Mississippi Road Trips: 7 Scenic Drives Worth the Journey
Experience the Best of Mississippi on the Open Road
Mississippi road trips offer endless ways to explore the state’s diverse landscapes. One of the most memorable scenic journeys is known as “The Secret Coast.” This stretch attracts travelers seeking relaxed beach‑town vibes, sugar-soft sand, and fresh seafood. Elsewhere historic downtown streets showcase antiques, boutiques, and art galleries.
Discover scenic waterfronts for boating and casual dining and spots ideal for beach days and hands‑on family fun. Further along, find a historic lighthouse with spectacular views of the coastline. Conclude your journey a few miles inland at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center.
1. Natchez Trace Parkway
Ancient travel route with cultural landmarks
Good for: History, Adventure
Explore the stunning scenery of the historic Natchez Trace Parkway. Stretching 444 miles from Natchez to Nashville, the road follows the ancient “Old Trace” route once traveled by Native Americans, settlers, and American explorer Meriwether Lewis. Along the way, visitors encounter cultural landmarks such as Emerald Mound, Pharr Mounds, and Tupelo’s National Battlefield Visitor Center.
Three inviting campgrounds attract outdoor enthusiasts to soak up the natural surroundings, while sites such as Mount Locust and the Sunken Trace immerse travelers in frontier history. Scenic overlooks and walking trails reveal forested ridges, wildflower meadows, and wetlands. Listen for the melodic songs of migrating birds, a favorite activity of bird watchers and hikers alike.
Location: Visitor Center: 2680 Natchez Trace Pkwy, Tupelo, MS 38804, USA
Natchez Trace Parkway
2. Great River Road
Blues museums, performances, and waterfront recreation
Good for: History, Adventure, Photo
Mississippi’s stretch of the Great River Road offers a scenic cultural journey along the Mississippi River. Begin in Tunica at the Gateway to the Blues Museum & Visitor Center, housed in a restored 1895 train depot with interactive exhibits and a recording studio. Catch live performances in cozy lounges before continuing south to Greenville’s riverfront where art festivals, waterfront recreation, and Blues Trail events draw visitors year‑round.
Explore Civil War history at Vicksburg National Military Park, then wander the haunting Windsor Ruins in Port Gibson. Conclude in Natchez by touring antebellum homes at Natchez National Historical Park, marveling at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, and taking in sweeping river views from the Natchez Bluff Deck.
Great River Road
3. Mississippi Gulf Coast Scenic Drive
Sandy beaches, seafood, and antique shopping
Good for: Adventure, Photo
Discover Mississippi’s coastal charm along the Mississippi Gulf Coast Scenic Drive. Known as “The Secret Coast,” this beautiful stretch attracts travelers seeking relaxed beach-town vibes, sugar-soft sand, and fresh Gulf seafood. Explore Old Town Bay, St. Louis’ historic downtown, filled with antiques, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and art galleries.
Continue to Pass Christian’s scenic waterfront for family boating adventures and casual waterfront dining spots featuring local oysters, po-boys, and juicy burgers. Long Beach and Gulfport offer low-key beach days and hands-on family fun at the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center. Admire Biloxi’s shoreline from atop the iconic Biloxi Lighthouse. If you’re a nature enthusiast, bring your binoculars, wander short trails, spot coastal birds, and enjoy nature moments at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Scenic Drive
4. Blues Highway (Highway 61)
Delta blues historic sites and museums
Good for: History, Photo, Adventure
Traveling the Blues Highway (Highway 61) takes visitors through the heart of the Mississippi Delta, birthplace of the blues. Begin in Clarksdale at the legendary crossroads, where Robert Johnson “sold his soul” for guitar mastery, and explore the Delta Blues Museum. Head south to Cleveland to tour Dockery Plantation and the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi and its iconic memorabilia.
Stop in Indianola at Club Ebony and the B.B. King Museum for Chitlin’ Circuit history. Then, in Leland, visit the Highway 61 Blues Museum and the historic site of Ruby’s Nite Spot. Continue to Vicksburg for the Willie Dixon mural and Michel’s Music, a historic music shop, and finish in Natchez’ downtown and riverfront sites, with Blues Trail markers honoring local legends.
Blues Highway (Highway 61)
5. Grand Gulf–Raymond Scenic Byway
Military landmarks and a historic downtown
Good for: History, Photo, Adventure
The Grand Gulf–Raymond Scenic Byway offers a journey through Mississippi’s rich history and scenic landscapes, stretching from Grand Gulf to Raymond. Explore the Grand Gulf Military State Park, a Civil War battlefield with preserved fortifications and interpretive exhibits. In Raymond, stroll through the historic downtown, featuring antebellum architecture, charming boutiques, and cafes.
This Mississippi road trip is an ideal route for history enthusiasts and casual travelers alike, blending heritage, natural beauty, and small-town charm. Journey past a mix of landscapes, including rolling hills dotted with small farms and forested areas that provide scenic vistas and photo opportunities.
Grand Gulf–Raymond Scenic Byway
6. Beach Boulevard Scenic Byway
Gulf coast charm and waterfront dining
Good for: Adventure, Photo
Southern charm awaits on Beach Boulevard Scenic Byway, a stretch that runs along U.S. Highway 90 from Gulfport to Ocean Springs. Offering travelers a classic Mississippi coastal drive, the route showcases historic beach towns, Gulf-front vistas, and quaint neighborhoods. Along the way, visitors can stop at Biloxi’s beachfront parks, explore historic architecture, or enjoy casual waterfront dining.
The byway also passes notable cultural landmarks, including fishing piers, and provides easy access to local galleries and family-friendly attractions. The drive blends small town heritage, cultural highlights, and the Gulf Coast’s timeless allure, so take your time to enjoy the open vistas and coastal scenery.
Beach Boulevard Scenic Byway
7. Tishomingo State Park
Appalachian cliffs, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks
Good for: Adventure, Families
Outdoor adventures await in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains at Tishomingo State Park, named for Chief Tishomingo, leader of the Chickasaw Nation. The Natchez Trace Parkway intersects the park, providing convenient access to its trails, massive rock formations, and serene creek views.
Cross a suspended footbridge over Bear Creek; hike the Outcroppings Trail for dramatic sandstone cliffs, small waterfalls, and sweeping creek views; or follow the Bear Creek Trail with cliffside overlooks and shaded forest paths. To make the most of your scenic Mississippi road trip, go canoeing or fishing on Bear Creek, or watch cardinals, woodpeckers, and great blue herons along the water’s edge.
Tishomingo State Park
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