Mississippi State University Campus

The MSU campus offers beautiful green spaces, historic architecture, museums, and cultural sites—all accessible for self‑guided walking tours throughout the summer. 

MSU Cheese Store (MAFES Sales Store)

The MSU Cheese Store, officially the MAFES Sales Store, is a beloved Mississippi State tradition dating back to 1938. It produces the famous three‑pound Edam “cannon ball” cheese, as well as cheddar, jalapeño cheddar, Vallagret, ice cream (including the popular Muscadine Ripple), milk, butter, and campus‑made specialty foods. All products are made using milk from the university’s own research dairy herd, making it a uniquely MSU experience. Open Monday–Friday during the summer.

Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library

Located in Mitchell Memorial Library, this nationally significant collection includes 15,000 linear feet of correspondence, artifacts, and historical materials documenting the life and presidency of Ulysses S. Grant. Open year‑round. 

The Cotton District

Starkville’s most iconic neighborhood, known for its architecture and walkability, is lively and accessible throughout the summer months. 

Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum

A local museum featuring exhibits on Native American culture, agricultural history, and regional development—open year‑round. 

Outdoor Adventures

Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge

A 48,000‑acre refuge offering hiking, photography, bird‑watching, fishing access, boardwalks, scenic overlooks, and diverse ecosystems including wetlands, prairies, and hardwood forests. Excellent for summer wildlife viewing. 

Prairie Wildlife Preserve (West Point)

A premier conservation-driven sporting estate in the Black Prairie, known for its restored native habitats and Orvis‑endorsed outdoor experiences such as clay shooting and guided nature activities. 

Golden Triangle Landmarks

Old Waverly Golf Club (West Point)

A nationally acclaimed golf destination that has hosted major tournaments such as the 1999 U.S. Women’s Open and 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur. Stay‑and‑play options are available during summer. 

Waverley Mansion (Near West Point)

A historic antebellum mansion offering guided tours and scenic grounds, ideal for visitors interested in architecture, gardens, and 19th‑century Southern history. Some even claim the Mansion is haunted. 

Tennessee Williams Home & Welcome Center (Columbus)

The beautifully restored 1875 Victorian home where Pulitzer Prize‑winning playwright Tennessee Williams spent his early years. Originally the rectory of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, it was saved from demolition, moved to Main Street, and restored as Columbus’s official Welcome Center. Now designated a National Literary Landmark, it features period furnishings, exhibits on Williams’s early life, and guided tours—open Monday through Saturday in summer.