Vacationing in Jackson, Mississippi, is always a treat! This city in the South offers so many different options for an unforgettable experience, from hiking scenic trails to exploring historic sites. Top following 7 mesmerzing places should be on top of the list.

1. Gulf Islands National Seashore

14 Top Rated Tourist Attractions in Mississippi | PlanetWare
Missisipi - The Gulf Islands National Seashore (Photo: Planetware)

The Gulf Islands National Seashore extends from Cat Island in Mississippi to the eastern tip of Santa Rosa Island in Florida. Most of the seashore is actually submerged, but the barrier islands offer white-sand beaches, coastal marshes, and dense maritime forests. Davis Bayou is located on the mainland at Ocean Springs and can be easily accessed. There are hiking trails, camping and picnicking areas, old forts, as well as other recreational opportunities, including kayaking and snorkeling. There are several visitor centers within the Gulf Islands National Seashore that offer a variety of things to do. Ranger-led programs are available, and Fort Pickens has volunteers ready to answer questions, as well as several interactive visits. There is also the Park Headquarters; William M. Colmer Visitor Center; and the Fort Barrancas Visitor Center, which focuses on the military significance of the seashore.

2. Friendship Cemetery

14 Top Rated Tourist Attractions in Mississippi | PlanetWare
Visiting Friendship Cemetery might bring to you conflicted emotions (Photo: thecrazytourist)

Formerly known as Odd Fellows Cemetery, the Friendship Cemetery fills visitors with conflicted emotions. While appreciating the natural beauty of this historic resting place, it’d be easy to forget that thousands of unknown soldiers, federal and confederate, are buried here—were it not for the graves that stretch as far as the eye can see. However, many graves have been reclaimed by Mother Nature herself, with Southern Magnolias decorating otherwise grim reminders of the bloody civil war that raged on in the surrounding areas in the not too distant past; Friendship Cemetery is a real testament to the continuous beauty of the natural world.

3. Beauvoir

14 Top Rated Tourist Attractions in Mississippi | PlanetWare
Beauvoir now serves as the Confederate Presidential Library and Museum (Photo: Planetware)

This large estate overlooks the Mississippi Sound and was given the French name of Beauvoir in honor of the beautiful view. The home was built in 1852 and became the home of the Confederate States of America's only president, Jefferson Davis, in 1877. It remained in the family until 1903, when Davis' widow sold the property to the Sons of Confederate Veterans. As part of the sale, the organization agreed to use the property as a free veterans home for confederate veterans, a facility that was open from 1903 until 1957. The other requirement of the sale was that the property remain a memorial to confederate soldiers and Jefferson Davis. Since 1903, Beauvoir has housed the Confederate Presidential Library and Museum. The museum includes artifacts belonging to Davis, as well as items from the former veterans home, and Civil War artifacts. Visitors may tour the large estate, which includes the home, guest cottages, and the Memorial Cemetery.

Address: 2244 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, Mississippi

4. Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

14 Top Rated Tourist Attractions in Mississippi | PlanetWare
Missisipi Museum of Natural Science (Photo: Tripboba)

The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science is located at 2148 Riverside Drive in Jackson, MS. The museum is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Things To Do At The Mississippi Museum Of Natural Science

Explore Exhibits: You’ll learn so much by browsing the many fascinating exhibits here. Featuring subjects like native Mississippi animals, extinct and endangered Mississippi species, conservation, and much more, you’ll love delving into the qualities that make this area so wonderful. You’ll also get to see aquariums to learn more about aquatic life here! This museum has both permanent and temporary exhibits, so there’s always something new to see here.

Walk the Nature Trails: Make sure to bring along your camera! The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science provides a network of nature trails for you to explore to see some of this area’s finest scenery. You’ll see gorgeous woods, swamps, rivers, and more along these guided routes.

Browse the Gift Shop: Commemorate your trip to Jackson, MS, with a souvenir! The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science has a great gift shop containing all kinds of unique items.

Attend Fun Events: Learn more about nature and science in an entertaining, hands-on environment! The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science hosts a wide variety of events, including festivals, workshops, new exhibit openings, and much more. Take a look at their calendar of events so you don’t miss what they have in store, suggested Fairview Inn.

5. Mississippi State Capitol

14 Top Rated Tourist Attractions in Mississippi | PlanetWare
Missisipi State Capitol (Photo: thecrazytourist)

The third State Capitol building to be built in Jackson, Mississippi, this signature landmark was completed in 1903 and cost over one million dollars to build! After undergoing a renovation between 1979 and 1983, the Capitol building still retains its original architectural design and feel, as was the intention throughout the restoration project. Listed on the National Register of Historical Places and located at 400 High Street, Jackson, the Mississippi State Capitol building is well worth a visit thanks to its beautiful Beaux Arts flair. It is hard to decide what is more impressive, the exterior façade, with its 180-foot dome; or the brightly lit interior with its replica liberty bell, and multitudes of scenes from US history. With free-of-charge daily tours on a daily basis, and group reservations available upon request, the Mississippi State Capitol is not to be missed!

6. Bluff Lake, Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge

14 Top Rated Tourist Attractions in Mississippi | PlanetWare
Photo: Only in your state

The beauty of nature and the tranquility of solitude combine at Bluff Lake to create memories that will last a lifetime. Bird watchers will appreciate the vast number of species on offer—included the endangered Red Cockaded Woodpecker. Meanwhile, fishermen will appreciate the quality of the sport available, and nature lovers will fall in love with just about everything on offer. Visiting Bluff Lake during the fall is truly magical: the crunching of leaves underfoot as you adore the orange and yellow and brown that envelopes you into a trance-like peaceful state is something that you’ll never quite get over.

7. Vicksburg National Military Park

14 Top Rated Tourist Attractions in Mississippi | PlanetWare
Vicsburg National Military Park (Photo: Pinterest)

The battle of Vicksburg was pivotal to the American Civil War—it included a 47-day siege which gave way to the surrender of the city, which gave the Union complete control of the Mississippi River. Vicksburg National Military Park is run by the National Park Service in commemoration of this vital point in United States history, and to the lives of the soldiers that gave their lives throughout the campaign. Whether you’re a history lover or not, it’s impossible not to appreciate this national treasure. Over 1,300 historical monuments and markers are within the park’s bounds, as well as the melancholic Vicksburg National Cemetery—the resting place of over 18,000 people, of which two-thirds are unidentified. Over 500,000 visitors attend this haunting tribute to the battle of Vicksburg and the soldiers that gave their lives during; whether you wish to learn more about the civil war, or just pay your respects, Vicksburg National Military Park is a prime place to do either, according to thecrazytourist.

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