Mississippi
From Wikitravel Shared
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Mississippi [1] is a state in the South of the United States of America. Most of its western border (with Arkansas and Louisiana) is the mighty Mississippi River. Tennesee lies to the north and Alabama to the east, and it has a small coastline on the Gulf of Mexico to the south.
[edit] Regions
[edit] Cities
- Jackson - the state capital
[edit] Other destinations
[edit] Understand
Mississipi is often overlooked by travelers, yet those who seek out the many things the state has to offer will not regret it. Mississippi is the home to the blues, an unrivaled literary tradition, and incredible food. Visit Mississippi to experience rich history and warm hospitality.
Much of the state was affected to some extent by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, particularly the Gulf Coast. While most areas have returned to normal or near-normal tourism, there are still parts of the coast where tourism is still limited.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By car
Interstate 20 (east-west route along the lower middle half of the state), I-10 (again, an east-west route along the Gulf Coast), I-55 (north-south route passing through the middle of the state), and I-59 (southeastern corner of the state).
[edit] By plane
There are several regional airports. Golden Triangle Regional Airport (Columbus, MS); Greenville, MS; Tupelo, and Gulfport. Jackson has the largest airport in the state, Jackson-Evers International Airport (JAN). Jackson's airport closes early (usually a little after 10PM), so plan accordingly.
[edit] By train
See Amtrak for the most current and active routes (several have closed due to either the after effects of Katrina, or lack of profitability).
[edit] Get around
The easiest method of getting around Mississippi is by car (and in most cases, it’s the only method of getting around the state). You can get around Mississippi by Greyhound [2], but it is a very inconvenient method of traveling around the state (be prepared for long waits, uncomfortable rides to remote locations (usually at a gas station on the outskirts of the city), and sudden bus cancellations). The hassle of visiting the state by bus isn't worth the money saved by purchasing a bus ticket when compared to renting a car; sometimes, their isn't much of a difference in cost. Visitors should seriously consider renting a car from a regional airport if you fly into Mississippi, as there is not a well established public transportation system in this state.
[edit] By car
If you do rent or drive your own car into Mississippi, make sure that you have uninsured motorist coverage to protect yourself from another driver. Mississippi does have a law that all automobile drivers are required to have liability insurance coverage (the minimum coverage is rather low); however, the law is not enforced unless the driver is involved in an accident.
[edit] By train
You can travel by Amtrak on along the following routes: the western half, southeastern corner of the state, and along the Gulf Coast. The main disadvantages of rail travel in Mississippi are that there are only a few stations that are still in use, it’s not reasonably priced, and the routes are limited so you cannot explore the state very well (furthermore, the effects of Katrina have seriously disrupted service along the Gulf coast).
[edit] See
The casinos of Vicksburg, Tunica, Philadelphia (Choctaw Indian Reservation), and along the Gulf Coast are fun to visit. Keep in mind that nearly all of the casinos along the Gulf Coast were destroyed from Katrina, and only some have reopened.
The Civil War Park in Vicksburg is interesting to visit, and the entire park can easily be visited in an afternoon.
Mississippi is the home of the blues, and the Blues Museum in Clarksdale is interesting for the blues music enthusiast. In addition, live blues is still fairly easy to find in the Delta and in Jackson (where the former Subway Lounge blues bands play on Saturday nights at Schimmel's Restaurant).
- B.B. King's home town is Indianola, which has a Blues Party for him on his birthday. Usually B.B. King will visit and play some music on his birthday in Indianola.
Be sure to visit the antebellum houses in city of Natchez. The tours offered during the pilgrimages are a good way to see a wide selection of the houses and buildings. Tours are arranged at the old downtown train station (nearby the local casino called the Isle of Capri).
For those who enjoy nature, a journey along the Natchez Trace Parkway (which starts in Natchez, MS, and ends in Nashville, TN) is a good bet. Be aware that the speed limit is a strictly-enforced (by US Park Police) 50 mph (80 km/h), and that wild animals such as deer and turkeys often run across the road. Also keep in mind that you will have to share the road with bicyclist and those camping along the Natchez Trace.
The International Ballet Competition takes place once every four years in Jackson (no, this is not a joke). The competitions takes place at Thalia Mara Hall in downtown Jackson on Pearl Street and some of the best in ballet from around the world compete ((601) 355-9853 - 157 E Pearl St).
[edit] Do
Outdoor activities are a favorite of Mississippians, given the state's low population density and natural resources. Hunting, fishing, water sports, camping, and hiking all have their devotees.
[edit] Buy
Keep in mind that in rural areas in Mississippi, some small towns still have "blue laws" on the books, meaning that department stores are generally closed on Sundays. Gas stations are typically open daily in such rural areas.
[edit] Eat
The state is largely rural. Outside of large towns, dining options are fairly limited. However, if you enjoy country cooking, there is no shortage of good to excellent places to eat. Fried chicken, country-fried steak, fresh vegetables, and cornbread are favorites, although barbecue is also fairly widely available. Mississippi barbecue tends to pork ribs and pulled pork or chopped beef sandwiches with tomato-based sauces, usually slightly sweet. Of particular note is Leatha's [3], outside Hattiesburg, which enjoys a tremendous (and well-deserved) reputation.
Fried catfish is one meal that Mississippians pride themselves on. If you want to visit the catfish festival [4] go to Belzoni (pronounced: bell-zone-uh). There's not much to see there, but it's interesting if you're in that area. One treat often served with catfish is fried dill pickles, a strange-sounding but delicious side dish.
[edit] Drink
Laws regarding alcohol are a frequent source of confusion to outsiders. Mississippi continues to practice "local option" with regard to sale of alcohol. Under this system, local jurisdictions may choose whether or not to allow the sale or consumption of alcohol. Beer, where sold, may be purchased from convenience stores or supermarkets, while wine and spirits may only be purchased from licensed liquor stores. Alcohol-by-the-drink is yet another area of local option; some permit purchase of alcoholic beverages at restaurants but do not permit liquor stores. Where they are allowed, liquor stores are limited to the hours of 10am-10pm; hours during which beer sales are permitted are at the discretion of the county or municipality. The only reliable way to determine the regulations is to ask a local. Do note that there are still numerous counties where alcohol is forbidden; enforcement is typically lax regarding alcohol purchased elsewhere for personal consumption, but may not be if an officer of the law decides to make it an issue.
Try Lazy Magnolia beer, [5] brewed in Kiln, MS. Its most popular brew is Southern Pecan Ale. Lazy Magnlia beers can be found on tap in many bars and restaurants throughout the state.
[edit] Stay safe
Mississippi has a fairly high occurrence of tornadoes. You might want to check the Tornado safety page if you are visiting Mississippi.
Personal crime (robbery, physical altercations, etc.) is a general concern in Mississippi, and one should use the same precautions that would be used in any large city (be aware of your surroundings - if you go looking for trouble, you're likely to find it).
[edit] Contact
Cell phone coverage in Mississippi is generally better (especially on Sprint & T-Mobile) along the major Interstate routes, with Cingular/AT&T wireless service providing the most area coverage in the state. Coverage in the southern Mississippi region is sometimes spotty (particularly west of Hattiesburg). Currently, there is not 3G Wireless coverage in the state of Mississippi offered by Cingular/AT&T Wireless.
[edit] Get out
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