Meridian
Around Meridian
Photo: Dudemanfellabra · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Mississippi · 85k people
Meridian
“Queen City”
Heart of the Black Prairie
GoldBlue
Welcome to Meridian, where the railroad heritage meets Southern charm. Whether you're here for the music, the lakes, or just a plate of fried catfish, you'll find a friendly nod and a story. Take a stroll downtown, ride the old carousel, and settle in.
Clubs for Meridian
No clubs for Meridian yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Meridian. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Meridian. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Highland Park Historic park with the Dentzel Carousel and a putting course.
- Jimmie Rodgers Museum Dedicated to the Father of Country Music, with memorabilia and a guitar-shaped pool.
- Meridian Railroad Museum Located in the old Union Station, tracing the city's rail history.
- Meridian Museum of Art Housed in a historic Carnegie library, with rotating regional exhibits.
- Bonita Lakes Park Three lakes with trails, fishing piers, and picnic areas.
- Dentzel Carousel A 1909 carousel with hand-carved animals, a local treasure.
- Outdoors Fishing at Okatibbee Lake
- Outdoors Hiking the Bonita Lakes trails
- With kids Ride the historic Dentzel Carousel
- With kids Picnic at Highland Park
- Evenings Live music at downtown bars
- Evenings Karaoke nights
- Locals love Catfish houses
- Locals love Antique malls
Through the year
- Jimmie Rodgers Festival May Country music festival honoring the Singing Brakeman, held downtown each May.
- Art in the Park Spring Annual spring arts and crafts fair in Highland Park.
- Lauderdale County Fair Fall Classic county fair with rides, livestock shows, and fried food.
- Bonita Lakes Trail Run Spring Community 5K and fun run around the lakes, popular with locals.
Humid subtropical with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. Best times to be out are spring and fall. Best: Spring (April-May) and fall (October) are ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “The 'Sip”
- Mississippi
- “Queen City”
- Meridian's nickname
- “Tump”
- To tip over or spill
- “Fixin' to”
- Getting ready to do something
Getaways
- Laurel See the HGTV 'Home Town' charm and historic downtown.
- Starkville Catch a Mississippi State Bulldogs game and visit the campus.
- Hattiesburg Explore the University of Southern Mississippi and local breweries.
- Jackson Visit the Mississippi Museum of Art and the State Capitol.
Local flavour
Rooting for Mississippi State Bulldogs (NCAA, Starkville), Ole Miss Rebels (NCAA, Oxford), Southern Miss Golden Eagles (NCAA, Hattiesburg), Alabama Crimson Tide (NCAA, Tuscaloosa), Atlanta Braves (MLB, Atlanta)
Eat and drink
- Fried catfish Southern staple, often served with hushpuppies and coleslaw.
- Hushpuppies Cornmeal fritters, classic side.
- Collard greens Slow-cooked with pork, a soul food essential.
- Pecan pie Dessert from the region's pecan orchards.
- Sweet tea The official beverage of the South.
- Mississippi barbecue Pulled pork with vinegar-based sauce, common across the state.
Where people go
- Historic downtown Meridian Railroad-era architecture, antique shops, and the Riley Center.
- Jimmie Rodgers Museum Tribute to the 'Father of Country Music', born in Meridian.
- Black Prairie The dark, fertile soil region that gives the area its character.
- Meridian Railroad Museum Celebrates the city's railroad history.
Heritage and traditions
Meridian and the surrounding Black Prairie take pride in their deep musical roots, from Jimmie Rodgers to Marty Stuart, and in the resilient spirit shown by rebuilding after the Civil War. The region also honors its Choctaw heritage, with Philadelphia as the capital of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
This time of year in Meridian
- Hunting season Fall/Winter Fall and winter – deer and turkey hunting are popular.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — About to (do something)
Festivals
- Neshoba County Fair Late July Known as 'Mississippi's Giant Houseparty' with camping, livestock, and music.
- Choctaw Indian Fair Mid-July Celebrates Choctaw heritage with stickball, dancing, and traditional crafts.
Landmarks with a story
- Choctaw Museum In Philadelphia, showcases Choctaw history, culture, and artifacts.
- Neshoba County Fairgrounds The site of the annual fair since 1889, with historic cabins and a unique camping tradition.
- Meridian Union Station A restored railroad depot reflecting Meridian's rail heritage.
- Old Neshoba County Courthouse A landmark in Philadelphia, dating from the early 20th century.
Food traditions
- Choctaw frybread A staple at the Choctaw Indian Fair, this fried bread is a beloved cultural food.
- Banaha A Choctaw specialty of cornmeal wrapped in cornhusks and boiled, often served at community events.
- Fair food at the Neshoba County Fair Families cook and share meals on the fairgrounds, from fried chicken to homemade pies.
- Sweet tea A Southern staple, often served over ice with every meal.
Music and arts
- Country music heritage Birthplace of Jimmie Rodgers, with Marty Stuart carrying on the tradition.
- Choctaw traditional music and dance Performed at the Choctaw Indian Fair, preserving ancient rhythms.
- Meridian Symphony Orchestra Local orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
A little history
- 1864 Burning of Meridian
- 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek
- 1889 Neshoba County Fair founded
- 1964 Civil rights murders in Philadelphia
- 1945 Federal recognition of Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
Rivalries
- Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss (Egg Bowl) The annual college football clash splits local loyalties.
- Alabama vs. Auburn (Iron Bowl) Many locals follow Alabama, making this a heated debate.
- Game day High school football
- Game day Choctaw stickball
- Outdoors Fishing at Okatibbee Lake
- Outdoors Hiking the Bonita Lakes trails
- With kids Attending the Neshoba County Fair
- With kids Visiting the Choctaw Indian Fair
Locals speak with a classic Southern accent, often drawing out vowels and using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. There's also a touch of Choctaw influence in place names and some terms.
Only here
- The Neshoba County Fair's unique camping tradition where families stay in cabins for the week.
- The Choctaw Indian Fair's stickball games, a traditional sport.
- Meridian is known as the 'Queen City' for its railroad heritage.
- The Black Prairie's dark, fertile soil is unique to this region.
New here? A few tips
- The summers are hot and humid; air conditioning is a must.
- Try the sweet tea and fried catfish at local diners.
- Don't miss the Neshoba County Fair in late July – it's a local institution.
- Learn to say 'y'all' – it's a friendly way to address a group.
- The area is spread out, so a car is essential.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaPhiladelphiaMississippiWhere the pines meet the Pearl, and the fair brings everyone home.LucedaleMississippiWhere the pines whisper and the river runs deepDemopolisAlabamaWhere the Black Belt meets the riverLaurelMississippiThe heart of the Pine BeltKosciuskoMississippiWhere the pines meet the red clayCollinsMississippiWhere the pines meet the red dirtStarkvilleMississippiWhere cowbells ring and sweet potatoes grow.HattiesburgMississippiPine-scented streets, Southern hearts.
Meridian, MS. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.