Ready to make the next 12 months your best (and most fun) year yet? Well, you’re in luck, then, because the Magnolia State is chock-full of things to do. In fact, there may be too many things to do. Lucky for you, we put together this list to narrow down the options. And since we’ve included 12 amazing Mississippi day trips, you can embark on a new adventure each month. Take a look at our picks for some of the best day trips in Mississippi and embark upon the adventure of a lifetime!
- Go snorkeling with stingrays.
Ocean Adventures Marine Park/Google If simply seeing sea life isn’t enough for you, we’ve got some great news. Ocean Adventures Marine Park in Gulfport offers several ways for you to interact with marine life, including snorkeling with stingrays. Ocean Adventures Marine Park, 10801 Dolphin Ln, Gulfport, MS 39503, USA
- Embark on a safari.
Safari Wild Animal Park and Preserve/Facebook Opened in May 2019, Safari Wild Animal Park is a 467-acre wildlife preserve that’s home to hundreds of animals from Africa. The best part is, Safari Wild offers drive-thru safari tours, so you can view the animals from the comfort of your own car.
- Shop at one of the top five flea markets in Mississippi.
Visit Vicksburg/Facebook Held twice a year – once in the spring and once in the fall - Vicksburg’s Old Court House Flea Market attracts vendors from across the country. Woodworking, antiques, pottery, jewelry, paintings, metal working, and toys are just a few of the things you’ll find at the market.
- Get in touch with nature, including alligators.
Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge Complex/Facebook Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is an ideal spot for hikers and nature-lovers alike. In addition to beautiful scenery and hiking trails, the refuge features a butterfly garden and wildlife observation areas, which offer great views of the alligators who call the refuge home. Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge, 728 Yazoo Refuge Rd, Hollandale, MS 38748, USA
- Check out one of the state’s biggest farmers markets.
Abe Draper Photography Located in Brandon, Cockrell’s Farmers Market proves that bigger is better. Absolutely enormous, the year-round market carries everything from fruits and veggies to plants and unique gifts. 1307 Old Fannin Rd, Brandon, MS 39047, USA
- Walk among some of the Earth’s oldest trees.
Kevin King/Google Located in the small town of Belzoni, Sky Lake WMA is an incredible natural wonder. The 3,500-acre area is home to some of the oldest – and largest – bald cypress trees on Earth. Learn more about the stunning natural wonders of Mississippi at this one-of-a-kind place. 1090 Simmons Rd, Belzoni, MS 39038, USA
- Have some fun in the sun…and the water.
Shooting Star/Google Don’t let the summer pass without a visit to one of the state’s best swimming spots – Rials Creek. Part of Merit Water Park in Mendenhall, the pristine creek features a flowing waterfall and old-fashioned swimming hole.
- Peruse the merchandise at one of the state’s biggest flea markets.
Mill Town Mall Antiques and Flea Market/Facebook Housed in an old cotton factory, Mill Town Mall Antiques and Flea Market is practically overflowing with incredible merchandise. With two floors and 15,000 square feet of indoor shopping space, you could easily spend hours perusing the merchandise. 2058 US-51, Wesson, MS 39191, USA
- Have some old fashioned fun at the Pecan Festival.
MS Pecan Festival: sponsored by Fulmers General Store and Farmstead/Facebook The perfect way to kick off the fall season, Beaumont’s Pecan Festival always takes place the last weekend of September. Fittingly held on a farm with a pecan orchard, the small town fest boasts over 200 vendors and plenty of opportunities for old fashioned fun, including wagon rides, mule pulls, and demonstrations.
- Re-visit the past at Mississippi’s official military history museum.
Mississippi Armed Forces Museum/Facebook Somewhat hidden, Mississippi Armed Forces Museum (MAFM) is located on the National Guard Base in Hattiesburg. A treat for all ages, the museum features a plethora of information, artifacts, and intricate, life-sized exhibits. The best part is that it’s free to visit! Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, Building 850, Forrest Ave, Hattiesburg, MS 39407, USA
- Take in the colors of the season.
Waynersnitzel/Wikimedia Bold, colorful foliage isn’t as prevalent here in Mississippi as it is in other states, especially in the southern portion of the state. However, there are plenty of places to experience seasonal hues in the Magnolia State – and the famed swinging bridge at Tishomingo State Park is one of them. State Park Road, State Park Rd, Mississippi, USA
- Relax with cocktails and painting.
Canvas & Cocktails, LLC/Facebook Release your inner artist – and bartender – at Canvas and Cocktails. The Gulfport art studio offers a variety of painting classes AND lets you bring your favorite adult beverage. 204 Courthouse Rd, Gulfport, MS 39507, USA
Ocean Adventures Marine Park/Google
If simply seeing sea life isn’t enough for you, we’ve got some great news. Ocean Adventures Marine Park in Gulfport offers several ways for you to interact with marine life, including snorkeling with stingrays.
Ocean Adventures Marine Park, 10801 Dolphin Ln, Gulfport, MS 39503, USA
Safari Wild Animal Park and Preserve/Facebook
Opened in May 2019, Safari Wild Animal Park is a 467-acre wildlife preserve that’s home to hundreds of animals from Africa. The best part is, Safari Wild offers drive-thru safari tours, so you can view the animals from the comfort of your own car.
Visit Vicksburg/Facebook
Held twice a year – once in the spring and once in the fall - Vicksburg’s Old Court House Flea Market attracts vendors from across the country. Woodworking, antiques, pottery, jewelry, paintings, metal working, and toys are just a few of the things you’ll find at the market.
Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge Complex/Facebook
Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is an ideal spot for hikers and nature-lovers alike. In addition to beautiful scenery and hiking trails, the refuge features a butterfly garden and wildlife observation areas, which offer great views of the alligators who call the refuge home.
Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge, 728 Yazoo Refuge Rd, Hollandale, MS 38748, USA
Abe Draper Photography
Located in Brandon, Cockrell’s Farmers Market proves that bigger is better. Absolutely enormous, the year-round market carries everything from fruits and veggies to plants and unique gifts.
1307 Old Fannin Rd, Brandon, MS 39047, USA
Kevin King/Google
Located in the small town of Belzoni, Sky Lake WMA is an incredible natural wonder. The 3,500-acre area is home to some of the oldest – and largest – bald cypress trees on Earth. Learn more about the stunning natural wonders of Mississippi at this one-of-a-kind place.
1090 Simmons Rd, Belzoni, MS 39038, USA
Shooting Star/Google
Don’t let the summer pass without a visit to one of the state’s best swimming spots – Rials Creek. Part of Merit Water Park in Mendenhall, the pristine creek features a flowing waterfall and old-fashioned swimming hole.
Mill Town Mall Antiques and Flea Market/Facebook
Housed in an old cotton factory, Mill Town Mall Antiques and Flea Market is practically overflowing with incredible merchandise. With two floors and 15,000 square feet of indoor shopping space, you could easily spend hours perusing the merchandise.
2058 US-51, Wesson, MS 39191, USA
MS Pecan Festival: sponsored by Fulmers General Store and Farmstead/Facebook
The perfect way to kick off the fall season, Beaumont’s Pecan Festival always takes place the last weekend of September. Fittingly held on a farm with a pecan orchard, the small town fest boasts over 200 vendors and plenty of opportunities for old fashioned fun, including wagon rides, mule pulls, and demonstrations.
Mississippi Armed Forces Museum/Facebook
Somewhat hidden, Mississippi Armed Forces Museum (MAFM) is located on the National Guard Base in Hattiesburg. A treat for all ages, the museum features a plethora of information, artifacts, and intricate, life-sized exhibits. The best part is that it’s free to visit!
Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, Building 850, Forrest Ave, Hattiesburg, MS 39407, USA
Waynersnitzel/Wikimedia
Bold, colorful foliage isn’t as prevalent here in Mississippi as it is in other states, especially in the southern portion of the state. However, there are plenty of places to experience seasonal hues in the Magnolia State – and the famed swinging bridge at Tishomingo State Park is one of them.
State Park Road, State Park Rd, Mississippi, USA
Canvas & Cocktails, LLC/Facebook
Release your inner artist – and bartender – at Canvas and Cocktails. The Gulfport art studio offers a variety of painting classes AND lets you bring your favorite adult beverage.
204 Courthouse Rd, Gulfport, MS 39507, USA
So, have you done any (or all) of the things listed above? Can you think of something we forgot? What are some of your favorite things to do in Mississippi? Tell us in the comments!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Day Trips In Mississippi July 09, 2022 Tori Jane What are some unique things to do around Mississippi? Don’t ever let anyone tell you Mississippi isn’t worth visiting – they are mistaken, and you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime! Turns out, there are loads of unique things to do around Mississippi, and we have more than a few suggestions. Visit the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum, which you won’t find anywhere but in Tupelo. The Biloxi Lighthouse is an amazing place for photographers to get some truly unique photos of Mississippi that might make folks who have never been here say, “That’s Mississippi?” Another wonderfully unique experience in Mississippi is that of the legendary Mississippi Blues Trail, which is just begging for you to embark. Where can I go on some fun day trips near me? Mississippi is an excellent destination for many types of day trips. For example, you could spend an entire day in Jackson exploring the multitudes of museums you’ll find there. Enjoy the Mississippi Museum of Natural Sciences, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, the Mississippi Museum of Arts, and the Old Capitol Museum all in one day! Head out on a hiking adventure in any of our amazing Mississippi state parks, or check out the sunset over any of the breathtaking lakes in Mississippi. What are some wonderful getaway spots near me? No matter what corner of the state you’re located in, you’re sure to have plenty of options for your next getaway right in your backyard. Head to Natchez and stay the night, doing tours of amazing historic homes and checking out its museums. Alternatively, you can go to any of Mississippi’s cutest small towns, like Port Gibson or Holly Springs – they are ADORABLE and you might just want to move there, so beware! Other epic getaway spots in Mississippi include its resorts, which can be found scattered throughout the state, and our spas are second to none.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Day Trips In Mississippi
July 09, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some unique things to do around Mississippi? Don’t ever let anyone tell you Mississippi isn’t worth visiting – they are mistaken, and you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime! Turns out, there are loads of unique things to do around Mississippi, and we have more than a few suggestions. Visit the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum, which you won’t find anywhere but in Tupelo. The Biloxi Lighthouse is an amazing place for photographers to get some truly unique photos of Mississippi that might make folks who have never been here say, “That’s Mississippi?” Another wonderfully unique experience in Mississippi is that of the legendary Mississippi Blues Trail, which is just begging for you to embark. Where can I go on some fun day trips near me? Mississippi is an excellent destination for many types of day trips. For example, you could spend an entire day in Jackson exploring the multitudes of museums you’ll find there. Enjoy the Mississippi Museum of Natural Sciences, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, the Mississippi Museum of Arts, and the Old Capitol Museum all in one day! Head out on a hiking adventure in any of our amazing Mississippi state parks, or check out the sunset over any of the breathtaking lakes in Mississippi. What are some wonderful getaway spots near me? No matter what corner of the state you’re located in, you’re sure to have plenty of options for your next getaway right in your backyard. Head to Natchez and stay the night, doing tours of amazing historic homes and checking out its museums. Alternatively, you can go to any of Mississippi’s cutest small towns, like Port Gibson or Holly Springs – they are ADORABLE and you might just want to move there, so beware! Other epic getaway spots in Mississippi include its resorts, which can be found scattered throughout the state, and our spas are second to none.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Don’t ever let anyone tell you Mississippi isn’t worth visiting – they are mistaken, and you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime! Turns out, there are loads of unique things to do around Mississippi, and we have more than a few suggestions. Visit the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum, which you won’t find anywhere but in Tupelo. The Biloxi Lighthouse is an amazing place for photographers to get some truly unique photos of Mississippi that might make folks who have never been here say, “That’s Mississippi?” Another wonderfully unique experience in Mississippi is that of the legendary Mississippi Blues Trail, which is just begging for you to embark.
Where can I go on some fun day trips near me?
Mississippi is an excellent destination for many types of day trips. For example, you could spend an entire day in Jackson exploring the multitudes of museums you’ll find there. Enjoy the Mississippi Museum of Natural Sciences, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, the Mississippi Museum of Arts, and the Old Capitol Museum all in one day! Head out on a hiking adventure in any of our amazing Mississippi state parks, or check out the sunset over any of the breathtaking lakes in Mississippi.
What are some wonderful getaway spots near me?
No matter what corner of the state you’re located in, you’re sure to have plenty of options for your next getaway right in your backyard. Head to Natchez and stay the night, doing tours of amazing historic homes and checking out its museums. Alternatively, you can go to any of Mississippi’s cutest small towns, like Port Gibson or Holly Springs – they are ADORABLE and you might just want to move there, so beware! Other epic getaway spots in Mississippi include its resorts, which can be found scattered throughout the state, and our spas are second to none.
