How to Spend a Day in Southaven, MS

Just a short drive south of downtown Memphis lies Southaven, Mississippi, a city often overshadowed by its bustling neighbor. While Memphis may dominate in some ways, Southaven stands out as a unique suburban city with a distinct character. Those who delve into this charming town will discover a lively community with a variety of charming attractions.

Whether you’re visiting Southaven for the first time or looking to rediscover the area, we’ve compiled a list of must-see places and activities to enjoy if you’re planning to spend a day in this neighboring Memphis city.

SHOPPING

• Silo Square: Built on the premise that town squares serve as the centers of small towns nationwide, Silo Square stands as a distinct community in Southaven. This mixed-use development boasts upscale lofts and residences alongside commercial areas that house local boutiques and unique eateries. The Square also serves as the backdrop for numerous community events throughout the year. For a list of upcoming events, visit Silo Square’s community calendar.

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For more shops and restaurants, check out Silo Square’s website listing all of their businesses!

• Moda Designs: Don’t miss Moda Designs for gifts and home decor. The shop blends modern and classic country aesthetics, offering everything from custom space planning and window treatments to beautifully curated furniture, accessories, and gifts.

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• Stella Ivy: Stella Ivy is a charming, locally owned destination for trendy women’s fashion and accessories. It offers a curated mix of stylish clothing—from cozy sweaters to statement pieces—alongside personalized, friendly service.
• Trouble: A vibrant mother‑and‑daughter‑owned clothing and accessories store, it’s the go‑to spot for teen, college, and young adult fashion. Trouble offers a fun, friendly shopping experience packed with trendy pieces, plus-size options, and unique gifts.
• Dappled: This boutique is a lively women’s boutique, offering polished, stylish pieces for sizes XS–3X along with jewelry, handbags, accessories, and even custom equestrian jumps.
• Southaven Towne Center: A bustling hub with a mix of retailers, specialty shops, and dining options, this center has you covered from a unique gift to a delicious meal. But the Towne Center is more than just retail. The complex frequently hosts events and activities, allowing visitors to experience movie nights, live performances, and seasonal festivities.
• Tanger Outlets: Tanger offers a premier shopping experience with various stores. From fashion to home goods, this shopping outlet caters to a variety of style interests and features hundreds of brands, most at discounted prices. Plus, there are promotions throughout the year for different stores. Visitors can view the most up-to-date specials on Tanger Outlet’s website.
• Magnolia Soap & Bath C0: Magnolia Soap is your local destination for handcrafted, plant-based bath, body, home, and pet products. Every item—from bar and liquid soaps to scrubs, candles, and laundry essentials—is made with clean, phthalate-free ingredients. They also host signature in-store parties where you can make your own soap, bath bombs, candles, and more—perfect for group fun or creative gatherings. A great place to purchase a souvenir or gift!

DINING

• Beans & Leaves: Some of the best coffee if you need a pick-me-up! They also have pastries, tea, and gelato- what’s not to love?
• Central BBQ: This BBQ joint will provide you with the best comfort food if you’re looking for a good lunch spot. It’s been voted #1 BBQ, so it’s a good one.
• Slim Chickens: Slim Chickens is a fast-casual hotspot serving up fresh, hand-breaded chicken tenders, wings, sandwiches, and more in a friendly, relaxed setting.
• Fresh Valley Juice & Salad Bar: This lunch spot is a great option if you’re in the mood for something lighter.
• Firebirds Wood Fired Grill: A vibrant American steakhouse and seafood destination built around the flavor of open‑flame cooking. With a scratch kitchen, hand-cut aged steaks, fresh seafood, and seasonal wood-fired veggies, it delivers bold flavors in a welcoming, polished-casual setting.
• Maria’s Cantina: Maria’s Cantina offers Mexican cuisine with a creative flair. Renowned for its signature mason jar margaritas and innovative take on traditional Mexican cuisines, such as its infamous BBQ pork nachos, it has become a beloved spot for locals and tourists alike. And if you’re not in the mood for Mexican food, there are still plenty of other menu options to enjoy.

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• City Hall Cheesecake: Check out this sweet spot with over 100 varieties of small-batch, fresh, delicious cheesecake, cookies, gourmet ice, & coffee.
• Vampire Penguin: Southaven’s go‑to dessert spot for fluffy Taiwanese-style shaved snow — a lighter, cloud-like twist on traditional snow cones. Opened in 2013, this cozy shop whips up made-to-order shaved snow alongside other treats like crepes, milkshakes, boba, and baked goods.

ACTIVITIES + ATTRACTIONS

• Pottery Haven: Offering a creative space for individuals to paint, decorate, and personalize pottery items, Pottery Haven is a unique venue for people of all ages. The creative space is a popular destination for those looking for a fun and artistic activity or a special event space for group outings.

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If you’re really looking to flex your artistic muscle, Pottery Haven also offers Pottery Wheel Throwing Classes every other week, teaching the basics of wheel throwing with wet clay. A complete list of events and classes can be found on their website.

• Liberation Escape Room: If you have an adventurous side and love live-action games, Liberation Escape Room provides a 60-minute experience that’s great for the whole family. The escape room includes four rooms and 85 themes to choose from — including mysteries and adventure scenarios ranging from historical to fantasy. The themes change throughout the year, so make sure to check out their website.
• BankPlus Amphitheater: This open-air venue stands as a beacon for music aficionados, showcasing a top-tier entertainment roster since it opened in 2006. BankPlus Amphitheater has hosted a wide range of concerts and events featuring various renowned artists and performers. With a capacity to accommodate several thousand attendees, the venue offers both covered seating and open lawn areas, providing a vibrant atmosphere for live music and entertainment. Check the Amphitheater’s website for a list of upcoming concerts and events.

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• Landers Center: As one of the region’s premier entertainment venues, Landers Center hosts a range of events, including concerts and sporting events. Whether you’re into music, sports, or conventions, the Landers Center has you covered. From big-name artists rocking the stage to thrilling sports matches, there’s always something cool happening here. With events often occurring multiple times a week, be sure to keep up with their events page for upcoming concerts and activities.

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PARKS + GREEN SPACES

• Snowden Grove Park: Snowden Grove is a premier park for sports and outdoor enthusiasts. The 17-field youth baseball facility features state-of-the-art sports facilities, walking trails, and playgrounds. Whether you want to enjoy a leisurely stroll, engage in team sports, or attend a local event, Snowden Grove Park provides a welcoming environment for Southaven’s residents and visitors. Plus, the vibrant green space is nationally recognized for its expansive facility that mimics professional baseball stadiums. Enjoy a picnic at one of the designated areas, explore the park’s scenic trails, or enjoy a relaxing day by the water while fishing in the freshwater ponds.
• Jim Saucier Memorial Park: A quaint but scenic park that features a small waterfall, beautiful walking trails, and an activity section. Centered around a large lake, this green space is most notably known by locals, but is a good place for tourists to immerse themselves in Southaven’s culture.
• DeSoto County Veterans Park: A small but memorable park, DeSoto County Veterans Park honors all U.S. veterans. Showcasing information on wars fought by U.S. soldiers, the beautiful stretch of greenery is more than an educational park; it’s also a tourist attraction and community gathering space, paying homage to those who have served the country.

Happy exploring!

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