The Top 8 Reasons Mississippi Has the Absolute Best Summers in the Country

Summertime in Mississippi is pure magic.

From laidback afternoons on the Gulf Coast to sultry nights filled with music, there’s no place quite like the Magnolia State when it comes to enjoying the sunny season.

Here are the top 8 reasons Mississippi has the absolute best summers.

1. Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Spend a day hiking through lush forests on a shady trail near Tupelo. Explore the Natchez Trace Parkway on a bike and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Pitch a tent at a state park campground to experience Southern camping style.

Paddle a kayak along the Gulf Coast and feel the light breeze coming off the water. Or grab your fishing pole and reel in some catfish and bass on the many rivers and lakes. Spending time outdoors is what Mississippi summers are all about.

2. Miles of Shoreline

Situated along the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi provides locals and visitors with ample opportunities for waterfront fun all summer. Spend a relaxing day splashing in the gentle, uncrowded waves at Long Beach or Biloxi Beach and hunt for seashells in the soft sand. Charter a fishing boat out of Bay St. Louis or Pass Christian and try your hand at catching mackerel, redfish, and snapper.

Camp overnight on a barrier island like Ship Island for a true coastal adventure. Or explore the Gulf Islands National Seashore by kayak and likely spot playful dolphins. Attractions like the Riverwalk in Vicksburg, along the mighty Mississippi River, invite strolls along the waterfront.

Rent a jet ski near Natchez to zip along the river’s surface. With so many ways to enjoy the water, boredom never sets in.

3. The Freshest, Tastiest Seafood You’ll Find Anywhere

Summer is prime seafood season in Mississippi, thanks to its easy access to the bountiful Gulf waters. Indulge in juicy jumbo shrimp, succulent raw oysters, sweet crab meat, and the day’s freshest catches at iconic restaurants like Mary Mahoney’s in Biloxi and Half Shell Oyster House along the Coast.

Or skip the middleman and get seafood straight from the harbor at places like Point Cadet in Biloxi, where fishing boats bring their hauls daily. Whatever you choose, Mississippi summers serve up seafood at its absolute freshest and finest.

Try local specialties like shrimp po’ boys, crawfish étouffée, crab cakes, and fried catfish.

4. Parks and Forests Galore for Nature Lovers

Mississippi’s incredibly diverse landscape makes for excellent summer outdoor adventures, from rolling hills to dense forests to blackwater swamps.

Take a float trip down the Leaf River near Hattiesburg and enjoy the solitude of the piney woods. Wander the boardwalks through the cypress trees draped in Spanish moss at Clark Creek Natural Area near Quitman.

Hike among old trees along the trails of the Bienville National Forest. Pitch a tent and camp under the stars along the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway. Or rent a cabin at J.P. Coleman State Park and have access to a beautiful lake.

The natural splendor truly shines in the summer months, which is one of the reasons Mississippi has the absolute best summer in the world.

5. Festivals All Summer Long

Mississippi knows how to throw a good party during the summer months. Charming small-town fairs and festivals happen nearly every weekend from June through August, featuring great live music, exciting carnival rides, and delicious local food.

The entire Mississippi Gulf Coast becomes one big party during the summer, hosting large annual events like Biloxi’s Seafood Festival, Gulfport’s Central Beach Festival, and Long Beach’s Blue Crab Festival. Blues fans flock to the Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale each April.

Vicksburg puts on a Civil War reenactment every 4th of July for a taste of history. No matter where you are in Mississippi, a fun celebration is happening nearby.

6. A True Foodie’s Paradise

From finger-licking barbecue joints to decadent soul food cafes to fresh seafood shacks, Mississippi offers a foodie’s paradise.

Try local staples like succulent fried chicken, crispy catfish, overstuffed po’ boys dripping with fillings, tamales made from ancient recipes, and pecan pie so sweet it’ll melt in your mouth. Or sample dishes influenced by Mississippi’s diverse cultural roots, like shrimp gumbo, crawfish étouffée, and pain perdu. Stop by roadside produce stands for farm-fresh vegetables and ripe summer fruits.

The possibilities are mouthwatering for those who take delight in trying new Southern and Creole flavors.

7. Live Music Around Every Corner

As the birthplace of the Blues, Mississippi provides the chance to experience this quintessentially American music genre up close, especially during the summer festival season.

Attend a blues festival and see renowned musicians like Bobby Rush perform on stage. Venture to a juke joint along the Blues Highway like Red’s in Clarksdale or Ground Zero in his hometown of Blues legend B.B. King’s and soak in the atmosphere that inspired the blues greats.

Dance at an authentic honky tonk like Hal and Mal’s in Jackson. And learn the history at sites on the Mississippi Blues Trail, which tell the stories of blues icons throughout the state.

8. Abundant Wildlife Watching Opportunities

The Magnolia State’s incredibly biodiverse ecosystems mean outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities all summer. Take an airboat ride through the bayous of the Mississippi Delta to spot alligators among the cypress knees and wading birds in the marshes.

Scan the beaches of the Gulf Islands National Seashore for skittering shorebirds and even nesting sea turtles starting in June. Go in search of white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, rabbits, and more among the pine forests of Bienville National Forest.

And for birdwatchers, Mississippi is an absolute paradise in summer thanks to its prime location on the Mississippi Flyway. The wildlife is one of the many reasons Mississippi has the absolute best summer in the world.

Bonus Reason: A Slower, More Relaxed Way of Life

Summertime in Mississippi encourages you to sit back, relax and enjoy the little things in life. Attend a neighborhood crawfish boil and chat over mudbugs and beer with the locals. Pull a chair on a big wrap-around porch and sip sweet tea while watching the sunset.

Meander through a farmers market on a Saturday morning, sampling fresh fruits and veggies. Let the warm hospitality of Mississippians welcome you in and embrace a slower pace of life. And take time to appreciate natural wonders like seeing graceful magnolias in full bloom or watching lightning bugs dance across the yard at dusk.

What is Mississippi’s State Flower?

The Magnolia is Mississippi’s state flower for good reason. These elegant trees produce huge, fragrant white blossoms up to 12 inches wide that seem to explode into bloom overnight. Take a scenic drive along backroads in any part of Mississippi during summer.

You’ll be dazzled by numerous magnolias in full flower, dressed in lacy finery against a backdrop of deep green leaves. See them along avenues, in parks, on the grounds of antebellum homes, and everywhere in between, a revered Southern beauty.

Conclusion

With its ideal weather, endless options for water fun, super-fresh seafood, diverse natural areas to explore, and renowned Southern food, music, and charm, Mississippi is tailor-made for idyllic, memorable summers.

Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, incredible food, immersion in history and culture, or some quality relaxation, you’ll find it all here in spades. One visit during these magical months makes it abundantly clear that there are many reasons Mississippi has the absolute best summers the best summers in the country.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Jordan Hill Photography/Shutterstock.com