West MississippiATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near West, Mississippi.
1. Natchez Trace Parkway
HISTORIC SCENIC DRIVE
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile historic scenic route that follows the Old Natchez Trace, a travel corridor used by American Indians and later by European and American explorers. Visitors can enjoy stunning landscapes, numerous historical sites, and recreational opportunities like hiking and cycling along this National Scenic Byway. The parkway provides a peaceful alternative to highway travel while connecting visitors to thousands of years of American history.
2. Elvis Presley Birthplace
ROCK LEGEND'S ORIGIN
Elvis Presley Birthplace preserves the humble two-room house where the King of Rock and Roll was born in 1935. The site includes a museum displaying memorabilia and artifacts from Elvis's early life, as well as a chapel and the Assembly of God Church where Elvis first experienced gospel music. Visitors can walk through the beautifully landscaped grounds while learning about the formative years of one of music's most iconic figures.
3. U.S.S. Cairo Museum
CIVIL WAR IRONCLAD
The U.S.S. Cairo Museum houses the restored remains of an ironclad Union gunboat that sank in the Yazoo River in 1862 during the Civil War. Remarkably preserved in the river mud for nearly a century before being salvaged, the Cairo offers visitors a rare glimpse into Civil War naval technology and sailor life. The museum displays thousands of artifacts recovered from the sunken vessel, providing an intimate connection to this pivotal period in American history.
4. St. Mary Basilica
GOTHIC REVIVAL MASTERPIECE
St. Mary Basilica stands as one of Mississippi's most magnificent religious structures, featuring stunning Gothic Revival architecture and beautiful stained glass windows. Constructed in the 1840s and later elevated to basilica status, this historic church contains intricate woodwork, ornate altars, and impressive pipe organs. Visitors are welcomed to admire both the architectural splendor and the spiritual significance of this important Mississippi landmark.
5. Windsor Ruins
ANTEBELLUM PLANTATION COLUMNS
Windsor Ruins consists of 23 dramatic Corinthian columns, all that remains of what was once the largest antebellum Greek Revival mansion in Mississippi. Built in 1861 and tragically destroyed by fire in 1890, the plantation home's skeletal remains create a haunting silhouette against the Mississippi sky. These towering columns have become an iconic symbol of the Old South and provide visitors with a poignant reminder of the region's complex history.
6. Rosalie Mansion
ANTEBELLUM RIVER ESTATE
Rosalie Mansion is an elegant 1820s antebellum home overlooking the Mississippi River that showcases period furnishings and architectural details of the era. During the Civil War, the mansion served as Union headquarters, helping to spare Natchez from destruction while preserving this architectural treasure. Tours of Rosalie provide insight into both the lavish lifestyle of wealthy cotton planters and the complicated social dynamics of pre-Civil War Mississippi.
7. Mississippi Aquarium
GULF COAST MARINE LIFE
The Mississippi Aquarium is a state-of-the-art facility showcasing the aquatic ecosystems from the Mississippi watershed to the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors can explore numerous exhibits featuring dolphins, sea turtles, alligators, and various fish species native to the region. The aquarium combines entertainment with education, emphasizing conservation efforts and the importance of protecting Mississippi's diverse aquatic environments.
8. William Faulkner House
NOBEL LAUREATE'S HOME
William Faulkner House, also known as Rowan Oak, was the home of the Nobel Prize-winning author from 1930 until his death in 1962. The preserved property includes the Greek Revival house, grounds, and outbuildings where Faulkner wrote many of his most famous works, including plot outlines still visible on his study wall. Literary enthusiasts and history buffs alike appreciate this intimate glimpse into the private world of one of America's most influential writers.
9. Waverly Plantation
ANTEBELLUM ARCHITECTURAL GEM
Waverly Plantation features a magnificent octagonal-shaped mansion built in the 1850s that survived the Civil War intact. The home is renowned for its unique four-story central rotunda topped by a cupola that provided natural air circulation throughout the house. Visitors can tour the restored rooms filled with period furnishings and hear stories about the property's fascinating history, including accounts of the ghostly apparitions said to haunt its halls.
10. Howlin' Wolf Museum
BLUES LEGEND TRIBUTE
The Howlin' Wolf Museum celebrates the life and legacy of blues pioneer Chester Arthur Burnett, known professionally as Howlin' Wolf. The museum houses artifacts, memorabilia, and historical information about Howlin' Wolf and other influential blues artists from the Black Prairie Region, including Big Joe Williams and Bukka White. Outside stands a striking granite statue of Howlin' Wolf, honoring this native son's profound impact on American music history.
11. Magnolias at the Ritz
HISTORIC THEATER RESTAURANT
Magnolias at the Ritz offers a unique dining experience inside a beautifully renovated 1930s movie theater in downtown West Point. What was once an abandoned historic landmark has been transformed into a vibrant restaurant while preserving the building's nostalgic charm and architectural details. Guests can enjoy Southern cuisine in this atmospheric setting that blends culinary excellence with a celebration of local history.
12. LSU Rural Life Museum
LIVING HISTORY FARM
The LSU Rural Life Museum immerses visitors in the daily activities and material culture of pre-industrial Louisiana through its extensive collection of tools, furniture, and buildings. The outdoor section features more than 30 historic structures including homes, a schoolhouse, church, and working buildings arranged in three sections representing different aspects of 19th-century rural life. Adjacent Windrush Gardens provides beautiful formal landscapes designed in the 1920s, complementing the historical experience with horticultural splendor.
13. Port Hudson State Historic Site
CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD
Port Hudson State Historic Site preserves the location of the longest siege in American military history, lasting 48 days during the Civil War. The site features six miles of hiking trails with interpretive markers that guide visitors through the battlefield where Union and Confederate forces clashed in 1863. Museum exhibits display artifacts and provide context for understanding this critical campaign that, along with Vicksburg, gave Union forces control of the Mississippi River.
14. West Feliciana Historical Society Museum
REGIONAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
The West Feliciana Historical Society Museum occupies a charming 1896 hardware store building in the heart of historic St. Francisville. Exhibits showcase the region's rich cultural history from Native American settlements through European colonization, plantation society, and beyond. The museum serves as both a repository for local artifacts and a starting point for exploring the numerous historic sites and plantations that make this area a treasure trove for history enthusiasts.
15. Vicksburg National Military Park
DECISIVE CIVIL WAR SITE
Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg, a pivotal Civil War battle that gave the Union control of the Mississippi River. The 1,800-acre park features over 1,300 monuments and markers, a reconstructed Union gunboat, and 20 miles of historic trenches and earthworks. Visitors can explore the battlefield via driving tour, stopping at key sites while gaining insight into the 47-day siege that ended on July 4, 1863, changing the course of American history.