Mississippi, situated in the southeastern United States, is renowned for its rich historical sites, vibrant culture, and natural splendor. The state boasts well-preserved antebellum homes and plantations in cities like Natchez and Vicksburg, offering a glimpse into its past. The Natchez Trace Parkway, adorned with historic markers, further showcases Mississippi’s heritage. In addition to its historical significance, Mississippi played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, with landmarks like the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Medgar Evers Home Museum in Jackson commemorating this era.
Musically, Mississippi holds the title of the birthplace of the blues, fostering a diverse musical heritage spanning blues, gospel, and country. For outdoor enthusiasts, Mississippi offers abundant recreational opportunities, including state parks, rivers, and coastal areas.
Mississippi thus appeals to history buffs, music lovers, and nature enthusiasts alike, celebrating its rich cultural tapestry and natural beauty.
Regions
Mississippi can be broadly categorized into four major regions:
- Delta Region: Known for its fertile soil and agricultural significance, the Delta region is located in the northwest part of the state. It includes cities like Clarksdale and Greenville, renowned for their contributions to blues music and cultural heritage.
- Capital/River Region: Centered around the state capital of Jackson and the Pearl River, this region is situated in central Mississippi. Jackson serves as a hub for government, commerce, and cultural activities.
- Gulf Coast Region: Located in the southern part of the state along the Gulf of Mexico, this region includes cities like Biloxi, Gulfport, and Pascagoula. It is known for its beautiful beaches, seafood cuisine, and vibrant casino resorts.
- Hill Country: This region encompasses the northeastern part of Mississippi, characterized by rolling hills and scenic landscapes. It includes cities like Tupelo and Oxford, notable for their historical sites, cultural attractions, and literary heritage.
The Same
Gulf Coast Region
Biloxi
Biloxi is a charming coastal city located in Harrison County, Mississippi, along the Gulf of Mexico. Both the Family and the Dinks had their own unique experiences in Biloxi. While the Family indulged in the amenities of a luxurious resort, soaking up the sun and enjoying the beach, the Dinks explored the city’s vibrant casino scene and took time to visit monuments dedicated to the victims of past hurricanes, gaining a deeper insight into the region’s history and resilience.
Beautiful Beaches: Biloxi boasts several miles of pristine white sandy beaches along the Gulf Coast. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, and water sports such as jet skiing and parasailing.
Local Cuisine:
Mississippi cuisine is known for its Southern comfort food and seafood dishes. Visitors can enjoy traditional dishes like fried catfish, shrimp and grits, and Mississippi mud pie at local restaurants and eateries throughout the state. The Mississippi Delta region is also famous for its barbecue and soul food.
- Southern Fried Catfish: A staple dish, catfish fillets are coated in seasoned cornmeal or flour, fried until crispy, and served with hush puppies and coleslaw.
- Shrimp and Grits: A Lowcountry dish popular in Mississippi, featuring sautรฉed shrimp served over creamy, buttery grits, often flavored with bacon or Tasso ham.
- Mississippi Mud Pie: A rich and indulgent dessert made with layers of chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and sometimes pecans, all on a chocolate cookie crust.
- Po’boys: Although originating from Louisiana, po’boys are also enjoyed in Mississippi. These sandwiches feature French bread filled with fried seafood like shrimp or oysters, lettuce, tomato, and remoulade sauce.
- Gumbo: Influenced by Creole cuisine, gumbo is a hearty stew made with a roux (browned flour and fat), seafood or chicken, sausage, and vegetables, served over rice.
- Fried Green Tomatoes: Sliced green tomatoes coated in cornmeal or flour, fried until crispy, and served with a remoulade sauce or as a side dish.
- Biscuits and Gravy: Fluffy biscuits smothered in a creamy sausage or bacon gravy, a popular Southern breakfast dish in Mississippi.
- Pecan Pie: A classic Southern dessert made with a filling of pecans, sugar, butter, and eggs, baked in a flaky pie crust until gooey and delicious.
- Red Beans and Rice: A comforting dish of red beans simmered with smoked sausage or ham hock, served over rice and seasoned with Cajun spices.
- Sweet Tea: A beloved Southern beverage made by steeping tea bags in boiling water, adding sugar, and serving over ice. It’s a refreshing accompaniment to any meal.
- Fresh Seafood: As a coastal city, Biloxi is renowned for its fresh seafood offerings. Visitors can dine at waterfront restaurants and seafood shacks serving up Gulf Coast specialties such as shrimp, oysters, crab, and fish prepared in a variety of delicious ways. Don’t miss out on crawfish!
The Family
Biloxi
The Margaritaville Resort in Biloxi is a vibrant and laid-back destination that captures the essence of Jimmy Buffett’s iconic island lifestyle. Situated along the beautiful Gulf Coast of Mississippi, this resort offers guests a tropical oasis filled with relaxation, entertainment, and plenty of fun. With its beachfront location, luxurious accommodations, and a variety of dining and entertainment options, the Margaritaville Resort is the perfect getaway for those seeking a dose of paradise. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, sipping on a margarita at the Tiki Bar, or trying your luck at the casino, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this island-inspired retreat.
The Margaritaville Hotel features a delightful rooftop water park with a lazy river, offering entertainment that’s perfect for younger kids. With its compact size and kid-friendly attractions, such as water slides and splash pads, the rooftop water park provides a fun and safe environment for families to enjoy some aquatic fun under the sun.
The DINKs
Biloxi
Casino Resorts:
Biloxi is known for its vibrant casino scene, with several world-class casino resorts lining the waterfront. These resorts offer a variety of gaming options, live entertainment, fine dining restaurants, and luxurious accommodations.
Hurricane Memorials:
Both Hurricane Camille and Hurricane Katrina had significant impacts on Biloxi, Mississippi, and the surrounding Gulf Coast region. In the aftermath of both hurricanes, Biloxi and the Gulf Coast region underwent extensive rebuilding and recovery efforts. While the scars of these devastating storms remain visible in some areas, Biloxi has made significant strides in rebuilding and revitalizing its communities, infrastructure, and economy in the years since. There is still nothing more shocking to us then driving the strip near the cost and seeing the driveways that lead to empty lots where houses were completely wiped out. It’s a solemn place to me that reminds you of the power of nature.
- Hurricane Katrina (2005): Hurricane Katrina struck near Buras-Triumph, Louisiana, on August 29, 2005, as a Category 3 hurricane with winds reaching about 125 mph. The storm surge and flooding caused widespread destruction along the Gulf Coast, including in Biloxi. Katrina’s surge, over 25 feet high in some areas, devastated coastal communities and caused catastrophic damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Entire neighborhoods were submerged, buildings swept away or severely damaged. I remember visited 6 months after for work and seeing a casino that prior had to be on stilts over the water, relocated by the storm surge to the side of the road.
- Hurricane Camille (1969): Hurricane Camille struck near Pass Christian, Mississippi, on August 17, 1969, as a Category 5 hurricane with winds of around 175 mph and storm surges up to 24 feet high. The storm caused widespread devastation along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In Biloxi, extensive flooding submerged areas under several feet of water, damaging beachfront properties and the city’s waterfront. Camille resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries across the Gulf Coast, marking it as one of the most destructive hurricanes to ever hit the United States.
In addition to Biloxi, we have also visited Gulfport and Tupelo, Mississippi.
Gulfport
Gulfport is the second-largest city in Mississippi and is located on the Gulf Coast, along the Gulf of Mexico.
- Beaches: Gulfport boasts beautiful white sandy beaches along the Gulf Coast. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, and a variety of water sports such as jet skiing, paddleboarding, and parasailing.
- Jones Park: Jones Park is a scenic waterfront park located in downtown Gulfport, offering green spaces, walking paths, playgrounds, and picnic areas. The park also features a fishing pier, splash pad, and amphitheater for concerts and events. We had our dog with us and enjoyed walking him along the shore. This was his first time in the ocean, and well he wasn’t a big fan of getting wet.
Hill Country
Tupelo
We happen to be passing through so we decided to do a quick detour to Tupelo, Mississippi.
The Birthplace of Elvis Presley: Tupelo is most famous for being the birthplace of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Visitors can explore Elvis Presley’s birthplace, a shotgun shack that has been meticulously restored to its 1930s condition. The Elvis Presley Center, located next door, showcases exhibits about Elvis’s life and career.
Summary
Comparing two distinct perspectives on Mississippi reveals a tapestry of experiences shaped by unique itineraries. While both the DINKs and the Family explored Biloxi, their journeys diverged significantly beyond this coastal gem. The DINKs’ extensive travels through Mississippi included ventures into Gulfport, renowned for its vibrant culture and coastal charm, and Tupelo, celebrated as the birthplace of Elvis Presley. In contrast, the Family’s visit was centered around Biloxi, perhaps missing out on the deeper inland and historical explorations the state offers. Each journey, whether along the Gulf Coast or into the heartland, offers a glimpse into Mississippi’s rich heritage, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality, leaving the question of who experienced it better open to personal preference and travel style.
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