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Whether You’re a Resident Or Tourist, You’ll Enjoy A Visit To One Of These 6 Mississippi Welcome Centers    

Mississippi Welcome Centers are unique attractions resembling antebellum structures and offering historical exhibits and amenities.

Published Oct 25, 2020

Written by 

Daniella DiRienzo

If you’re a longtime resident of Mississippi, you probably haven’t given much thought to the state’s Welcome Centers, but maybe you should. Not only do Mississippi Welcome Centers offer a plethora of information about attractions throughout the state, but they’re great attractions all on their own. Like mini museums, each is designed to resemble the antebellum structures for which our state is famous. Read on to learn more about 6 of the amazing Welcome Centers in Mississippi.

1. Adams County Welcome Center (Natchez)

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David Miller/TripAdvisor

The Adams County Welcome Center is a must-stop when in Natchez. Not only is it stocked with free brochures, maps, and resource materials, but it also includes The Natchez Shop, which carries a slew of souvenirs and gifts, educational items, books, t-shirts, and much more. There are also several exhibits, which chronicle the history of Natchez.

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2. Warren County Welcome Center (Vicksburg)

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P Ryan/Google

A great way to soak up some of Vicksburg’s rich history, the Warren County Welcome Center boasts indoor and outdoor exhibits. It’s also the perfect place to enjoy the area’s scenic beauty since it overlooks the Mississippi River.

3. Jackson County Welcome Center (Moss Point)

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Kan Lamat/Google

You’ll find a wealth of information at this Moss Point Welcome Center. The various displays cover a wide range of state history. In addition to well-preserved 100-year-old Mardi Gras attire, there are carved trees, which have been fashioned from trees that fell during Hurricane Katrina.

4. Pearl River County Welcome Center (Picayune)

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deebug2470/TripAdvisor

There’s no better place to experience true Southern hospitality than this small town Welcome Center. Typically, guests are greeted with refreshments, which sometimes include fresh-baked cookies. And just like all of the state’s other Welcome Centers, the interior is filled with informative info as well as displays regarding the state’s history.

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5. Washington County Welcome Center (Greenville)

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Bertha Lindsey/Google

Named one of the 10 most unique Welcome Centers in the U.S., the Washington County Welcome Center is housed in a replica steamboat, which was originally built for the 1984 World’s Fair. Aside from its unique appearance, the Greenville landmark is worth a visit, as it’s filled with exhibits pertaining to the history of the Mississippi Delta.

6. Alcorn County Welcome Center (Corinth)

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Prayash Raj Koirala/Google

Like Mississippi’s other Welcome Centers, this one was built to resemble a cozy, Southern home, rather than a typical rest stop. Step inside, and you’ll find an impressive array of antiques, which are primarily from the 1800s. And if the antiques aren’t enough to transport you to the past, the mannequins in period-appropriate attire should do the trick.

The Welcome Centers’ perks also include a couple of outdoor amenities. Boasting neatly manicured grounds with picnic tables and grills, they’re the perfect places to chow down.

So, did you know how incredible Mississippi Welcome Centers were? Ever visited any of the ones mentioned above? Did we leave off your favorite? Tell us in the comments section.

These aren’t the only hidden gems worth seeking out. Read about others here.

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Experiences

The Audubon Center in Mississippi Where You’ll See More Than 300 Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

The Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Mississippi is one of the best places in the state for birdwatching.

Published Oct 24, 2024

Written by 

Jackie Sutherlin

I don’t know when it happens, but one day, you’ll wake up and become a birdwatcher. For me, it happened around 35. I’m not complaining, though; I truly enjoy the symphony of sounds that come from the songbirds I feed every day. Luckily, Mississippi has plenty of opportunities for birdwatching—including the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Mississippi.

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The Pascagoula River is a gateway for nature lovers. Not only is it the largest free-flowing river in the contiguous United States, but its unique ecosystem enables thousands of species to thrive—including over 300 species of birds. 

Aerial view of winding waterways through a marshland, surrounded by golden grasses and soft sunlight.
Aerial view of the Pascagoula River Delta in southeastern Mississippi.

Clocking in at over 80 miles long, the Pascagoula River is an important nesting ground for migratory birds. Depending on the time of year you visit, your adventure could be met with any number of the 300 species that call this area home during the year. 

A small bird with a bright yellow body and black cap perched on a branch, surrounded by blurred greenery.
Hooded Warblers breed in mature deciduous forest with a dense understory of mountain laurel, rhododendron, viburnum, and spicebush up to 3,600 feet. They spend the winter in lowland tropical forest, scrub, and brushy fields.

Warblers are two of my favorite species, and they have some lovely melodic tunes for you. Pictured above is a hooded warbler, but they’re not the only warblers singing their sweet tunes here…

A small bird with a black and yellow striped body perched on a thin branch, surrounded by green foliage.
The magnolia warbler is a member of the wood warbler family Parulidae.

…this friendly fellow above is the magnolia warbler. Take a listen to how each warbler sounds. Do you think you could tell the difference if you were wandering through the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Mississippi? It’s such a slight difference; I’m not sure I could identify them by just their sounds alone! Guess I have a new goal this year.

A bird with outstretched wings skims over calm water, reflecting its image in the serene surroundings.
Swallow-tailed kite (Elanoides forficatus). In the summer months, kites gather by the hundreds to forage and roost before migrating to South America. They drink and wash in flight. Beak touching water. Photographed in south Florida, USA. (Photo by Carlos A Carreno/c3.photos via Getty Images)

Other notable birds that utilize the Mississippi Flyway are the Swallow-tailed Kite and the Bald Eagle. Watching a kite fly down into the water is some of the best television you could watch. 

Perhaps my favorite bird found around the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Mississippi is the Hooded Merganser. Look at this beautiful thing! Mergansers are the only ducks in the center that eat fish, and they’re also the most elusive. You can usually catch them in wooded ponds and swampy areas that tend to get overlooked. They’ve developed excellent underwater vision, which helps them swim down to catch tasty snacks like fish and crawfish.

Mergansers are migratory, but the southern variety tends to set up shop year-round in the Mississippi Delta area, so you’ve got a chance to see one all year long. 

A male hooded merganser swimming on calm water, showcasing its distinctive crest and striking black and white plumage.
Sergio Johansen/500px Collection via Getty Images

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to birdwatching at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Mississippi. Herons and pelicans are also fairly common residents, though I know those don’t feel as special, considering you can see them as you’re driving on the interstate. 

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If you’ve ever been to the Pascagoula River Audubon Center, share your experience with us! What’s your favorite bird that you’ve seen (or heard) here?

If you want to take your birdwatching to the next level, you might want to start looking into photography. Pair your camera body with a nice zoom lens, and with a little patience, you might end up with an award-winning photo!

Read on to check out some of our favorite pumpkin patches in Mississippi. 

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Experiences

The Incredible Town In Mississippi That Has Been Left In Ruins

Do you love history? This ghost town in Mississippi has been left in ruins. You'd never guess Rodney was once a thriving community.

Published Aug 26, 2024

Written by 

Andrea Verschuyl

If you love everything spooky or want to delve deep into our state's past, I recommend visiting Rodney this summer. Located in Jefferson Country, this dilapidated community has been left in ruins. Still, its fascinating history and beautiful scenery make it a ghost town in Mississippi you won't want to miss.

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Perched on the shores of the Mississippi River, experts believe people have inhabited the site of present-day Rodney for thousands of years. Unearthed artifacts in the area indicate that the Natchez used the riverfront as a portage point to White Apple Village. Years later, the French would claim the spot, calling it "Petite Gulf."

A dirt road leads past an abandoned, weathered building surrounded by lush greenery and a bright blue sky.
Michael Gaylard/flickr

After the French lost regional power, the Spanish seized control, initiating another wave of settlement. Only after they left did American settlers populate the area, naming the community Rodney in 1814. Rodney was so important to early Mississippi that it nearly became the state capital, losing by just three votes to Jackson in 1817!

An old, weathered house with a rusty roof, surrounded by greenery and a dirt road under a cloudy sky.
Rjjiii/Wikimedia Commons

In the following decades, Rodney saw rapid growth. Much of this development is entangled with dark chapters of history, from slavery to the Indian Removal Act of 1830. As westward expansion accelerated, Rodney became a pivotal stopover point for colonists heading to states like Texas. Rodney also developed Petite Gulf cotton, a disease-resistant variety.

A cluster of weathered gravestones covered in moss, surrounded by trees and overgrown grass in a quiet forest.
Michael McCarthy/flickr

You can still visit buildings where this history unfolded in Rodney. The Presbyterian Church, for instance, was the site of a dramatic conflict in the Civil War. The church's Reverend Baker, a Confederate, invited Union soldiers from a steamboat to come to shore for a service. Confederate cavalry surrounded the church and threatened to kill the trapped soldiers if the boat's remaining crew opened fire. A cannonball shot during this encounter remains lodged in the church's brick!

Historic red brick building with green shutters, surrounded by trees, featuring a small cupola on the roof.
Michael McCarthy/flickr

However, it wasn't the Civil War that led to Rodney's downfall. It was the Mississippi River changing course.

Black and white photo of a weathered brick building with a porch, surrounded by a dirt road and cloudy sky.
Marion Post Walcott/Wikimedia Commons

Like a highway town cut off by the interstate, Rodney stagnated when the river shifted in the mid-1800s. A local railroad bypassed the community, sealing its fate. Though some families continued to live there, Rodney was disincorporated by 1930. Visiting now, you'd never guess it played such a crucial role in regional history.

Abandoned white building with a dome, surrounded by overgrown greenery and trees under a blue sky.
Rjjiii/Wikimedia Commons

If you'd like to visit a ghost town in Mississippi, I recommend planning a road trip to Rodney. Though much of the community has been left in ruins, some structures remain, bringing the area's historical events to life. Whether you're a history buff or a connoisseur of spooky scenery, Rodney is a worthwhile weekend getaway.

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