Mississippi has one of best small towns to visit in US, Smithsonian Magazine says. Here’s why

A Mississippi town with a population of just over 20,000 people is one of the top 15 small towns to visit this year, according to the Smithsonian Magazine.

Located along the Mississippi River, Vicksburg is known for its rich Civil War history and lands on the list of places to visit alongside towns like Breckenridge, Colorado and Pacific Grove, California.

Each town on the list has a population of less than 21,000 residents and a reason that makes 2025 a prime year to visit, according to the magazine.

Here’s why Vicksburg is a must-see small town in 2025 along with the rest of the towns on the list.

Why Vicksburg MS?

Vicksburg, Mississippi is filled with culture and history. Visitors can learn about the town’s impressive Civil War history at the Vicksburg National Military Park, see artifacts from the USS Cairo Gunboat, which sank in 1862 and stop by the Vicksburg National Cemetery which honors more than 17,000 soldiers, according to the Smithsonian Magazine.

Aside from its history, the town is known for its wide range of architectural styles to enjoy, an eclectic culinary scene and outdoor recreation activities, including fishing and birding.

This year is an especially good time to visit as the town is celebrating its 200th anniversary with five main events throughout the year, according to Visit Vicksburg. Here’s how you can join the celebrations this fall and winter:

• Sept. 26-28, Vicksburg Hipstoric Art Festival
• Oct. 4, Fall Family Fair
• Oct. 16-18, “Voices From the Hills”
• Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve/Closing Celebration

The 15 small towns to visit in 2025

Here are the 15 best small towns for tourists in 2025, according to the Smithsonian Magazine:

• Chincoteague, Virginia
• Berea, Kentucky
• Pacific Grove, California
• Edgartown, Massachusetts
• Lockhart, Texas
• Ticonderoga, New York
• Milledgeville, Georgia
• Breckenridge, Colorado
• Tieton, Washington
• Asbury Park, New Jersey
• Consequences, New Mexico
• Washington, Connecticut
• Vicksburg, Mississippi
• Winterset, Iowa
• Red Lodge, Montana

Natalie Demaree

mcclatchy-newsroom

479-616-0125

Natalie Demaree is a service journalism reporter covering Mississippi for McClatchy Media. She holds a master’s in journalism from Columbia Journalism School and a bachelor’s in journalism and political science with a specialization in African and African American Studies from the University of Arkansas.