Mississippi | History, Blues Music and Outdoors

The Birthplace of America’s Music

Dip your toes in warm Gulf waters at “America’s Riviera” then tap them to the beat of authentic roots and blues music. Follow the Mississippi Blues Trail, which marks story-rich birthplace sites stretching from Clarksdale to Delta juke joints. Nourish your body and soul in Mississippi, known for its preserved historical places, creative arts heritage and natural wonders.

Only in Mississippi

Let Mississippi Blues Trail markers and Natchez Trace drives lead you to unique experiences.

Lovely landscapes

Wander longleaf pine forests, white-sand beaches and rolling Appalachian foothills.

When to visit

Enjoy mild winters, sunny summers and abundant azalea blooms in spring.

Gems of Mississippi

Make Music Memories

Clarksdale’s modern juke joint makes a great gateway to the Mississippi Blues Trail.
See the two-room house in Tupelo where the “King of Rock and Roll” was born in 1935.
Celebrate award-winning musicians with memorabilia and hands-on exhibits in Cleveland.

Celebrate Mississippi Innovators

Dive into the whimsical – and often tumultuous – world of this Ocean Springs artist.
Tour the Oxford home where William Faulkner penned some of his most well-known novels.
Works of renowned painter Georgia O’Keefe and experimental potter George Ohr are on display in Biloxi.

Get Outdoors

Walk, bike or drive this scenic byway that stretches from Natchez to Nashville, Tennessee.
Climb rugged rocks and float serene creeks in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
North Mississippi rivers and canals are ripe for paddling, fishing and waterside camping.

History & Culture

Construction of this octagonal mansion was halted by the Civil War and never completed.
Start exploring the Mississippi Freedom Trail at this state-of-the-art Jackson history center.
See the Mississippi River battlefield where the Civil War’s last major conflict was fought.