Off-site venues for receptions, banquets and parties, as well as meetings, are as plentiful as friendly faces and warm afternoons in inland Mississippi. Following are a few standouts in the region.
Jackson
The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (601.354.7303; www.mdwfp.com/museum), the state’s No. 1 travel attraction, whose mission is to promote an understanding and appreciation of Mississippi’s biological diversity, offers a group-friendly theater and various open spaces for receptions.
The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum (601.713.3365; www.msagmuseum.org), where guests are invited to discover Mississippi’s proud agricultural heritage, is a terrific venue for an off-site catfish dinner.
The Jackson Zoological Park (601.352.2580; www.jacksonzoo.org), which is in the midst of a multimillion-dollar capital improvement campaign, recently opened the $8 million Mississippi Wilderness Exhibit. The zoo hosts off-site meetings and receptions.
Meridian
Union Station (601.484.6841; www.meridianms.org/transportunionstation.html), an operating transportation center as well as a learning hub of Meridian’s railroad history, has 3,000 square feet of conference and banquet space.
The Gathering Place (601.553.2988) is a brand-new venue that comprises SideTrack Coffee House and Internet Cafe, featuring Fair Trade organic coffee and free wireless Internet access; New Wine Ministries church; and function space for receptions, banquets and meetings.
Hattiesburg
The new Hattiesburg Train Depot (601.268.3220; www.hattiesburg.org) is scheduled to open early this year. The restored historic building, considered an architectural gem of the state, is served by Amtrak and features a grand ballroom for receptions and dinners.
Also located in historic downtown Hattiesburg is the Saenger Theater (601.268.3220; www.hattiesburgsaenger.com), which boasts a calendar of performing arts events and function space for evening receptions.
Vicksburg
With 150 historic bed-and-breakfast rooms in town, there are numerous options for off-site functions in a charming Vicksburg setting. Among the town’s popular bed-and-breakfast properties are Annabelle Bed and Breakfast Inn (800.791.2000; www.annabellebnb.com) and The Corners Mansion (601.636.7421; www.thecorners.com).
The Old Courthouse Museum (601.636.0741; www.oldcourthouse.org), another historic Vicksburg site where various community events are held, is also available for group tours and functions.
Starkville
At the newly relocated and reconstructed Charles H. Templeton Sr. Music Museum (662.325.7679; http://library.msstate.edu/ragtime), guests are invited to view a private collection of more than 200 music sheets from the Ragtime era, plus pianos, music boxes and other instruments from the late 1800s and early 1900s. An on-site conference room is available.
