Mississippi tourism can cover a wide range of things to see, from the Ghosts and Legends tour in Columbus to the “Candlelight Ghost Tour during Halloween Week in Vicksburg. Or you can go over to Noxubee County and visit the jail that was erected in 1907 and has operative gallows. Of course, there are things that are far less frightening to see in Mississippi such as the beautiful Magnolias mansion in Aberdeen with its antebellum architecture, exquisite mahogany staircase and beautiful furnishing. This home was built in 1850 and offers daily tours.

Another site you may enjoy while on your Mississippi tour is the Tom Bevill Visitors Center and Museum which is a replica of an 1830 - 1860 Greek revival antebellum plantation mansion built on the Tombrigbee River. This museum is located in Pickensville and would love to have you tour it and learn about the life on the river.

Your Mississippi tour can have some noise, dirt and fun at the Columbus Speedway just 7 miles east of Columbus. The 3/10 mile, high banked, clay oval track will offer you the opportunity to see some great racing and, of course, eat a hot dog or two. What can be better than a little hot dog, noise and dirt all mixed together?

Black History Month in Columbus shows off the African-American Heritage with driving tours from the different locations in town. There is a celebration downtown on the weekend with Friday being a night of music, food and stories on Catfish Alley. The driving tours are held at 9, and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. On Saturdays the tour is free.

Magnolia is a small community that you will want to make sure you visit while on your Mississippi tourism vacation. This small town is home to three of Mississippi’s premier Queen Anne residences and an antebellum Greek Revival cottage as part of the Southtown Historic District. The Myrtle Street District is a typical neighborhood from the turn of the century and will transport you back in time by just looking at the simplicity of this area. Both of these districts are on the National Historic Register.

The town of Magnolia can be reached by Interstate 55, north or south, at exit 10, from the east on Highway 48 from Hattiesburg, Ms., and from the west on Highway 24 from Liberty, Ms.