Things to Do in Ridgeland, Mississippi: Trace, Trails & Tasty Treats

Ridgeland, Mississippi, was the cherry on top of my month-long solo road trip last spring. With outdoor adventures, shopping that could tempt even the most reluctant spender, food that makes you do a happy dance, and a prime spot right off the Natchez Trace Parkway, I was practically giddy to explore.

Let me spill the beans on all the fun things to do in Ridgeland, MS so you can steal some ideas for your own weekend getaway!

Start Your Ridgeland Adventure Right Here

I kicked off my trip at the brand-new Explore Ridgeland Visitor Center—and trust me, it’s worth the stop! The vibrant mural outside is an instant photo op, so snap that first pic before heading inside to grab maps, brochures, and all the info you’ll need for your adventure. Since Explore Ridgeland hosted my visit, they had a welcome bag packed and waiting for me—talk about a warm start! Visit ExploreRidgeland.com for more info.

Pro Tip: The visitor center is located in Renaissance at Colony Park, one of the best shopping destinations in Ridgeland. The office can be a little tricky to find, so to make things easy, plug Barnes & Noble into your GPS—it’s right next door.

Morning Miles on the Chisha Foka Trail

Mornings are best spent outside—before the sun gets bossy. I headed to the Railroad District and parked at The Bike Crossing, the perfect jump-off for the Chisha Foka Trail.

This 10-mile paved path winds through Choctaw homelands and practically dares you to come explore. I opted to walk, but if wheels are more your style, you can rent a bike using the Koloni Fleets app. Rentals are available at The Bike Crossing and the visitor center—helmet included, because safety is cute.

Cruisin’ the Natchez Trace Parkway

Driving the Natchez Trace Parkway was hands down one of my favorite things to do in Ridgeland, MS. I’d never been before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect—and it completely blew me away. The vintage national park signs were so charming that I couldn’t help but picture myself back in time, in a vintage dress, cruising along in a Model T—the good old days, right?

The Natchez Trace Parkway runs a whopping 444 miles (it’s on my list), but this time, I explored about a 20-mile slice near Ridgeland, with my final stop at the dreamy Cypress Swamp (don’t miss it!). Here’s everywhere I hit the brakes:

• Choctaw Agency (milepost 100.7)
• Parkway Information Cabin (milepost 102.4)
• Old Trace and Brashears Stand Site (milepost 104.5)
• Reservoir Overlook (milepost 105.6)
• Boyd Site (milepost 106.9)
• West Florida Boundary (milepost 107.9)
• Cypress Swamp (milepost 122)

I fell hard for this drive—so much so that I’m already plotting my return to conquer the entire parkway. Bucket list, activated!

Hang Out at the Rez (Ross Barnett Reservoir)

They call it The Rez—and when a place has a nickname that casual, you know it’s well-loved. I soaked up some sunshine, strolled the shoreline, scoped out the disc golf scene, and then plopped down on a bench with a book. I loved all the green space for picnics, yard games, and general lazing about. It’s the perfect mix of outdoor fun and total relaxation—and I was all in.

Walk Among the Wildflowers

Just down the road from the Rez, I found the Ridgeland Wildflower Field and Art Park, and honestly, it was a pleasant little surprise. I happened to catch it during peak bloom, so the whole place looked like a bag of Skittles exploded (in the best way). A paved path winds through the gardens and there are whimsical sculptures sprinkled throughout to make it all the more fanciful. Yeah, it’s right next to a busy road, but I was too distracted taking a million photos to care.

Pro tip: Hit the field in the early morning or early evening—there’s zero shade, and that sun doesn’t mess around. I went in late morning and basically slow-roasted myself. Still had fun… but whew, it was a scorcher!

Watch the Fountains Dance

One evening after dinner, I wandered over to the Renaissance show fountain to catch the hourly water-and-light show. It’s basically a mini Vegas moment—minus the plane ticket. The fountains dance along to music every hour from 6 to 9 p.m., and yeah, if loving a light-up fountain is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

Sometimes you’ll luck out on live music out on the lawn (not during my visit, unfortunately), and if you’re the competitive type, there’s cornhole and a few other lawn games to keep you busy.

Murals and More

My favorite mural is the one at the very top of this post (total stunner), but just by wandering around and doing a little shopping in Ridgeland, I stumbled on a few more gems. The bold, colorful Barnett Reservoir mural lives in the Railroad District—and it definitely stopped me in my tracks, as did the butterfly art I spotted at Renaissance at Colony Park.

Visit the Bill Waller Craft Center

Technically, I could file this under “shopping,” but it’s so special it deserves its own spotlight. The Bill Waller Craft Center, home to the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi, sits right off Natchez Trace Parkway and Rice Road, with gallery space and a retail store. It features work from over 400 juried artisans, with everything from traditional baskets, quilts, and wood carvings to contemporary fused glass, pottery (you know I’m a pottery junkie!), and plenty of unique jewelry you’ll definitely “accidentally” bring home.

Shop ‘Til You… Well, Just Shop

I’m not usually a big shopper, but something about travel turns me into a spending machine, and Ridgeland’s boutique shopping scene is next level. Highlights included:

Renaissance at Colony Park

This vibrant open-air district, with its charming old-world architecture, has it all—great shops, delicious food, a movie theater, and even a show fountain. I loved it! Since I could walk there from my hotel (I stayed at Hyatt Place), I found myself popping over more than once—for my morning caffeine fix, dinner, ice cream, and, of course, a little shopping. It’s so cute and totally stroll-worthy.

Railroad District

The morning I walked the Chisha Foka Trail, I parked in the Railroad District, so after my stroll, I stuck around for lunch and checked out the cute boutiques clustered in the area. Don’t miss Finch Gifts & Interiors, Smitten Gift Boutique, and The Mustard Seed—a 501(c)(3) gift shop that sells artwork and ceramics created by adults with developmental disabilities. Even better? Every purchase supports their incredible community program.

Township at Colony Park

This thoughtfully designed development blends shops, restaurants, hotels, and residences into one very strollable, very cute destination. I swear, why are all the shopping spots in Ridgeland so charming? From stylish boutiques to cozy cafés, it’s the kind of place where you can grab a coffee, window shop your way down the block, and accidentally spend your afternoon (and maybe your budget). Bonus: it’s super walkable and has that polished-yet-inviting vibe that makes you want to hang out a while. A few of my favorites were Boxwood Gifts, Arco Avenue, and J. Olive Co.

463 Urban Kitchen (Renaissance at Colony Park)

This was the first restaurant I tried in Ridgeland, and talk about a warm welcome—what a meal. Even better, it was just a short walk from my hotel and in the same development as the musical fountain show, which made for the perfect post-dinner stroll.

Award-winning chef Derek Emerson serves up Southern comfort food with an urban twist, and the place is known for its steak and seafood dishes. Seafood’s not my thing, but beef? Always. I went with the Dr. Pepper Braised Short Ribs—served with mashed redskin potatoes, fresh asparagus, and crispy onions—and yes, it was as good as it sounds. And because I have zero self-control, I also ordered a side of the spicy cheese grits (to die for). The whole experience was top-notch—from the mouthwatering food to the bright, airy dining room and genuinely outstanding service.

Krilakis (Railroad District)

Krilakis is known for its made-from-scratch Greek food—and judging by the lunch crowd that followed me in, it’s very much a local favorite. Their fresh-to-order gyros are the star of the show, with options like sliced lamb, beef, chicken, turkey, or shrimp. So naturally… I didn’t order one.

Instead, I went rogue (or American, I guess) and ordered the mozzarella burger, made with fresh, never-frozen beef. And wow—once you taste the difference, you’re ruined for the frozen stuff forever. I scarfed it down alongside a side of fries, which I’d been warned not to skip. That tip was spot on—crispy, golden perfection. Honestly, I could’ve just had the fries and walked out happy. But if you really want to do it up right, end with a piece of sweet, sticky baklava. It’s the perfect little finish to a seriously satisfying meal.

Anjou (Township at Colony Park)

This charming little bistro blends classic French cuisine with Southern comfort, and the lakefront setting really brings the vibes. I grabbed a cozy indoor table (hello, air conditioning) but still had a great view of the water—total win.

I came for brunch and immediately hit a fork-in-the-road moment: French Dip or Quiche Lorraine? Even my server was torn. We finally went team quiche, and wow—10/10 decision.

Buenos Aires Bakery

I’ve got one word for you: alfajores. Grab one, grab six—no judgment here. I’d never tried these dreamy Argentine cookies filled with dulce de leche before, but now I’m a full-blown fan. And the bakery doesn’t stop there—they’ve got cakes, pastries, and a bunch of other sweet little surprises you didn’t know you needed… but absolutely do. You’ll be thinking about them long after the crumbs are gone.

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