12 Must-Do Summer Adventures in Mississippi That’ll Make Your Season Unforgettable
Summer in Mississippi offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and Southern charm. When the temperatures rise, the Magnolia State transforms into a playground of outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, and mouthwatering culinary delights. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, these unforgettable summer activities will help you experience the heart and soul of Mississippi.
1. Explore the Natchez Trace Parkway
The historic Natchez Trace stretches like a green ribbon through Mississippi’s countryside, offering a perfect escape from summer’s intensity. Ancient oak trees create a natural canopy as you travel this 444-mile scenic route.
Pack a picnic to enjoy at one of many overlooks where the sunset paints the sky in spectacular hues. Along the way, discover hidden waterfalls like Little Mountain Creek or the mysterious 13-mile section known as the “Devil’s Backbone.”
Cyclists particularly love the smooth, vehicle-restricted parkway during early mornings when wildlife is most active.
2. Swim and Paddle at Ross Barnett Reservoir
Locals affectionately call it “The Rez,” a 33,000-acre oasis just minutes from Jackson. Children splash along the shoreline while families spread blankets under shade trees, creating the quintessential summer memory.
Rent a pontoon boat for the day and discover hidden coves perfect for swimming. The morning waters remain miraculously calm, creating ideal conditions for stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking.
Fishermen cast lines for crappie and bass in the early hours, while sailboats dot the horizon later in the day. Don’t miss the spectacular fireworks display over the water during holiday weekends!
3. Visit Gulf Islands National Seashore
Powder-soft white sand squeaks beneath your feet as gentle Gulf waves create nature’s perfect soundtrack. Unlike Florida’s crowded beaches, this pristine 26-mile stretch offers room to spread out and breathe.
Families with young children appreciate the calm, shallow waters perfect for little swimmers. Grab your snorkel gear to spot colorful fish darting around the barrier islands accessible by boat tour.
History buffs shouldn’t miss Fort Massachusetts on Ship Island, where rangers share tales of pirates and Civil War soldiers who once walked these shores. The ferry ride itself often includes dolphin sightings that delight visitors of all ages.
4. Tour the Mississippi Blues Trail
The soulful notes of authentic blues music seem to rise from the very soil in the Mississippi Delta. Summer evenings bring musicians to front porches and juke joints where fans sway to rhythms born from this fertile ground.
Start your journey at the B.B. King Museum in Indianola, where interactive exhibits bring the King of Blues to life. The air conditioning provides welcome relief from summer heat while you absorb the cultural heritage.
In Clarksdale, visit the famous crossroads where Robert Johnson allegedly sold his soul to the devil for musical prowess. Small blues clubs throughout the region offer intimate performances where tomorrow’s legends perform just feet away.
5. Kayak the Pascagoula River
Morning fog lifts off the water’s surface as your paddle breaks the glassy calm of America’s largest undammed, unimpeded river system. Cypress trees draped with Spanish moss create a primeval cathedral ceiling above you.
Listen for the distinctive call of the prothonotary warbler, a bright yellow bird that makes these wetlands its summer home. Local guides point out alligator slides along muddy banks and help identify countless bird species inhabiting this ecological treasure.
The river widens in sections, creating sandbars perfect for a midday picnic stop. Experienced paddlers can tackle multi-day journeys with primitive camping, while beginners enjoy guided half-day excursions through this pristine wilderness.
6. Attend the Mississippi State Fair
Neon lights illuminate smiling faces as the scent of funnel cakes and barbecue fills the warm evening air. The Mississippi State Fair transforms Jackson into a wonderland of agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, and live entertainment every summer.
Children clutch cotton candy while waiting for their turn on the Ferris wheel that offers spectacular views of the fairgrounds. The livestock pavilion introduces city kids to farm animals, while parents reminisce about their own childhood fair experiences.
Local musicians perform on multiple stages throughout the grounds, representing genres from country to rock to gospel. Don’t miss the biscuit-making competition where grandmothers guard secret recipes passed down through generations!
7. Hike Tishomingo State Park
Ancient rock formations create a landscape unlike anywhere else in Mississippi, surprising first-time visitors who expect only flat delta terrain. Early morning hikers are rewarded with cooler temperatures and wildlife sightings along moss-covered paths.
The park’s swimming area provides refreshing relief after tackling the challenging Bear Creek Outcropping Trail. Massive sandstone boulders create natural playgrounds for adventurous climbers, while photographers capture the perfect shot of sunlight streaming through forest canopy.
Archaeological evidence shows Native Americans inhabited these bluffs for thousands of years. Modern visitors still feel that connection to the past while standing beside rock walls etched with 8,000 years of weathering and natural history.
8. Explore Vicksburg National Military Park
Morning fog lifts from cannon-studded hillsides where America’s future hung in the balance during the Civil War. Summer brings a special poignancy to these hallowed grounds as you imagine soldiers enduring Mississippi heat in wool uniforms.
The 16-mile driving tour takes you through battlefield positions where interpretive markers bring the 47-day siege to life. Step inside the climate-controlled USS Cairo Museum to examine the remarkably preserved ironclad gunboat raised from the Yazoo River after a century underwater.
Rangers offer specialized tours focusing on medical practices, African American experiences, or engineering feats accomplished during the campaign. The visitor center’s theater presentation provides crucial context before exploring monuments erected by states to honor their fallen sons.
9. Enjoy Fresh Seafood in Biloxi
Fishing boats return to harbor as restaurant kitchens prepare for the evening rush of seafood enthusiasts. Summer in Biloxi means Gulf shrimp at their sweetest peak, often served just hours after being harvested from coastal waters.
Casual waterfront shacks serve newspaper-lined baskets of fried oysters and hushpuppies perfect for sunset beach picnics. More upscale establishments offer elegant preparations of black drum and flounder caught by local fishermen that morning.
Many restaurants maintain their own crab traps, ensuring the freshest meat for their signature crab cakes. Ask locals for recommendations, but Mary Mahoney’s Old French House and The Blind Tiger consistently rank among favorites for authentic Gulf Coast flavors served with genuine Southern hospitality.
10. Discover the Walter Anderson Museum of Art
Sunlight streams through stained glass windows, illuminating the vibrant watercolors of Mississippi’s most beloved artist. Anderson’s intimate connection with Gulf Coast wildlife transforms ordinary pelicans and marsh grasses into extraordinary celebrations of color and movement.
The Little Room exhibit recreates the artist’s private sanctuary where every surface was painted with mystical creatures and coastal scenes. Children particularly enjoy the interactive area where they can create their own nature-inspired artwork using Anderson’s techniques.
Summer brings special programming including outdoor painting sessions in the museum’s courtyard garden. The gift shop offers prints and pottery featuring Anderson’s distinctive style, allowing visitors to bring a piece of Mississippi’s artistic heritage home.
11. Attend the Crawfish Festival in Prairieville
Steam rises from enormous metal pots as thousands of bright red crawfish are dumped onto newspaper-covered tables. Families gather around, twisting, pinching and sucking the sweet meat from these freshwater crustaceans that Mississippians celebrate each summer.
Children dance to zydeco bands while parents sample craft beers from local breweries. The air fills with the distinctive aroma of cayenne, garlic, and bay leaves—the holy trinity of crawfish boil seasonings.
Cooking competitions bring out secret family recipes passed down through generations, each claiming the perfect balance of spice and flavor. First-timers receive friendly tutorials from locals on proper crawfish-eating technique: “Pinch the tail, suck the head” becomes the weekend’s unofficial motto!
12. Stroll the Downtown District of Oxford
Faulkner’s spirit lingers in this quintessential Southern college town where bookstores and boutiques surround the historic courthouse square. Summer brings a special charm when student crowds thin and locals reclaim their favorite patios for long, leisurely evenings.
Sip bourbon cocktails at City Grocery’s balcony bar while watching the sunset paint Square Books’ facade golden orange. Literary history permeates the air—pick up a signed first edition or attend an author reading at one of America’s most famous independent bookstores.
The Ole Miss campus offers shaded walks past Greek Revival architecture that tells stories of the South’s complex history. Don’t miss a pilgrimage to Rowan Oak, Faulkner’s home, where the Nobel laureate’s handwritten outline still adorns his study wall.
