8 Hidden Gems in Mississippi Most Travelers Miss
Cool Places in Mississippi You Might Not Know
Discover hidden gems in Mississippi most travelers miss that weave together history, culture, and natural beauty for an unforgettable journey. These lesser-known spots provide authentic experiences and a deeper connection to the state’s character.
From charming small towns and scenic byways to unique museums and local landmarks, Mississippi is full of surprises waiting to be explored. These hidden treasures add richness to any journey and turn an ordinary trip into something unforgettable. Step off the beaten path and uncover the stories that make Mississippi remarkable.
1. Windsor Ruins, Port Gibson
Ruins of an Antebellum Mansion
适合： 历史, 与众不同, 照片
Explore Windsor Ruins, a striking historic site near Port Gibson, Mississippi. The site is open year-round with no admission fee. The mansion was built between 1859 and 1861 by enslaved individuals working alongside artisans and carpenters. After the Civil War, construction ceased, leaving behind towering columns that mark what was once one of the largest antebellum homes in Mississippi, with plans for 32 rooms and 13 imported marble fireplaces. The ruins stand as a reminder of the era’s complex history.
The mansion survived the war but was destroyed by fire in 1890. Today, only 23 towering Corinthian columns remain, rising dramatically from the rural landscape. Take a stroll around the grounds along an ADA-compliant walking trail that circles the ruins and breath in history.
地址： Rodney Rd, Port Gibson, MS 39150, USA
开放时间 Daily from sunrise to sunset
电话： +1 601-446-6502
Windsor Ruins, Port Gibson
2. Dunn’s Falls, Enterprise
A state park with a waterfall and a historic waterwheel
适合： 照片, 家庭, 情侣/夫妇
Dunn’s Falls is a hidden gem and Mississippi’s tallest waterfall at 65 ft. This artificial cascade was created in the 1850s by Irish immigrant John Dunn, who diverted the Chunky River and installed a waterwheel to power a cotton mill and a gristmill built in 1867. Today, the falls anchor Dunn’s Falls Water Park, where visitors can see the original waterwheel, gristmill, and foundation remnants.
Hike along family friendly trails, or picnic alongside the river. Wildlife such as deer, wild turkeys, and hawks are often spotted along the park’s shaded paths. To stay overnight, pitch your tent at one of the primitive campsites and take a refreshing dip in their swimming areas.
电话： +1 601-655-8550
Dunn's Falls, Enterprise
3. Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, Gulfport
STEM-style family fun in a historic schoolhouse
适合： 家庭, 照片
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center in Gulfport is one of Mississippi’s first children’s museums. This award-winning museum is housed in a historic 1915 schoolhouse beside grand live oaks. It blends hands on learning with imaginative play where kids can climb through the Super Colossal Climbing Structure, explore the Dolan Avenue Depot train exhibit, or make their own creations in the art studio. With interactive exhibits, creative spaces, and a welcoming atmosphere, Lynn Meadows is a must visit for families seeking both education and entertainment.
Outdoors, Treehouse Village and Kids Street encourage pretend play, while the musical garden and splash pad add fun in the sun. Check out the family programs that include theater workshops, seasonal camps, and toddler playdates.
地址： 246 Dolan Ave, Gulfport, MS 39507, USA
开放时间 Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday noon to 5 pm
电话： +1 228-897-6039
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, Gulfport
4. Leland
A charming Delta Blues Trail stop in the Mississippi Delta
适合： 家庭, 情侣/夫妇
Leland blends music, culture, and heritage along the scenic banks of Deer Creek. The Highway 61 Blues Museum, housed in the old Montgomery Hotel, celebrates Mid Delta blues artists like James “Son” Thomas and hosts live music events. Leland is also the boyhood home of Jim Henson, which has been turned into a museum. Visitors can explore exhibits that include an original Kermit puppet and memorabilia from his famous shows.
The Mississippi Wildlife Heritage Museum features exhibits on Native American and pioneer traditions, outdoor gear, and the origins of the beloved “Teddy Bear.” Seasonal events like the Deer Creek Christmas display add to the town’s charm, so make sure to stop at Leland on your Mississippi Blues Trail.
Leland
5. Rowan Oak, Oxford
William Faulkner home and grounds
适合： 经济, 情侣/夫妇, 历史
Rowan Oak, built in 1844 and purchased by William Faulkner in 1930, served as the author’s home until his death in 1962. Faulkner renamed the property Rowan Oak to symbolize peace and strength, and the Greek Revival house became his retreat and creative hub, reflected in works such as A Fable.
Today, the University of Mississippi preserves the estate as a museum, where period furnishings and photographs in the library, dining room, and bedrooms capture his lifetime. Explore cedar lined paths, colorful gardens, and historic outbuildings in the surrounding Bailey Woods to complete the experience.
地址： 916 Old Taylor Rd, Oxford, MS 38655, USA
开放时间 Tuesday–Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm (closed on Mondays)
电话： +1 662-234-3284
Rowan Oak, Oxford
6. Fort Massachusetts, Ship Island
Civil War fort on a Gulf barrier island
适合： 照片, 历史
Part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Fort Massachusetts is situated on Ship Island as a preserved Civil War-era landmark surrounded by barrier dunes, marshes, and coastal habitats. This Mississippi hidden gem is reachable only by seasonal ferries that run from Gulfport between March and October. Along the ride, spot dolphins from the ferry and seabirds nesting in the dunes.
Once ashore, explore the fort on your own or join a Ranger-led program. Diversify your visit with beachcombing, swimming in the Gulf waters, or picnicking on the beach. Stay overnight in Gulfport or Biloxi, where hotels often partner with ferry operators to create convenient packages for exploring this historic site.
电话： +1 228-230-4100
Fort Massachusetts, Ship Island
7. Grand Village of the Natchez Indians
Natchez historic ceremonial mounds and living history
适合： 历史, 与众不同
The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians is a National Historic Landmark in Natchez, which preserves the ceremonial center of the Natchez Nation. Visitors can explore three earthen mounds, including the Great Sun’s Mound and Temple Mound, where chiefs were buried, and sacred fires once burned.
A reconstructed Natchez house and museum exhibits bring the tribe’s culture to life, while nature trails wind through the wooded grounds. Today, the site is also a place of ancestral return, where Natchez descendants honor their heritage through ceremony and storytelling. Visit in spring to witness the Natchez Pow Wow that celebrates living history with dancing, crafts, and food rooted in Native traditions.
地址： 400 Jefferson Davis Boulevard, Natchez, MS 39120, USA
开放时间 Monday–Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 1.30 pm to 5 pm
电话： +1 601-446-6502
Grand Village of the Natchez Indians
8. The Museum of the Mississippi Delta, Greenwood
Museum with Civil War artifacts and immersive exhibits
适合： 历史, 情侣/夫妇, 家庭
Step into Greenwood’s Museum of the Mississippi Delta, where history, culture, and art converge. Trace the region’s history from prehistoric fossils and Native American artifacts to vintage farming tools that reveal its agricultural roots. Marvel at the Civil War–era “Lady Polk” cannon and Fort Pemberton model, then explore original pieces from Malmaison, home of Choctaw Chief Greenwood Leflore.
Exhibits on the Great Flood of 1927, Civil Rights, and blues heritage complement the museum’s crown jewel: a celebrated Southern art collection immersing visitors in Delta creativity. Walk through a recreated Mississippi swamp or spark curiosity in the Children’s Discovery Room.
地址： 1608 US-82, Greenwood, MS 38930, USA
开放时间 Tuesday– Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)
电话： +1 662-4530925
The Museum of the Mississippi Delta, Greenwood
本文包含 Go Guides 编辑团队的意见。Hotels.com 好订网对作者出现在本网站上的文章给予补偿；此类补偿可能包括差旅费和其他费用。