Natchez Trace Parkway
Northern Mississippi

Dominated by the cities of Horn Lake, Tunica Resorts and Olive Branch, northwest Mississippi is where Mississippi's Delta region begins. Hop aboard the Tunica Queen Paddle Wheeler for an up-close look at life on the mighty Mississippi River. Experience pure southern hospitality in DeSoto County, Mississippi where Elvis Presley and his new bride Priscilla spent their honeymoon. The community of Horn Lake calls itself the Doorway to Mississippi, sitting just across the state line south of Southaven. Take a step back in time in Old Towne Olive Branch, with modern shops and restaurants filling the historic buildings and sidewalks. You’ve just begin your Northern Mississippi adventure.

The Mid-South Fair pulls together the communities of Northwest Mississippi for good old fashioned fun. Hosted at Southaven’s Desoto County Civic Center, the Mid-South Fair draws visitors from Tennessee and Arkansas for fun in Mississippi. The 2011 fair runs from September 23rd through October 2nd. Load up family and friends to enjoy the Swampmaster’s Gator Show, Welde’s Big Bear Show and Cowtown – be sure the kids learn to milk a cow! With all the tradition of a great fair, enjoy the thrills of the midway, exhibits and top entertainment this fall at Mississippi’s Mid-South Fair.

Northeastern Mississippi is home to Tupelo, a popular Mississippi tourist destination. Known as the birthplace of Elvis Presley, visitors flock to Tupelo to see the modest two bedroom cottage where the King of Rock and Roll was born. Enjoy some warm southern hospitality with the Tupelo community downtown at events like the 2011 Chili Festival, October 13th – choose your lunch or dinner from the competitors creations and vote for the best chili in Tupelo; fall 2011 brings the inaugural Shakerag Half-Marathon – runners join the Tupelo Running Club for the race in downtown Tupelo’s Fairpark District; Halloween fans, especially with kids, join the festivities in historic downtown Tupelo – shops host trick or treat fun October 27th and the Halloween Carnival is October 29th at the Farmers Market on South Spring Street.

Trace Mississippi history in Tupelo with a visit to the Tupelo National Battlefield, or a road trip down the Natchez Trace Parkway. The headquarters of the Natchez Trace Parkway makes its home in Tupelo, near milepost 266 about mid-point along the parkway. A trip down the Natchez Trace puts travelers on the historic path of the Choctaw, Chickasaw and Natchez along with historic figures like Meriwether Lewis and Andrew Jackson.

Columbus, south of Tupelo near the Alabama state line, is the birthplace of Tennessee Williams. A classic Southern town, Columbus boasts a rich heritage filled with graceful southern architecture and delicious southern delicacies like fried catfish and authentic barbeque. Visitors are greeted with charming southern hospitality unique to small towns like Columbus. Located on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, outdoor fun and water recreation abound. The Columbus Riverwalk offers an active pathway for relaxing, bird watching or a nice walk – enjoy the pure south in Columbus, Mississippi.

Mississippi State Capital
Jackson, MS

Jackson Mississippi - the Crossroads of the South and the City with Soul. Mississippi’s capital city, Jackson has more than twice the population of any other Mississippi community. Fly into Jackson-Evers International Airport, drive from the east or west on Interstate 20 or north and south on Interstate 55 – any way you arrive in Jackson, you are in for a wonderful time. Jackson fills the calendar with amazing events for residents and visitors: Fall brings the Mississippi State Fair in October; Outoberfest celebrating Jackson’s LGBT community is also in October; November brings the Capital City Classic to Veterans Memorial Stadium; and nothing is more special than Jackson during the holidays.

Jackson State University and its Tiger Athletics are the Pride of the city. Fall means the excitement of Tiger football and no game is bigger than the Capital City Classic. 2011 marks the 19th year for the gridiron match-up between the JSU Tigers and the Alcorn State University Braves. Saturday’s November, 20th games is preceded by a week of festivities including a Kick-off reception at Diamond Jacks Restaurant, golf tournament at Brookwood Country Club and President’s Gala featuring live music by ConFunkShun. Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium is home turf for the Tigers, and hosts the Capital City Classic.

October’s Mississippi State Fair is hosted in Jackson at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds located east of Interstate 55 off the Pearl Street Exit. The 2011 fair festivities run October 5th through the 16th, complete with livestock and agriculture competition, top-name performers at the grandstand, and a mile long midway filled with rides, concessions and games. An ideal family event, plan a trip to Jackson and the Mississippi State Fair.

Jackson for the holidays is a special treat. Kick-off the season the first Saturday of December for the City of Jackson Christmas Parade, followed by the city tree lighting and entertainment at Jackson City Hall. The Medgar Evers Community Center hosts Jackson’s Kwanza celebration, honoring the city’s rich African American heritage. A must see community tradition is the Belhaven Singing Christmas Tree. A Belhaven University tradition since 1933, nearly 100 singers are positioned on tree shaped risers for the outdoor concert at Belhaven’s soccer bowl.  Join the Jackson community for this popular concert the first weekend in December. If a performance of the Nutcracker is a family holiday tradition, join Ballet Mississippi for the 2011 Nutcracker Performances at Thalia Mara Hall in downtown Jackson.

Pearl, just five miles southeast of Jackson near the crossroads of Interstate 55 and Interstate 20. Pearl claims it is the “City Creating its Own Future”, and a visit shows it has come far from its early days when it was coined the mobile home capital of Mississippi. Today home to baseball’s minor league Mississippi Braves and a desire for growth and improvement – Keep the city of Pearl on your itinerary when you visit Jackson.

Gulfport, MS

Southern MIssissippi is ready for Holiday visitors. The MS Coast Coliseum and Convention Center in Biloxi has a full calendar of events this season. Set on the beautiful white sands of the Mississippi Coast, the Coast Coliseum brings the fun indoors. Southern Mississippi hockey fans are mid-season with the Mississippi Surge. The season runs through March, offering plenty of action on home ice at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum - Mississippi Surge Hockey gets fans through winter on the Gulf Coast. Sports are just the beginning of fun in Southern Mississippi - Grab a jacket and take a stroll on Biloxi’s sugar sand beaches, check the calendar for Gulf Coast holiday events and get ready for fun.

The holidays bring magic to the shores of Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. A short drive west on East Beach Boulevard takes visitors to Gulfport’s 10th Annual Christmas on the Bayou. One of the top seasonal events, Christmas on the Bayou features a lighted boat parade down Bayou Bernard from Gulfport Lake to Big Lake. Special viewing areas are set up at the foot of Cowan Lorrain Bridge, Gulfport Lake and Switzer Park. Watch as the procession of boats light up the bayou, filling the evening with a spectacular light display.

The Gulf Coast's many casinos offer a variety of New Year's celebrations. Take your pick, from IP Casino’s party with The Nobles, Bruce Bruce or the Molly Ringwalds; Better than Ezra performs at Beau Rivage Theatre with Kool & the Gang on January 1st; and you can party like a superhero at the Hard Rock’s New Year’s Eve theme party. It’s all about fun in Biloxi this New Year’s Eve.

Mississippi’s Gulf Coast is the place to be for Mardi Gras 2012. Harrison County is party central with “Carnival on the Coast”. Gulfport, Biloxi and surrounding communities host 23 parades and celebrations. Visit most anytime during February and early March for Mardi Gras celebrations along the coast.

Gulfport’s 42nd Annual Krewe of Gemini Mardi Gras Day Parade is February 18th through downtown Gulfport, with the night parade on the 21st. The City of Biloxi’s 14th Annual Children’s Mardi Gras Walking Parade is February 20th starting at 10am on the corner of Lameuse and MLK Boulevard. The Gulf Coast Carnival Associations hosts its Mardi Gras Parade on February 21st. The Gulf Coast's largest Mardi Gras party begins with the Krewe of Neptune Mardi Gras Parade through historic downtown Biloxi. It’s a party in downtown Biloxi!

For some authentic southern hospitality this season, make your way to McComb in Southwestern Mississippi. Start your day with a donut or pig-in-a-blanket from the Donut Palace on Delaware Avenue. Take a leisurely stroll through the McComb Flea Market & Antique Mall or stop by the McComb City Railroad Depot Museum to climb aboard the carefully restored railcars and locomotive. Wrap up your day in McComb at the Dinner Bell Restaurant for the daily feast of authentic southern comfort food. Make a Southern Mississippi getaway this season.