I caught myself in a lie the other day. I said I had been practically everywhere in the US and was ready to venture to new places. That was a lie. While I traveled to a lot of places in the States, I am nowhere maxed out on destinations and my recent girls’ trip to the Mississippi Delta proved as much.
Their slogan – see where the backroads take you – is definitely fitting. There are so many quaint towns tucked away in the Delta, the backroads could literally take you about a hundred different places. Many have dubbed these backroads and this area “the most Southern place on earth.”
Pretty accurate.
Yazoo City – Main St. Hotel
If you’re ever on the hunt for unique lodging, Yazoo City boasts quite possibly my favorite hotel ever – Main St. Hotel located in the heart of Yazoo City’s downtown.
Perhaps I was just incredibly tired, or it was a testament to how comfortable and “homey” my room was, but I can’t recall a night of such great sleep as I had during my stay at the Main St. Hotel. From what I heard, all the rooms were decorated completely differently, so there’s not telling what kind of great set up you’ll end up with here!
Pro tip: if you stay here grab a bottle of wine, a great book and go sit on the balcony (it’s hot pink and just darling!) and call it a night.
We also took a tour of Glenwood Cemetery, voted #2 “Spookiest Cemetery in the US” via a poll conducted by The Huffington Post, where we heard about the Yazoo Legend and their infamous witch.
For food, check out the world championship-winning Ubon’s Barbecue and let the server tell you what you should order – you can’t go wrong.
The City (and food!) of Greenville
If you ever make a trip to Greenville, Doe’s must be a stop on your foodie lover’s itinerary. Established in 1941, Doe’s was the 2007 winner of The James Beard Foundation Awards, which speaks for itself. You literally walk through the kitchen into a very casual and home-style environment – in fact driving past it, it doesn’t look like much. Bonus points – Doe’s is even BYOB (or wine, Jack Daniels, etc.), which is amazing!
After a glutinous dinner at Doe’s, check out some live music at Walnut Street Blues Bar, which serves as a beautiful reminder where blues music truly originated from.
Keep Cleveland boring (which it’s anything but!)
There is a reason this city was voted #2 Small Town to Visit in 2013 (by Smithsonian Magazine), because Cleveland is probably in the top 5 most relaxing and cutest and quaint towns I’ve ever visited.
Being from Texas, I truly thought of Cleveland as a mini-Austin – it was that cool and thus far underrated. For food, be sure to check out the Warehouse Restaurant where you have to get the tempura-fried cheese – fresh goat cheese, local Bolivar honey, and cracked pepper ($9). Anything on the dinner menu will suffice, but that is a must-order appetizer. The specialty cocktails are also pretty spectacular here.
You should also check out the Bologna Performing Arts Center located at Delta State University where real Broadway plays like Hairspray visit and make for an unforgettable girl’s night. A night of Broadway and cocktails from Warehouse? I just planned your visit to Cleveland – you’re welcome!
McCarty’s Pottery is the REAL Pottery Barn, and if I ever get married, this is where I plan to register. It’s an old barn filled with beautiful knickknacks located in Merigold (just outside Cleveland) and has received worldwide recognition for their amazing products and their lush and calming gardens are a sight well worth the extra gas miles. Ask any southerner where they got many of their home accents, decorations and platters and they’ll surely say McCarty’s. That is – if they have good taste.
Dockery Planation is said to be the site where the blues were born, playing home to a number of pioneers of the genre like Henry Sloan, Charley Patton, Willie Brown and many more. It’s just an overall gorgeous area and perfect setting for an outdoor wedding or event.
Keep Cleveland Boring is a tongue and cheek group that talks about all the great events and things to see and do in the fun town – as you can see above – this place is anything but boring. Remember – it’s a mini-Austin – you heard it here first.
You’ll definitely want to visit the specialty shops of the Historic Crosstie Shopping District and once the GRAMMY Museum opens in the fall of 2015 that will need to be on your Cleveland bucket list.
Vicksburg – Running the Neighborhoods
One of the most beautiful cities I visited on this trip, Vicksburg is prettily perched high on the bluffs above the Mississippi River and is drop dead gorgeous. It is a town that invites you to explore the homes and hallways filled with an abundance of history. You can (and should) get lost in the very nicely manicured neighborhoods of Vicksburg – the historic homes serve as a perfect backdrop for a long run or stroll.
After you finish your glorious run, go pamper yourself at The Loft Salon and Spa, located in the heart of downtown Vicksburg, which offers high-quality styling and massage services. Also, a great stop after a day on one of Mississippi’s top golf courses!
For a hotel in historic Vicksburg, there is no better stay than Ameristar Casino Hotel, which is located just west of Jackson (the main airport to fly into). The newly renovated 149-room hotel provides a clean and comfortable feel with European-style bedding that make it hard to want to get out and enjoy the 70,000 square foot casino which has every slot and table game your little heart could desire.
Best pro tip you’ll read in this entire article: ask for chocolate chip cookies and milk delivered straight to your room. It is AMAZING.
Two great restaurants to check out while in Vicksburg: Walnut Hills for dinner (specifically fried chicken, which is award-winning and world famous) and Café Anchuca (which means happy home) for brunch. Be sure to try the champagne punch and if you’re a coffee drinker, you’ll love the coffee there as it has a delicious hint of cinnamon. Café Anchuca is a historic bed and breakfast with 11 rooms and is cuter than words can say.
Mississippi Golf Life
Mississippi is also a great destination for golf with more than 140 golf courses across the state and a perfect climate for year-round play; making it a great golf and family destination.
Known for their blues music, there is a common phrase in the Mississippi Delta – if you love our blues, you’ll love our greens.
Authentic Blues music, southern food, and sweet towns, what a great combo for any Mississippi Delta girls’ getaway!