There are many charming small towns in Mississippi, and Water Valley is one of them. One of our best kept secrets is often overlooked, and that’s likely because it’s just a short drive from Oxford. However, this is one secret you’ll want to be in on – and that’s because Water Valley is the perfect Mississippi day trip destination. So, if you’re taking day trips from Oxford, MS, you’ll want to add Water Valley to your itinerary.
Water Valley is in the hills of northwest Mississippi, about 20 miles south of Oxford.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Water Valley was the hub of the Illinois Central Railroad – something visitors today can learn about at the Casey Jones Railroad Museum.
Eventually, the railroad left and Water Valley’s prosperity went with it. In the early 2000s, it seemed like Water Valley was on the brink of collapse; however, it underwent a renaissance of sorts.
Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that the Water Valley of today is absolutely charming, particularly its downtown, which is filled with buildings from yesteryear.
Always held the first weekend of August, it’s been named one of the top 20 fests in the Southeastern U.S., attracting tens of thousands of people each year!
A small town that’s anything but typical, Water Valley offers one of the most unique getaways in Mississippi. Do you agree? Is Water Valley the perfect day trip destination? Know of any other unique places to visit in Mississippi? Tell us!
Water Valley isn’t the only small town that makes for a great getaway. There are so many others, including these charming small towns in Mississippi, a few of which are also great for day trips from Oxford, MS.
Ready or not, summer is here! We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of some of our favorite things to do in Mississippi in summer, covering everything from epic sunset sails to activities that won’t cost you a dime. Of course, summer in Mississippi can be a little hot, so we’ve included plenty of ways to beat the heat on those hot summer days.
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Best Summer Vacation Destinations In Mississippi
Are you ready to pack your bags and enjoy a summer vacation? Here are our top picks for summer vacation destinations in Mississippi:
Need To Know: There will be fewer crowds since Ole Miss students typically head home for the summer.
Oxford has a college-town reputation, but it won’t feel like it in the summer. The town settles into much quieter vibes when the college kids head home for the summer. With its rich history and exceptional restaurants, you’ll never be bored. Spend some time exploring Oxford’s historic Downtown Square. Be sure to swing by Square Books and then grab a bite to eat at AJax Diner while you’re there. Afterward, head over to Rowan Oak—William Faulkner’s home. The residence has been carefully preserved and you can tour the home.
Need To Know: Gulfport is the second-largest city in Mississippi
Thanks to its beautiful beaches, Gulfport is a fabulous summer destination. Families with kids of all ages will love visiting the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies. Not only will you learn all about marine life, but you can even swim with dolphins! Other Gulfport attractions include the Gulf Islands Waterpark,Fishbone Alley, and many others.
Need To Know: Parking for the public beaches can fill up quickly!
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Gulfport and Biloxi are less than 15 miles away from each other, and it’s a very scenic drive! Biloxi’s casinos are popular year-round and they are a great option when you need to escape the heat for a while. You can’t miss the Biloxi Lighthouse (Literally. It’s in the middle of the road). The views from the top are extraordinary!
Best Beaches, Lakes & Rivers To Visit In Mississippi This Summer
Summer was meant for splashing around. Grab your swimsuits and sunscreen and head over to one of these spots. Whether you want to pull up a patch of sand or float carelessly down a river, these are some of the best beaches, lakes, and rivers to visit in Mississippi this summer:
Need To Know: There is very little shade on Ship Island. Bring hats, umbrellas, etc.
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If Caribbean blue water and white sandy beaches are what you seek, make your way to Ship Island. Ship Island Excursions offers a ferry service that takes about an hour. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins along the way! Once you arrive on the island, you’ll be met with a tropical paradise. There are beach chairs and umbrellas you can rent, but you can also bring your own, too. History lovers will also enjoy getting the opportunity to explore Fort Massachusetts. It’s not in use anymore, but it was used during the Civil War as a base for Union troops and a prison for Confederate soldiers.
Need To Know: The 33,000-acre lake is the largest drinking water resource in Mississippi
Often called “the Rez” by locals, you can’t go wrong with a summer day here. There are several public parks dotted along the water, so if you find one too crowded, you can just find another! Pelahatchie Shore Park is a good first pick. The park overlooks Pelahatchie Bay and offers a disc golf course, a boat launch, and plenty of spots to pull up a beach chair and relax. You can also take a scenic drive along the Reservoir which coincidentally takes you along the historic Natchez Trace.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to Cock of the Walk for some of the best catfish in Mississippi!
Location: Lafayette, Panola, and Marshall counties
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Popularity: Very popular
Need To Know: Perfect for families
If you can’t make it down to the Gulf Coast, Sardis Lake is a great option. This 98,520-acre reservoir is not far from Oxford and can easily be done as a day trip from Oxford, Tupelo, or even Memphis. As one of the clearest lakes in Mississippi, it’s a popular swimming area. Sardis Lake is also perfect for fishing, too. There are plenty of day-use areas, several boat launches, beaches, playgrounds, and more.
Parks To Visit In Mississippi This Summer
There are 24 state parks in Mississippi, and each one of them is worthy of a visit. If you had to narrow it down to just a few, we’ve got you covered. If you plan on hiking around these parks, we'd recommend picking up some trail maps ahead of time. Here are some of the best parks in Mississippi to visit this summer:
Need To Know: Entrance to the state park is $4. Entrance to Buccaneer Bay is $19 for individuals 48” + and $13 for under 48”
Splash the day away at Buccaneer State Park. The park is home to Buccaneer Bay, a 4.5-acre waterpark that overlooks the Gulf with waterslides and wave pools galore. Nature lovers will also enjoy the park’s nature trail, or challenging the family to a game of disc golf.
Need To Know: Come back in the fall to see the leaves changing color.
Conveniently located between Meridian and Jackson, Roosevelt State Park is a great park to visit in the summer. Explore the hiking trails, enjoy the 150-acre lake, or have some fun on the water slide! There are plenty of activities to keep you entertained all day long.
Need To Know: Cabin rentals book quickly, so make reservations as early as you can if you want to spend a few days here.
Sitting pretty in Tupelo, Tombigbee Lake State Park is a favorite hangout for locals during the summer months. Fishing the lake is one of the most popular things to do. On land, visitors can enjoy epic mountain biking trails, scenic hiking trails, a legendary disc golf course, and more.
Best Free Summer Activities
I’m a firm believer that a good time doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You can have a fabulous day with a little planning and only pay for the gas. These summer activities won’t cost you a dime:
Popularity: Some sections are more popular than others
Need To Know: You don’t have to tackle the entire 444 miles. Start wherever you’d like and drive until you see something you’re interested in!
Summer is the perfect season for road trips, and the Natchez Trace Parkway is one of the most epic road trips in Mississippi you can take. Beginning in Natchez and ending in Nashville, the Natchez Trace Park clocks in at 444 miles but you don’t need to drive the entire route. There are plenty of historic landmarks, hiking trails, and scenic views along the route. You can make the drive as long or as short as you’d like!
Location: Marion County, just outside of Morgantown
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Popularity: Not very popular
Need To Know: Wear good sneakers and have a towel/water back in the car. Your shoes will get muddy!
If you want to experience one of the most unique landscapes in Mississippi, pay a visit to Red Bluff. Red Bluff looks like a mini Grand Canyon! These “canyons” are the result of erosion, and the erosion actually took out part of a road nearby. Don’t worry, you won’t be driving along that part. Grab a trail map before you go, and be sure you’re wearing some sneakers you won’t mind getting dirty. That red clay can (and will) stick to everything!
Mississippi has countless public beaches peppered along the coast. We mentioned Ship Island earlier, but these beaches don’t require a boat to get to. Most of Mississippi’s public beaches have free parking, so the only thing you’ll pay for is the gas.
Best Summer Events And Festivals In Mississippi
Grab your favorite festival shirt and head out to one of the summer festivals in Mississippi this year:
The Ridgeland Baloon Glow is one of the best ways to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend. Enjoy plenty of food vendors, a kid’s corner, and live music while watching all of the colorful hot air balloons in the sky. There’s also an incredible fireworks display in the evenings. The festival takes place at the Northpark Mall.
Head over to Crystal Springs at the end of June to experience the
" target="_blank">Tomato Festival. The one-day festival takes place on June 29, 2024, from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. and features a 5K run, arts and crafts, and plenty of food vendors. Don’t forget to swing by the Farmers’ Market in Railroad Park to pick up fresh produce and tomatoes!
Need To Know: The festival takes place July 11-13, 2024
The Slugburger is one of Mississippi’s most iconic culinary creations. As the story goes, a Corinth resident by the name of John Weeks started making these special burgers in 1917. To stretch the ground beef and drive costs down, he mixed potato flakes into the ground beef. Today these burgers are usually mixed with soybean grit, and they’re just as popular as they were over a century ago. Every year, the town of Corinth hosts the
" target="_blank">Slugburger Festival that’s filled with music, a talent show, carnival rides, and plenty of slugburgers to go around.
Check out our road trip essentials guide before you set off on your grand adventure. Safe travels this summer!
When most people drive through southern Mississippi, they take I-10, but there’s a coastal route that’s simply breathtaking. This scenic drive in Mississippi hugs the Gulf Coast for the entire journey, with plenty of opportunities to stop off and take a beach stroll along the way.
With no traffic (hah!) it would take you less than an hour, but of course you’ll want to stop off along the way and stretch your legs and take in the views. This road trip will give you an idea of what to expect, plus some of our favorite stops.
Beginning from Bay St. Louis, our first landmark is the iconic Bay St. Louis Bridge.
There are actually a few Shaggy’s Restaurants on this drive, so if you’re not hungry yet just wait until you get to the Gulfport or Biloxi Beach locations.
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Long Beach is the next big town you’ll drive through.
Take a stroll down Long Beach Harbor! Get that salty air in your hair and enjoy the sand between your toes. It’s easy to see why this charming coastal town was voted one of the best places to live in Mississippi.
You could easily spend the entire day exploring Gulfport. If we had to choose just one attraction, we’d pick Ship Island Excursions. Here, you can take a boat out to Ship Island where you can lounge around on one of Mississippi’s best beaches. They also offer dolphin tours, too!
Onward we go! The Biloxi Lighthouse is one of the most iconic sights in Biloxi, and it's worth pulling over for.
The Biloxi lighthouse was operated by civilians from 1848 until 1939. Fun fact: out of the 91 years that the lighthouse was civilian-operated, 75 of those years were women-run. That’s more female keepers than any other lighthouse in American history! You can go inside the lighthouse and grab some terrific tree-top views from the top.
Once you reach the Biloxi Bay Bridge, you're in the home stretch.
