Exploring Mississippi: A State Rich in History, Scenic Beauty and Music

Spanning decades, the fight for Civil Rights in the USA has taken place in numerous cities and states across the South. Discover important stops along the U.S. Civil Rights Trail in Jackson, Mississippi. Witness firsthand the struggle for racial equality and social justice during a tour of the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. Learn more about the Evers family in their preserved home, which provides visitors a glimpse into life for Black Mississippians in the 1960s. At the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, explore the fraught history of Black Americans striving for their rights from 1945 to 1970. Galleries showcase the lives of Mississippi activists, artists and changemakers who fought to make Mississippi – and the entire country – a better place for all Americans.

Next, head south to enjoy the cooling sea breezes of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In Gulfport, board a seasonal ferry to Ship Island, an undeveloped barrier island that’s named for the role it played in providing deep-water anchorage for ships starting in the late 1600s. You’re likely to spot dolphins during your one-hour boat ride to the island. Once you arrive, find fun for the whole family as you swim in emerald waters, birdwatch and look for shells on long, pristine beaches. Take a tour of Fort Massachusetts and learn about its rich history under French, Spanish, British, Confederate and Union flags. After arriving back on the mainland, grab a bite to eat at Rosetti’s Old Biloxi Café – order seafood gumbo or an oyster po-boy to sample seafood straight from the Gulf.

Mississippi is touted as the birthplace of the blues. Nearly 100 years after that music genre was established, you can find live blues music in clubs all across the state. In downtown Jackson, check out great classics at Hal & Mal’s. At their Blue Monday showcase, jam with young artists and other local musicians, celebrating the enduring richness of the music. The Mississippi Delta gave rise to a host of legendary blues musicians including Muddy Waters, Sam Cooke and Robert Johnson, making it one of the best places to experience the blues today. The Ground Zero Blues Club, with locations in Clarksdale and Biloxi, is another great place to listen to live blues music – they feature it four nights a week.

Fly into Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) or Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT) and rent a car to begin your Mississippi adventures.