Nestled in central Mississippi is the vibrant boutique destination of Ridgeland, Mississippi. Located on the historic Natchez Trace Parkway and just north of the state capitol of Jackson, Ridgeland is for the active traveler who desires outdoor recreational opportunities mixed with upscale shopping and dining experiences. With over 150 restaurants, this charming city is bursting with flavor and ambiance. Together, great food and unrivaled hospitality are the ingredients that make Ridgeland a southeastern traveler’s favorite wellness retreat.

For the outdoor enthusiasts, Ridgeland is a premier cycling destination for serious athletes and casual peddlers alike. Ridgeland has even been recognized as a Bronze Level Bicycle Community by the League of American Cyclists – one of only 144 cities in the U.S. to hold this honor. Cycling trails like the Chisa Foka Multi-Use Trail, competitive and leisure special events, extreme BMX cycling, and mountain biking trails attribute to this “bike-friendly” community.

The fun doesn’t end on two wheels: Take the 33,000 acres of nature’s delights of the Barnett Reservoir, offering up to 105 miles of splendid shoreline. Locally known as the Rez, the lake is a great place for sailing, boating, water skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, picnicking, and bird watching. Look to outfitters like Pearl River Kayaks or Main Harbor Marina for rental kayaks, pontoon boats and jet skis available to beat the heat all summer long. The Rez is bordered in Ridgeland by the Natchez Trace Parkway, America’s premier historic and scenic roadway where hikers, explorers, and cyclists wind through scenic, wooded trails.

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Explore Ridgeland’s artistic community by first visiting the Bill Waller Craft Center, just off the Natchez Trace Parkway, where the fine arts and crafts of over 400 leading Mississippi and Southeast artisans are showcased. The onsite galleries exhibit works of all kinds available for purchase, from glass, handcrafted jewelry, quilts, baskets, and wood-turned goods. Continue an art itinerary at Ridgeland’s Jackson Street district, home to the contemporary fine art gallery Fischer Galleries and The Mustard Seed, where local adults with developmental disabilities display and sell colorful and inspiring gifts and home goods.

Ridgeland

Those looking for rest and relaxation, treat yourself with the finest shopping in Mississippi; There’s plenty to see in the state’s premier retail hub. A wealth of independently owned boutiques, galleries, spas, recreational and antique shops are located from one end of the city to the other. Stroll the streets of the Old World-style Renaissance at Colony Park, the New Urbanist Township at Colony Park, the recently redeveloped Northpark mall. Book services catered to you at Drench Day Spa or Aqua the Day Spa. Enjoy the southern sunshine and fresh air while you shop for home and garden at specialty shops Martinson’s Garden Works or Boxwood Shoppe.

Delectable dishes await around each corner of this dining destination. Chef Derek Emerson, a James Beard Award semi-finalist for Best Chef in the South, serves his take on fresh local and regional ingredients at Local 463 Urban Kitchen and CAET, both of which are located in the Renaissance at Colony Park outdoor shopping plaza.

In the “Steakhouse Capital of Mississippi,” savor mouth-watering cuts at Ely’s, MM Shapley’s, and Koestler Prime, only a few of the locally owned steakhouses in the city. Dine on the shores of the Barnett Reservoir at Cock of the Walk (for the best fried catfish) or Pelican Cove Grill, the lively local hangout for live music on the covered deck. There’s the classic French bistro Anjou Restaurant led by father-daughter duo Chef Christian Amelot and Anne Amelot-Holmes. Choose from Greek, fine-fusion, or specialty dessert spots to complete a customized tasting tour of Ridgeland.

Enhance your visit by planning to attend an annual event such as Pepsi Pops or the Celebrate America Balloon Glow. Kids will love to explore Ridgeland’s outdoor scene and nearby state museums in downtown Jackson, and there’s no better time to finish back to school shopping than Mississippi’s Tax-Free Holiday Weekend in the late summer. Spend some summertime in Ridgeland, where no matter your flavor of fun, a wellness getaway is ready and waiting to rejuvenate.

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Treat Yourself to Ridgeland, Mississippi
Just off the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway in central Mississippi, a wealth of dining, shopping, and outdoor activities neighbor locally owned spas and art galleries to curate a wellness itinerary for the mind and body. Whether on the waters of the Barnett Reservoir or the brick-paved walks of urban, outdoor shopping plazas, this boutique community offers tastes, sights, and fresh air to delight in. This summer, treat yourself to Ridgeland.