SPEND THE DAY IN CLINTON

Clinton Visitor Center

Start your visit on a high note with a welcome cup of coffee at our historic and culture-rich Clinton Visitor Center. Constructed with period materials and architectural details including a porch and “dogtrot,” the center has the look and authentic charm of one of the 19th-century farmhouses once located along the Natchez Trace. The handmade bricks of the exterior are the same kind used in Monticello and Mount Vernon; the cypress used in the center’s porch supports, stair railings and interior features was reclaimed from a south Louisiana sugar mill demolished after more than a century in operation.
The Clinton Visitor Center not only offers a great opportunity to view artifacts and photos; it’s also a hub for fun and fascinating cultural activities. The museum room, highlighting the history of the Natchez Trace through Clinton, provides changing displays throughout the year, and every Sunday afternoon hosts an Old Time Music Jam Session. In addition, the gift shop showcases the work of local artisans, with products ranging from fine pottery to beautiful jewelry, from books by local and regional writers of note to high quality paintings and prints, from Natchez Trace memorabilia to delicious Mississippi food products.

With a spacious public meeting room and wireless Internet access, the Clinton Visitor Center is the place to be – whether you are a visitor, newcomer or a longtime resident. Open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm. For more details, call (601) 924-2221.

Main Street Clinton

Encompassing the oldest commercial districts in Clinton, Main Street focuses on revitalization efforts and activities in Olde Towne and along Clinton Boulevard. With a primary goal to enhance and improve this important historical area, Main Street has attracted new businesses to Olde Towne and offered promotional assistance to existing business owners. In addition, to help attract local residents and visitors to the Main Street district, the Olde Towne Market occurs twice a month from May to September on Jefferson Street, enabling local farmers and artisans to offer homegrown produce, plants and crafts for sale. For more information about Main Street Clinton businesses and activities, call (601) 924- 5472.

Historical Landmarks

City Hall. Located on the site of Union General William Tecumseh Sherman’s headquarters during the Siege of Jackson.

The Cedars. Circa 1835, this Greek revival home listed on the National Register of Historic Places is one of the oldest in Hinds County.

China Hill. Circa 1841, the grounds of China Hill were used as a campsite for Union soldiers following the Battle of Champion Hill.

Clinton Cemetery. Circa 1800, the Clinton Cemetery is one of the oldest in central Mississippi. Buried here are families of pioneer settlers, college presidents and Confederate soldiers.

Latimer House. Circa 1895, this structure is a beautiful example of the Victorian home.

Mississippi College. Founded in 1826, Mississippi College is the oldest institute of higher learning in Mississippi, and the first coeducational college in the United States to graduate a woman.

Provine Chapel. Located on the Mississippi College campus, Provine Chapel was completed in 1860 and was spared the torches of General Sherman.

Top Ten Things to Do in Clinton

1. Examine historical displays and buy a special gift at the Clinton Visitor Center.
2. Stroll the brick streets and visit the shops in Olde Towne Clinton.
3. Study the life-size bronze sculpture, Servant Savior, located to the west of historic Provine Chapel on the Mississippi College campus.
4. Walk the 2.5 miles of trails and inspect the gardens and urban forest at the Clinton Community Nature Center.
5. Ride a bicycle along the historic Natchez Trace – or on the streets of Olde Towne.
6. Renew your energy on the walking paths at all of the city parks.
7. Play with your children or grandchildren at Kids’ Towne Playground.
8. View the art exhibits at the Visitor Center, the Baptist Healthplex and the Mississippi College Fine Arts Museum and Gore Galleries, as well as the Wyatt Waters Gallery.
9. Find assorted treasures at a myriad of antique shops around town.
10. Research history at the Clinton Cemetery, the Odd Fellows Cemetery and other area gravesites.

Antiquing / Shopping / Dining

Whether you are a Clinton resident just spending a day to yourself or a visitor to the city for a few hours or a weekend, there are many shopping and dining offerings that will appeal to your interests.

Start your shopping adventure at the Clinton Visitor Center and peruse the abundance of gift items that are available, many of which are crafted by area artisans. Have a cup of coffee while you are there and plan your list of activities for the day – and just consider the following shopping possibilities.

Take an antiquing tour and search for those special antiques or previously loved treasures that will make your home unique. Situated throughout all parts of town as well as in Olde Towne, a variety of antique shops will intrigue the serious antique shopper in addition to the fan of memorabilia. You can find everything from vintage jewelry, crystal and armoires in The Leake Street Collection to collectible books and art prints at Pentimento Books. Also, period furniture, knick-knacks of all types and even classic and old-fashioned linens and one-of-a-kind items can be found in When Pigs Fly, as well as at The Interiors Market.

Next, turn your attention to the gift and specialty shops that abound in Clinton. If your shopping list includes distinctive home accessories or that exceptional wedding gift, you’ll definitely find it in Clinton at The Cupboard and The Vineyard International Trading Company. And don’t forget to select a lovely floral arrangement for that special event – or just a “happy” for a long-time friend at The Olive Branch and Dee’s Flowers. Do you need an educational gift or teaching materials? Then, The Chubby Cubby is sure to have that perfect item for your classroom – or your own clever child!

Are you ready for a break in your shopping rounds? Stop by one of several coffeehouses or ice cream shops located in various locations around town. Also, take advantage of an opportunity to enjoy assorted healthful treats at Euphoria Smoothies, ranging from nutritious muffins and stuffed pretzels to teas and specialty smoothies.

Everyone knows that shopping makes you hungry! And when it does, try a late lunch or early dinner at one of Clinton’s many restaurants. Whatever your appetite level, you can choose from light fare to a gourmet meal with an elaborate dessert. And your selections can range from burgers and pizza to salads and barbecue at a wide assortment of eateries around town, as well as aged Angus Beef to fresh seafood at Clinton’s finest restaurant, Kathryn’s.

Recreation

Area families value recreational activities, which are plentiful and readily accessible. Due to the mild climate, Clinton residents enjoy golf, fishing, boating and hunting, plus walking and biking trails, nature exhibits and picnic areas on a year-round basis.

Cascades Racquet Club. Offering youth and adult tennis programs year round, the Cascades Racquet Club is Clinton’s private swim, tennis and fitness club. In addition, the clubhouse is available for rental for parties, receptions and dinners. For additional details or membership information, call (601) 924-2705 or visit www.cascadesonline.com.

Clinton YMCA. Complete with two swimming pools and a modern fitness center coupled with childcare services and summer day camp, the YMCA’s offerings are geared toward working families. Organized sports programs in T-Ball, youth and adult baseball and softball, and youth football are offered through the Clinton YMCA as well as the City of Clinton Parks and Recreation Department. For more information, call (601) 924-5812 or visit http://clinton.jacksony.org.

Clinton Parks and Recreation Department. The Parks and Recreation Department oversees the city’s various parks and recreational programs, including the volunteer-built Kids’ Towne Playground, one of the state’s largest wood-constructed play structures. Traceway Park is the city’s premier family park, providing manicured fields for football, soccer, baseball and softball. In fact, many district and regional sporting events are held in Clinton throughout the year, drawing athletes and fans from across the southeast. Many residents enjoy the calming atmosphere of the nature/walking trails located in Traceway Park. Brighton Park, the newest addition to the park system, has four regular tennis courts, two championship courts, a sand volleyball court, two pavilions, two shuffleboard courts, outdoor exercise equipment, and a programs facility. By providing countless hours of recreational activities for all ages, the Clinton parks programs exemplify the city’s commitment of being Mississippi’s Family City. For more information on all Clinton parks, call (601) 924-6081 or visit www.clintonparksandrec.com.

Clinton Community Nature Center. A welcome addition to the health and recreational opportunities for Clinton residents, the center was established to contribute to the knowledge, enjoyment, and appreciation of nature for the people of the City of Clinton and the surrounding area. Located on 32 acres near Olde Towne Clinton and containing a 100-seat amphitheater, welcome center, gift shop, educational kiosk, and a butterfly garden, the nature center offers an excellent view of hundreds of species of labeled native trees and shrubs. The center has 0.4 miles of the historic Natchez Trace, and visitors enjoy two miles of all-weather, slag-covered trails. While walking the segment of the historic old Natchez Trace, visitors can experience something of the forest environment as it was seen by Native Americans three centuries ago and by Andrew Jackson’s men almost 180 years ago. For details, call (601) 926-1104 or visit www.clintonnaturecenter.org. 

Golf

If golfing is your sport of choice, there are a number of fine golf courses available in the Clinton area. Some of these are –

Live Oaks Golf Club	(601) 982-1231
Hinds Community College
Golf Course	(601) 857-5993
Meadow Oak Golf Club	(601) 924-6144

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