Day Trip Ideas around Mississippi
Tourists are often surprised by the landscape diversity Mississippi is blessed with. It has deltas, rivers, rolling hills, and coastal shores. Apart from its natural attractions, Mississippi has a great cultural history that is actually unique and worthy of a trip of its own. If you are struggling to know where to start exploring, here are our top five favorite spots around Mississippi. Perfect for those looking for ideas for their day trip.
Kayaking and Snorkeling at Gulf Islands National Seashore
Florida and Mississippi share the area of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Mississippi’s part of the seashore features natural beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, campgrounds, and some historic sites. In fact, six out of the eight islands here are actually within Mississippi’s territory.
Kayaking and snorkeling are just two of the many activities you could enjoy here. The place offers so many recreational activities that it is virtually impossible to run out of things to do here. With its campgrounds, you may even be tempted to extend your day trip to an overnight trip here.
Learn about marine life at The Insitute for Marine Mammal Studies
Visit the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies for a whole day of informative fun. Learn more about marine wildlife and take awareness of the conservation efforts being done to protect them. If you are, however, much closer to Jackson (or if you already are), the Mississippi Museum of Natural Sciences is also a great option.
See the Windsor Ruins
A Mississippi landmark since 1985, the Windsor Ruins is a 19th century Greek Revival mansion. It was destroyed by fire by the end of the century, but the 23 Corinthian columns stood strong. Up to this date, there is no accurate illustration of what the mansion must have looked like before it was destroyed. Existing illustrations of the said structure are said to be based on oral descriptions alone. What is known is that it was the largest structure in Mississippi for quite some time.
The sight of the pillars against the green backdrop does make for some pretty excellent pictures.
Wildlife Watching at the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge has been a government-protected land since the 1930s. It covers three counties in Mississippi and serves the sole purpose of being a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. Prior to that, the area was said to be an overfarmed and overgrazed plot of land. Since the government took over, it has thrived and has become one of the best spots for wildlife watching.
Take a nature walk around Cypress Swamp
There is a boardwalk trail at Cypress Swamp that provides the perfect trail for a good old-fashioned nature walk. It is one of our favorite spots in Mississippi. If you are the type of person to enjoy a quiet and peaceful walk by beautiful scenery, then this boardwalk is for you.
The swamp is a great environment for many wildlife to thrive. If you are lucky, you might be able to spot an alligator or two resting on your walk.
Flying to Mississippi soon? Check out our Tips on How to Find Cheap Flights.
