Updated May 3, 2024

6 U-Pick Blueberry Farms In Mississippi That Are Perfect For A Summer Outing

Mississippi offers several you-pick blueberry farms that provide a delightful summer activity for families and berry enthusiasts.

Updated May 3, 2024

Written by

Daniella DiRienzo

Experiences

Published Oct 24, 2024

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.

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.

alt — 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.

alt — 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…

alt — 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.

alt — 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.

alt — 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.

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.

Experiences|Attractions

Published Sep 17, 2024

The Best Peanuts in Mississippi Come From This Beloved Farm

Fall in Mississippi means it's peanut season! Mitchell Farms has the best peanuts in the state.

Published Sep 17, 2024

Written by

Jackie Sutherlin

It’s fall, y’all! When I think of fall, I envision myself around a campfire, wearing something flannel and sipping on apple cider while surrounded by an explosion of autumnal colors. Then I remember that I live in the south, and that’s not how we do fall.

Fall in Mississippi looks a bit different than our northern friends. While other states are picking apples, we’re picking peanuts. Fall is peanut season in Mississippi, and there’s one farm that has the best peanuts in the state.

alt — Picking peanuts. Farmer woman pulling peanuts out of soil. Autumn harvesting. Farming and gardening concept. Organic farm

Mitchell Farms has been growing peanuts for over three decades. This working farm in Mississippi honors its crop every year with a festival in the fall. This year, the 14th Mississippi Peanut Festival takes place on October 5-6, 2024. Admission is $20 per person, and it’s one of my favorite fall festivals in Mississippi. Save yourself a few bucks and purchase tickets to the Peanut Festival online rather than in person. Online tickets are $17, but you can also purchase a season pass which is helpful if you plan on visiting the farm multiple times this season.

There will be pumpkin patch activities, food vendors, and plenty of merchants selling everything from antiques to jewelry and children’s clothes. Of course, there will be plenty of peanuts, too!

Peanut season is from August until October. Mitchell Farms sells both green and dry peanuts until they sell out, which is typically in mid-November.

You don’t have to attend the festival to pick up some peanuts. Mitchell Farms sells peanuts by the bag; you can swing by and pick them up during their hours of operation.

alt — Richard Hutchings/Corbis Documentary via Getty Images

Once peanuts have been dried, they will keep for a long time. Southerners do love a good boiled peanut, but there are plenty of peanut recipes you could try for yourself! Peanuts are high in fiber and protein, and they’re cholesterol-free. Even if you don’t want to fire up the kitchen, you could always make your own trail mix—I love a good low-energy recipe.

Have you ever purchased peanuts from Mitchell Farms? Let us know in the comments! Visit the Mitchell Farms website to learn more, and be sure to follow Mitchell Farms on Facebook so you don’t miss out on any announcements about the Peanut Festival, or any upcoming events on the horizon.

For more autumnal adventures, check out some of our favorite things to do in the fall in Mississippi. From hiking trails to secluded cabins, we’ve got all our favorites ready and waiting for you.

All Stories

Nature

National & State Parks

The Audubon Important Bird Area in Colorado Where You’ll See More Than 100 Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

Looking for great places to bird-watch near Denver? The Denver Audubon Nature Center at Chatfield State Park is a wonderful option!

by Lisa Sammons

on Oct 31

Food

Yeti Dogs: Popping Up Everywhere in Anchorage All Winter Long

Yeti Dogs is one of the only food trucks in town that sticks it out all year long, even when the temperature drops well below freezing.

I Can’t Get Over This Mom and Pop Shop That Has the Best Vietnamese Comfort Food in Alaska

There’s something special about Ray’s Place: Vietnamese Cuisine. Tucked away in Anchorage, this family-owned spot has been my go-to for over 15 years.

I Visited the Oldest Windmill on Cape Cod and Here’s What I Learned

The Eastham Windmill has a long history dating back nearly 350 years, survived several moves, and is the oldest gristmill on Cape Cod.

by Melissa Mahoney

on Oct 31

Stays

Getaway and Unwind Surrounded by Nature in the Ohio Hills

Postcard Cabins in Hocking Hills, Ohio, offers a serene escape with tiny homes, hiking trails, and nature immersion.

by Sarah McCosham

on Oct 31

6 U-Pick Blueberry Farms In Mississippi That Are Perfect For A Summer Outing

1. Pearl River Blues Berry Farm (Lumberton)

2. Picayune Blueberry Farm (Picayune)

3. Sandy Run Farm (Purvis)

4. Pecan Hill Farms (Raymond)

5. Aunt Polly’s Farm (Hattiesburg)

6. Nesbit Blueberry Plantation (Nesbit)

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

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

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

The Best Peanuts in Mississippi Come From This Beloved Farm

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

The Audubon Important Bird Area in Colorado Where You’ll See More Than 100 Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

Yeti Dogs: Popping Up Everywhere in Anchorage All Winter Long

I Can’t Get Over This Mom and Pop Shop That Has the Best Vietnamese Comfort Food in Alaska

I Visited the Oldest Windmill on Cape Cod and Here’s What I Learned

Getaway and Unwind Surrounded by Nature in the Ohio Hills