A Solo Traveler’s Guide to Ridgeland, Mississippi

If you’ve ever cruised the Natchez Trace Parkway, odds are you’ve passed right by Ridgeland without realizing you were skirting one of Mississippi’s most charming small cities. What doubles as a road trip stop and weekend-worthy destination also happens to be a great place for solo travelers like me. You don’t need company to enjoy Ridgeland, though; the town itself is incredibly safe and easy to navigate on your own. From easy access to trails and water to art and good food, here’s how to plan a solo trip to Ridgeland.

Getting to Ridgeland

Ridgeland sits just north of Jackson, about a three-hour drive from Memphis and just under four hours from Birmingham, Ala. You can arrive by car or fly into Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International (JAN), 16 miles south of Ridgeland. Traffic is practically nonexistent once you leave the interstate, and the free and plentiful parking makes Ridgeland an easy pick for a solo trip.

Where to Stay

For lodging in Ridgeland, I gravitate toward the Township at Colony Park area, home to newer hotels like AC Hotel by Marriott, SpringHill Suites and Hampton Inn & Suites. All are walkable to the restaurants and retail at Renaissance at Colony Park, so I can ditch my car and wander aimlessly if I choose.

Renaissance feels like Ridgeland’s cozy, but well-appointed living room: brick walkways, patio dining and nightly fountain light shows that sync to music on the hour. It’s lively and there are always people out and about.

Day 1 in Ridgeland

Most of my mornings anywhere start with caffeine and fresh air, but particularly when I’m traveling solo. I like to take a latte at Ridgeland Coffee Co. or Fusion Coffeehouse for the road, then head for the Chisha Foka Multi-Use Trail. If I crave something a bit heartier, Whirl Smoothie Bar and Coffee House makes the morning lineup with its acai bowls, energy drinks and protein-packed muffins.

Morning: Trails and the Rez

This paved, tree-lined path stretches roughly ten miles through town and connects directly to the Natchez Trace Parkway. It’s one of my favorite solo activities in Ridgeland because you can customize your day depending on your energy level: walk a few miles while listening to an audiobook, then pop into shop at the Bill Waller Craft Center, just off the trail.Or, if I’m feeling up to more of a workout, I’ll rent a bike through the Explore Ridgeland bikeshare. Helmets come with the rental, and you’ll find pickup stations at the Visitors Center and The Bike Crossing. Be sure and download the Koloni app beforehand.

The Chisha Foka Multi-Use Trail winds its way through the homelands of the Choctaw before the forced removal of various American tribes, so there’s plenty of history woven into these hallowed grounds. The trail ends at the overlook at the Barnett Reservoir, or “the Rez” as locals call it, a 33,000-acre expanse of water that gives Ridgeland its lake-loving personality. I like to stop at Old Trace Park to watch fishermen launch boats or get a mimosa and early lunch at Pelican Cove Grill. If you’re a photographer, getting to the marina early for sunrise is worth setting your alarm.

If the weather’s warm, a paddle session on Barnett Reservoir is hard to beat. You can rent kayaks from Pearl River Kayaks, which includes delivery to a launch location of your choice or guided tours if you feel more comfortable paddling in a group.

Afternoon: Dogmud Tavern & Bill Waller Craft Center

When I travel solo, I’m always looking for low-key dining where sitting by myself doesn’t feel out of place. I absolutely love Dogmud Tavern for the most delightfully oddball restaurant and bar in town: Think Hogwarts-meets-D&D with plenty of board games and video consoles, themed cocktails and New York-style hot dogs, tacos and pizzas on the menu.

Back toward the Rez sits one of Mississippi’s most prized jewels, the Bill Waller Craft Center. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the angular tilt of the mid-century roofline punctuated by quirky lawn sculptures made of scrap metal. I spent an hour browsing pottery, textiles and woodwork by Southern artisans, and I contemplated coming back for a workshop, one of the best things to do solo in Ridgeland. Many of the resident member artists, more than 400 of them, teach regular classes from weaving and woodworking to stained glass and bead making.

The exhibits rotate, admission is free, and there’s a wooded boardwalk out back that leads directly to the Natchez Trace Parkway. Visit in late spring and you might even glimpse the synchronous fireflies that light up these woods for a couple of magical weeks each year.

Evening: Dinner at Renaissance at Colony Park

Ridgeland’s restaurant scene punches above its weight with the Renaissance at Colony Park constantly adding new options. For solo diners, Local 463 is a great pick: Nab a barstool and taste-test the bartenders’ creations while you dig into Southern and Cajun dishes like Kung Pao popcorn shrimp, lump crab cake, tamales or apricot-and-teriyaki-glazed salmon. Seafood lovers also may find themselves around the corner at Caet, Chef Derek Emerson’s other Ridgeland restaurant, for oysters and a seat at the raw bar.Or, for the hottest new table in Ridgeland, check out TASTE Italian Kitchen, which has a mix of flatbreads, handmade pastas and other filling entrees (not to mention, plenty for vegetarian and vegan diners to snack on). The restaurants sea foam margarita is not to be missed. Once you’re finished with dinner, you can grab a table at the fountains for the light show—which is conveniently close to the Whimsy Cookie Company if you need a sweet treat—that happens nightly from 6 to 9pm.

Day 2 in Ridgeland

If you’ve got a full weekend in Ridgeland, set out early on the second day for a drive on the Natchez Trace Parkway. Heading north will take you through more rural areas of the parkway while south will have you skirting the northern edge of Jackson and on into Clinton. In my opinion, the Ridgeland segment of the Trace is one of the most beautiful, lined with wildflowers and pines, and it’s one of the few areas where you can access amenities—lodging, coffee, art galleries—directly off the Parkway.

Morning: Flower Fields & a Head Spa Treatment

In spring, summer and early fall, I like to detour to the Ridgeland Wildflower Fields. Behind the Seabrook Paint Company off I-55, this free community garden features walking paths lined with seasonal blooms and sculptures made from recycled metal. Depending on the time of year, you can even cut your own bouquet of zinnias, sunflowers and other popular pollinators.

One of my favorite perks of solo travel is setting my own pace, and Ridgeland makes it easy to build in a little indulgence. After the flowers, I booked a head spa treatment at Patina Hair Studio, a cross between scalp therapy and full-body relaxation. A stylist uses a micro-camera to assess your scalp, then works through exfoliating cleansers, nourishing oils and a tension-melting massage before finishing with a blowout. If that’s not your speed, Ridgeland’s day spas and boutiques offer plenty of solo-friendly pampering: massages, facials or manicures at any of the nail bars around Renaissance.

Just a few minutes from the head spa, CW Organics Tea Room is the ideal spot for continuing your Zen state. This tearoom has more than just a simple service; it’s a full-on emporium with loose-leaf blends, warm scones, tea cakes, finger sandwiches and pastries. Plus, the Tea Tier for 1 was made with the solo traveler in mind.

Afternoon: Dine and Shop in the Railroad District

You could easily make the tea room a lunch, but if you want to see more of Ridgeland’s dining scene, the Lily Pad Café is a must. Also in the Railroad District, this nonprofit restaurant brings in young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, instilling necessary vocational skills and training them for future employment. Order the chicken salad sandwich or the flatbread, chat with staff if they’re not slammed, and know your meal supports a meaningful mission. Walk-ins are welcome but making a reservation is always helpful to this small team.While the Renaissance at Colony Park is Ridgeland’s big retail hub, I’m a sucker for the smaller boutiques of the Railroad District. Before I hit the road and head home to Tennessee, I can’t help but shop for one last souvenir, be it plants at the Everyday Gardener or home décor from Finch Gifts and Interiors.

Your Solo Escape Awaits in Ridgeland

Whether you’re wandering scenic trails, treating yourself to a great meal, or simply soaking in a little peace and quiet, Ridgeland is the kind of place that reminds you how good it feels to explore on your own terms. So if you’ve been craving a getaway that feels both grounding and inspiring, consider this your sign—pack the bag, hit the road, and let Ridgeland be your next solo adventure.

Start planning your trip here.