Visiting Mississippi on Your Next Road Trip

From Jackson’s Governor’s Mansion and thedyes.
antique shops in Collins and Hattiesburg, to Biloxi’sA great selection of time-tested wares is readily
lighthouse and Pascagoula’s alligators, the state ofavailable in the antique shops of Collins. Might we also
Mississippi both welcomes and entertains. Mississippisuggest loading up the rig with straight-from-the-soil
campgrounds and Mississippi RV resorts are oftengoodies at Mitchell Farms, where antiques are offered
open year round, so come on down!alongside fruits, veggies, and fresh-harvested peanuts?
Kicking things off in the city of Jackson, our first stop isBe sure to browse the shelves at Pope Company
the Chimneyville Crafts Gallery, which featuresGeneral Store, a sprawling, circa 1913 establishment
demonstrations, exhibits, and sales of a fabulousthat carries everything from feed n’ seed to
variety of original pieces produced by thekitchen equipment and comfy shoes.
Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi, Inc. It’s a greatShady Acres fruit stand yields much more than
place to create a friendship with local artisans. Headproduce for the town of Seminary’s lucky visitors.
over to the circa 1841 Mississippi Governor’sMake room in your basket for baked treats, rich ice
Mansion, a good stop for amateur historians. Thecream, sweet jellies, and homespun candies. The
impeccable Greek Revival-style estate is a designatednearby city of Hattiesburg has several antique malls
National Historic Landmark. For a little floral boostand art galleries to explore, while Gulfport is a good
before departing Mississippi’s state capital, walkplace to embark on a windswept offshore cruise.
among the camellias, azaleas, and songbirds at theFrom Gulfport, pick up US-90 east. Take a break in
city’s beautiful Mynelle Gardens.Biloxi for more appealing river cruise options. You can
From Jackson, drive south on US-49 all the way tomake reservations for sightseeing, fishing, dinner
Gulfport. Easy on the gas pedal there, Leadfoot; therecruises, or sunset viewing on your choice of small
are a few nice towns we’d like you to see alongcraft, sailing schooner, shrimp boat, or pontoon boat.
the way. Start in Mendenhall and its namesakeFrom Biloxi Lighthouse, there’s also a memorable
Grocery & Grain, a country store built back inadventure waiting for you aboard the street-based,
1928. All it takes is a step through its doors to transportopen-air Biloxi Tour Train, known as the “shrimp
you back in time. From whole vanilla beans andtrain” by local folks, that drives through Biloxi’s
Mississippi-made foods, to handcrafted pottery andHistorical District.
bird houses, Mendenhall’s Grocery & GrainPascagoula is the final stop on our Mississippi sojourn.
stocks up on vintage fun.On a Gulf Coast Gator Ranch visit, carve some time in
There’s more old-time shopping to be found in thethe day to stroll along boardwalks that wind through
town of Mount Olive. You can order aalligator territory and take an airboat ride through a
custom-designed furnishing at Diehl Brothers Furniture,genuine Mississippi swamp. Since Mississippi is so well
pick up homemade jams and a hand-stitched quilt attraveled by RVers and road travelers, we recommend
Martha’s Kitchen, or visit Roger’s Basketry forthat you reserve at Mississippi campgrounds and
signature soaps and baskets tinted with natural nutMississippi RV camping resorts ahead of time.