11 Small Towns in Mississippi Full of Southern Charm

You are about to meet ten Mississippi towns that deliver heart, history, and easygoing style in every block. Each place offers a different flavor of Southern charm, from river bluffs and courthouse squares to coastal streets lined with live oaks. This guide keeps it simple, fact checked, and ready for your next weekend plan. Keep reading to pick the one that fits your mood, then save the address for a smooth arrival.

1. Natchez

Natchez greets you with river views that feel timeless, and streets where ironwork balconies cast elegant shadows.

Start at Longwood, 140 Lower Woodville Rd, Natchez, MS 39120, to see an octagonal masterpiece that tells a layered story.

Then drift to Stanton Hall, 401 High St, Natchez, MS 39120, where Greek Revival columns frame serene lawns.

Walk the Natchez Bluff Trail, 640 S Canal St, Natchez, MS 39120, and watch barges slide along the Mississippi River.

At Magnolia Hall, 215 S Pearl St, Natchez, MS 39120, rooms hold period details that reward slow looking.

Rosalie Mansion, 100 Orleans St, Natchez, MS 39120, brings riverfront grace, manicured gardens, and well kept grounds.

Downtown along Main Street, storefronts glow at dusk, and porches invite gentle people watching.

Stop at Natchez Visitor Center, 640 S Canal St, Natchez, MS 39120, for maps, exhibits, and trail ideas.

The Natchez City Cemetery, 2 Cemetery Rd, Natchez, MS 39120, offers quiet bluffs and ornate monuments with sweeping vistas.

Fall Pilgrimage weekends add home tours, yet weekdays feel unhurried and calm.

Drive the Natchez Trace Parkway access at Liberty Rd, Natchez, MS 39120, for scenic forest edges and historic pull offs.

Architectural details reward a second look, from plaster medallions to carved mantels and arched entries.

The river sets the rhythm, and the evenings arrive with soft light.

Plan extra time because every corner seems to ask for one more photo.

Natchez, Mississippi makes history feel present, gracious, and open to curious travelers.

2. Oxford

Oxford blends literary heritage with a polished square that feels made for wandering.

Begin on The Square at 101 Courthouse Sq, Oxford, MS 38655, where the Lafayette County Courthouse anchors handsome brick blocks.

Rowan Oak, 916 Old Taylor Rd, Oxford, MS 38655, preserves William Faulkner’s home under quiet trees.

Bookshops line the sidewalks, and galleries add color through curated windows and clean displays.

The University of Mississippi campus, University Ave, Oxford, MS 38677, spreads lawns, columns, and stately halls.

Walk the Grove on a non game day to feel its calm paths and mature oaks.

Powerhouse Community Arts Center, 413 S 14th St, Oxford, MS 38655, supports rotating shows and creative workshops.

Find the Gertrude C Ford Center for the Performing Arts, 351 University Ave, Oxford, MS 38655, for concerts and theater.

LQC Lamar House Museum, 616 N 14th St, Oxford, MS 38655, offers context on law, oratory, and national history.

The square’s balconies and awnings cast welcome shade during bright afternoons.

Side streets reveal murals, pocket courtyards, and tidy brick walks with good lighting.

Bottle Tree Bakery’s former space is now home to new concepts, yet the cozy spirit remains nearby.

Parking becomes simpler early in the day, when shop windows feel especially calm.

Oxford, Mississippi balances student energy with bookish quiet and crisp design details.

You leave with a reading list, a campus map, and a plan to return in another season.

3. Ocean Springs

Ocean Springs carries a breezy arts scene along blocks shaded by live oaks.

Start at Walter Anderson Museum of Art, 510 Washington Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, where coastal motifs bloom on walls.

Shearwater Pottery, 102 Shearwater Dr, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, presents handcrafted forms with Gulf inspired glazes.

Washington Avenue’s cottages show porches, planters, and hand painted signs with friendly detail.

Gulf Islands National Seashore Visitor Center, 3500 Park Rd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, frames marsh views and boardwalks.

Front Beach, 399 Front Beach Dr, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, offers a gentle shoreline with benches and long horizon lines.

The Mary C O’Keefe Cultural Center, 1600 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, hosts classes, exhibits, and performance spaces.

St Alphonsus Church, 502 Jackson Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, adds stained glass color and calm interiors.

Street art appears in small bursts, and courtyards connect galleries with shaded seating.

Evening light filters through oak canopies, softening storefronts and clapboard textures.

Pack a bike, because side streets feel safe, quiet, and pleasantly level.

Parking is simple near the L&N Depot, 1000 Washington Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, with easy access to shops.

The town keeps things tidy, and gardens smell like salt and jasmine.

Ocean Springs, Mississippi feels creative but grounded, with a relaxed rhythm by the water.

You come for the art, then stay for the coastal walks that clear your head.

4. Laurel

Laurel’s downtown shows polished storefronts, murals, and a confident small city pulse.

Start at Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, 565 N 5th Ave, Laurel, MS 39440, where galleries display fine collections.

The Scotsman General Store and Woodshop, 1 Spec Wilson Blvd, Laurel, MS 39440, offers a peek at craftsmanship and design.

Stroll along Central Ave, Laurel, MS 39440, where planters, brick sidewalks, and painted signs create visual rhythm.

The Laurel Mercantile, 414 Front St, Laurel, MS 39440, brings handsome goods with a focus on quality materials.

Gardiner Park, 122 W 7th St, Laurel, MS 39440, gives you shaded seating and tidy walking paths.

Historic homes surround the core, with deep porches and mature trees.

The Loblolly Festival brightens fall, while weekly routines keep storefronts lively year round.

Pause at the Amtrak Depot, 230 N Maple St, Laurel, MS 39440, to admire the station’s lines and brickwork.

Murals add color on alley walls, each one crisp and photo friendly.

Side streets reward slow steps, revealing iron grates and vintage lettering.

Public art pairs well with the museum’s calm galleries and curated exhibits.

Evenings feel neighborly, and lights warm the storefront glass.

Laurel, Mississippi mixes small town ease with careful restoration and creative energy.

You leave with design ideas, a fresh playlist, and routes for your next visit.

5. Bay St. Louis

Bay St. Louis pairs breezy waterfront paths with a friendly downtown full of color.

Begin at Old Town, 100 Main St, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520, where galleries and boutiques line shaded sidewalks.

The Depot District, 1928 Depot Way, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520, centers a restored L&N Depot that now holds a museum.

Beach Boulevard, 100 Beach Blvd, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520, provides benches, public art, and wide open water views.

The Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum, 1928 Depot Way, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520, shares cheerful paintings and local stories.

St Rose de Lima Catholic Church, 301 S Necaise Ave, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520, shows a peaceful sanctuary and striking murals.

The Hancock County Courthouse, 152 Main St, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520, adds civic charm and photogenic steps.

Shady lawns around parts of the seawall feel made for unhurried sitting.

Look for pocket gardens near Main Street, where planters soften brick and clapboard.

Evenings draw locals to porches, and windows glow with soft interior light.

Side streets hide studios, and the signage keeps navigation easy.

Public parking sits within a short walk of the waterfront and depot.

Art walks and markets appear often, yet weekdays feel spacious and bright.

Bay St. Louis, Mississippi keeps coastal energy gentle and approachable.

You leave with sea air in your hair and a camera roll full of porches.

6. Starkville

Starkville blends campus rhythm with a tidy downtown that moves at a friendly pace.

Start at Mississippi State University Drill Field, 75 B S Hood Rd, Starkville, MS 39762, with lawns and classic red brick.

The Ulysses S Grant Presidential Library and Museum, 395 Hardy Rd, Starkville, MS 39762, adds scholarship and quiet exhibits.

Stroll Cotton District along University Dr, Starkville, MS 39759, to see colorful townhomes and pedestrian focused lanes.

Main Street, 200 E Main St, Starkville, MS 39759, brings historic façades and well kept sidewalks.

Shops mix local goods with design forward interiors and clean window displays.

The Mill at MSU, 100 Mercantile St, Starkville, MS 39759, repurposes an industrial site into a handsome event space.

Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum, 206 Fellowship St, Starkville, MS 39759, offers lively exhibits in a restored building.

Nearby greenways give walkers and cyclists a calm route between neighborhoods and campus edges.

Public art dots corners, and wayfinding signs keep the route simple.

Game weekends bring buzz, while weekdays reveal a softer cadence and clear paths.

Street trees filter light, and benches face brick planters and storefronts.

Parking is straightforward near City Hall, 110 W Main St, Starkville, MS 39759.

Starkville, Mississippi feels smart, easy to navigate, and warmly social.

You will likely plan a second visit once you see how smooth the walkability feels.

7. Vicksburg

Vicksburg stands on bluffs above the river, with history layered into parks and streets.

Start at Vicksburg National Military Park, 3201 Clay St, Vicksburg, MS 39183, where rolling fields hold memorials.

The USS Cairo Museum, within the park at 3201 Clay St, Vicksburg, MS 39183, displays an ironclad raised from the river.

Downtown along Washington St, Vicksburg, MS 39180, brick blocks line boutiques and galleries.

Old Court House Museum, 1008 Cherry St, Vicksburg, MS 39183, offers regional artifacts in a striking hilltop building.

Anchuca Historic Mansion, 1010 First East St, Vicksburg, MS 39183, brings verandas, columns, and period rooms.

Riverfront Murals, 1200 Levee St, Vicksburg, MS 39180, turn a floodwall into a long timeline of the city.

The Biedenharn Coca Cola Museum, 1107 Washington St, Vicksburg, MS 39183, preserves early soda history and signage.

Alleyways carry ghost signs and weathered brick that photograph beautifully.

Sunset from the river overlook paints barges in warm light and still water.

Side streets climb steeply, so good shoes make the walk comfortable.

Wayfinding signs help you link museums, murals, and scenic viewpoints.

The visitor center at 52 Old Hwy 27, Vicksburg, MS 39180, provides maps and helpful staff.

Vicksburg, Mississippi pairs solemn reflection with engaging downtown strolls.

You leave with context, carefully framed photos, and a map marked for next time.

8. Holly Springs

Holly Springs whispers of grand houses and tree lined avenues with a touch of mystery.

Begin at Montrose, 335 E Salem Ave, Holly Springs, MS 38635, a Greek Revival gem set amid lawns.

Walthall Home, 300 Jersey Ave, Holly Springs, MS 38635, adds graceful proportions and thoughtful details.

Hill Country Project Museum, 111 Van Dorn Ave, Holly Springs, MS 38635, shares regional stories and community voices.

Rust College campus, 150 Rust Ave, Holly Springs, MS 38635, spreads historic brick buildings and quiet quads.

Airliewood, 637 N Randolph St, Holly Springs, MS 38635, holds Gothic Revival lines and intriguing angles.

Pilgrimage tours open doors to parlors where chandeliers sparkle in filtered light.

The Marshall County Courthouse, 128 E Van Dorn Ave, Holly Springs, MS 38635, sits confidently on the square.

Shops around the square display antiques, books, and home goods with friendly greetings.

At dusk the neighborhoods feel hushed, and porch lights glow softly.

Cemeteries carry ornate stones and legends, adding texture to local lore.

Trails near Wall Doxey State Park, 3946 Hwy 7 S, Holly Springs, MS 38635, provide calm lakeside walks.

Photography lovers find iron gates, patterned brick, and layered paint worth capturing.

Holly Springs, Mississippi rewards patience and careful, respectful curiosity.

You wander slowly and leave with a notebook full of porch details and dates.

9. Clinton

Clinton brings a calm, walkable core that feels tidy and welcoming.

Begin at Olde Towne Clinton, 100 E Leake St, Clinton, MS 39056, where brick streets curve around shops.

Mississippi College, 200 S Capital St, Clinton, MS 39056, adds collegiate greens and historic façades.

The Clinton Visitor Center, 1300 Pinehaven Dr, Clinton, MS 39056, sits on the Natchez Trace with porch seating.

Wesley Biblical Seminary Chapel, 1880 Lakeland Dr, Jackson, MS 39216, is not in Clinton, so focus instead on local steeples.

St John’s United Methodist Church, 1000 Pinehaven Dr, Clinton, MS 39056, shows clean lines and manicured grounds.

Lions Club Park, 913 Old Vicksburg Rd, Clinton, MS 39056, offers shaded paths and playground spaces.

Campus Town fronts eateries and boutiques with neat signage and planters.

Sidewalks remain smooth, and crosswalks are clearly marked and visible.

Public art and seasonal banners brighten street lamps and corners.

Evenings feel neighborly as lights soften brick textures and awnings.

Parking is straightforward near City Hall, 300 Jefferson St, Clinton, MS 39056.

Events dot the calendar, yet weekdays deliver peaceful browsing.

Clinton, Mississippi leans into hospitality, clean design, and easy navigation.

You will remember the porch swings, the quiet campus, and the gentle pace.

10. Canton

Canton centers life around a classic square that photographs beautifully from every angle.

Madison County Courthouse, 146 W Center St, Canton, MS 39046, stands bright with a tower and wide steps.

The Canton Movie Museum, 200 W Center St, Canton, MS 39046, showcases film history tied to the square.

Shops ring the lawn with clean windows, striped awnings, and handsome doors.

Canton Depot, 380 W Peace St, Canton, MS 39046, anchors the rail story with a restored exterior.

Barrelhouse architecture and brick alleys create varied perspectives for photographers.

Holmes Community College, 17121 US 51, Canton, MS 39046, brings academic greens within a short drive.

Stage sets and props appear during festivals, while weekdays bring quiet views.

Interpretive signs explain the square’s history and its cinematic chapters.

Parking lines the perimeter, and benches face the courthouse lawn for easy breaks.

Side streets reveal murals and repurposed warehouses with clean interiors.

Lighting at dusk flatters the courthouse columns and cupola.

Visitor information is available at the Welcome Center, 147 N Union St, Canton, MS 39046.

Canton, Mississippi feels organized, photogenic, and proud of its role in storytelling.

You leave with square snapshots and a steady sense of place.

11. Pass Christian

Pass Christian moves with coastal calm beneath sweeping oaks and bright Gulf horizons.

Start along Scenic Drive, Pass Christian, MS 39571, where historic homes face the water with long lawns.

War Memorial Park, 101 Fleitas Ave, Pass Christian, MS 39571, offers shaded seating and a pavilion near the beach.

Downtown at 300 E Scenic Dr, Pass Christian, MS 39571, storefronts present clean lines and coastal colors.

Trinity Episcopal Church, 125 Church Ave, Pass Christian, MS 39571, shows Gothic details and a serene setting.

Pass Christian Harbor, 120 Hiern Ave, Pass Christian, MS 39571, frames piers, sail masts, and sunlit water.

The promenade invites slow walks, with benches aimed at broad sky and open sea.

Side streets carry cottages, white fences, and trimmed hedges with neat care.

Art spaces and studios appear near the harbor with bright interiors.

Parking is simple around the park and along the main corridor.

Sunset filters through the oak canopy, painting porches with warm tones.

Bicycle friendly routes make cruising town easy and relaxing.

Signage keeps navigation clear, and beach access points sit close to shade.

Pass Christian, Mississippi delivers a restorative rhythm that stays with you.

You head home lighter, with salt air and porch silhouettes in mind.