State's longest rail trail runs through walkable downtown New Albany
Festivals, trails and a vibrant downtown draw buyers and visitors to New Albany. "It's a quiet and laidback area near Tupelo that has an awesome downtown—you'll see a lot of people window shopping," says Realtor Lee Gates with J. Morris Realty. "There's also been interest in New Albany and the surrounding areas because the schools are highly rated and people want to live near the schools." New Albany also has community events and investment into the town's recreation areas, like the Tanglewood Trail. "The trail is a renovated railway, and people come from all over to jog, walk and bike. You can even rent bikes from the city library and take them down the trail," Gates says.
Ranch-styles, Craftsman-styles and farmland offer variety
Homes are spread across New Albany, surrounded by acres of fertile Mississippi farmland, green crop fields and piney woods. Closer to the downtown area are ranch-styles, cottages and Craftsman-style houses. As housing expanded from the heart of New Albany, there are New Traditional houses with larger yards and backyard pools. Most residences sit on modest, well-manicured lawns dotted with magnolia, oak and pine trees. There is also some new construction, typically in modern farmhouse styles. The median sale price for a home is $225,000. There is also land for sale on the outskirts of town, ranging from 2.5 acres for $30,000 to 8 acres for $60,000.
Tanglefoot Trail and riverside parks are local favorites
New Albany offers residents and visitors a variety of outdoor recreation. One of the most popular is the Tanglefoot Trail, which follows the path of a former railway. The trail connects to the Park Along the River, where walking paths wind around the banks of the Little Tallahatchie. "The city has been renovating the park to make it more robust," Gates says. "It's been expanded to have a pavilion, sports courts, play areas, a dog park and a disc golf course." Other recreation options include Shady Dell Park, which has sports courts and a playground surrounded by towering pine trees that give the park its name. Cooper Park is located downtown and is home to several events, including the annual Christmas tree lighting. New Albany is also in an area of Mississippi with prehistoric indigenous mounds from the Woodland Period. The nearby Ingomar Mounds have educational placards that tell the history of the mounds and the relics excavated by the Smithsonian Institution.
Downtown blends shops, restaurants and a Faulkner library
The community has a traditional downtown along Bankhead Street, which features original storefronts, now occupied by specialty shops, bakeries, boutiques and restaurants. There are also churches and attractions like the Magnolia Theatre of New Albany. In addition to hosting musicals and plays, the theatre has an event room for community gatherings. Nearby is the Union County Heritage Museum, which has a library dedicated to William Faulkner, who was born in New Albany. Downtown is also known for its locally owned eateries. Two Sisters Diner has a homestyle buffet, Sugaree's Bakery offers cakes and other desserts, and Nico's has classic Italian pasta and pizzas. West on Bankhead Street and surrounding Interstate 22 are chain restaurants and grocery options like Reed's Market, Walmart and La Guadalajara Tienda. More dining and retail options are available in nearby cities like Tupelo and Oxford.
Community traditions include RiverFest and a Christmas parade
New Albany hosts several events throughout the year. Tallahatchie RiverFest is the most popular, bringing together residents and visitors each September. "It's a major festival every year," Gates says. "There are local food and farm vendors, and the downtown businesses have open houses. They also have fair games, a bounce house and a live band on Saturday." In November, the Mississippi Hill Folk Life and Craft Fest offers historical activities and traditions for community members at the Union County Heritage Museum. Each December, there is the Community Tree Lighting at Cooper Park and the Christmas on Bankhead Street celebration. The holiday event features a parade with local floats, music and Santa Claus.
Highways connect New Albany to Oxford, Tupelo and Memphis
New Albany is connected to several major thoroughfares, including Interstate 22 and Mississippi highways 15, 30 and 178. These connect the town to nearby cities like Oxford, 30 miles west, and Tupelo, 30 miles east. Tupelo is also home to one of the nearest airports, Tupelo Regional. Memphis International is another option, around 70 miles away. New Albany is home to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County.
