Fans of classic TV will surely remember Andy Griffith and the charming community of Mayberry. And while Mayberry may be a fictitious town that exists only in our TV sets, there are plenty of charming towns just like it all over Mississippi; here are 11 prime examples.
- Cleveland
Jeff Baldock’s Creative Visions Small only in terms of population, Cleveland is responsible for some of the world’s best music, which explains why it’s home to the country’s second GRAMMY Museum. (The other is in California.) The “hip little town in the Mississippi Delta” also includes a lively downtown that’s known for great shopping and festivals.
- Natchez
Visit Natchez/Facebook A charming city on the Mississippi River, Natchez was established in the early 1700s. Because of its location, it attracted a great deal of wealthy farmers during the 19th century and, in turn, resulted in a ton of mansions being constructed. Named one of the nation’s “Friendliest Cities” and home to more than 1,000 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Natchez is a great place live and visit.
- Carrollton
Jeff Baldock’s Creative Visions Only about 500 people are lucky enough to call this quintessential small town home. And lucky may be an understatement. Carrollton is filled with beautiful, historic homes, storefronts, churches, and government buildings, many of which can be toured during the city’s annual pilgrimage.
- Ocean Springs
David Salters Dubbed the “gem of the Gulf Coast,” Ocean Springs is the epitome of picture perfect. Between a historic district that’s filled with quaint shops and great restaurants to thriving art and music scenes, this seaside town has won over the hearts of both locals and tourists.
- Flora
Jeff Baldock’s Creative Visions Head to this small tight knit community, and you’ll find about 2,000 residents, the only Petrified Forest in the eastern United States, and a train depot that’s been turned into a museum.
- Mendenhall
Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent, Vicksburg, Mississippi Even though Mendenhall is located just 25 miles from Jackson, you’d never know it. The town, which is home to approximately 2,500 residents, has retained its small town vibe, boasting friendly citizens, a low crime rate, affordable housing, and tons of recreational opportunities.
- Crystal Springs
Jeff Baldock’s Creative Visions In terms of small towns, it doesn’t get much better than Crystal Springs. Once nicknamed the “Tomatopolis of the World,” the charming town hosts an annual Tomato Festival, which attracts visitors from near and far. When not getting ready for the annual event, residents of the small town can celebrate the state’s musical heritage at the Robert Johnson Blues Museum or visit Chautauqua Park’s treetop trail for an unforgettable hike.
- Water Valley
Carmen K. Sisson/Cloudybright Photography A place where everybody knows everybody, Water Valley seems like a quintessential small town. And while it is as charming as they come, it’s far from your typical rural community. Dubbed a “cultural melting pot,” Water Valley is home to a lively Main Street, variety of restaurants, historic homes, and an art scene that’s comparable to that of a larger city.
- Holly Springs
Carmen K. Sisson/Cloudybright Photography Often referred to as “Mississippi’s best kept secret,” Holly Springs is loaded with history and tradition. And when it comes to outdoor fun, the town is definitely not lacking, as it’s home to the Holly Springs National Forest, Chewalla Lake Recreation Area, and the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center.
- Raymond
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Raymond, Mississippi/Facebook Home to just under 2,000 people, Raymond is a small town that’s big on history, which lives on through the historic square, the Hinds County Courthouse, numerous preserved antebellum buildings, a Confederate cemetery, and Raymond Military Park.
- Port Gibson
Elisa.rolle/Wikimedia Located between Vicksburg and Natchez, Port Gibson is the state’s third oldest city. As legend has it, Port Gibson’s beauty is what led to General Grant sparing the town during the Civil War, claiming it was “too beautiful to burn.” Even though the town is most known for being home to the Windsor Ruins, it has much more to offer, including gorgeous architecture of yesteryear, old fashioned storefronts, battlefields, and Civil War sites.
So, have you ever visited any of the towns above? What other towns would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments section!
Jeff Baldock’s Creative Visions
Small only in terms of population, Cleveland is responsible for some of the world’s best music, which explains why it’s home to the country’s second GRAMMY Museum. (The other is in California.) The “hip little town in the Mississippi Delta” also includes a lively downtown that’s known for great shopping and festivals.
Visit Natchez/Facebook
A charming city on the Mississippi River, Natchez was established in the early 1700s. Because of its location, it attracted a great deal of wealthy farmers during the 19th century and, in turn, resulted in a ton of mansions being constructed. Named one of the nation’s “Friendliest Cities” and home to more than 1,000 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Natchez is a great place live and visit.
Only about 500 people are lucky enough to call this quintessential small town home. And lucky may be an understatement. Carrollton is filled with beautiful, historic homes, storefronts, churches, and government buildings, many of which can be toured during the city’s annual pilgrimage.
David Salters
Dubbed the “gem of the Gulf Coast,” Ocean Springs is the epitome of picture perfect. Between a historic district that’s filled with quaint shops and great restaurants to thriving art and music scenes, this seaside town has won over the hearts of both locals and tourists.
Head to this small tight knit community, and you’ll find about 2,000 residents, the only Petrified Forest in the eastern United States, and a train depot that’s been turned into a museum.
Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent, Vicksburg, Mississippi
Even though Mendenhall is located just 25 miles from Jackson, you’d never know it. The town, which is home to approximately 2,500 residents, has retained its small town vibe, boasting friendly citizens, a low crime rate, affordable housing, and tons of recreational opportunities.
In terms of small towns, it doesn’t get much better than Crystal Springs. Once nicknamed the “Tomatopolis of the World,” the charming town hosts an annual Tomato Festival, which attracts visitors from near and far. When not getting ready for the annual event, residents of the small town can celebrate the state’s musical heritage at the Robert Johnson Blues Museum or visit Chautauqua Park’s treetop trail for an unforgettable hike.
Carmen K. Sisson/Cloudybright Photography
A place where everybody knows everybody, Water Valley seems like a quintessential small town. And while it is as charming as they come, it’s far from your typical rural community. Dubbed a “cultural melting pot,” Water Valley is home to a lively Main Street, variety of restaurants, historic homes, and an art scene that’s comparable to that of a larger city.
Often referred to as “Mississippi’s best kept secret,” Holly Springs is loaded with history and tradition. And when it comes to outdoor fun, the town is definitely not lacking, as it’s home to the Holly Springs National Forest, Chewalla Lake Recreation Area, and the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Raymond, Mississippi/Facebook
Home to just under 2,000 people, Raymond is a small town that’s big on history, which lives on through the historic square, the Hinds County Courthouse, numerous preserved antebellum buildings, a Confederate cemetery, and Raymond Military Park.
Elisa.rolle/Wikimedia
Located between Vicksburg and Natchez, Port Gibson is the state’s third oldest city. As legend has it, Port Gibson’s beauty is what led to General Grant sparing the town during the Civil War, claiming it was “too beautiful to burn.” Even though the town is most known for being home to the Windsor Ruins, it has much more to offer, including gorgeous architecture of yesteryear, old fashioned storefronts, battlefields, and Civil War sites.
Can’t get your fill of small town charm? Check out “This Mississippi Town Is Home To One Of The Most Charming Main Streets In The Country.“
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