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Mississippi has always been famous for its quiet charms, its breezy pace of life, and its delicious regional cuisine. These traits are best displayed within its many small towns, but so is another often-overlooked feature inherent to the state: its tremendous beauty. Mississippi contains some of the most gorgeous communities in the entirety of the continental United States, most of which lay claim to a rich and fascinating history, as well. The following is a short summary of 14 such notable locales any traveler would be well-advised to visit.

Holly Springs

The town of Holly Springs is the seat of Mississippi's Marshall County and a gem of the state's northern region. The town of 6,968 people has many attractions to offer to visitors. For those who love natural beauty, its close proximity to Holly Springs National Forest and Wall Doxey State Park is incredibly convenient. The hummingbird gardens at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center are a must-see destination, as well. For those with more athletic inclinations, Kirkwood National Golf Club offers a challenging 18-hole set against the backdrop of a beautiful Mississippi landscape.

Holly Springs is also home to Rust College, a historically black liberal arts college. Established in 1866, it is the second oldest private post-secondary school in the state and one of only ten historically black colleges and universities in the United States. It was founded before 1868 and is still operating today.

Natchez

Initially settled by French colonists in 1716, Natchez, Mississippi, holds an important role in the history of American expansionism. The former frontier town, whose current population is 14,520, is the southern terminus of the Natchez Trace, a forest trail extending for 440 miles and linking the Cumberland, Tennessee, and Mississippi rivers. Picturesque in the present day, in the early 1800s, the Natchez Trace served as a vital artery for transporting new settlers and supplies to the largely untamed southeastern corridor of the United States.

The complex legacy of Natchez, including its major role in the pre-Civil War slave trade, can be learned about in one of the town's many historical sites, including William Johnson House and Melrose Estate, both of which are certified as significant cultural landmarks in the National Parks Service. The Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture is another of the town's prominent institutions and an excellent educational resource.

For those interested in activities that fall more into the category of pure leisure, Natchez also hosts an annual hot air balloon festival that takes place every October.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen, Mississippi (population 4,961) is a small town in the northeastern section of the state primarily known for its beautiful and anachronistic architecture. First chartered in 1837, the community is home to many prominent buildings with a design style specific to the antebellum south. Some of the notable architectural elements of these cottages, bungalows, and mansions include towers, bays, brackets, as well as stained and leaded glass windows. Each year in springtime, Aberdeen hosts pilgrimages to these historic structures, over 200 of which can be found in the National Registry of Historic Places. Aberdeen is also the seat of Mississippi's Monroe County.

Starkville

Positioned in a section of east-central Mississippi known as the Golden Triangle, Starkville is the county seat of Oktibbeha County. It is also one the premiere college towns of the Deep South, home to Mississippi State University (the largest university in the state) and most all of its faculty and students, which helps contribute to its robust population of 25,653. Perhaps unsurprisingly for a college town, Starkville also possesses a highly regarded library system. Of particular interest is the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library, which is housed within and curated by The Mississippi State Mitchell Memorial Library.

The history of Starkville is long and storied, with the region having been inhabited by Native tribes for approximately 2,100 years. Artifacts such as clay pots and artwork dating back to this time period have been found at sites near the town proper, with many originating at the Herman Mound and Village Site. These ancient earthwork mounds were constructed by Native Americans as part of their religious cosmology and are of tremendous historical and cultural value. 

Canton

Canton, Mississippi (population 13,189) is the seat of Madison County and a cultural touchstone of the Magnolia State. The town is known as the "Movie Capital of Mississippi" because it has been used as the backdrop of several Hollywood films, most notably A Time to Kill, My Dog Skip, and O Brother Where Art Thou. This pleasant and photogenic community also served as the real-life setting for the film version of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Eudora Welty's novella The Ponder Heart. Additionally, Canton is the birthplace of the Mississippi Art Colony, which is the oldest continuous, self-governed art colony in the USA.

Yazoo City

Yazoo City, Mississippi (population 11,403) is affectionately nicknamed The Gateway to the Delta in reference to its position next to the mouth of the Yazoo River. The town's Main Street is renowned for its vivacious, multi-colored business fronts, running the gamut from lime green to hot pink.

For the outdoorsy types, Yazoo City offers lots to do. Nearby Wolf Lake is perfect for scenic hiking or camping trips and is often called "the Delta's Best Kept Secret" by locals. Slightly further outside the town, Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, the largest land refuge in the state, covers 40,000 acres of beautiful bayous and bottomland hardwood forests and contains throngs of birds and land animals native to Mississippi.

Tupelo

Despite being a mid-sized town of 38,300 souls, Tupelo, Mississippi, has somehow managed to retain the quaint charm and hospitality of a small community. Some of the more interesting diversions in this town include the Oren Dunn Museum, the Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo, and the Tupelo National Battlefield, which commemorates an important clash between Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War.

Tupelo also has a rather unique claim to fame; it is the birthplace of Elvis Presley. Each year, thousands of fans of the King of Rock n' Roll flock to Tupelo to pay homage to the departed icon. The options the town offers for doing so are many and varied, but the main attraction by far is the Elvis Presley Center, which houses the official Elvis Birthplace & Museum.

Bay St. Louis

Bay St. Louis is the county seat of Hancock County, Mississippi. Situated on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico on the west side of the bay after which it is named, the town of 9,284 is renowned for its stunning waterfront where visitors can eat freshly caught seafood, cast a fishing line off a pier, or simply take a walk around the state-of-the-art marina. The town is also noted for the laid-back attitude of its citizens, making it a fantastic destination for those seeking some genuine rest and relaxation.

Oxford

Anyone seriously interested in American literature would be remiss not to visit Oxford, Mississippi, if given the opportunity. The township, whose population hovers just above 25,000 people, counts Nobel-prize-winning author William Faulkner among its most lauded sons. Rowan Oak, his old residence where he wrote many of his most celebrated works, has been professionally restored and is currently open to the public for viewing. But beyond simply being his hometown for many years, Oxford served as Faulkner's inspiration for the county seat of his fictional Yoknapatawpha County in his debut novel, Flags in the Dust.

Oxford is also a college town, adjacent to the University of Mississippi ("Ole Miss" to its students and alumni) and its gorgeous architecture and well-manicured grounds. Founded in 1837, Ole Miss is Mississippi's first university.

Picayune

Even at a relatively small population of 11,885, Picayune, Mississippi, is the largest city in Pearl River County, but that takes nothing away from the appeal of this quiet bedroom community. Acclaimed for its many common grounds, recreational facilities, and parks, the town prides itself on its many recurring special events, such as a bi-annual Main Street Fair, movies in the park, and yearly Independence Day, Halloween, and Christmas celebrations.

Picayune is also just a scant 45-mile drive from New Orleans, Louisiana. As such, it's a great destination for those who would enjoy a largely peaceful getaway punctuated by an exciting night or two touring the Big Easy.

Pass Christian

Nicknamed The Pass, Pass Christian, Mississippi, is a peninsula town of 6,307 people. Situated on Mississippi Sound between the Gulf of Mexico to the south, the Bay of St. Louis to the west, and an extensive stretch of bayou to the north, Pass Christian developed as an ideal harbor and seaside resort town. The local economy is supported by boutiques and specialty shops that cater to out-of-towners, as well as restaurants that feature sumptuous dishes centered around locally sourced oysters and shrimp. A disproportionately large portion of Pass Christian is designated as a National Historic District because of its many ornate and stylized homes, many from the 1800s.

Pontotoc

The county seat of the eponymous county where it dwells, Pontotoc, Mississippi (population 5,625) is emblematic of the state's small-town beauty and slow lifestyle. Visitors are encouraged to browse the village's multiple art galleries, check out the Pontotoc Historic District on Main Street and Liberty Street, or take a refreshing hike along the Tanglefoot Trail.

US history buffs will be interested in Pontotoc because of its role in the nation’s early development. The Treaty of Pontotoc Creek—an agreement between the Andrew Jackson administration and representatives of the Native American Chickasaw Nation—was signed at the town’s National Council House on October 20, 1832. Though the contents of this treaty are contentious by modern standards, the event is nonetheless an important marker in the complex relationship between Native Americans and the United States Government and is thusly listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Clarksdale

For fans of rhythm and blues music, Clarksdale, Mississippi (population 14,903) is a destination that can't be beaten. Stationed along the shores of the Mississippi River and easily accessed from the iconic Highway 61, Clarksdale is the birthplace of musical legends Muddy Waters and Sam Cooke and home to the Delta Blues Museum. It is the definitive institution documenting and celebrating this uniquely American style of music and contains many interesting relics and informative exhibits dedicated to the genre. Clarksdale also advertises live blues music happening 365 nights a year at the town's many nightclubs.

Corinth

Corinth, Mississippi, is a historic railroad junction town. The community of 14,573 souls is known alternately as The Gateway City and The Crossroads of the South because of its role as a major transport connection for the Memphis & Charleston and Mobile & Ohio railways in the 19th century. This legacy can best be experienced by visiting the Crossroads Museum & Historic Corinth Depot.

Due to its strategic position as a railroad hub, Corinth also played a crucial part in the Civil War, and as such, the town is full of memorials, commemorative landmarks, and museums dealing with the subject. Of special note are Shiloh National Military Park, the Civil War Interpretive Center, and Verandah-Curlee House, a historically preserved estate where Confederate military leaders planned their 1862 attack on Union troops.

In the present day, Corinth is often cited for the balance it has managed to achieve between rural and suburban life, providing both locals and visitors alike with a peaceful setting in which to spend their time.

The Delightful Draw of Small-Town Mississippi

The official nickname of Mississippi is The Magnolia State, and much like the delicate local flower from which this moniker is derived, the beauty of Mississippi's small towns is undeniable. From the coastal villages overlooking the Gulf of Mexico to the townships dotting the state's mighty namesake river to the quiet communities nestled along its northern border, Mississippi has destinations perfect for anyone searching for a fun day trip or a relaxing weekend vacation. The state's small towns also serve to chronicle many important points in American history, and so a holiday in Mississippi carries with it the added benefit of immersion in the Deep South's past and accompanying cultural significance. When combined with the natural majesty intrinsic to the region, it's easy to understand the delightful draw of small-town Mississippi.