Jackson Free Press

After the blissful chaos of a big wedding, why travel far and away for your honeymoon? Consider exploring the state of Mississippi and staying in a cozy bed and breakfast. By staying in state, you save money, there's less travel time, and you're supporting the state's economy. Many hidden gems await you out there, ready to be explored.

Barrister's House Bed and Breakfast
406 Third Ave. N., Columbus
662-327-0721
http://www.barristershouse.com

Offering visitors peace and serenity, the Barrister's House is a step back into history with its two-story colonial decor. Built in 1835 from local brick, it's an attractive antebellum home located in downtown Columbus. The home includes unique chandeliers, kitchen access and complementary tea. Rates start at $95 a night.

Things to do in Columbus:
Columbus Marina (http://www.columbusmarina.com, 662-327-8450)
Lake Lowndes State Park (http://www.mississippistateparks.reserveamerica.com, 662-328-2100)
Catfish Alley (http://www.columbus-ms.info, 662-329-1191)
Magnolia Motor Speedway (http://www.magnoliamotorspeedway.net, 662-240-3478)

Bisland House Bed and Breakfast
404 Commerce St., Natchez
601-304-5806
http://www.bislandhouse.com

Built in 1904, the colonial revival home provides privacy with three spacious rooms and private bathrooms. Located in the historic district of Natchez, it is walking distance from other antebellum houses and local dining. Features of the home include antique beds, upstairs balconies, parlor access, blow dryer/ironing board and refreshments available 24 hours. Rates start at $89 a night

Things to do in Natchez:
Carriage tour of historic Natchez (http://www.natchezms.com, 601-446-6345)
Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture (601-445-0728)
Antebellum Music Room at the Stone House (601-445-7466)

Blue Creek Cabin
535 Highway 30 E., Oxford
662-238-2897
http://www.bluecreekcabin.com

Located 10 minutes from Oxford, this log cabin was originally built in the late 1800s—in Humphreys County, Tenn. It was moved across Blue Creek (hence the name) to Chamber's Hollow in the 1920s and then to Oxford in 1998. After several renovations, the cabin re-opened as a bed-and-breakfast. Features of the home include hand-carved furniture and antiques, wood-burning fireplace, handmade Amish copper tub in bathrooms, wrap-around porch with swings and rockers, and an outdoor fire pit. Rates start at $69 a night.

Things to do in Oxford:
Visit Ole Miss or attend an Ole Miss football game (http://www.olemiss.edu or 662-915-7211)
See Rowan Oak, the home of William Faulkner (662-234-3284)
Eat/drink/dance/shop on the Courthouse Square (http://www.oxfordcvb.com, 662-232-2367)
Take a little drive to Taylor to eat at the famous Taylor Grocery and Restaurant֖known for their catfish (http://www.taylorgrocery.com, 662-236-1716)

Cedar Grove Mansion Inn & Restaurant
2200 Oak St., Vicksburg
601-636-1000
http://www.cedargroveinn.com

The Cedar Grove Inn antebellum home houses 33 rooms and suites, which are spread out over five buildings on the compound. Each room is temperature controlled and uniquely designed. Features of the home include chocolate and sherry turndown service, swimming pool, laundry services and on-site dining with meals prepared by French-trained Executive Chef John Kellogg. Rates start at $100 a night.

Things to do in Vicksburg:
Casinos (Ameristar Casino, 601-638-1000; Horizon Casino, 601-636-3423; Riverwalk Casino, 601-634-1000)
Biedenharn Museum of Coca Cola Memorabilia (http://www.biedenharncoca-colamuseum.com, 601-638-6514)
Yesterday's Children Antique and Toy Museum (http://www.yesterdayschildrenmuseum.com, 601-638-0650)
Vicksburg Battlefield Museum (601-638-6500)
Jacqueline House֖African American Museum (601-619-0002)

Chateau Blessey
1012 Beach Blvd., Biloxi
228-374-7022
http://www.chateaublessey.com

Chateau Blessey is a Gulf Coast gem, renovated, redesigned and reconstructed over the years. Built in 1903 and a victim of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Chateau Blessey survived the devastation. Offering its visitors a cultural mixture of Creole, southern and French flare, features of the home include an on-site library, antique Steinway baby grand piano, CD player in each room and private entrances. Rates start at $200 per night.

Things to do in Biloxi:
Beauvoir֖The Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library (http://www.beauvior.org, 228-388-4400)
Biloxi Lighthouse (228-435-6339)
Hurricane Katrina Memorial (http://www.biloxi.ms.s/katrina_and_biloxi/katrina_memorial.html)
Walter Anderson Museum in Ocean Springs (http://http://www.walterandersonmuseum.org, 228-872-3164)
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport (http://www.imms.org, 228-896-9182)

The Como Courtyard
235 Main St., Como
662-526-5494
http://www.comocourtyard.net

Stay in this New Orleans-style remnant of Bourbon Street atmosphere resting in the historic "Hill Country Blues" region of northwestern Mississippi. The Como building is 125 years old and began as a trading store, then became a private residence in the 1980s. Its peaceful decor will make you forget about the rest of the world. Features of the home include 18-foot tin ceilings, verandas, open-air sanctuary, outdoor hot tub, atrium, refrigerator comes with complimentary food and drinks, and the Como Restaurant is in walking distance. Rates start at $125 per night.

Things to do in Como:
Mallard Pointe Golf Course (http://www.mallardpointegc.com, 888-833-6477)
Visit bluesman Mississippi Fred McDowell's gravesite at Hammond Hill M.B. Church (662-526-9515)

Molly's Bed and Breakfast
214 S. Bolivar Ave., Cleveland
662-843-9913
http://www.shaman.home.dixie-net.com

Southern turn-of-the-century home located on the edge of Cleveland's historic district was once a boarding house for aristocrats. Currently the house belongs to sculptor Floyd Shaman and his wife, Molly. Features of the home include original artwork, themed rooms and a screened-in front porch. Rates start at $70 per night.

Things to do in Cleveland:
Historic downtown shopping district (http://www.visticlevelandms.com, 1-800-295-7473)
Dockery Farms (http://www.dockeryfarms.org, 662-719-1048)
Bologna Performing Arts Center and The Wright Art Center at Delta State University (http://www.deltastate.edu, 662-846-3000)
McCarty's Pottery (http://www.mccartyspottery.com, 662-748-2293)

Sunny Grove Bed and Breakfast
627 Cole Road, Hattiesburg
601-296-0309
http://www.sunnygrovebedandbreakfast.com

With country living and southern hospitality, Sunny Grove is miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Features of the home include antique beds, fireplaces, shade trees, wildlife and a fishing pond. Rates start at $80 per night.

Things to do in Hattiesburg:
African American Military History Museum (http://www.hattiesburguso.com, 601-450-1942)
Burkett's Roller Rink (601-584-8561)
William Carey College Theatre and Carey Dinner Theatre (http://www.wmcarey.edu, 1-800-962-5991)
Museum of Art at the University of Southern Mississippi (http://www.usm.edu, 601-266-5200)
Longleaf Trace (http://www.longleaftrace.org)
Hattiesburg Zoo (http://www.hattiesburgms.com/parksrec/zoo.html, 601-545-4576)

Wisteria Bed and Breakfast
706 N. 5th Ave., Laurel
601-426-3805
http://www.wisteriabedandbreakfast.com

A guest once described Wisteria, located in a large lavender house on a historic, tree-lined street in Laurel, as "Tara on Fifth Avenue." It was built in 1900 for one of Laurel's founding fathers and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Feature of the the home includes a sun room, covered veranda, courtyard with fountain, period furnishings and family heirlooms, suites and a parlor with a Steinway baby grand piano֖yes you may play it. Rates start at $100 a night.

Things to do in Laurel:
Lauren Rogers Museum of Art֖right across the street (http://www.lrma.org, 601-649-6374)
Landrum's Country Homestead and Village֖recreated late-1800s settlement (http://www.landrums.com, 601-649-2546)
Laurel's Historic District (http://www.laurelms.com)