Olive Branch offers travelers three distinct points of interest: local history, outdoor activities at Olive Branch City Park and an annual Bonsai Rendezvous. If you’re looking for a place to stay, you can first decide which of these interests will shape your visit. The town’s history is reflected in a building designated a Mississippi Landmark, a cemetery founded in 1847 and a small museum; the park features hiking trails and a mountain bike trail.
History across a landmark, cemetery and museum
The Wesson House is one of only three buildings designated as Mississippi Landmarks in DeSoto County. It is believed to have been built in 1875. Blocker Cemetery was founded in 1847; its founding year is 28 years earlier than the house’s presumed construction year. These two historical points of reference offer different ways of understanding the past: the Wesson House is distinguished by its Landmark designation, while the cemetery is associated with a specific founding year.
Olive Branch City Hall houses a one-room museum with twelve display cases for artifacts. It adds a third form of local history presentation to the building and cemetery: a compact display of exhibits.
Hiking and mountain biking at City Park
Olive Branch City Park has two miles of hiking trails with exercise stations. The stated length gives the trails a specific scope, while the stations add another element of physical activity. A mountain bike trail also runs through open and wooded areas. This gives you a choice between two different activities: hiking with exercise stations or mountain biking in an environment shaped by open and wooded areas.
Brussel's Bonsai: an annual event
Brussel's Bonsai holds its annual Rendezvous over Memorial Day weekend. The program includes lectures, hands-on workshops and demonstrations. This is a clear reason for bonsai enthusiasts to visit, since the event includes hands-on workshops and demonstrations as well as lectures. Because the Rendezvous takes place on a specific weekend, check the exact event dates before setting your travel dates.
Restaurants and cafés in Old Towne
Old Towne Olive Branch has restaurants and cafés, making the area relevant when planning meals and a coffee break. Individual businesses and offerings may change; if you have a particular place in mind, check the latest information before your trip.
The Bonsai Rendezvous is the clearest fixed point for planning your travel dates, as it takes place over Memorial Day weekend. The historical sites and park activities, on the other hand, offer a choice of themes: you can compare a founding year with a presumed construction year among the historical points of interest, or choose between hiking and mountain biking. This makes it easy to distinguish a fixed event date from interests you can choose freely.
Discover more destinations: Hernando, Horn Lake, Southaven
For the broader travel overview: Desoto.
