Walk in the footsteps of country music legends in Meridian, a city with a star-studded musical legacy. Admire heritage-listed architecture in the atmospheric downtown district, visit a museum dedicated to Magnolia State creators and ride one of the most beautiful antique carousels in the country.
Things to do in Meridian
Stroll around Downtown Meridian and admire beautiful buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. From handsome Colonial Revival hotels to the Beaux Arts-style City Hall and Victorian-inspired Grand Opera House, you’ll see a variety of architectural styles.
From musicians and actors to authors and TV personalities, the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience (The Max) spotlights the state’s star power. Walk through the cavernous Hall of Fame and check out permanent exhibits exploring the influences that inspire Mississippi creators.
Discover the legacy of country music icon Jimmie Rodgers at Highland Park. The tree-filled park features a museum is dedicated to the “Father of Country Music” with exhibits on his life and music. Enjoy a picnic by the lake and take a spin on the beautifully restored Dentzel Carousel built in the late 1800s. Up close, you can admire the intricately painted animals.
Whether you’re in the mood for American-style burgers or spicy Indian curries, you’ll find restaurants for every occasion in Meridian. Sit down at a diner for Mississippi classics like fried dill pickles, Delta tamales stuffed with pork shoulder and enormous slabs of Mississippi Mud Pie. Wash it all down with a glass of Southern-style sweet tea.
Getting around Meridian
Downtown Meridian is compact and easy to get around on foot. The city is in Lauderdale County, a 1.5-hour drive from Jackson and three hours from Montgomery, Alabama. Union Train Station is a five-minute walk from Downtown Meridian. Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport is a 1.5-hour drive away.