|
United Kingdom
Mississippi - Lofthouse Enterprises
Woodlands
Park Street
Hitchin Herts SG4 9AH
England
Telephone: 44 (0) 1462-440787
Fax: 44 (0) 1462-440766
e-mail: mississippi@david-nicholson.com
Mississippi Welcomes You
Mississippi encompasses all the wonderful
aspects that make America's Deep South so appealing. For starters,
there are paddlewheel riverboats, cotton plantations, white-columned
mansions, Civil War battlefields, Indian heritage sites, magnolia
trees and centuries-old oak trees. Mississippi also upholds
the South's well-deserved reputation for warm, hospitable
people; balmy year-round weather; and truly delectable cuisine.
Add to all this an array of casino resorts, more than 160
golf courses and 26 miles of white, sandy beaches, and you've
got an irresistible combination for a fantastic holiday.
Another plus is Mississippi's great
musical and literary heritage. Anyone who has ever read the
classics of William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams and modern
day works of John Grisham, or listened to Elvis, blues artists
B.B. King and Muddy Waters or country music legends Jimmie
Rodgers and Tammy Wynette, already has a taste of what Mississippi
is all about.
Explore Mississippi region by region
as the state is easily divided for travel - North, Central,
South and Gulf Coast. You can also enjoy a "theme"
holiday along one of the state's great historic roads.
NORTH MISSISSIPPI
The northwest corner of the state which
borders, Memphis, Tennessee has grown into one of the largest
casino gaming centres in the USA. Tunica County offers Las
Vegas-style gaming, top-name entertainment, world-class food,
relaxing spa facilities and a friendly, inviting atmosphere.
Most of the casinos offer economical and luxurious accommodation
and provide a convenient base for exploring the entire region.
North Mississippi, dotted with Civil
War battle sites, is a reminder of the nation's history. Corinth
and other quaint towns, such as Aberdeen and Holly Springs,
whisper of memory and honour of the Civil War. With its combination
of rolling hills, lush forests and flat Delta land with cotton
fields, North Mississippi was an inspiration for Nobel Prize-
winning novelist William Faulkner. His 150-year-old home Rowan
Oak can be toured in Oxford. The town also boasts a charming
town square, the University of Mississippi and its Center
for the Study of Southern Culture.
For rock 'n' roll fans, the region's
top attraction is Tupelo, site of the two-room birthplace
of Elvis Presley and the adjacent Museum and Memorial Chapel.
The museum is one of the most unique private collections of
Elvis memorabilia in the world and the birthplace provides
Elvis enthusiasts a humbling experience quite different to
that of Elvis' Graceland in Memphis. The true music of this
region, The Blues, draws visitors to Clarksdale's Delta Blues
Museum and numerous live blues music clubs in and around the
Clarksdale area. Somehow, this region of the state gets into
your soul and puts a song in your heart.
CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI
From antebellum homes to international
museum exhibits, Jackson is more than the state capital. Jackson
marks the beginning of road trips to adventure, excitement
and relaxation throughout central Mississippi. Mississippi's
cotton-growing heritage comes alive in Greenwood, while attractions
in Greenville - the state's largest Mississippi River city
- include ancient Indian ceremonial mounds. About an hour's
drive west of Jackson is Vicksburg, a Mississippi River town
where an 1,800-acre memorial parks stands on the site of one
of the Civil War's most famous sieges and battlefields. Just
north of Jackson is Canton, where visitors can tour the locations
where John Grisham's novel A Time to Kill was filmed.
Cities in the eastern half of the region
include Meridian, with its museum dedicated to country music
pioneer Jimmie Rodgers and a century-old Dentzel carousel.
In Columbus, where the boyhood home of playwright Tennessee
Williams serves as a Visitor Center, travellers can tour historic
homes and a Civil War museum.
Starkville is home to Mississippi State
University, which houses music, agricultural and technical
museums, as well as the John Grisham Room featuring a collection
of the best-selling author's letters, photos and manuscripts.
In Philadelphia, visitors can see the
Choctaw Museum of the Southern Indian, which exhibits and
archives the culture of Native American tribes in the Southeastern
USA, and Nanih Waiya historic site, the sacred Choctaw mounds
dating before the time of Christ. The Mississippi Band of
Choctaw Indians offers a nearby casino resort and two 18-hole
golf courses.
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI
Action and adventure floated up and
down Mississippi's western border along the Mississippi River.
There were riverboats, bandits, southern belles, fortune seekers
and bustling trade. And much of it made a home in Natchez,
an incredible melting pot of French, Spanish, English, African-
American and Native American Culture. What resulted was a
unique blend of art, architecture and food, as alive today
as in the early days when Natchez was the oldest permanent
settlement on the Mississippi River. Today, this city is filled
with lovingly preserved 19th-century homes and other architectural
treasures, as well as splendid floral gardens. A must for
visitors is colourful, historic Natchez Under-the-Hill which
was a 19th century flatboat and steamboat landing famous for
its saloons. Also in this region is Port Gibson, the town
General Grant deemed "Too beautiful to burn."
South of Natchez, Woodville features
Rosemont, boyhood home of Jefferson Davis, the only president
of the Confederate States of America. In the east half of
this region, Hattiesburg offers visitors its own Historic
District and outstanding art galleries exhibiting works by
Mississippians and international artists alike.
MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST
Like the rest of Mississippi, the Gulf
Coast is a direct descendant of a rich history and heritage.
But at the same time, there is more going on along this stretch
of beautiful beach than you might have ever thought possible.
The Coast's 26 miles of wide, white-sandy Gulf of Mexico beaches
are lined with first-class casino resorts offering star-studded
entertainment, splendid dining, outstanding watersports facilities,
luxurious spas and challenging golf courses galore. Coastal
resort towns such as Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, Long
Beach and Bay St. Louis are also home to museums, art galleries,
historic sites, amusement parks, scrumptious seafood and congenial
locals. Other popular activities along the Gulf Coast include
island beach excursions and deep-sea fishing trips. The Coast
is an all-year, all- around holiday destination.
IN GRACIOUS STYLE
Travellers who really want to immerse
themselves in the gracious traditions and relaxed lifestyle
of the Old South should book an overnight stay at a Mississippi
bed and breakfast inn. Preserving the character and charm
of yesteryear, yet offering every modern amenity, these establishments
are rich in Southern tradition and hospitality. Guests will
sleep well in a magnificent four-poster bed and wake to the
tempting aroma of a delicious Southern breakfast, served on
fine china and silver in the dining room - where they'll likely
meet other guests from around the world.
Visitors can choose an idyllic getaway
where the main attractions are scenery and serenity, or settle
into a spot in the heart of a bustling city. A variety of
inns are located throughout the state, ranging from the elegance
of splendid Greek Revival and Victorian mansions along the
Mississippi River to the rustic simplicity of log cabins bordering
the Natchez Trace Parkway and breezy summer cottages overlooking
the beaches of the Gulf Coast.
In addition to a warm atmosphere and
all the comforts of home, bed and breakfasts offer the advantage
of friendly, hospitable owners familiar with the area. Hosts
will be pleased to recommend the best local restaurants, attractions
and shops, and to share their establishment's unique history
- maybe even a ghost story! Mississippi bed and breakfast
inns are an elegant alternative that will enhance any holiday.
Major hotel and motel chains are also represented throughout
the state. Some of the properties on the Gulf Coast are located
right on the beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, and the
river towns offer accommodation overlooking the mighty Mississippi
River.
PLANTATIONS & BATTLEFIELDS
The legendary South of folklore and
fable, which influenced much of Mississippi's literature,
is still found in the state's small towns, plantations, historic
homes and Civil War sites.
One of the biggest draws for visitors
to the Magnolia State is the state's dynamic history including
attractions linked to the Antebellum South and the Civil War.
For casual sightseers and serious enthusiasts alike, the sheer
number of historic attractions and bed-and-breakfast establishments
makes the state appealing as a vacation destination.
Especially popular times to visit the
state are during one of the spring or autumn Pilgrimages which
are one- to two-week festivals, held in more than 20 cities
throughout Mississippi. Many of the historic homes normally
closed to the public open their doors and behind those doors
guests will find hostesses in period costume, authentic 19th-century
furnishings and timeless Southern hospitality.
For those seeking something a bit more
lively, book a Mississippi holiday to coincide with one of
the state's Civil War re-enactment events, when the battles
between the Blue and the Gray are brought to life by enthusiastic
and authentically outfitted troops of volunteers. Mississippi
offers the opportunity to walk in the footsteps taken by Confederate
and Union soldiers more than 135 years ago.
GOLF
Mississippi is one of the fastest-growing
golf destinations in the U.S. There are more than 160 golf
courses in the state, with new ones being added each year.
Many of the courses have been designed by such superstars
as Arnold Palmer, Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate and some of those
along the Gulf Coast treat its players to dramatic views of
the Gulf of Mexico. Add to that year-round sunshine plus reasonable
greens fees, and Mississippi golf is an activity you can enjoy
12 months of the year.
The state's golf courses include nine-
and 18-hole facilities and range in difficulty from beginner
to challenging. Some have been host to major golf tournaments
such as the U.S. Women's Open. A number of the casino resorts
and hotels feature golf packages making it easy to book a
combination golf/resort holiday.
CASINO GAMING
Today there are more than 30 casinos
located throughout the state. Tunica County and the Mississippi
Gulf Coast have the largest concentration with the rest of
the casinos located in Lula (north of Clarksdale) and Greenville
in the North, Philadelphia and Vicksburg in central Mississippi
and Natchez in the south. Many casinos are built around themes
and showcase museums and clubs, complemented by the added
bonus of Southern hospitality. The casino resorts feature
more than fine accommodation and 24-hour world- class gaming
- many also include restaurants, entertainment, spa and fitness
centres, children's programmes and other amenities. Entertainment
in the various casinos includes the world-renowned Cirque
du Soleil, live lounge acts, top-name entertainers and lavish
stage productions.
ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION
- AIR TRANSPORTATION
Memphis, Tennessee, just across Mississippi's
northwest border, handles direct international flights and
offers connections to cities in Mississippi. Atlanta, Georgia;
Dallas, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; St. Louis, Missouri and
Orlando, Florida are other convenient gateways that receive
international flights and offer connecting service to Mississippi.
Jackson International Airport, in the state's capital city,
handles hundreds of connecting flights from major carriers
every week. A major regional airport in Gulfport/Biloxi also
receives connecting flights and commuter air services, and
there are several smaller airports located throughout the
state with connections to major hubs.
RAIL, CAR & BOAT
Three Amtrak rail routes provide travel
throughout the state, The Crescent: New York to New Orleans
with Mississippi stops in Meridian, Laurel, Hattiesburg and
Picayune; The City of New Orleans: Chicago to New Orleans
with a Mississippi stop in Jackson; and The Sunset Limited.
Miami to New Orleans with Mississippi stops in Pascagoula,
Biloxi/Gulfport and Bay St. Louis.
Major car rental companies are represented
in Memphis, Jackson and other cities. The Delta Queen Line's
three steamboat paddlewheelers and the new River Barge Excursions
based in New Orleans regularly cruise the Mississippi River,
making stops in Natchez, Vicksburg and Greenville.
CREDIT CARDS, CASH & CHEQUES
Most major credit cards are accepted
throughout Mississippi. Visitors are encouraged to carry at
least one, as a card is often requested as proof of identity.
It is always safest and most convenient to keep the bulk of
one's money in travellers cheques; however, visitors should
arrive in the USA with plenty of US$ for tips and taxis.
CLIMATE
Mississippi's moderate climate encourages
outdoor activity year-round. The state experiences a change
of seasons and temperatures vary according to the various
regions of the state. January's average low is 15'C, and the
summer's high around 35'C. Recommended attire for Mississippi
is casual and comfortable.
SALES TAX
State and local sales tax, usually around
7% to 9% is added to virtually all purchases, and advertised
prices rarely include the tax.
TIPPING
A reward for service is common throughout
the USA. (Except travellers on an escorted tour where all
service charges are included in the price.) It is customary
to tip 15% of the bill for meals served in hotels and restaurants,
but not in fast food establishments or cafeterias with self-service.
In hotels, tips of about $1 per bag are in order for porters,
with a tip for the doorman in relation to any service he provides.
Hotels in the USA do not add a service charge to cover gratuities.
For more Information, contact the State
of Mississippi's International Tourism offices:
Mississippi - Lofthouse Enterprises
Woodlands
Park Street
Hitchin Herts SG4 9AH
England
Phone: +44 (0) 1462-440787
Fax: +44 (0) 1462-440766
e-mail: mississippi@david-nicholson.com
Mississippi Division of Tourism - International
Bureau
Post Office Box 849
Jackson MS 39205
USA Phone: +1 601-359-3297
Fax: +1 601-359-5757
Web site: www.visitmississippi.org
|
