Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
Road trip to Ridgeland for an easy summer getaway—only 3.5 hours from Birmingham
Reading time: 3 minutes
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Getting a little envious seeing your friends’ beach vacation photos filling up your social feeds?
Satisfy your wanderlust with an easy road trip to Ridgeland, Mississippi, just a 3.5-hour drive from Birmingham. That’s an hour less than a beach drive, and it delivers an easy, breezy experience filled with lake-life vibes, prime shopping and active adventures.
Read on for our picks to help you plan your summer escape to Ridgeland.
New views, new you
Sometimes, all you need to lock in that vacation mental reset is experiencing a new place.
It’s hard to beat time on the water during the summer, and Ridgeland’s Barnett Reservoir (the Rez) offers a refreshing alternative to the beach.
The views along the reservoir’s 105 miles of shoreline create a beautiful backdrop for activities on land, while its 33,000 surface acres give plenty of room for just about every type of water recreation you can imagine.
Plan time for:
- Boating, kayaking + paddleboarding
- Fishing (This is a stop on the Mississippi Crappie Trail!)
- Biking + walking
- Birdwatching
- Picnicking
Reservoir Area Food + Entertainment
You’ve also got plenty of waterfront dining options for beautiful views, a laid-back, lake-party atmosphere and live music.
Here’s where to go:
🦪 Shucker’s Oyster Bar
🍹 Pelican Cove Grill
🎶 McB’s Bar & Grill
🦀 The Blue Bar @ Crab’s Seafood Shack
Cool off + cool things to do
Can’t you already feel that cold A/C just looking at photos of Northpark‘s shopping and play spaces? It’s a proven winner for a shopping fix, catching a movie, grabbing a quick lunch and letting the kids play.
Here are a few more great spots for cool, indoor fun that will engage your mind + creative senses:
🕵️♀️ Enter/Locked Escape Rooms for a brainy, strategic challenge
🎲 Van’s Comics + Dogmud Tavern for gaming
🎨 Bill Waller Craft Center to browse Mississippi-made art
If you want a little more movement, check out:
🧗♀️ Hangout Indoor Rock Climbing for … you guessed it, indoor rock climbing
🤸 Sky Zone Trampoline Park for freestyle jumping, trampoline games, a climbing wall + more
Beautiful inside + out
👆 Swipe through the gallery to see summer fun at some of Ridgeland’s top spots to socialize in the summertime.
While summer in the South can get steamy, the best solution is to keep the air moving, balancing your indoor-to-outdoor ratio. Two of Ridgeland’s best places for fun and entertainment strike that balance perfectly:
Renaissance at Colony Park, a European-inspired, open-air shopping, dining and entertainment destination, features courtyard breezes, refreshing fountain mist and many special events.
Nearby, Topgolf Ridgeland keeps your crew moving and laughing while blending its outdoor bays with indoor comforts, screens, snacks, and refreshing drinks.
Ready for an easy road trip that’ll trade in your routine for fresh air, new flavors and fun? Head over to Explore Ridgeland to book your stay.
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