Related Mississippi Favorites Tips

Favorite thing: It's always a good idea to stop at a visitors center upon entering a new state but in Mississippi, this is an especially good idea. Those polite Southerners;-) They offer you a choice of beverage upon entering so while you get help with maps or pick up a few free brochures, you can sip on water, Sprite, or Coca-Cola.

Note: This happened to me at the visitors center off the 55 as I entered the state from Memphis. It may not be true of all visitors centers.

3 more images

Favorite thing: A bunch of guys from Lexington took some time off and got involved in neighborhood cleanup following huricane Katrina. If you have never given this kind of assistance try it the next time there is a need.

1 more image

Favorite thing: The official state flag of Mississippi, adopted in 1894, displays a small Union Square, also known as the Confederate Battle Flag. There are thirteen white stars on a St. Andrew's Cross, and horizontal blue, white and red stripes.

After Mississippi seceded from the United States in 1861 and became the Soverign Republic of Mississippi, it used the Bonnie Blue Flag, and a short while later adapted the flag of the Confederate States of America. Mississippi was defeated in the War between the States and was re-admited to the Union in 1870. At that time the state adapted the Magnolia Flag, consisting of a white background containing a magnolia tree, with the Bonnie Blue Flag in the canton.

The Mississippi State Flag in use today continues to reflect Mississippi's poud heritage as the second state to become part of the short-lived Confederate States of America.

Pledge to the Mississippi State Flag:

I salute the flag of Mississippi and the sovereign state for which it stands with pride in her history and achievements and with confidence in her future under the guidance of Almighty God.

Mississippi Flags

2 more images

Favorite thing: Of the 50 United States there is not one which better represents the "Deep South" than the state of Mississippi. And there is no more fitting symbol of Mississippi than the stately evergreen Magnolia tree. It's no wonder that Mississippi is known as "The Magnolia State."

Several varieties of magnolia are found throughout the world but it is the Southern Magnolia, or Magnolia grandiflora, that is native to the southeastern United States. The tree boasts large, showy white flowers as big as 15 inches across, they are named for the famed 18th century French botanist Pierre Magnol.

When Mississippi school children were asked to vote for a state flower in 1900, they selected the magnolia over a group that included cape jasmine, yellow jasmine and cotton. However, the state legislature did not act upon the selection and it remained unofficial. A similar election for state tree in 1935 gave the magnolia a landslide victory, one that was made official on April 1, 1938. On February 26, 1952, the Mississippi legislature also adopted the magnolia as the state flower, opposed by only one vote.

The Magnolia is also portrayed on the Mississippi State Quarter, released in 2002.

Favorite thing: Jackson is the largest city in Mississippi as well as the state capital. Here, you will find the historic govenment buildings in this southern city. The state capitol building is crowned with a large dome and an eagle on top. The building as a whole looks very similar to the national capitol building in Washington DC.

Favorite thing: Visit the Tullis-Toledano Manor built in 1856. It is one of the Gulf Coast's most unique examples of antebellum architecture. It is located at 360 Beach Boulevard in Biloxi. For information phone:
228-435-6293

Fondest memory: You can get to the Manor via the Ole Biloxi Tour Train (pictured here) which is a 90 minute tour leaving from the Biloxi Lighthouse.

Favorite thing: Take a Bayou Tour in Bay St. Louis. This is a narrated boat tour through the bayous, wetlands and rivers.

Cookie's Bayou Tour is located at 10774 Highway 603 in Bay St. Louis. For information phone:
228-466-4824

Favorite thing: Visit the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport. this home of the Atlantic Fleet Seabees has group tours. It is located about 50 miles east of New Orleans. It is the home of the Atlantic CBs.