippi’s landscape were constructed hundreds of years ago. Whether a burial mound or a platform mound, each has a mystery and story to be told. Many of the more than 30 mounds on the Mississippi Mound Trail are visible from the road, only. A few are welcoming for a closer inspection.
trails.mdah.ms.gov/mmt/index.html
Grand Village of the Natchez Indians
is an important prehistoric site. The on-site museum features a regular lecture series on the history of the Natchez Indians, while displaying artifacts and exhibits obtained through excavations. From a 1723 French map, it’s believed six mounds were originally on the site. Three mounds are still visible. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Spanning approximately eight acres, Emerald Mound is the third largest preColumbian earthwork north of Mexico. Before 1500 A.D., Emerald Mound was the primary town of the Natchez nation
Photo courtesy of Visit Mississippi
Emerald Mound
before moving to Grand Village. In the early 19th century, Emerald was described as eight secondary mounds surrounding a primary platform. It was home to the most significant political and religious leaders of the tribe.
From peaceful waterfalls and glorious lake vistas to points of historic significance, Mississippi has an engaging outdoors platform for groups. Make sure to include an outdoor experience in your itinerary. Begin planning your Mississippi tour at visitmississippi.org.
YOUR NEXT BIG IDEA
We’re helping groups get back on the road again with an innovative NEW program: Virtual Site InSpections From Leisure Group Travel.
In the absence of in-person FAM trips, conferences and personal site inspections, we’re recreating the site inspection experience by reconnecting groups and suppliers across our video, digital and print channels.
Join us this month as we discover new destinations and help you parse new product ideas.
Jackson, Mississippi Amazes Visitors
From history and heritage to world-class performances, there is so much to discover
Jackson is home to incredible music, a delightful art scene and a variety of excellent museums. Here are a few:
Civil Rights Movement and the Mississippi Freedom Trail
The eight galleries at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum tell the story of Mississippi’s place at the center of the national Civil Rights Movement and is the perfect spot to begin your Jackson experience. In the heart of the museum, the This Little Light of Mine gallery honors civil rights activists with music, light, and words.
The Museum of Mississippi History is adjacent to the Civil Rights Museum and explores 15,000 years of history. As you leave the museum complex, check out the JXN Icons mural on the backside of Old Capitol Inn. Public art is widely celebrated throughout Jackson, gracing the walls, shared spaces, and streets. Near the State Capitol building, the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center celebrates the African-American experience through art, artifacts, and photography. A visit to the Farish Street Historic District is a must. This late 19th-century neighborhood is on the National Register of Historic Places and represents 100 years of heritage in the African-American community.
Jackson and the Blues
Much of American music has roots in Mississippi, and Jackson is in the middle of it all, from country to blues and gospel. With a dozen Mississippi Blues Trail Markers, it’s easy to see why Jackson is the City With Soul.
You might meet your Malaco Records tour guide at the warehouse door. That makes sense since, at one time, they were the kings of gospel music direct mail sales. When in the Farish Street Historic District, visit the Trumpet Records marker and the tribute to Dorothy Moore at the Alamo Theater. Other places you’ll find markers are for Bobby Rush, Cassandra Wilson at Brinkley Middle School, Ishmon Bracey at Jim Hill High School, and Otis Spann & Little Johnny Jones.
Art Takes Form in Jackson
The city’s contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and blues music do not overshadow modern-day Jackson’s vibrant arts scene. Eudora Welty was the first writer to be honored on the Mississippi Writers Trail. The Eudora Welty House and Gardens welcomes groups to tour the property.
Thalia Mara Hall has a wonderful story to tell. Built in 1968 as the Municipal Auditorium, the Jackson Ballet Guild invited Thalia Maria in 1975 to develop a professional ballet company. Just four years later, she secured the International Ballet Competition (IBC). Jackson was named by U.S. Congress the official USA home of the IBC and the only U.S. city to host the event.
Established in 1911 with a small collection, the Mississippi Museum of Art’s collection is now approaching 6,000 objects. The Municipal Art Gallery is housed in a home built in the 1860s and is one of Jackson’s oldest surviving historical structures.
The International Museum of Muslim Cultures opened in 2001. The museum shares the beauty of Muslim cultures throughout the world through artifacts and exhibits. Jackson’s Fondren neighborhood is the hub of owner-operated visual arts, unique boutiques, restaurants, bars, and bakeries.
VISIT JACKSON
Sherri Ratliff, Group Tour Manager 601-345-2539 sratliff@visitjackson.com www.visitjackson.com
As you discover all that is Jackson, you will see community culture unique to the state. Our vast culinary offerings, museums, and historical sites are only a few reflections of Jacksonians’ soul. There are hundreds of restaurants to choose from, including momand-pop eateries and James Beard Award-winning fine dining.
VISIT JACKSON
Sherri Ratliff, Group Tour Manager sratliff@visitjackson.com 601-345-2539 www.visitjackson.com
Jackson, MS Experience the Blues in Jackson, MS
Day 1
Arrive in Jackson and overnight at the famous King Edward Hotel – now flying the Hilton Garden Inn flag. Built in 1923, the history of downtown Jackson’s Edwards Hotel is as dynamic as the entertainers that once played there. The hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and declared a Mississippi Landmark in 1990.
The hotel was the site of temporary studios set up by Okeh Records in 1930 and the American Record Corporation in 1935 to record blues artists Bo Carter, Robert Wilkins, Joe McCoy, Isaiah Nettles, the Mississippi Sheiks and others. The Mississippi Sheiks also performed at the hotel, and Houston Stackhouse recalled that he played here together with fellow bluesman Robert Nighthawk and country music pioneer Jimmie Rodgers.
Day 2
First stop is Sugar’s Place for a chicken and waffles breakfast. Sugar’s doles up hearty plates of soul food Monday through Friday, and the chicken and waffles are a southern staple.
From here, it is just a short stroll over to the Historic Farish Street District. This area was once a hub for African American-owned businesses; it was an economically independent community that was the most extensive outside of Harlem.
Jackson is home to numerous markers on the Mississippi Blues Trail. These markers recognize the famous musicians and the recording studios and entertainment venues behind the city’s most recognizable attributes. Several of those markers are located on Farish street, including the Alamo Theatre, Ace Records, Trumpet Records, and H.C Speir.
The Alamo Theatre screened westerns and African American films and hosted acts and performing artists such as B.B. King, Nat King Cole, Dorothy Moore, and other top African American performers.
While on Farish Street, stop by Big Apple Inn for lunch. As the oldest restaurant in Jackson, this location’s history is as fascinating as the pig ear sandwiches and tamales that 4th generation restaurant owner, Geno Lee, serves up daily.
Spend the afternoon at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Museum of Mississippi History. The two museums opened in December of 2017 and have welcomed more than half a million visitors worldwide. The Museum of Mississippi History features a replica of an authentic Mississippi Juke Joint, and to understand the blues, you have to understand Mississippi’s history. A visit to the Civil Rights Museum gives you an eye-opening look at its past. It shares some of the experiences and heartache that led to the birth of the blues and gospel music.
If you are fortunate enough to be in town on a Monday night, you can join visitors from all over the world that come to Jackson to attend the Central Mississippi Blues Society’s Blue Monday event held at the iconic Hal & Mal’s restaurant. The open-mic event features a house band and regional entertainers. You never know who might show up to sing. Once known as the Crystal Palace Night Club, Johnny T’s Bistro & Blues is an excellent spot for live music and fine dining. Located on Farish Street and just a block away from F. Jones Corner, it is a short walk to one of only a few all-night blues clubs in the state.
