Sandersville MississippiATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Sandersville, Mississippi.
1. Lauren Rogers Museum of Art
HISTORIC ART COLLECTION
Lauren Rogers Museum of Art is a highly-rated cultural institution near Sandersville, boasting a 4.8 rating from 157 visitors. The museum houses significant art collections in a beautiful historic building. Visitors can enjoy rotating exhibitions alongside permanent collections featuring American and European art.
2. Laurel Little Theatre
COMMUNITY PERFORMING ARTS
Laurel Little Theatre offers vibrant community theater productions just a short drive from Sandersville. The venue hosts a variety of plays and performances throughout the year. This historic theater contributes significantly to the cultural scene of the region.
3. Dewayne Hayes Recreation Area
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE HUB
Dewayne Hayes Recreation Area offers extensive outdoor recreation with 100 RV sites and ten primitive camping areas. Visitors can enjoy mountain biking, wildlife viewing, fishing, and a water playground among other amenities. The recreation area provides a perfect base for exploring the natural beauty surrounding Sandersville.
4. Elvis Presley Birthplace
MUSIC LEGEND'S ORIGIN
Elvis Presley Birthplace preserves the humble two-room house where the King of Rock and Roll was born in 1935. The site has been developed into a museum complex that includes the original home, a memorial chapel, and exhibits chronicling Elvis's early years. Visitors can walk the grounds and gain insight into the formative influences that shaped one of music's most iconic figures.
5. Windsor Ruins
ANTEBELLUM ARCHITECTURAL REMAINS
Windsor Ruins features the dramatic columns of what was once the largest antebellum mansion in Mississippi before its destruction by fire in 1890. The 23 standing Corinthian columns create a hauntingly beautiful silhouette against the Mississippi sky. This historic site offers visitors a glimpse into the grandeur of the Old South while serving as a poignant reminder of the passage of time.
6. Rosalie Mansion
HISTORIC SOUTHERN ESTATE
Rosalie Mansion stands as an impressive example of Federal-style architecture built in 1823 on the Mississippi River bluffs. The mansion served as headquarters for Union troops during the Civil War and now operates as a museum filled with period antiques. Tours of this historic home offer visitors insight into 19th-century Southern life and architecture.
7. Mississippi State Capitol
BEAUX-ARTS GOVERNMENT BUILDING
Mississippi State Capitol is an architectural masterpiece completed in 1903, featuring a stunning 180-foot dome crowned with a solid gold eagle. The building's interior showcases Italian marble, stained glass, and ornate detailing throughout its legislative chambers and rotunda. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about Mississippi's governmental history while admiring the Beaux-Arts architectural style.
8. Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site
CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL
Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site preserves the location of an important 1864 Civil War battle where Confederate forces achieved a tactical victory. The one-acre site features interpretive markers that explain the significance of the battle and its place in Civil War history. Visitors can walk the grounds and gain understanding of the military strategies employed during this historic engagement.
9. Mississippi Aquarium
GULF COAST MARINE LIFE
Mississippi Aquarium showcases the aquatic ecosystems of the Gulf Coast region through immersive exhibits and interactive experiences. The state-of-the-art facility houses thousands of animals representing hundreds of species from Mississippi's rivers to the Gulf of Mexico. Families can enjoy daily shows, animal encounters, and educational programs focused on marine conservation.
10. Magnolia Motor Speedway
DIRT TRACK RACING
Magnolia Motor Speedway offers high-octane entertainment on a state-of-the-art .375 mile dirt oval track. Racing enthusiasts can enjoy various motorsport events featuring late models, sprint cars, and stock car competitions throughout the racing season. The venue provides a thrilling experience with its modern facilities and competitive racing action.
11. Friendship Cemetery
HISTORIC MEMORIAL GROUNDS
Friendship Cemetery holds significant historical importance as the site of America's first Memorial Day observance in April 1866. The cemetery serves as the final resting place for four Confederate generals and more than 2,000 Civil War soldiers, along with veterans from conflicts ranging from the War of 1812 to the Bosnian Conflict. Visitors can explore daily from 7 a.m. until sunset to view the burial sites of two Mississippi governors and a dedicated Jewish section within the grounds.
12. Eugenia Summer Gallery
UNIVERSITY ART SPACE
Eugenia Summer Gallery showcases rotating art exhibitions on the southwest corner of the Mississippi University for Women campus. The gallery operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering free admission to all visitors. Art enthusiasts should call ahead for summer hours between May and August when schedules may vary.
13. Franklin Academy
FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL
Franklin Academy holds the distinction of being Mississippi's first free public school, opening its doors in 1821 in Columbus. This historic institution continues to educate students today, maintaining its original mission of providing public education. The academy represents an important landmark in Mississippi's educational history and development.
14. The Haven
HISTORIC FREE MEN'S HOME
The Haven is a historic raised cottage built in 1843 by Isaac Williams and his brother Thomas, skilled free men of color who settled in the area. Isaac worked as a skilled laborer while Thomas practiced blacksmithing, representing the accomplishments of free Black craftsmen in the antebellum South. Though only available as a drive-by attraction, the home provides an important glimpse into African American history in pre-Civil War Mississippi.
15. Lowndes County Courthouse
CIVIL WAR LEGISLATIVE SITE
Lowndes County Courthouse served as the meeting place for the Mississippi Legislature during the Civil War after Union forces captured the capital city of Jackson. The historic building is open to visitors Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though it closes during all federal and state holidays. This significant governmental structure represents an important chapter in Mississippi's Civil War history.