Historic architecture, a picturesque town square, and easy access to the Ross Barnett Reservoir, the Natchez Trace, and the state capital all contribute to Canton, Mississippi’s favored status as a site for filmmaking. In fact, the distinctly Southern small town was the site of the Mississippi Film Office’s very first project in 1974, Robert Altman’s critically acclaimed Thieves Like Us.
These qualities also, of course, make Canton a great place to visit—especially for movie lovers. Come for the chance to see the sitting room from The Ponder Heart or the coffee shop where Jake Brigance and Ellen Roark first fall in love in A Time to Kill, and stay for the delicious Mexican cornbread at Two Rivers Steaks & Seafood and some of the best antique shopping in Mississippi. Thinking about making the drive? Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of a weekend in one of Mississippi’s biggest movie destinations.
Canton - Time to Kill - Office scene
The historic Canton courthouse was the location for filming the 1996 legal drama A Time to Kill.
Where to Stay
It’s true you can’t go wrong with a well-appointed Holiday Inn Express & Suites or a night at the Hampton Inn—each top-rated accommodations here in Canton. However, if you like more of a B&B vibe, some of the town’s signature historic homes are known to open their doors on certain weekends, including the circa-1834 Killis Walton Home—a National Historic Registry jewel furnished with period pieces that sets you down just two blocks from Canton's iconic downtown. Another great option is “The Building” —a one-bedroom renovated historic building with a spacious gathering area at the center of Canton Square.
What to Eat
Canton didn’t let fellow-Southerner Matthew McConaughey go hungry when he was in town, and it won’t let you either. Whole-hearted soul food reigns at Marlo’s Backyard BBQ, with classics like fried pork chops and country fried steaks and an ever-rotating assembly of plate lunches. Find hand-crafted pizzas, pastas, and gelato at Your Pie; or something more delicate at Merri Pennie’s Mercantile and Tea Room, with its seasonal offerings of hearty soups, salads, and milkshakes to be enjoyed while shopping the eclectic collection of antiques. For a night of fine dining, Two Rivers Restaurant can’t be beat—with its classic menu of steaks and seafood prepared with all the Southern graciousness Mississippi is known for (topped with crab meat and various buttery sauces).
Things to Do
You couldn’t miss it if you wanted to, but the heart of Canton is its historic square—which you might find familiar if you’ve seen films like Mississippi Burning, As I Lay Dying, and O Brother Where Art Thou? In 1982, the Courthouse Square District was entered into the National Register of Historic Places as one of the best examples of a 19th century town center in Mississippi. The Square also hosts the beloved bi-annual Canton Flea Market Arts & Crafts Show (held each May and October).
Get to know the little town better with a visit to the Canton Museum of History, where you can see displays of an antique butter churn, a pharmacist’s medicine counter, and listen to oral histories told by beloved Canton storyteller Jim Richie. Keep the stories going at the Canton Multicultural Center and Museum, where you can learn about the history, family life, business, and community life of the town’s African American community—including a special exhibit on the internationally-known evangelist and peace activist Sister Thea Bowman. Explore the hotspot of early Black-owned businesses, like Tolliver’s Café, for yourself in the Hickory Street “Hollow” area—which has been designated a significant site by the Mississippi Blues Trail Commission.
And finally, Canton’s Movie Museums are a must—these preserved remnants of some of the town’s most fascinating film sets offer a chance to step into the worlds of films like A Time to Kill, My Dog Skip, and others. Purchase tickets to any of the museums, and secure a personal tour guide, at the Canton Welcome Center in the Square.
Christmas lights at Canton Square in Canton, MS
Canton Square is aglow with lights during the Canton Christmas Festival
Don’t Miss: The Canton Christmas Festival
Before it was known as the City of Lights, Camera, Action!—Canton was known simply as the City of Lights, recognized statewide as a hub of holiday magic during its season-long Christmas Festival. The historic square goes all out, with a massive tree, a carousel, a Victorian Animation museum, “Rudolph’s Playground,” horse drawn carriages, singalongs, and much much more (including, debuting this year, a miniature train depot).
Things get started the weekend after Thanksgiving, and carry on each night from 5 pm–9 pm, through December 23.
Learn more at cantontourism.com.
