There is plenty to see in Mississippi. There are some twisty riding roads which I’ll share with you, but the historic sites are usually the most interesting.
I’d start with the Vicksburg National Military Park. On the bike it will be particularly impressive. You could easily spend a day in Vicksburg. Just south of there is Port Gibson, a beautiful antebellum town that was not burned by General Grant because he said it was too beautiful to burn. I don’t remember the name, but the road west out of Port Gibson to the Windsor ruins is scenic, and the ruins are worth a look (ask for directions).
HWY 61 for the length of the state is usually listed as scenic, but it’s for the history and way of life. You might take it to Woodville, the boyhood home of Jefferson Davis and then take Rt24 west to Fort Adams the site of “Man Without a Country.” It used to be on the river and was the first US port before LA belonged to the US. Take the dirt road (short and well-maintained) south to Pond to see some weird geology and a neat old general store. There is a paved road east to Woodville.
Natchez is an all day (at least) tourist destination. Before the “war” it was one of the wealthiest cities in America. The mansions are something to behold. Go down by the river (called Natchez under the hill) for a good view of the river and lunch. The road from Natchez to Brookhaven goes through some lush hilly country (Rt 84). Almost any of the connecting roads between Rt 61 and I-55 in the southern part of the state are curvy and deserted.
In the fall and spring the Natchez Trace can be pretty with lots of interesting historical sights along the way. It runs all the way to Nashville. The section in Tennessee is the best riding, but the section is Mississippi has better flora and history. Don’t miss the view from the hill top in Jeff Busby park north of Kosciusko.
Northwest Mississippi is VERY flat (the delta) and is not well suited to a bike. Rt 1 along the river can be interesting at times.
The best riding roads in Mississippi would be in the northeast and in an area in the south bounded by Jackson, Meridian, Hattiesburg, and McComb. Some good ones would be: 587 from Foxworth to Monticello past Red Bluffs (be careful!), 42 from Prentiss to Georgetown (the number ends but the road continues), 13 from Morton to Mendenhall, 35 and 481 from Raliegh to Morton, 533 from Soso to Stringer (nw of Laurel), 43 and 13 from Monticello to Columbia, 590 from Seminary to Ellisville.
That should give you something to chew on. Any questions?
Frank Glamser
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
