Natchez Trace Parkway
Northern Mississippi

From the Western Mississippi River deltas to the Mississippi Hill country, Northern Mississippi greets travelers with beautiful Antebellum style welcome centers along the state line. Towns like Lula, Corinth, in Alcorn County, Tremon,t on Highway 78, and Hernando, on Interstate 55 South, proudly welcome travelers. Visitors get a taste of Mississippi's Southern hospitality and local architecture as soon as they enter the state. Tupelo in Northeastern Mississippi is famous as the birthplace of legendary Elvis Presley. Throngs of fans come to see the modest house where he was born and the museum in his honor. Tunica, about 30 miles south of Memphis, has become a premier gaming destination in the state drawing residents and visitors from the region.

Oxford, in Northern Mississippi, is home to the University of Mississippi or Ole Miss as it is affectionately known. The Ole Miss Rebels and Lady Rebels field 14 sports teams with over 625 student athletes on campus. The Ole Miss Rebel football team, led by head coach Houston Nutt, open the 2010 season with a home game on September 2nd. Come early for Pep Rally featuring The Pride of the South - the Ole Miss Marching Band. With seven home games this season don't miss out on an exciting Rebel's football game. The last scheduled home game is November 27th against Mississippi State.

The 2010 Mississippi Blues Fest is Saturday, October 2nd in Greenwood. Held at the Leflore County Civic Center this is a must see for music fans. With traditional blues performer Jerry Fair and musicians like Ms Jody, LaMorris and Bigg Robb, there will be a range of exciting performances. Come early and enjoy the pre-show tailgate party from noon until showtime. The Best Western Greenwood is perfect for festival goers. Enjoy the show and head back to clean and comfortable accommodations for the night – make it a weekend getaway at the Best Western Greenwood.

Tunica celebrates the 2010 Delta Day Festival on Saturday October 16th. Come out for a good old fashioned family festival complete with an Antique Car show, live entertainment and kid's Tractor Pull. Start the day with the 5K run or walk and get ready for the traditional BBQ and mouthwatering Southern Fried Catfish. Bring family and friends for a fantastic day and great food in downtown Tunica. Visitors, look for the Best Western Tunica Resort, with comfortable accommodations and reasonable prices you can stay for a few days and enjoy the nearby casinos and other attractions.

Halloween and paranormal fans put the 2010 Ghosts and Legends of Columbus tour on you calendar for October 22nd and 23rd. The Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau takes you on a tour of the city with stops along the way where local actors and historians channel the mysteries and ghosts of the city. A fun and fantastical way to enjoy the city and its history. The Best Western Executive Suites is guaranteed ghost free and has quality amenities for visitors to Columbus.

Mississippi State Capital
Jackson, MS

Central Mississippi is home to Jackson, the state capital, as well as the commercial, cultural and urban center for the region. Jackson hosts the Mississippi State Fair for 12 days in October,  one of the oldest and largest state fairs in the US. The Mississippi State Fairground's feature a midway that is one-mile long and filled with fun attractions. Recognizing its role in the civil rights movement, Jackson named its airport Jackson - Evers International Airport to honor slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers. Jackson is called the City with Soul with a rich history of Gospel, Blues and R&B music. Musicians Cassandra Wilson, noted jazz singer, and Otis Spann, outstanding blues pianist, are from Jackson.

Natchez, a historic delta town, hosts the 2010 Fall Pilgrimage October 1st through the 15th. A wonderful opportunity to visit and tour 23 antebellum mansions, the Fall Pilgrimage gives visitors an intimate look at the historic homes of the area. Big River, the Musical, based on Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn, will be on stage as well as Amos Polk's Voices of Hope Spiritual Singers at the Carriage House Restaurant. This is a wonderful event for history and architecture enthusiasts. The Best Western River Inn in Natchez is located on the Mississippi River and perfect for accommodations in the area.

OUToberfest 2010 is Jackson's and the state of Mississippi's celebration of their Gay and Lesbian communities and allies. The Festival, held October 5th through the 10, aligns with National Coming Out Day. OUToberfest features a week of entertainment, workshops and events in support of the Mississippi LGBTQ community. The Best Western Executive Inn in Jackson is located in the heart of the city, convenient to festival events and activities. Enjoy comfortable accommodations at affordable prices in downtown Jackson.

Vicksburg, west of Jackson, on the Louisiana state line hosts the 22nd Annual Over the River Run. The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation sponsors the event at the Old Mississippi River Bridge on October 9th, 2010. Located at Washington Street and Interstate 20, runners and walkers with make a five mile course over the bridge to Louisiana and back. There is also a one-mile kids fun run, and the after-race festivities top off the day. Bring the family and join friends for a day of exercise, live entertainment and fun. The Best Western Vicksburg is an ideal location for visitors coming for the run. Located just minutes from the mighty Mississippi, the hotel serves a complimentary hot breakfast to get you fueled for the day.

Yazoo County offers residents and visitors activities and events throughout the year. Fall brings two of the most popular events, The Yazoo County Fair and the Yazoo County Holiday Parade. The 2010 Yazoo County Fair will be October 15th through the 23rd. Recognized as the second oldest fair in Mississippi, come enjoy the traditional livestock and agricultural exhibits along with the great midway games and fun. A great family event, there will be a talent stage, amusement rides and a lot more to see and do.

The 2010 Yazoo County Holiday Parade in Yazoo City will be December 7th. A wonderful way to kick-off the holiday season, bring the kids to see the floats and bands liven up downtown and  main street. The Best Western Gateway Inn of Yazoo City has clean and comfortable accommodations for visitors. Enjoy the festivities downtown, visit the Casey Jones Museum and come back and relax for the night at the Best Western Gateway Inn.

The 30th Anniversary of Jackson's Mistletoe Marketplace is November 2010. Get ready to kick-off the holiday season with three days of shopping at the Mississippi Trade Mart in Jackson. The halls will be filled with over 160 merchants and vendors with an amazing selection of gifts for the holidays. Organized by the Junior League of Jackson, special events include the Polar Express Pajama Party, Mistletoe Preview Gala and Peace, and Love and Cupcakes - a special event for tweens and teens.

Gulfport, MS

Southern Mississippi and it's coastal cities of Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula are now optimistic in their recovery from the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. After more than 100 days the Mississippi Joint Operations Center in Biloxi is reporting ongoing testing to ensure the integrity of the wellhead. The Mississippi National Guard is flying missions to located oiled areas and monitor boom used to contain oil and debris. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is monitoring beaches and will put advisories in place in any areas not recommended for swimming. Read on about some of the exciting events happening in Southern Mississippi.

The Celebration of Healing marks it's fifth anniversary in 2010 and the recovery from Hurricane Katrina. This week-long event in August begins with the Tears to Cheers Music Festival on the Beach in Biloxi. Bring lawn chairs for friends and family and enjoy live music, food, drinks and the kids can have fun at the KidsZone. Other events for the week include the Coastal Torch Relay where runners from both ends of the coast transport torches along the entire coast to meet in Biloxi. Look for special concerts and community events with a week of volunteerism capping off the Celebration of Healing.

The Best Western Oak Manor and the Best Western Cypress Creek, both in Biloxi, are conveniently located for travelers to the area. Pick the Best Western Oak Manor for a location near the beach or the Best Western Cypress Creek just off I-10. Enjoy Southern Mississippi with Best Western.

Pascagoula hosts the 19th Annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues and Heritage Festival mid-September. Held at the Jackson County Fairgrounds, this is must do for music fans. Artists include Charles Taylor & Zdeco Trouble Band and Jeff Floyd among the line-up. Rain or shine the show goes on under the covered pavilion. Sunday will feature the Gospel Festival, so bring family and friends for a weekend getaway.

The Best Western Magnolia in Gautier is an ideal spot for accommodations. Less than five miles from Pascagoula it is convenient to the Blues and Heritage Festival and local sites like the Northrop Grumman Navy Station. The Best Western Flagship Inn in Moss Point is nearby and conveniently located off I-10.

The 8th Annual Cajun, Country, Swamp Pop Music Festival is hosted in Gulfport the beginning of October. One of the Gulf Coasts most popular festivals, the 2010 event will feature a weekend of live entertainment, a vintage car show and lots of vendors. Held at the Harrison County Fairgrounds the Swamp Pop Music Festival is great fall fun. The Best Western Seaway Inn is ready with comfortable accommodations and complimentary breakfast for travelers to Gulfport. Conveniently located off I-10 and Highway 49 for easy access to all Gulfport attractions.