Antiquing Tour ItineraryITINERARY 1
Day 1 Memphis to Southaven ......... 16
miles If antiquing and collectible shopping
is your avocation, then look no further than the beautiful
and diverse highways and country roads of Mississippi. Begin
your quest for antiques and collectibles with a short drive
from Memphis to Southaven, once the location of Elvis Presley
and Priscilla's getaway Circle G Ranch. You will find a
myriad
of nineteenth and early twentieth century glassware and furniture.
The next stop should be Olive Branch, where you will find
an eclectic mix of pottery and antiques. Drive on to Holly
Springs for more shopping, where the streets are lined with
so many mansions that Salem Avenue was known in the 1850's
as "Silk Stocking Row." Maria Mason, a Holly Springs native, is credited with saving the town during the Civil War by entertaining Union General Grierson with her Steinway piano. The two of them had studied music in New York under the same teacher, and they played duets together during his siege of Holly Springs. Travel on to Oxford, home of William Faulkner and his beloved home "Rowan Oak", now maintained for memorial and educational purposes. Oxford is also home of the historic University of Mississippi, better known throughout America as "Ole Miss." Oxford also offers many unique shops ranging from upscale clothing establishments to one-of-a-kind bookstores and antique shops. With its picturesque courthouse square, fabled homes, and scenes lifted straight from Faulkner novels, Oxford is the quintessential southern town. There are several inns and hotels from which to choose. Day 2 Oxford to Corinth ........ 98 miles
Leave Oxford after a leisurely breakfast and drive to historic Corinth, where the fate of a nation was determined during the War Between the States. Over 300,000 soldiers occupied Corinth from 1861-1865. The Confederate strike against Union troops to protect the city was known as the Battle of Shiloh. The Confederate troops failed and later tried to retake Corinth in what became the bloodiest battle in Mississippi history, known as the Battle of Corinth. This later opened the way for Grant's campaign against Vicksburg, which ultimately became the turning point in the Civil War. While in Corinth, tour the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center. One can walk through the depiction of the siege, battle and Union occupation of the town. See Corinth's numerous antique and collectible shops with silver, glassware and gourmet food. Leave Corinth and travel to Tupelo, known worldwide as the birthplace of the "King," Elvis Presley. Visit his birthplace, and the Elvis Presley Museum, which houses the most unique private collection of Elvis memorabilia in the world. Tupelo offers small and intimate antique shops as well as a store with 10,000 square feet of antiques. If by any chance you still haven't seen enough antique shops, drive a short 15 minutes to Fulton in Itawamba county, where the streets are a mecca of shops. Day 3 Tupelo to Columbus ....... 71 miles
Drive from Tupelo to Columbus, the birthplace of internationally known playwright Tennessee Williams, and the location of the Mississippi University for Women, the first public university for women in America. Columbus is a beautiful town, full of antebellum homes, history, and a kaleidoscope of collectibles and antique shops with an emphasis on Americana and Continental pieces. Next, take the journey from here to Meridian for the night. Meridian is the birthplace of Jimmie Rodgers, the "Father of Country Music." Visit the Jimmie Rodgers Museum and the Meridian Museum of Art, which houses contemporary art, photographs and crafts. You will find more than your fair share of nice places to hang your hat for the evening. Day 4 Meridian to Philadelphia ...... 39
miles Drive from Meridian to Philadelphia, home of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Visit the various Choctaw museums, and stop at Nanih Waiya Historic Site, a government-protected site of the sacred mounds, known as the legendary birthplace of the Choctaw. From here, travel to Kosciusko, a small town filled with shops and diners where you can browse and eat lunch. While in Kosciusko, the birthplace and hometown of Oprah Winfrey, visit the church where she performed her first recitation. Kosciusko is located on the historic and beautiful Natchez Trace Parkway, a road that began over 8000 years ago as a buffalo and Indian trail. As pioneers settled the area, it became the main route between Nashville, Tennessee and Natchez, Mississippi. Continue your stimulating journey to the rich soil of the Delta in Greenwood. Meander through the town and stop at specialty stores and antique shops. If time allows, visit the Cottonlandia Museum, which tells the story of the Mississippi Delta. Visit Florewood River Plantation, a full-scale replica of an 1850's cotton plantation where you can experience living-history demonstrations. Greenwood boasts several upscale antique and collectible shops, including fine French antiques. The final stop that day will be Greenville, located on the "Mighty Mississippi" River. Be sure and stop to tour the Greenville River Road Queen Welcome Center. The River Road Queen is considered to be one of the 10 most unique welcome centers in the United States. Greenville is a historic town, filled to the brim with antiques and collectibles, including I9th century English period pieces. Spend the night here, and participate in some local color, such as casino gaming, or a local pub playing the blues. Greenville has a something for everyone, young and old alike. Spend the night here, and wake up refreshed to travel the last leg of the antique and collectible itinerary. Day 5 Greenville to Clarksdale .... 72
miles Leave Greenville behind, and head up
Highway 61 to Clarksdale, home of the Delta Blues Museum and
many world-famous bluesmen such as Son Thomas, Muddy Waters,
Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker, W. C. Handy, Robert Johnson
and others, just to name a few. You will also find to your
amazement, many antique shops offering an eclectic range of
items. From this unique Delta town, take the coach north to
one of the top motorcoach destinations in America Tunica,
Mississippi. Shop the maze of antique shops; see cotton fields
that stretch for miles, and then look up to suddenly see yourself
surrounded by a virtual mecca of dazzling casinos, outlet
shopping malls and top-name entertainment! You won't have
a chance to catch your breath with all there is to do in the
diverse and beautiful state of Mississippi. ITINERARY 2 Day 1 Jackson to Ridgeland ....... 9 miles
Start your journey from the middle of the state, in the capital city of Jackson, where antiquing is a favorite hobby. You will find English, French, oriental, and continental antiques of all kinds, as well as a popular crafts gallery featuring fine hand-crafted works of art by members of the Mississippi Craftsmen's Guild. Pottery, Choctaw baskets, jewelry and hand-blown glass are just a few of the selections. Jackson is also known as the cultured center of the state, where every 4 years the International Ballet Competition is held. In addition, tour the Old Capitol Museum, the Russell Davis Planetarium, one of the finest in America and the Governor's Mansion, the second-oldest continuously occupied gubernatorial residence in the United States. From Jackson, take a short 1 0- minute ride to Ridgeland, to the Antique Mail of the South, the largest antique mall in Central Mississippi. You will also be delighted at the more than 130 department and specialty shops located in Ridgeland from which to choose. Select from over 70 restaurants where you will find any type of cuisine you desire, from casual to elegant. No shopping excursion would be complete without browsing the V.C. Originals Pottery and the Gail Pittman Pottery Studio and outlet. Canton should be your next stop for
finding that one-of-a-kind antique or collectible. Main Street
is lined with antique stores around the historic square. Visit
the movie museum and then head west for Vicksburg, a short
hour and a half from Canton. Day 2 Vicksburg to Port Gibson ... 29 miles Leave the "River City" that morning traveling south on U.S. Highway 61 to Port Gibson, the town General U.S. Grant declared "too beautiful to burn." Your eyes will glance skyward at the First Presbyterian Church with the 10-foot guilded hand pointing toward heaven. While antiquing is of course your most important reason for this tour, no stop in Port Gibson would be complete without viewing the Ruins of Windsor, made famous in the 1956 classic movie "Raintree County" starring Elizabeth Taylor. Take U.S.Highway 61 South on to Natchez, the oldest permanent settlement on the Mississippi River. Over 500 buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in this magnificent town full of antebellum homes, fine restaurants, and the most splendid antique shops north of New Orleans. Overnight in one of dozens of exquisite bed and breakfast inns, or a hotel overlooking the bluffs of the Mighty Mississippi River. You will also find nighttime entertainment in a casino, in the historic Natchez Landing area. Day 3 Natchez to Brookhaven .... 63 miles
Brookhaven to Hattiesburg. . 90 miles Start your day with a sumptious breakfast, and travel east to Brookhaven, a charming town over 180 years old, with a historic Victorian district where you will find an eclectic mixture of antebellum, turn-of-the-century homes, and bungalows. Besides the small-town ambiance, Brookhaven is home to numerous shops with unique treasures to find and cherish. There are unusual restaurants including a round-table restaurant filled to the brim with southern delicacies for your enjoyment. Board the motorcoach after a wonderful lunch and head southeast to the "Hub City" of Hattiesburg, the home of the University of Southern Mississippi. Hattiesburg is a bustling city overflowing with museums, art galleries, antique and collectible shops. There are over 18 hotels, inns, or bed and breakfast establishments from which to stay the night in Hattiesburg. Day 4 Hattiesburg to Gulfport .... 73 miles
Leave Hattiesburg on Highway 49 South, where you will find the pristine white sandy beaches of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The delightful surprise here is that there is so much more along this lovely stretch of sugar-white beaches and alcoves than meets the eye, The Mississippi Coastal Region is filled with old and new alike; antebellum homes such as "Beauvoir," the last home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, shrimping tours, the George E. Ohr Arts and Cultural Center, excursions to Fort Massachusetts, and the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center and Aquarium. The Coastal Region is quite well known for the variety and quality of antiques. The sheer number of fine antique stores and malls will astonish you, as well as keep you intrigued by their diversity. East of Biloxi lies the quaint coastal community of Ocean Springs, home to the famous Walter Anderson Museum. Here, you may view original watercolor paintings depicting pristine coastal beauty and wildlife native to the area. Be sure to visit the museum gift shop for a one-of-a-kind Mississippi souvenir. Spend the night in Biloxi at one of the beautiful resort hotels, where luxury has become standard. There is literally something here for everyone! Day 5 Biloxi to Long Beach ............
16 miles After having a delicious continental or a full-course breakfast, head west along Highway 90 to Long Beach, where more antique shops and nature's beauty abound. Visit the famous Friendship Oak, where it is said, "Those who enter my shadow are supposed to remain friends through their lifetime no matter where fate may take them." The Red Creek Inn, circa 1899, is a raised French cottage, furnished in gorgeous antiques and situated on several acres with live oaks and magnolias. Drive a few miles farther west to the incomparable magic of Bay St. Louis! Antique shops, art galleries, cafes and artists have created their own niche in this lovely town, where visitors are welcomed with open arms year round. Old Town Bay St. Louis is a place where the galleries, antique shops and eateries are packed into a three-square block area. You will find pure delight in this quaint coastal town! A visit to the Mississippi Gulf
Coast, with its many posh hotels, 24-hour top-name entertainment
and bright lights, will exhilarate you. Spend the night in
Biloxi or Gulfport at one of the beautiful resort hotels overlooking
the Gulf of Mexico, where luxury has become the standard.
Enjoy your last evening in Mississippi while savoring succulent
seafood and southern hospitality at one of the local restaurants
found along Mississippi's picturesque Gulf Coast.
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