Mississippi

As the Birthplace of America’s Music, Mississippi doesn’t just tell its story; it sings it. Trace over 200 Blues Trail markers to meet the ghosts of B.B. King, Robert Johnson, and the young Elvis Presley. Or step inside the GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi in Cleveland or feel the Delta pulse at the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale. The Mississippi Country Music Trail adds harmonies from every corner of the state. Here, the music isn’t just history; it’s still alive and kicking.

Mississippi’s kitchens turn Southern tradition into edible poetry. On the coast, fresh shrimp and oysters taste of sea breeze; in the Delta, tangy barbecue and hot tamales are served with a side of storytelling. Farm-to-table menus by James Beard-honoured chefs offer modern twists on beloved classics, while craft breweries and even a meadery add unexpected notes. Whether it’s fine dining or front porch fare, every bite is seasoned with Southern soul.

History here walks on two feet; you can meet it, touch it, and stand where it stood. This is the land where blues was born and Elvis learned to strum, and where the Civil Rights movement reshaped America. Follow the Mississippi Freedom Trail, visit the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home, or feel the weight of history at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. From Civil War battlefields to Presidential libraries, Mississippi’s past tells a story equal parts heartbreak and hope.

Mississippi’s creative pulse is constant. See bold curves at Biloxi’s Ohr-O’Keefe Museum, blues-fuelled nights at Clarksdale’s Ground Zero Blues Club, and the dreamy watercolours of Walter Anderson in Ocean Springs. Walk in Faulkner’s footsteps at Rowan Oak or follow the Mississippi Writers Trail to meet the literary giants who shaped American storytelling. From music to murals, Mississippi’s artistry is stitched into every street.

The Mississippi Delta beats to a rhythm all its own, and in towns like Clarksdale, Indianola, Cleveland, and Greenwood, you can feel it in the air. Clarksdale’s juke joints send blues rolling into the night, while Indianola carries the proud legacy of B.B. King. In Cleveland, the GRAMMY Museum® adds a global stage to local talent, and Greenwood blends cinematic history with timeless Southern charm. Together, these communities create a Delta journey that is equal parts music, heritage, and heart.

Mississippi’s small towns often hold the biggest stories. In Oxford, a genteel square filled with bookstores, galleries, and lively cafés has long inspired writers and welcomed visitors with its easy Southern grace. Tupelo, meanwhile, carries the rhythm of rock ’n’ roll, where Elvis Presley’s modest birthplace and first guitar shop still echo with the sound of beginnings. Framed by the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway and sweetened by local mead at Queen’s Reward, these towns prove small places can leave lasting impressions.

Life flows differently along the Mississippi River, and in Jackson and Vicksburg that current carries history, flavour, and resilience. Jackson pulses with cultural pride, from soulful food and stirring landmarks to a thriving creative scene. A short journey west, Vicksburg stands as a storyteller of its own, its river views sweeping wide and its even home to the first Coca-Cola bottle, adding a dash of Americana. Together, these river cities capture the essence of Mississippi’s past and present.

Mississippi’s Gulf Coast sparkles with a blend of seaside charm, creative spirit, and laid-back adventure. In Ocean Springs, the whimsical brushstrokes of Walter Anderson brighten galleries and streets alike, while Biloxi’s striking Ohr-O’Keefe Museum adds curves and colour to the shoreline. Out on the water, boat tours and fishing trips meet sugar-soft beaches and the untouched beauty of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. With mossy oaks, boutique stays, and sunsets that paint the horizon, the coast is pure Mississippi magic.

Step into the soulful heart of Mississippi, where every corner tells a story. Sway to the beat in a lively juke joint, pause at Robert Johnson’s legendary grave, and feel the pulse of music history beneath the soaring rockets of rhythm at the GRAMMY Museum®. Out on the water, you might kayak along gentle coastal inlets, sail aboard a shrimp boat bound for Ship Island, or simply let Amtrak carry you with ease to the welcoming towns that dot Mississippi’s sunlit shoreline.