In Italian
What to see in Mississippi and – above all – why deciding to put the tour inside a wider on the road dedicated to the discovery of the “old” South States of the United States of America?
For its history – captivating and complex at the same time – for the cotton plantations, the battlefields of the Civil War and some among the most moving itineraries dedicated to the Civil Rights.
For sailing along the Mississippi River between a breathtaking sunset and the tour of the small and ancient berths along the path, for the (re)discovery of the real and great music made in USA – the Blues was geographically born here, like a good part of the most popular American music genres, and for setting out on a downright gastronomic journey among savors, excesses and smells of the culinary traditions of the Old Deep South.
For driving some of the most suggestive historic roads of the country and discover the movie and literary locations of many masterpieces of the American filmography literature.
To discover – together with Mississippi – again another beautiful, complicated and exciting piece of America.
The Birthplace of America’s Music – this is the nickname of Mississippi you’ll find also on the plates – known also as Magnolia State because of the abundant presence of this type of plant on this land, or also as The South’s Warmest Welcome, for the innate welcome and hospitality, is one of the most fascinating and complex states at the same time of the Southern USA.
Its history is strictly tied to the Louisiana one (French colony first and Spanish then, at last become State of the Union in the early 1800s in all respects), to one of the most ferocious and bloody battles of the Civil War – the Vicksburg one – and sadly tied to the most dramatic episodes of the racial segregation – tacitly endorsed by the Governor of the State of Mississippi, the terrible and feared “tory” Ross Barnett, during Kennedy administration – tied to the long and painful deeds of the Civil Right Movement.
Today it is still strictly tied to its southern traditions – so that it has still in its flag the confederated cross – to the big river of America it was named after – the Mississippi River – to the memory of the big cotton and cane plantations (many of them can be visited still today). And, of course, to the places where some among the most important global music genres were born – Blues, first of all.
Find down here my itinerary about what to see in Mississippi, divided into areas, distance in kilometers, stages and historic roads crossed, besides useful deepener links to specific posts about the several destinations, of course.
Keep in mind that a such itinerary fits very well with a wider on the road, like the one from Chicago as far as New Orleans (throughout Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana) or that one among the Travel South USA states (mainly Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana).
Reckon at least 5 days to visit everything peacefully, not less than 3 if you have short time in your hands. It would be a real shame going through this state without discovering at least its most iconic and captivating locations.
200km of history, ancient plantations, antebellum dwellings, old highways intersecting, paths and amazing natural reservations tied to the Native Indians and famous battlefields of the American Civil War.
An intense and exciting paths – that can be easily done both ways – from Natchez as far as its capital Jackson, through even three historic roads: the Great River Road, the Natchez Trace Parkway and the Blues Hwy 61.
These are the stops:
Here you can find the post about all the itinerary, here the post about The Help Movie Locations.
From Jackson as far as the heart of Mississippi Delta, Clarksdale, 2 days to discover the locations of the Blues and its most important artists, without forget to have at least a photographic stop at the real gate of the Blues Hwy 61 in Mississippi – the Gateway to the Blues Visitor Center & Museum in Tunica – above all if you are going to or coming from the near Tennessee.
These are the stops:
Find here the report with the complete itinerary, the descriptions stage by stage and a series of useful tips to optimize times and tours.
From Clarksdale as far as Tupelo, birthplace of the undisputed king of Rock and Roll – Elvis Presley.
A short trip, one day and two nights to visit Oxford, the mythical Ole Miss – University of Mississippi – and Rowan Oak, the house of one of the greatest writers of the South – William Faulkner, Nobel Prize for Literature in 1949 and Pulitzer Prize in 1954.
Mississippi not to miss: Natchez Trace Parkway
Then reach Tupelo and the Elvis Presley birthplace through a trait of the historic Natchez Trace Parkway – an ancient Indian path.
Click on the stages to read the complete itinerary and the detailed guidebooks about what to do and what to see: