Road Trip Reveals Charms of North Mississippi

It was a dreary St. Patrick’s Day as HottyToddy.com staff drove north to check out towns like Olive Branch, Horn Lake, Southaven and Hernando. We’ll be introducing a new magazine this summer, Experiencing North Mississippi.
We noted the growth of all these communities as we drove past new shopping complexes, restaurants and health care facilities.
The central arts and boutique shopping section of Olive Branch was charming and inviting and the Landers Center in Southaven was impressive — a much larger structure than we expected. No wonder some of the most popular performing acts and trade shows book the site. It even welcomes ice skaters for recreation, instruction and competition.

But the hit of the trip was quaint Hernando. Even though the world-renowned farmers market on the the historical DeSoto County Courthouse lawn doesn’t begin until April 6 (Click here for more information.), Hernando is a lovely town with attractions for the whole family. In fact, downtown Hernando had a look and feel much like a smaller Oxford.
We had a delicious lunch at AC’s, convenient to everything in town. We talked to founder and owner Aaron Hahn who earned his culinary chops working over in Tunica in the highly regarded casino restaurants. By the way, Experience North Mississippi will also be covering the dynamic town that is Tunica.

So enjoy these images and look for future stories that highlight the opportunities for fun and growth just a bit north of Oxford. And if you haven’t already checked it out click on the “News From North Mississippi 662” section on the HottyToddy.com home page just under Today’s Headlines.

Andy Knef is editor of HottyToddy.com. He ordered the Mushroom Burger at AC’s.