Shelby MississippiATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Shelby, Mississippi.
1. Peter's Pottery
LOCAL CERAMIC ARTISTRY
Peter's Pottery is a renowned local ceramic studio showcasing handcrafted pottery pieces unique to the Mississippi Delta region. Visitors can watch artisans at work and purchase one-of-a-kind pottery items that make perfect souvenirs. The studio has gained a reputation for its distinctive glazes and forms that reflect the cultural heritage of the area.
2. McCarty's Pottery
ICONIC MISSISSIPPI POTTERY
McCarty's Pottery is an iconic Mississippi institution featuring handmade ceramic pieces with their signature nutmeg-colored clay and distinctive black line. The pottery studio offers visitors a glimpse into the creative process while browsing through an extensive collection of functional and decorative pieces. Each item created at McCarty's represents authentic Mississippi craftsmanship that has been celebrated for generations.
3. Heidi's
CHARMING LOCAL EATERY
Heidi's is a highly-rated local restaurant serving authentic Southern cuisine in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The menu features farm-to-table ingredients showcasing the best flavors of the Mississippi Delta region. Visitors consistently praise Heidi's for its exceptional service and homestyle cooking that captures the essence of Southern hospitality.
4. Mississippi Armed Forces Museum
MILITARY HISTORY SHOWCASE
The Mississippi Armed Forces Museum honors heroic servicemen and women while preserving the state's rich military history in a state-of-the-art facility at Camp Shelby. The Smithsonian-quality institution houses an extensive collection of artifacts spanning more than a century of American military involvement. Visitors can explore numerous exhibits detailing Mississippi's contributions to various conflicts from the Revolutionary War to present-day operations.
5. Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center
HISTORIC MILITARY INSTALLATION
Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center is the largest state-owned military training facility in the nation, situated on more than 134,000 acres south of Hattiesburg. The historic post was activated in 1917 to support mobilization during World War I and was named after Revolutionary War hero and Kentucky's first governor, Isaac Shelby. For over one hundred years, Camp Shelby has served as a crucial training facility for all branches of the armed forces during both wartime and peace.
6. GRAMMY Museum Mississippi
MUSIC HISTORY EXPERIENCE
GRAMMY Museum Mississippi celebrates the enduring legacy of American music with interactive exhibits and educational programs designed to engage visitors of all ages. The museum features state-of-the-art displays highlighting Mississippi's profound influence on music history and its outsized contribution to contemporary genres. Visitors can experience hands-on activities, rare artifacts, and immersive installations that bring the evolution of American music to life.
7. Bologna Performing Arts Center
REGIONAL CULTURAL HUB
The Bologna Performing Arts Center serves as a premier venue for cultural events and performing arts in the Mississippi Delta region. The center hosts a diverse schedule of performances including Broadway shows, musical concerts, dance productions, and theatrical presentations throughout the year. With exceptional acoustics and modern facilities, the Bologna Center provides both residents and visitors with access to world-class entertainment in an intimate setting.
8. Delta Blues Museum
BIRTHPLACE OF BLUES
The Delta Blues Museum celebrates the rich musical tradition that emerged from the Mississippi Delta and profoundly influenced American culture. Exhibits feature rare instruments, personal effects, and memorabilia from legendary blues artists who shaped this distinctly American art form. Visitors can explore the history of the blues through interactive displays, photographs, and recordings that trace its evolution from work songs to its modern incarnations.
9. Ground Zero Blues Club
AUTHENTIC BLUES EXPERIENCE
Ground Zero Blues Club offers an authentic blues experience in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman. The venue features live blues performances several nights a week in a rustic, deliberately weathered building that captures the essence of traditional juke joints. Visitors can enjoy Southern comfort food while immersing themselves in the raw, soulful sounds that define this iconic American musical tradition.
10. Dockery Farms
BIRTHPLACE OF DELTA BLUES
Dockery Farms is widely recognized as the birthplace of Delta blues, where musicians like Charley Patton developed the distinctive sound that would influence generations of artists. The historic property features preserved buildings from the original cotton plantation that once employed hundreds of African American workers who created and shared blues music. Visitors can take self-guided tours of this National Historic Landmark and gain insight into the cultural conditions that gave rise to one of America's most important musical traditions.
11. B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center
BLUES LEGEND TRIBUTE
The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center honors the life and legacy of the legendary blues musician while examining the broader context of the Mississippi Delta's history. Interactive exhibits trace King's journey from humble beginnings as a sharecropper's son to his status as a global music icon. The museum effectively weaves together themes of music, civil rights, and cultural transformation through multimedia displays, rare artifacts, and educational programming.
12. Greenwood Blues Heritage Museum
DELTA MUSIC PRESERVATION
The Greenwood Blues Heritage Museum preserves and celebrates the rich musical traditions of the Mississippi Delta through an impressive collection of artifacts, recordings, and memorabilia. Exhibits highlight the contributions of local blues legends and the cultural context that shaped this uniquely American art form. Visitors can explore the evolution of Delta blues through interactive displays and gain a deeper appreciation for the region's outsized influence on modern music.
13. Delta State University
EDUCATIONAL CULTURAL HUB
Delta State University serves as both an educational institution and cultural center with numerous attractions open to the public throughout its campus. The university houses multiple museums and galleries including the Delta Music Institute, which provides insight into the region's rich musical heritage. Visitors can enjoy art exhibitions, sporting events, and performances that showcase the vibrant culture of the Mississippi Delta.
14. Winterville Mounds
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN SITE
Winterville Mounds is an archaeological site featuring twelve earthen mounds built by indigenous peoples of the Mississippi Valley between 1000 and 1450 CE. The site includes a museum displaying artifacts recovered from excavations that provide insight into the sophisticated Mississippian culture that once thrived in the region. Visitors can walk among the ancient ceremonial mounds and learn about the complex society that created these impressive structures long before European contact.
15. Greenwood Farmers Market
LOCAL FLAVORS AND CRAFTS
The Greenwood Farmers Market showcases the agricultural bounty and artisanal crafts of the Mississippi Delta region in a vibrant community gathering space. Local farmers, bakers, and craftspeople offer fresh produce, homemade goods, and handcrafted items that reflect the rich cultural traditions of the area. Visitors can experience authentic Delta hospitality while sampling regional specialties and connecting with the people who maintain the area's distinctive food ways and crafting traditions.