What to Know When Your Sports Team Is In Mississippi
As a coach or a parent, properly planning for an out-of-town sporting event is a key element to ensuring an enjoyable trip. Mississippi offers teams and sports leagues a wide range of desirable amenities, such as nice weather year-round, state-of-the-art facilities, vast dining options, and much more. Here, Visit Mississippi offers recommendations on some things to do and places to stay while in the state.
Food Recommendations
In the South, there is no shortage of great dining options. If you’re traveling to the area for a sports tournament, take advantage of this opportunity to try some of the Magnolia State’s most famous dishes. Some of the foods to consider include:

Blue Crab
A perfect addition to just about any meal, blue crab meat is sweet, tasty, and incorporated into a wide variety of local dishes, making it a must-try while visiting Mississippi. Considered a delicacy throughout the region, blue crab meat is most commonly found on the menu as fried crab claws, claws sautéed in garlic butter, and fried soft-shell crab.
Po’ Boys
The po’ boy is a famous Mississippi dish. Chefs took the already-delicious dish and made it even better by using deep-fried seafood as the protein of choice and then placing the sandwich into a sandwich iron, which is very similar to a panini press.
Mississippi Mud Pie
Did you really travel to the state if you didn’t experience a Mississippi Mud Pie? This divine dessert features a base of crushed cookies and is topped with layers of dense, flourless chocolate cake and chocolate pudding. Great for treating your players after a hard-fought victory or lifting their spirits after a loss, this sinfully scrumptious pie is a true treat.
Soul Food
There are few things better than good home cooking, and no one does it better than Mississippi. While barbeque may be featured throughout the South, it’s soul food that reigns supreme in our state. Fried chicken, okra, cornbread, greens, biscuits, and gravy are staples here.
Places to Rest During Your Stay

If you’re traveling from out of state, you will need to plan for comfortable lodging in Mississippi. Guests can choose from a wide variety of lodging options throughout the area, including:
- Cozy bed and breakfasts
- Charming hotels
- Secluded retreats
- Country inns
- First-class lodges
Find the accommodations that suit you best and have the amenities you need. For specific recommendations, Visit Mississippi is here to help.
Experience Mississippi

When planning your visit to Mississippi for a sports tournament, be sure to factor in time enjoy all Mississippi has to offer. Plan to check out some of the local attractions between games, such as:
Pearl River Kayaks
For those seeking an outdoor adventure while visiting, Pearl River Kayaks is a locally owned business whose goal is to introduce recreational kayaking to a wider audience. Guests can rent kayaks and other equipment needed to explore the waterways. This service is designed for paddlers of all skill levels and is a great way to take in the scenic landscape.
Hattiesburg Zoo
Hattiesburg Zoo is a family-friendly stop if you find yourself looking for something fun and educational. The zoo is home to a variety of animals from all over the world. Guests can attend a variety of shows and zoo attractions, such as the Sloth Experience, to make their visit that much more enjoyable.
Mississippi Braves Baseball
Root for the home team at a Mississippi Braves baseball game. Based in Pearl, MS, the M-Braves (a minor league affiliate of the Atlanta Braves) play at Trustmark Park. Plan to catch a game while traveling through and be sure to bring your glove to catch a foul ball.
Planning Your Mississippi Journey
If you’re organizing a trip to the area for a sports tournament, Visit Mississippi can help you plan your stay. We offer options for dining, places to sleep, things to do, and local hot spots to visit. For more information on how to plan for Mississippi tournaments, contact us today.