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What if someone told you about a place where several waterfront towns are steps away from the whistling of the waves? Where miles of white-sand beaches fringe the turquoise waters of the ocean, offering a º£½ÇÉçÇø of outdoor fun and adventure? Where lovely magnolias and beautiful greenery — take the mind to a time when life was simple, authentic, and uncomplicated? And, of course, where people are friendly, helpful, and eager to strike up a conversation? As you might have already guessed, we are talking about Mississippi. If you want to explore the birthplace of music icon Elvis Presley, discover the 14 small towns in Mississippi that have often been ranked among U.S. favorites.

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Pack your bags, fill your car's gasoline tank, and head drive down to Natchez, a stunning town of about 14,000 residents close to the border with Louisiana. The name of the town is in reference to the Native American tribe that once roamed the region — which was known for its use of platform mounds. Since Natchez sits along the river that lends the state its name, expect heart-melting waterfront scenes and the enchantment of a rustic atmosphere. Attractions within the town include the Museum of African American History and Culture, an information-packed gem that sheds fascinating light on Slavery and the struggle for Civil Rights — in a state that witnessed some of the most chilling accounts of that era. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Mississippi River provides awesome opportunities for adventure, including swimming and boating.

Corinth

Corinth, Mississippi, is named after the ancient Greek city that once served as the place of worship for Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and pleasure — and which was once celebrated for its wealth, astounding architecture, and commerce. Make no mistake, however. While Corinth, Mississippi, does not play host to such historic structures as the Temple of Apollo and other ancient marvels now covered with the mist of time, Midtown Corinth Historic District boasts several well-preserved 19th-century buildings that will tickle the fancy of first-time visitors. For those with the slightest interest in the history of the area, the Black History Museum, the Museum of Southern Culture, and the Northeast Mississippi Museum — are all worth checking out. On the flip side, the fact Corinth is nestled within the Appalachian Mountain Range speaks to the abundance of its adventure options.

Ocean Springs

You may think Ocean Springs is all about the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, which has been the largest fine arts gathering in Mississippi for more than forty years. Well, the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival — which takes place in November 2023 and brings together artists, food vendors, and craftists from across the country — is the largest arts festival, not just in Mississippi but also on the entire Gulf Coast. It often sees Ocean Springs come alive with exciting displays and events, and it is quite a pleasure to experience. Yet Ocean Springs is more than its defining festival. Perhaps because of its artistic flair, quaint cottage-like Main Street, scenic shore, and arresting, centuries-old live oaks, readers of USA Today ranked this Mississippi jewel as the best coastal small town — not in Mississippi or the Gulf Coast — but in the United States. If you want some cooked-to-perfection burgers while in town, check out Woody's Roadside and discover one of Ocean Spring's best-kept culinary secrets.

Woodville

For its name, brace yourself for massive, live oak trees, especially around Woodville's original courthouse square, a feature of the town for well over a hundred years. It is here that John James Audubon, the first person to attempt to paint and describe all the birds of America, roamed the woods decades ago, searching for the subjects of his study. A charming, slow-paced town of fewer than 1,000 residents, Woodville is a tiny, rural enclave almost hidden in Wilkinson County's rolling hills close to the Louisiana border. Woodville Historic District features about 140 buildings whose architectural character ranges from Federal-style right through to post-º£½ÇÉçÇø War II revivals. It boasts several attractions, including Clark Creek Natural Area — and the family home of Jefferson Davies, a fascinating man who briefly served as the first and only President of the Confederate States of America. 

Petal

For many years, when it was still part of the city of Hattiesburg, Petal styled itself as the "largest unincorporated town in the United States." But that was to end in 1974, the same year the Watergate scandal forced Richard Nixon to resign from the presidency, becoming the only President to ever resign the office. Boasting a population of about 11,600, Petal sits along the Leaf River, a principal tributary of the Pascagoula River. One of its claims is that it has one of the highest per capita incomes in the State of Mississippi. The Leaf River on which Petal sits offers several opportunities for water-based adventure, including boating and fishing. Besides, quiet, peaceful parks such as Petal River Park, featuring miles of hiking and biking trails, provide an oasis-like experience, which is often an antidote to the noise and chaos of whirring cars and blaring horns. 

Vicksburg

Once called the "Key to the South" by Abraham Lincoln, Vicksburg hugs the second-longest river in North America at the mouth of the Yazoo River, about 44 miles west of Jackson, the capital of the Magnolia State. It is partially encircled by the Vicksburg National Military Park, which hosts the restored Union gunboat USS Cairo, arguably the first ship ever to be sunk by a mine remotely detonated by hand. This military park, constructed to commemorate one of the most decisive Civil War battles, also features numerous interesting war monuments, reconstructed trenches, and other fortifications. Besides, Vicksburg's downtown area is brick-paved and hosts a delightful variety of locally-owned shops, eateries, and eclectic art galleries, such as The Attic Gallery, a cute little gallery mainly displaying folk art.

Canton

Canton is anchored by a breathtaking Greek Revival courthouse square that has defined the townscape for more than 160 years. Dotted around this architectural masterpiece are quaint shops and restaurants where first-time visitors can browse an afternoon away while sampling what the town has to offer. Reputed to be the "Movie Capital of Mississippi," Canton has served as the backdrop for award-winning movies such as A Time to Kill, a 1996 American legal drama film based on John Grisham's novel by the same name. Then again, Canton is the birthplace of the Mississippi Art Colony and plays host to the oldest art colony in the United States — of those documented at the Smithsonian Institute. If you have time on your hands, you may want to check out the Mississippi Petrified Forest, located about 20 miles from downtown Canton.

Greenville

Gambling casinos. Fertile soil. And, of course, the heart-ravishing greenery. Yet, Greenville does not owe its name to the calming hue of the foliage around the area. Rather, it was named for General Nathanael Green, a bosom friend of General George Washington and perhaps his most trusted subordinate. Greenville has been called "the Heart and Soul of the Mississippi Delta and is often sumptuously vibrant regardless of the season. You may want to kickstart your Greenville tour by filling up on some kick-ass steak or hot tamales at Doe's Eat Place — an eatery well-known for its delicious treats. If you are looking for a place to stay, you will love your time at The Belmont 1857 Bed & Breakfast, the last antebellum mansion along the Ol' Man River.

Bay St. Louis 

If there is a Mississippi town that is almost criminally underrated, it has to be Bay St. Louis, a stunning eye candy tucked 51 miles away from New Orleans on a prime spot on the Mississippi Sound, a 90-mile-long arm of the Gulf of Mexico that extends from Waveland right through to the Dauphin Island Bridge in Alabama. The beaches around Bay St. Louis are known for their distinctive white sand and for dog-friendliness. The Jimmy Rutherford Fishing Pier on Beach Boulevard extends 1,000 feet into the Bay of St. Louis, offers lovely sights to behold, and provides access to the public beach. Away from the shimmering waters, you will enjoy strolling through Old Town Bay St. Louis and sampling quaint shops such as The French Potager, a florist's dream at 213 Main Street — and the delicious array of inviting restaurants.

Cleveland

The Birthplace of the Blues. That is Cleveland's most defining heritage. The history of the Blues, according to several sources, goes back to the Dockery Plantation, a massive, 25,600-acre plantation that once served as the intermittent home of country music legend Charley Patton. Located an easy 7 miles from downtown Cleveland, Dockery Plantation is peaceful, green, and heart-ravishing — and comes with the unmistakable feeling that one has arrived in the Blues Country. In downtown Cleveland, you may want to grab a meal at the Delta Meat Market at Cotton House, a quick stroll from Martin and Sue King Railroad Museum — where you will enjoy drinking the local railroad history and standing in awe of an absolutely awesome model train set representing the Mississippi of the by-gone era.

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A couple of years ago, Laurel was in disrepair and crumbling like the ruins of a long-forsaken city. However, thanks to the love and determination of a few residents, this Mississippi treasure has been restored, re-imagined, and revitalized. Like a flower that has put on fresh petals, Laurel now charms its way to the hearts of disbelieving first-timers. Quaint and artsy, it plays host to the oldest art museum in the Magnolia State — the Lauren Museum of Art. But before you wend your way to this historic treasure, you may want to sit down to some insanely delicious serving of artisanal beef jerky at the appropriately named Knight Butcher. As to where to have a quiet and peaceful rest, rustic cottages within the town — such as Laurel Cottages — would be an excellent choice.

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The name Oxford brings to mind one of Europe's most celebrated universities where mind-bending intellectuals such as Albert Einstein once studied. Whether it is the university — or the university town — Oxford served as the inspiration to the founders of Oxford, Mississippi, a photogenic small town secreted in the hills of North Mississippi. While, to an extent, the town's life — ebbs and flows according to the academic calendar of the University of Mississippi, which it hosts — its cultural scene is among the most noteworthy in the state. Attractions within the town include stately old homes such as Rowan Oak, a beautiful residential property that William Faulkner once called home. If you are into wood-fired pizzas, a spot such as St. Leo is what your doctor will recommend. For bibliophiles, Square Books, a much beloved independent bookstore, defines the town's literary scene.

New Albany 

New Albany is the county seat of Mississippi's Union County and is best known for the º£½ÇÉçÇø of shopping opportunities it provides in its vibrant and beautiful downtown area. Boasting a population of just about 8,000, New Albany is enticingly laid back and slow-paced without being sleepy and boring — perhaps the reason it styles itself as the "fair and friendly city." It is about an hour's drive south of Memphis and boasts a heart-melting downtown area listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town's Vintage Market displays unique finds and should pique the curiosity of shopping enthusiasts. If you are a food tourist, spring is the best time to touch down here so you can participate in an event called Down from the Hills Farm to Table. Held every year, this dining event takes place on a bridge that spans the Tallahatchie River and features scenery that can transform the blandest food into a mouthwatering delicacy. 

Port Gibson 

Port Gibson, with its population of just about 1,100, is just the right size for those seeking laid-back vibes, elbow room, and a bit of seclusion. Hidden in southwestern Mississippi's Claiborne County, approximately 28 miles from Vicksburg, Port Gibson is known to have elicited the famous "too-beautiful-to-burn" comment from General Ulysses Grant as he was leading his Union troops to Vicksburg in the heady days of the Civil War. For curiosity alone, you will want to see what kind of beauty saved this Mississippi charmer from being razed to the ground. The disobedient, free-standing columns at the Windsor Ruins evoke an era gone by and is often a surreal, touching experience. On the flip side, the 400-acre Grand Gulf Military Park features cannons from the Civil War era, an observation tower, forts, and a cemetery.

The Take-home 

While Mississippi's landscape may not be as dramatic as, say, the Golden State's, it boasts patches and pieces of beauty that often exceed the expectations of first-time visitors. For instance, it has a piece of the Gulf Coast, with all its waterfront towns and white-sand beaches. And where there's no ocean, the 'Ol Man River spreads beauty inland, complete with rustic charm and allure. Lastly, small towns such as Cleveland, Oxford, and Port Gibson provide access to attractions around the state — and are often among the best ranked among U.S. favorites.