In Ridgeland, MS, Your Dream Date Awaits

Small-town America calls, straight from Ridgeland, Mississippi—where the ambiance of upscale bistros meets the thrill of world-class cycling trails (and plenty more in between). Less than half-a-day’s drive from southeast Louisiana’s major cities, Ridgeland offers all the quiet charm of a rural outpost, elevated by the community’s sophisticated approach to upscale hospitality and a lively fall festival schedule. A picturesque body of water helps set the scene, too—the 33,000-acre Barnett Reservoir (or “the Rez” to locals) provides the perfect backdrop for absolute escape, especially for couples in search of quality time together. This is the sort of place to switch your phone to “do-not-disturb” mode, and immerse yourselves in the culture and amenities of a 130-year-old community.

Pick Your Dates 

With major acts (Willie Nelson, Lana Del Rey, Lainey Wilson) taking the Brandon Amphitheater stage almost every weekend, daily access to cultural institutions like the Bill Waller Craft Center, and the promise of Southern Fall’s natural beauty at its best—it’s hard for couples to pick a bad time to come to Ridgeland. However, depending on your idea of the “perfect date,” there are several especially good ones:

For Golf People—October 2–8: The Sanderson Farms Championship, part of the PGA TOUR, will take over the Country Club of Jackson, as it has every year for the past decade. See some of the nation’s biggest golf talents in action, either from the grounds or the Pavilion, Wednesday–Sunday.

For Car People—October 13–14: What stokes desire more than classic examples of luxury European rolling stock? Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, Aston Martins, McLarens. Mercedes-Benzes, Porsches, BMWs. Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis. The list goes on and on, with many of the world’s most desirable (and valuable) exotic cars set to arrive at Colony Park in Ridgeland for the annual Renaissance Euro Fest Automobile & Motorcycle Show. One of the fall festival season’s most anticipated events, the car show draws a collection of over 150 restored European sports cars to Ridgeland's Colony Park, with their owners hoping of taking home titles like “Best,” and most “Outstanding” of all. After ogling the autos, you can expect to enjoy live music, European beers, barbecue, and Oktoberfest-style tunes from the “Delta Krauts” Bavarian Band, too.

For Cycling People—Every Weekend in October: Considered Mississippi’s premier destination for cycling, Ridgeland will keep you hot on your wheels. Besides the unforgettable adventures promised by the Chisa Foka Multi-Use Trail section of the Natchez Trace Parkway and the rolling, single track Ridgeland Trails—the city is also home to the Magnolia Ridge BMX Park, which hosts races every Saturday, and practices open to the public on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Come to town on October 7 to participate in the Cycle Out Kids Cancer bike ride to support the Children’s of Mississippi Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Whether you ride for 10 miles or 65—you’ll get to explore the best of the community, while contributing directly to it, too. October 14 brings the return of the Tri-County Mountain Bike Association’s annual Fat Tire Festival/McGee Lungbuster, a weekend-long series of 5–27-mile races that take place along Ridgeland's trails system. Promising some of the best mountain bike racing in the Southeast, the event is the final stop on the Gulf South Regional Mountain Bike Series. 

Finally—have you ever heard of Cyclo-crossing? See it for yourself (or ride right into the thick of it) at the Ridgeland Cyclocross Cup Series weekend events, in which cyclists race through technical outdoor courses, including at the Magnolia Ridge BMX Park, each weekend from September 23–October 29 (which is “Spooky Cross” weekend). 

Newbies to the world of cycling (or those who left their bikes at home) can take advantage of Ridgeland’s trails and events, too—thanks to Visit Ridgeland’s new Bikeshare Program, powered by Koloni Fleets. Eight bikes will be available for rent in front of The Bike Crossing, right at the trailhead for the Chisa Foka—setting you up for an easy, no-stress day of exploring.   

Make Your Reservations

However you choose to spend your busy (or not so busy) days in Ridgeland, everyone knows the heart of a romantic getaway is in how you fill your belly. Happily, the city has a well-earned reputation as a dining destination—it even holds the title of "Steak Capital of Mississippi." If you’re of the doubting sort, feel free to put the claim to the test by visiting Kathryn’s Steakhouse & Seafood (est. 1979), which still serves up legendary original recipes. Just slightly younger, MM Shapley’s is family-owned to the core, and they’ve got a 32 oz. Porterhouse steak they advertise as “shareable”. There’s also Ely’s Restaurant and Bar, where you can order a Filet Louisiane served with Creole BBQ butter and shrimp, or if you’re lucky and it’s available, a dry-aged New York strip. Koestler Prime is another must-stop for the steak-seeker; add baby artichoke hearts to your ribeye, or Georges Bank sea scallops if you’re feeling extra-luxurious. And finally, there is Tico’s, a local favorite for decades now for its cozy-casual log cabin/sports bar vibes, and a stellar steak and lobster plate.

If you’re looking for something more white tablecloth, the newly-remodeled Anjou welcomes guests with all the style of a classic French bistro. Here, old world French cuisine meets Southern delights in dishes like crawfish crepes, mussels in Paris butter, and duck breast with a green peppercorn Bordeaux wine sauce. For lunch, go traditional Italian (the food of romance) a la Lady and the Tramp—at Amerigo Italian Restaurant. It’s all exactly what you expect, comfort food at its finest, from the three-cheese tortellini to the shrimp scampi. 

Keep things upscale, but lose the formality at CAET—a perfect dinner (and cocktail) destination if you find yourself at Colony Park for one of the events above. Mississippi craft beer is on tap, and they’ve got a flounder piccata with white truffle risotto—not to mention a creative menu of shareable apps that make for a perfect date night.

For information, to make reservations, or discover more of the attractions making Ridgeland an unforgettable getaway destination within easy driving distance, visitridgeland.com