Big Creek MississippiATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Big Creek, Mississippi.
1. Grenada Lake
SCENIC WATER RECREATION SPOT
Grenada Lake is a popular water recreation destination with a 4.6 rating from visitors. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming in this expansive body of water. The lake features beautiful shorelines and picnic areas perfect for family outings.
2. Oxford Treehouse Gallery
ARTISTIC FOREST RETREAT
Oxford Treehouse Gallery offers a unique artistic experience set among the trees. The gallery showcases works from local and regional artists in a serene woodland setting. Visitors can explore the creative displays while enjoying the natural surroundings.
3. Big Creek Landing Recreation Area
PEACEFUL OUTDOOR ESCAPE
Big Creek Landing Recreation Area offers a serene natural escape for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can engage in birdwatching, picnicking, and fishing while enjoying the tranquil surroundings. The area is home to diverse wildlife, providing ample opportunities for nature observation.
4. Natchez Trace Parkway
HISTORIC SCENIC DRIVE
Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile scenic drive that follows a historic travel corridor used by Native Americans and early settlers. The parkway features numerous historical sites, natural areas, and interpretive exhibits along its route. Visitors can enjoy hiking, cycling, camping, and picnicking while exploring this national treasure.
5. Elvis Presley Birthplace
KING'S HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Elvis Presley Birthplace preserves the modest two-room house where the King of Rock and Roll was born in 1935. The site includes a museum, chapel, and memorial garden dedicated to Elvis's early life and legacy. Visitors can step back in time to experience the humble origins of one of music's greatest icons.
6. U.S.S. Cairo Museum
CIVIL WAR NAVAL HISTORY
The U.S.S. Cairo Museum showcases the remarkably preserved remains of a Civil War ironclad gunboat that was sunk in 1862 and recovered a century later. Visitors can view the vessel's hull, machinery, weapons, and personal items used by the crew. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into naval warfare during a pivotal period in American history.
7. St. Mary Basilica
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL
St. Mary Basilica stands as a stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture in the heart of Natchez. The church features magnificent stained glass windows, intricate woodwork, and ornate altars dating back to its construction in the 1840s. Visitors are welcome to tour this historic place of worship and admire its artistic and architectural splendor.
8. Windsor Ruins
ANTEBELLUM MANSION COLUMNS
Windsor Ruins consists of 23 hauntingly beautiful Corinthian columns that once supported the largest antebellum mansion in Mississippi before it burned in 1890. These towering 45-foot columns stand as a dramatic memorial to the pre-Civil War plantation era. The site offers a powerful and photogenic glimpse into the South's complex architectural and cultural history.
9. Rosalie Mansion
ELEGANT HISTORIC HOME
Rosalie Mansion is a magnificent Federal-style home built in 1823 overlooking the Mississippi River. The mansion features period furnishings, decorative arts, and artifacts that showcase the luxurious lifestyle of wealthy 19th-century residents. Guided tours take visitors through the elegant rooms while sharing fascinating stories about the property's history and former inhabitants.
10. Mississippi Aquarium
COASTAL MARINE DISCOVERY
Mississippi Aquarium offers an immersive journey through the aquatic ecosystems of the Gulf Coast and beyond. The state-of-the-art facility houses thousands of marine animals representing hundreds of species in beautifully designed habitats. Visitors can experience up-close encounters with dolphins, sharks, rays, and numerous other fascinating creatures.
11. National Civil Rights Museum
POWERFUL HISTORICAL LANDMARK
The National Civil Rights Museum, located at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, chronicles the American Civil Rights Movement through powerful exhibits. Visitors can explore interactive displays, historical artifacts, and moving personal accounts that document the struggle for equality. The museum provides a transformative educational experience that connects past struggles with contemporary issues of social justice.
12. Cahokia Mounds
ANCIENT INDIGENOUS CITY
Cahokia Mounds is a UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving the remains of the largest pre-Columbian city north of Mexico. The site features massive earthen mounds, including the 100-foot-tall Monks Mound, built by the Mississippian culture between 1050-1350 CE. Visitors can explore the interpretive center and archaeological remains to learn about this sophisticated ancient urban center that once housed up to 20,000 people.
13. National Eagle Center
MAJESTIC BIRD SANCTUARY
The National Eagle Center offers close encounters with live bald and golden eagles in an educational setting along the Mississippi River. Visitors can learn about eagle biology, conservation efforts, and cultural significance through interactive exhibits and daily programs. The center also provides viewing platforms to observe wild eagles in their natural habitat, particularly during winter months when hundreds gather in the area.
14. National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
RIVER HISTORY SHOWCASE
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium celebrates the cultural and environmental significance of America's most iconic river system. The comprehensive facility features aquariums housing native river species, historic boats, and engaging exhibits on river ecology and human history. Visitors can explore both indoor and outdoor attractions spread across a 14-acre campus on the riverfront.
15. Poverty Point
ANCIENT EARTHWORKS COMPLEX
Poverty Point is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring remarkable earthworks constructed by indigenous peoples approximately 3,400 years ago. The site includes six concentric semicircular ridges and several mounds, with the largest mound rising 72 feet high. Visitors can explore the museum and archaeological site to learn about the sophisticated engineering and cultural achievements of these ancient Americans.