This Charming Southern State Is Experiencing More Tourism Than Ever Before

When thinking of tourism in the southeastern United States, destinations like Florida, Tennessee, or South Carolina likely come to mind. Each of these states has plenty to offer visitors, but Mississippi has become part of the southern tourism conversation, too. According to Mississippi's 2024 Tourism Economic Contribution Report, the state received 44 million visitors, which brought $11.9 billion to its economy. Political and tourism industry leaders were quick to mention the positive impacts that a tourism boom can have on local businesses and job opportunities.

Money is, of course, a factor for tourists. Thankfully, this southern destination makes for a fun and affordable vacation. In the off-season, three days in a Mississippi hotel costs, on average, $442; similar conditions in Florida come in at $662. There are plenty of low-cost activities to partake in as well. Spend time at Mississippi's peaceful Gulf Coast beaches, visit historical landmarks and museums, or hike around coastal nature, to name a few.

History buffs heading to Mississippi should stop in Vicksburg. During the Civil War, Confederate and Union armies fought for control of Vicksburg because of its position on the Mississippi River. It took 18 months for the Confederacy to surrender the area. This battlefield is now the Vicksburg National Military Park, operating under the National Park Service. It features hundreds of memorials, a cemetery of veterans, the massive USS Cairo gunboat, and much more. The entrance fee is $20 per car, and it won't take long to see why the Vicksburg National Military Park is the most-visited tourist attraction in the Magnolia State. 

Jackson, Mississippi's capital, offers more glimpses into southern history. The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum covers the beginning of slavery in the land that became the United States, African Americans in World War II, peaceful protests of the 1960s, and beyond. Nearby is the Old Capitol Museum, a building that has stood since 1839 and was the site of Mississippi's secession from the Union in 1861. It is open in the mornings, Wednesday through Friday, and a visit allows you to learn about state governments while you gaze up at the inside of its huge dome.

Blues music is integral to Mississippi's history and culture. The Mississippi Blues Trail helps you find destinations related to this all-American music genre. You'll find points of interest on the trail all over the state, so be sure to check the definitive list of stops, no matter your destination. Some are merely descriptive plaques, marking where significant places once stood, while others are large-scale museums. Popular stops include Elvis Presley's birthplace in Tupelo, the B.B. King Museum in Indianola, the Delta Blues Museum, and Sam Cooke's Mississippi Blues Trail marker, both in Clarksdale.

Mississippi might not have as much Gulf coastline as Florida, but what it does have is definitely worth visiting. Aside from relaxing on white sand beaches, Gulfport has plenty of things to do. Get up close with dolphins, sea lions, and more at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies. You can learn what the institute does to rehabilitate endangered wildlife and how you can help. Families will also love TrainTastic, the largest model railroad museum with plenty of hands-on exhibits. Other popular places include the Mississippi Aviation Heritage Museum and the free-to-enter Gulfport Arts Center.

Thanks to its multiple casino resorts like Beau Rivage and Boomtown, Biloxi is often called Mississippi's "Vegas of the South." However, there is more to do than gamble. Learn about Biloxi's Civil War connections at Beauvoir, a quintessential southern mansion at which Confederate leader Jefferson Davis lived after the war. Since its completion in 1852, it has survived more than one hurricane and has been repaired to appear as it did all those decades ago. Explore another aspect of Mississippi history at the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum. See elaborate costumes from the festival's past and even try on some accessories. Lastly, don't forget to check out the lovely Biloxi Beach and its famous lighthouse, also from the mid-1800s.

To feel more immersed in nature, visit the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Ferries through Ship Island Excursions reach the islands that make up this protected natural space, but some are also on the mainland. Around the Davis Bayou Coastal Preserve, just 7 miles from Biloxi, you'll find Nature's Way Trail. This hike shows off iconic bayou nature and wildlife on a 0.5-mile loop. Stick around longer by booking a campsite at the neighboring Davis Bayou Campground. Perhaps bring a kayak, too!