List of State Attractions : Mississippi (MS)

I. National Land

National Parks, Seashores & Historic Sites

Natchez Trace Parkway
A 444-mile scenic corridor following an ancient travel route; hiking, cycling, scenic pullouts, and the Parkway Visitor Center in Tupelo.
- Location: Parkway VC, 2680 Natchez Trace Pkwy, Tupelo, MS 38804
- Nearest Major Cities: Tupelo • Jackson • Natchez
- Website: nps.gov/natr
- Phone: (800) 305-7417
- Visitor Interests: Scenic drives, historic stops, waterfalls, multi-use trails.
Vicksburg National Military Park
Preserves the pivotal Civil War siege site with a 16-mile tour road, monuments, and the USS Cairo ironclad.
- Location: 3201 Clay St, Vicksburg, MS 39183
- Nearest Major City: Vicksburg/Jackson
- Website: nps.gov/vick
- Phone: (601) 636-0583
- Visitor Interests: Battlefield tour, National Cemetery, ironclad museum.
Gulf Islands National Seashore (Mississippi District)
Davis Bayou trails and boardwalks in Ocean Springs plus offshore barrier islands accessible by boat/seasonal ferries.
- Location: 3500 Park Rd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564
- Nearest Major City: Biloxi/Gulfport
- Website: nps.gov/guis
- Phone: (228) 230-4100
- Visitor Interests: Birding, paddling, fishing, ferry trips to Ship/Chandeleur islands (seasonal).
Natchez National Historical Park
Interprets the cultural landscape of Natchez through sites like Melrose and the William Johnson House.
- Location: 640 S Canal St, Natchez, MS 39120
- Nearest Major City: Natchez
- Website: nps.gov/natc
- Phone: (601) 446-5790
- Visitor Interests: Historic homes, guided talks, gardens and exhibits.

National Forests

De Soto National Forest
Longleaf pine savannas, blackwater streams, and the popular Black Creek Wilderness/Water Trail.
- Location: Supervisor's Office, 654 W Frontage Rd, Wiggins, MS 39577
- Nearest Major City: Hattiesburg/Gulfport
- Website: fs.usda.gov/desoto
- Phone: (601) 528-6160
- Visitor Interests: Paddling, hiking/backpacking, dispersed camping.

National Wildlife Refuges (Selection)

Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
48,000+ acres of forest, wetlands, and prairie; famed for birding and wildlife photography near Starkville.
- Location: 13723 Bluff Lake Rd, Brooksville, MS 39739
- Nearest Major City: Starkville/Columbus
- Website: fws.gov/refuge/sam-d-hamilton-noxubee
- Phone: (662) 323-5548
- Visitor Interests: Observation decks, auto touring, trails, photography.
Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge
Critical habitat for the endangered Mississippi sandhill crane in coastal pine savannas.
- Location: 7200 Crane Ln, Gautier, MS 39553
- Nearest Major City: Pascagoula/Biloxi
- Website: fws.gov/refuge/mississippi-sandhill-crane
- Phone: (228) 497-6322
- Visitor Interests: Visitor center exhibits, guided tours (seasonal), birding.

II. State Land

Top Ten State Parks & Recreation Areas

Buccaneer State Park
Beachfront camping, waterpark (seasonal), and Gulf views near Bay St. Louis.
- Location: 1150 S Beach Blvd, Waveland, MS 39576
- Nearest Major City: Gulfport/Biloxi
- Website: mdwfp.com/parks/buccaneer
- Phone: (228) 467-3822
- Visitor Interests: Camping, waterpark, beach walking, birding.
Paul B. Johnson State Park
Shaded lakeside retreat south of Hattiesburg with cabins and trails.
- Location: 319 Geiger Lake Rd, Hattiesburg, MS 39401
- Website: mdwfp.com/parks/paul-b-johnson
- Phone: (601) 582-7721
- Visitor Interests: Fishing, boating, disc golf, cabins/camping.
Tishomingo State Park
Sandstone outcrops, swinging bridge, and trails in the Appalachian foothills.
- Location: 105 County Rd 90, Tishomingo, MS 38873
- Website: mdwfp.com/parks/tishomingo
- Phone: (662) 438-6914
- Visitor Interests: Hiking, rock formations, CCC history, paddling Bear Creek.
LeFleur's Bluff State Park
Urban green oasis in Jackson with nature trails, lakes, and the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science next door.
- Location: 2140 Riverside Dr, Jackson, MS 39202
- Website: mdwfp.com/parks/lefleurs-bluff
- Phone: (601) 987-3923
- Visitor Interests: Trails, playgrounds, golf, museums nearby.
Roosevelt State Park
Scenic overlooks of Bienville National Forest with cabins, trails, and a lakeside waterpark (seasonal).
- Location: 2149 MS-13, Morton, MS 39117
- Website: mdwfp.com/parks/roosevelt
- Phone: (601) 732-6316
- Visitor Interests: Hiking, fishing, disc golf, cabins/camping.
Percy Quin State Park
Pine forest golf resort setting centered on Lake Tangipahoa near McComb.
- Location: 2036 Percy Quin Dr, McComb, MS 39648
- Website: mdwfp.com/parks/percy-quin
- Phone: (601) 684-3938
- Visitor Interests: Golf, cabins, boating, trails.
Trace State Park
Wooded lakes and extensive off-highway vehicle trails near Tupelo.
- Location: 2139 Faulkner Rd, Belden, MS 38826
- Website: mdwfp.com/parks/trace
- Phone: (662) 489-2958
- Visitor Interests: MTB/ATV areas, fishing, camping.
J. P. Coleman State Park
High bluffs over the Tennessee River/Pickwick Lake for boating and fishing.
- Location: 613 Co Rd 321, Iuka, MS 38852
- Website: mdwfp.com/parks/j-p-coleman
- Phone: (662) 423-6515
- Visitor Interests: Houseboats, cabins, marina, fishing.
Tombigbee State Park
Classic CCC-era park near Tupelo with lakeside trails and picnic areas.
- Location: 264 Cabin Dr, Tupelo, MS 38804
- Website: mdwfp.com/parks/tombigbee
- Phone: (662) 842-7669
- Visitor Interests: Fishing, hiking, disc golf, cabins/camping.
Lake Lincoln State Park
Pine-rimmed lake ideal for swimming, paddling, and family camping.
- Location: 2573 Sunset Rd NE, Wesson, MS 39191
- Website: mdwfp.com/parks/lake-lincoln
- Phone: (601) 643-9044
- Visitor Interests: Beach area, cabins, trails, fishing.

III. Private Attractions

Museums & Cultural Sites

Mississippi Aquarium
Gulf species and tropical habitats in a modern waterfront complex in Gulfport.
- Location: 2100 E Beach Blvd, Gulfport, MS 39501
- Nearest Major City: Gulfport/Biloxi
- Website: msaquarium.org
- Phone: (228) 241-1300
- Visitor Interests: Touch pools, dolphin/sea life exhibits, education programs.
B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center
A deep dive into the blues and the life of B.B. King.
- Location: 400 2nd St, Indianola, MS 38751
- Nearest Major City: Greenville/Greenwood
- Website: bbkingmuseum.org
- Phone: (662) 887-9539
- Visitor Interests: Exhibits, theater, historic artifacts, blues heritage.
GRAMMY Museum Mississippi
Interactive music museum highlighting GRAMMY history with a Mississippi focus.
- Location: 800 W Sunflower Rd, Cleveland, MS 38732
- Nearest Major City: Greenwood/Greenville
- Website: grammymuseumms.org
- Phone: (662) 441-0100
- Visitor Interests: Rotating exhibits, studios, education programs.
Institute for Marine Mammal Studies & Ocean Adventures
Conservation, rescue, and hands-on marine education experiences.
- Location: 10801 Dolphin Ln, Gulfport, MS 39503
- Website: imms.org
- Phone: (228) 896-9182
- Visitor Interests: Encounters, touch pools, rehabilitation exhibits.

IV. Shopping Centers

Edgewater Mall
Long-running regional mall near the beachfront in Biloxi.
- Location: 2600 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39531
- Website: edgewatermall.com
- Phone: (228) 388-3424
- Visitor Interests: Department stores, dining, events.
Gulfport Premium Outlets
Outdoor outlet center just off I-10 with national brands.
- Location: 10000 Factory Shop Blvd, Gulfport, MS 39503
- Website: premiumoutlets.com/outlet/gulfport
- Phone: (228) 867-6100
- Visitor Interests: Brand outlets, seasonal sales, family amenities.
Renaissance at Colony Park
Upscale open-air shopping and dining in Ridgeland.
- Location: 1000 Highland Colony Pkwy, Ridgeland, MS 39157
- Website: renaissanceatcolonypark.com
- Phone: (601) 519-0900
- Visitor Interests: Boutiques, restaurants, events.
Outlets of Mississippi
Large outlet complex near the Mississippi Coliseum and Trustmark Park.
- Location: 200 Bass Pro Dr, Pearl, MS 39208
- Website: outletsofms.com
- Phone: (769) 972-3000
- Visitor Interests: National brands, dining, easy I-20 access.