Belzoni MississippiATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Belzoni, Mississippi.
1. Catfish Museum & Visitor Center
EXPLORE LOCAL CATFISH CULTURE
The Catfish Museum & Visitor Center is housed in an old railroad depot featuring hand-crafted displays by Mississippi artisans using various media to showcase the catfish industry. Outdoor displays include a flower sculpture made of spawning cans, hatching tanks, seining nets, and a miniature catfish pond with a 40-foot catfish fountain called 'King Cat.' The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. with free admission.
2. Mississippi Delta
HISTORIC AGRICULTURAL REGION
The Mississippi Delta is a distinctive northwestern section of the state of Mississippi that includes Belzoni. This fertile alluvial floodplain has played a significant role in American agricultural history, particularly for cotton production and later catfish farming. The area is also known for its rich cultural heritage, including being the birthplace of the blues.
3. Sky Lake Boardwalk
ANCIENT CYPRESS PRESERVE
Sky Lake Boardwalk offers visitors a chance to see 2000-year-old cypress trees in their natural habitat. Visitors can walk out to these ancient trees on a beautiful boardwalk while enjoying the serene natural views. This ecological treasure in Humphreys County provides a glimpse into the prehistoric landscape of the Mississippi Delta region.
4. Ethel Wright Mohamed Stitchery Museum
FOLK ART EMBROIDERY COLLECTION
The Ethel Wright Mohamed Stitchery Museum, also known as Mama's Dream World, commemorates the life and work of renowned folk artist Ethel Wright Mohamed. The museum houses a collection of detailed embroidered scenes depicting family life and Southern culture created by Mohamed, who began stitching at age 62. Each piece tells a story of rural Mississippi life, preserving cultural memories through intricate needlework.
5. Jaketown Museum
NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIFACTS
Jaketown Museum contains artifacts from a nearby Native American mound site dating back thousands of years. The museum showcases the rich archaeological heritage of the region with displays of pottery, tools, and other items created by indigenous peoples. Visitors can learn about the prehistoric cultures that once thrived in the Mississippi Delta before European settlement.
6. Wister Gardens
LOCAL FLORA SHOWCASE
Wister Gardens highlights local flowers and plant life native to the Mississippi Delta region. This beautiful garden space is frequently used for events in the Belzoni area, offering a picturesque setting for gatherings. Visitors can enjoy the seasonal blooms and landscaped grounds that showcase the natural beauty of Mississippi's plant species.
7. Catfish on Parade
PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION
Catfish on Parade is a public art installation featuring fiberglass catfish statues decorated by local artists throughout Belzoni. Each unique catfish sculpture is designed with references to its commercial sponsors or themes chosen by those sponsors, such as 'D. Fin-Der, Esquire' by a local law firm or 'Fishin' for Words' highlighting famous Mississippi writers. This creative project was sponsored by the city in conjunction with the Humphreys County Art Council and Belzoni-Humphreys Development Foundation in the early 2000s.
8. Mississippi Blues Trail Markers
MUSIC HISTORY LANDMARKS
The Mississippi Blues Trail features two prominent markers in Belzoni celebrating the city's musical heritage. One marker honors Denise LaSalle, who spent her childhood in Belzoni before becoming a renowned blues and R&B artist. The second marker commemorates Turner's Drug Store, an early sponsor of radio shows that broadcast Delta blues and a performance venue for native artists Sonny Boy Williamson II and Elmore James.
9. Mississippi Freedom Trail Marker
CIVIL RIGHTS MEMORIAL
The Mississippi Freedom Trail marker in Belzoni honors Reverend George Lee, an early civil rights pioneer who fought for voting rights. Located near his burial site, the marker details Lee's significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi. In 1990, the local African-American community also placed concrete markers on each side of George Lee Avenue to further commemorate his legacy.
10. Eagle Lake
OUTDOOR RECREATION DESTINATION
Eagle Lake is a natural body of water near Belzoni offering opportunities for outdoor recreation and communion with nature. Visitors can enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation in this serene Delta setting. The lake area provides a peaceful retreat for those looking to experience Mississippi's natural beauty and aquatic ecosystems.
11. Turner's Drug Store
HISTORIC BLUES VENUE
Turner's Drug Store holds a special place in blues history as both a sponsor for radio shows broadcasting Delta blues and an occasional performance venue. Legendary blues musicians Sonny Boy Williamson II and Elmore James performed at this location, making it a significant site in Mississippi's musical heritage. The drug store's contribution to blues culture is commemorated by a Mississippi Blues Trail marker in Belzoni.
12. Yazoo River
HISTORIC WATERWAY
The Yazoo River flows through Belzoni, providing a scenic natural feature and historically important transportation route. This waterway has played a crucial role in the development of the city and surrounding Delta region throughout its history. The river continues to be an important element of the local ecosystem and contributes to the agricultural irrigation systems of the area.
13. B.B. King Museum
BLUES LEGEND TRIBUTE
The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center celebrates the life and music of one of the most influential blues musicians of all time. Located in nearby Indianola, just a short drive from Belzoni, this interactive museum chronicles B.B. King's journey from humble beginnings to international stardom. The facility includes King's personal memorabilia, interactive exhibits, and educational programs that preserve the rich musical heritage of the Mississippi Delta.
14. Jim Henson Museum
MUPPETS CREATOR HOMETOWN
The Jim Henson Museum honors the creative genius behind the Muppets who was born in nearby Greenville and spent his early childhood in Leland. Located a short drive from Belzoni, this small museum features exhibits on Henson's life, early Muppet prototypes, and information about his Mississippi roots. Visitors can see a replica of Kermit the Frog, who Henson said was inspired by his childhood playing in Deer Creek near Leland.
15. Highway 61 Blues Museum
DELTA MUSIC HERITAGE
The Highway 61 Blues Museum in nearby Leland documents the rich blues heritage of the Mississippi Delta region surrounding Belzoni. This small but comprehensive museum features photographs, recordings, and memorabilia related to blues musicians from the area including James 'Son' Thomas, Johnny Winter, and many others. Visitors can learn about the cultural and historical significance of Highway 61, known as the 'Blues Highway,' which runs through the heart of blues country.