Greenville

Greenville is a city of approximately 30,000 people (2020) in Washington County, Mississippi, and the county seat. Located on the eastern bank of Lake Ferguson — an oxbow lake from an old channel of the Mississippi River — Greenville is the ninth largest city in the state and a major hub of the Mississippi Delta region. Named after American Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene, the city has a complex history marked by both cultural richness and social challenges.

The Delta region surrounding Greenville is renowned as the birthplace of the blues, and the city itself has strong connections to that musical heritage. Kermit the Frog creator Jim Henson grew up in nearby Leland, and the Birthplace of Kermit the Frog Museum pays tribute to his Delta roots. The Winterville Mounds, earthwork monuments of Plaquemine Mississippian origin, predate European settlement by centuries and offer a window into the pre-Columbian history of the region.

Greenville's climate features hot, humid summers (highs in the 90s°F/32°C) and mild winters (highs in the 50s–60s°F/10–15°C). Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons. The Delta's flat landscape means the area can feel particularly hot in summer. Visitors should exercise caution in downtown areas, particularly after dark.

By Plane

Mid Delta Regional Airport (GLH) is northeast of downtown Greenville, with commercial air service by Boutique Air to Dallas and Atlanta. Rental cars are available at the airport.

By Car / Road

U.S. Highway 82, U.S. Highway 61, and the Great River Road (Mississippi Highway 1) are the main transportation arteries. U.S. Highway 82 connects to Interstate 55 and other major four-lane highways. The $206-million Greenville Bridge — the longest cable-stayed span in the continental United States — crosses the Mississippi River south of Greenville into Lake Village, Arkansas.

Rental cars are available at the airport. Car is the primary way to travel around Greenville. Limited taxi services operate throughout the city. Walking is possible in parts of the downtown area, though visitors should exercise caution. The bus station on Highway 82 is open only a few hours each day with very limited service.

• Winterville Mounds (2415 MS-1, +1 662-334-4684): Dawn to dusk daily. Earthwork monuments of Plaquemine Mississippian origin, located a few miles north of Greenville.

• Birthplace of Kermit The Frog Museum (415 S Deer Creek Dr E, Leland, +1 662-686-7383): M-Sa 10AM–4PM, closed Sunday. See where Kermit was "born" on Deer Creek, with a tribute to Jim Henson's boyhood in the Delta.

• Highway 61 Blues Museum (307 N Broad St, Leland, +1 662-686-7646): Exhibits pertaining to the Delta Blues scene.

• Warfield Point Park: A park on Warfield Point Park Road with picnic areas, a viewing tower overlooking the Mississippi River, an old fishing boat, and hiking trails.

• Delta Center Stage Theater (300 South Main Street): A historic performance theater with a schedule of upcoming plays.

• Casinos: Harlow's Casino Resort & Hotel (4280 Harlows Blvd) and Trop Casino (199 North Lakefront Road) offer gaming and entertainment.

• Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge (Hollandale): Stunning scenery with opportunities to see alligators, black bears, bobcats, deer, otters, and numerous bird species.

• Delta Blues Festival: An annual celebration of the region's musical heritage.

• Doe's Eat Place (502 Nelson Street): Greenville's most popular restaurant, famous for homemade steaks and tamales. Prices are high.
• Sherman's Restaurant (1400 South Main Street): Popular restaurant serving seafood, steak, and other dining choices.
• Yamato Japanese Steak House: Japanese food and sushi in the Wal-Mart Shopping Center on Highway 1 South.
• Shipley's Doughnuts (1401 Hwy 1 South): Homemade doughnuts.
• Rivals (2309 Highway 1 South): Sports bar with food and service.
• Greenville is also noted for its many places to buy good hot tamales, a Delta staple.

• Budget: Various motels along Highway 82 and Highway 1.
• Mid-range: Harlow's Casino Resort & Hotel (4280 Harlows Blvd): Casino hotel with comfortable rooms and Gulf-style amenities.
• Upscale: Hotel 27 (211 S Walnut St, +1 662-702-3681): A classy property behind the levee of Lake Ferguson with complimentary breakfast. The most upscale accommodation in Greenville.

• Greenville Mall (1651 Highway 1 South): Contains shops and an arcade.

• Clarksdale (60 miles north, ~1 hour): The blues capital of the Delta with Ground Zero Blues Club and the Delta Blues Museum.
• Cleveland (50 miles southeast, ~50 minutes): Home to the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center.
• Indianola (35 miles south, ~40 minutes): Birthplace of B.B. King.
• Oxford (120 miles southeast, ~2 hours): University of Mississippi campus, Faulkner's Rowan Oak, and the Square.
• Vicksburg (150 miles southeast, ~2.5 hours): Vicksburg National Military Park and the Mississippi River.