Place Among the Pines
Ambling around Aberdeen and Starkville
Day 1: Aberdeen
What to See and Do: Architectural masterpieces collide with the great outdoors in Aberdeen, a historic port city located on the 234-mile long Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. On the banks of the “Tenn-Tom” is Blue Bluff Recreation Area, a must-see spot for hiking, fishing, camping, swimming, or soaking in the views from its eighty-foot bluffs.
Take the Architectural Driving Tour to see historic homes along tree-lined streets listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The hub of Aberdeen entertainment radiates from the historic 1937-built arthouse, the Elkin Theatre, which still shows films every week for just five bucks a ticket.
Follow the Mississippi Blues Trail through town to find the mural honoring country blues crooner and slide guitarist Bukka White. Each year Aberdeen hosts a music festival celebrating White’s legacy, and this year’s Bukka White Blues Festival (along with the Ribs on the River BBQ competition) returns to Acker Park on October 15-16.
Where to Eat (and Wander): The Friendship House Restaurant is known far and wide for its coveted catfish, which comes served baked or cornmeal-crusted—both filets and whole catfish are available. Find down-home country cuisine at Mildred’s Restaurant, which has the familiar, homey feel of Grandma’s house inside, and offers a spectacular Sunday lunch buffet.
Where to Stay: The Old Place Bed and Breakfast welcomes weary travelers to a cozily furnished, restored bungalow farmhouse within a tranquil country setting. For sportsmen looking for some weekend respite as hunting season approaches, consider Prairie Wildlife—a conservation-driven sporting estate in the heart of the Black Prairie offering guided hunts, clay shoots, and top-notch accommodations.
Day 2: Starkville
What to See and Do: As the home of Mississippi State University, Starkville invites visitors to tour campus and take a peek into the archives at Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library and the John Grisham Room, a collection that includes manuscripts, screenplays, and other materials from the bestselling author’s career. For farm-fresh fare to take home, stop by the MSU Cheese Store or the State Fountain Bakery for homemade cakes and ice cream.
In the city’s historic downtown, the Cotton District offers dozens of interesting storefronts to browse. The neighborhood, developed to provide tenant housing for cotton mill workers in the 1920s, has been revitalizing since the passage of the Urban Renewal Laws of the 1960s.
Discover the region’s natural beauty by embarking on the hiking trails and boardwalks that wind through the wilderness of Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.
Where to Eat (and Wander): On Main Street in the heart of downtown Starkville, 929 Coffee Bar makes a great, sustainably-sourced cup of coffee. The Little Dooey is the most popular barbecue destination—a laid-back joint offering BBQ and catfish atop checkered tablecloths and with plenty of outdoor seating. Bin 612 boasts a casual, cafe-like ambiance and a menu featuring pizzas, panini, and burgers. Restaurant Tyler for fine fare and an amazing wine selection. Chef Jonathan “Ty” Thames is a supporter of the “eat local” movement and concentrates on using the freshest ingredients from around the Golden Triangle (the region defined by the cities of Columbus, Starkville, and West Point). Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern is a low-lit pub that features local bands and a variety of deep-dish and thin-crust pizzas.
Where to Stay: In historic downtown Starkville, the restored Historic Hotel Chester, (circa 1925) invites guests into stately surroundings, conveniently located minutes from the MSU Campus. At Burnt Oak Lodge, spend a long day out hunting or fishing, sit by the fireplace, or claim one of the many rocking chairs scattered across the front porch. Montgomery B&B, a historic home offering four private suites in the main house along with one private cabin, invites you to come relax.