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Jackson, Mississippi: Where Fun and Adventure Meet – Best Things to Do and Places to Visit!

Planning a trip to Jackson, Mississippi and wondering where to start? The city carries plenty for everyone, from a deep historical record to Southern cooking worth the calories. Nature lover, art enthusiast or sports fan, Jackson has enough fun activities and places to visit to fill the days you have.

Jackson’s soulful history is the thing that sets it apart. From the Civil Rights Movement through to blues music, this city has shaped American culture more than its size suggests. Landmarks like the Mississippi State Capitol and Old Capitol Museum are open to walk, and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum takes the story further. That is not all, because Jackson also runs a thriving arts scene of galleries, theaters and festivals showing local talent. For outdoor adventure, the city’s parks and nature trails and the wildlife safari at the Jackson Zoo cover it.

Key Takeaways

• Jackson, Mississippi offers a wide range of activities and places to visit for all types of travelers.
• The city’s rich history and vibrant arts scene are must-sees for culture enthusiasts.
• Outdoor enthusiasts can explore Jackson’s many parks and nature trails, or go on a wildlife safari at the Jackson Zoo.

The Soulful History of Jackson

Jackson teaches in order. The Old Capitol Museum covers 1839 through 1903, including the room where Mississippi seceded from the Union in 1861. The Museum of Mississippi History runs the whole span from prehistoric times through to the present day, which is the wider frame you want first. The Civil Rights Museum takes eight galleries to move from slavery to now. The Medgar Evers Home Museum narrows all of it down to a single man and a single household. Take them in that sequence and the city stops being a list.

A visit to Jackson, Mississippi makes the depth of the local history obvious quickly. From the Civil Rights Movement through to the legacy of Medgar Evers, the past here holds moments that made the city what it now is. These are the highlights not to miss:

Civil Rights Movement

Jackson played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement, and sites across the city commemorate that history. The Medgar Evers Home Museum stands out among them, once the home of the civil rights leader himself. Take a tour and the man’s life and legacy come through in the rooms rather than on a plaque.

Medgar Evers

Medgar Evers is a central figure in Jackson’s history. He served as the first field secretary for the NAACP in Mississippi and fought tirelessly for voting rights and desegregation. Evers was assassinated in 1963, and his legacy carries on in Jackson and well beyond it.

Slavery

Like many cities across the American South, Jackson holds a complicated history with slavery. The city was founded in 1821, and by 1860 there were over 4,000 enslaved people living in Hinds County, where Jackson sits. The Old Capitol Museum is where that history of slavery in Mississippi is set out.

Mississippi History

Jackson’s history reaches past the Civil Rights Movement and slavery alike. The city has shaped the history of Mississippi as a whole. The Museum of Mississippi History is where to learn that part, covering the state from prehistoric times through to the present day.

For anyone interested in history, Jackson, Mississippi is the place. The Civil Rights Movement, the legacy of Medgar Evers and the complicated history of slavery all sit here waiting to be explored in this soulful city.

Artsy Jackson

Art and culture people are well served in Jackson, Mississippi. Museums, galleries and local artists are all here in quantity. These are the places to visit in Jackson for an artsy experience.

Mississippi Museum of Art

The Mississippi Museum of Art belongs on any art lover’s list. Over 5,000 works of art sit in the collection, running through paintings, sculptures and photographs. Temporary exhibitions rotate through the year, so a repeat visit rarely shows you the same thing twice.

International Museum of Muslim Cultures

For anyone curious about other cultures, the International Museum of Muslim Cultures is worth the time. Exhibits cover the history and culture of Muslims around the world, taking in art, architecture and literature. It broadens the frame in a way few museums this size manage.

Art Galleries

For a more intimate art experience, work through Jackson’s art galleries. Plenty of them carry the work of local artists, and others show national and international names. The galleries in downtown Jackson hold the strongest work in the city.

Local Artists

Jackson is home to many talented local artists, and their work turns up across the city. Murals on the sides of buildings and sculptures in public parks mean the art finds you rather than the other way round. Look out for work by Adrienne Domnick, William Goodman and Ginger Williams-Cook.

Art museums, galleries or local artists, Jackson has a version for you. Get ready to spend real time inside the arts scene of this Mississippi city.

Jackson’s Wild Side

For wild adventures in Jackson, Mississippi, the city delivers. Hiking in the Mississippi Petrified Forest through to the exotic animals at the Jackson Zoo, there is plenty of fun on the wild side of Jackson.

Mississippi Petrified Forest

The Mississippi Petrified Forest takes you a very long way back. The trees here turned to stone across millions of years, and you can join a guided tour or take the nature trails on your own. The museum and gift shop are worth a look on the way out.

Jackson Zoo

The Jackson Zoo puts you close to the animals. Endangered species sit alongside more exotic creatures, and the Splash Pad at Lakeland Terrace is where a hot day gets fixed. Feeding the giraffes is available to anyone feeling brave.

Mississippi Children’s Museum

Travelling with kids? The Mississippi Children’s Museum should be on the list. Interactive exhibits and hands-on activities keep little ones busy for hours. The outdoor play area with its giant slide and splash pad is the part they will remember.

Lefleur’s Bluff State Park

For a more laid-back adventure, head to Lefleur’s Bluff State Park. The park holds a lake, nature trails and campsites, so an afternoon here can go in several directions. Rent a boat and take the water, or walk the trails at your own pace. Deer and turtles show themselves to anyone quiet enough.

A thrilling adventure or a relaxing day outdoors, Jackson’s wild side covers both.

Bite into Jackson

On food, Jackson knows exactly what it is doing. Southern classics through to international cooking give you a range that leaves you planning the next meal during this one. Here are two areas to check out for a proper dinner:

Downtown Restaurants

Downtown Jackson is home to a variety of restaurants that offer a unique dining experience. If you’re in the mood for some classic southern cooking, head to The Iron Horse Grill. This restaurant is known for its mouth-watering fried chicken and live music performances. For a more upscale dining experience, check out the menu at BRAVO. Italian Restaurant & Bar. Their pasta dishes and wood-fired pizzas are sure to impress.

For something a little different, the sushi at Wasabi Sushi & Bar or the authentic Mexican cuisine at El Charro will do it. And for a burger, The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen is hard to argue with.

Fondren Food Scene

For a more eclectic dining experience, head to the Fondren neighborhood. Restaurants here run from vegan fare through to craft cocktails without any of it feeling forced. Start the day with coffee and a pastry at Campbell’s Bakery. For lunch, Saltine Oyster Bar handles fresh seafood and Babalu Tacos & Tapas handles small plates.

For dinner, CAET Wine Bar is the one to book. The wine list runs long and the charcuterie boards are the reason to arrive hungry. For comfort food instead, The Pig & Pint puts out smoked meats alongside a serious craft beer selection.

Whatever you are in the mood for, Jackson has a restaurant that will handle it. Go ahead and indulge a little in the city’s food scene.

Jackson’s Vibrant Downtown

To find the soul of Jackson, Mississippi, start downtown. Historic buildings, busy streets and a lively atmosphere make it the part of the city worth a day or two of walking.

Fondren District

The Fondren District is among the highlights of downtown Jackson. This hip and trendy neighborhood carries shops, restaurants and art galleries, which makes it the destination for anyone after something eclectic. A gourmet meal, a craft cocktail or a one-of-a-kind piece of art are all findable in Fondren.

Shopping

Shopaholics do well in downtown Jackson. High-end boutiques through to quirky gift shops fill the shopping district. Thimblepress is one to seek out, carrying artistic letterpress favorites for the table, home and office, and Lemuria Books has anchored the local literary scene for over 40 years.

Entertainment

On entertainment, downtown Jackson has plenty. Music lover, theater buff or sports fan, the lively neighborhood covers it. The Mississippi Coliseum hosts concerts, sporting events and other performances through the year, and the Mississippi Museum of Art shows contemporary and traditional artwork alongside.

For a taste of the cultural center of Mississippi, head down to downtown Jackson. The energy and charm of the place explain why they call it the City with Soul.

Nothing in Jackson is far. The museums cluster downtown inside a short walk of one another, which makes a full day on foot entirely realistic and quite pleasant. Fondren sits north of that and wants a car or a short ride. The Mississippi Petrified Forest, the golf out at Flowood and the trails along the Pearl River all sit well outside the city proper. Pick a downtown day and pick a driving day. Stop trying to combine the two of them into one.

Jackson’s Government and Landmarks

For anyone interested in government and history, Jackson has landmarks and buildings in quantity. These are the notable ones:

Mississippi State Capitol

The Mississippi State Capitol building belongs on any Jackson itinerary. Built in 1903, it has been the seat of Mississippi’s government for over a century. A guided tour covers the history and the architecture, and the iconic copper dome is the photograph everyone takes.

Old Capitol Museum

For more history, head to the Old Capitol Museum. The building served as Mississippi’s state capitol from 1839 to 1903 and now houses exhibits on the state’s political history. Interactive exhibits and artifacts fill it out, and you can stand in the very spot where Mississippi seceded from the Union in 1861.

National Historic Landmarks

Jackson holds a number of National Historic Landmarks, the Mississippi State Capitol and the Old Capitol Museum among them. The National Park Service recognizes these sites for their historical significance, and each earns the visit. The Eudora Welty House and Garden, the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home and the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion fill out the list.

History buff or someone simply after something to do, Jackson’s government buildings and landmarks deliver. Take a tour, take some photos and learn about the people and events that shaped Mississippi’s history.

Jackson’s Science and Education

Science enthusiasts find plenty in Jackson. Interactive exhibits through to planetarium shows give you several ways to engage your brain and learn something new. These are the places for STEM lovers:

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

Step into the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science and the outside world drops away. Over 200 acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits make it a deep store of information about the natural world. From the aquarium through to the nature trails, something catches you at every turn.

The highlights include the fossil exhibit with its 70-foot-long mosasaur, and the outdoor amphitheater where the live animal shows run. Guided tours are available, along with a long list of educational programs across the year.

Russell C. Davis Planetarium

Space nerds should not miss the Russell C. Davis Planetarium. The state-of-the-art facility runs a 60-foot dome that puts the universe over your head properly. Live star shows and full-dome movies both give you the cosmos at a scale a screen cannot manage.

The planetarium also runs educational programs for every age, astronomy camps and field trips included. With luck you will meet one of the resident space experts and get to ask them everything you have wondered about.

Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center

For a different kind of education, head to the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center. The museum is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of African Americans in Mississippi. Exhibits, artifacts and educational programs together give you a clearer understanding of the role African Americans have played in shaping the state’s history.

Alongside the permanent exhibits, the museum runs temporary shows and events through the year. Check their calendar and plan the visit around whatever is up.

Science buff or history nerd, Jackson has educational opportunities in quantity. From the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science through to the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center, something here will hold you. Go ahead and feed your brain, since it is good for your health.

Sports and Recreation in Jackson

Jackson, Mississippi suits sports enthusiasts and outdoor lovers alike. Golf pro or someone after a leisurely walk in nature, the city has a version for you.

Golf Courses

Golf enthusiasts are in luck, because Jackson carries several golf courses of a genuinely high standard. The Refuge Golf Course belongs on the list for golfers of all skill levels. This 18-hole course sits in Flowood, a short drive from Jackson, and the layout tests you with water hazards, bunkers and elevation changes.

The Patrick Farms Golf Club in Pearl, Mississippi is the other option. This 18-hole course is known for its scenery and its challenging holes, with lush trees, lakes and wildlife around the whole layout. It makes for a relaxing day on the greens.

Nature Trails

For time in nature, Jackson has plenty of options. The Riverside Drive Trail draws walkers, joggers and cyclists in equal numbers. This 4.5-mile trail runs along the Pearl River with long views over the water and the trees on the far bank.

For a more challenging hike, head to the Lakeland Drive Trail. This 10-mile trail winds through the woods and will get your heart rate up properly. The trail is well maintained and carries several lookout points with long views.

Pearl River

The Pearl River is where water sports enthusiasts end up. Rent a kayak or canoe and take the day on the river. Fishing is popular here as well, with catfish, bass and crappie among the species running in it.

For something more unusual, try disc golf at the Pearl River Disc Golf Course. This 18-hole course sits in Flowood and suits anyone wanting to try something new. It is challenging and genuinely fun, with several obstacles to work around.

Jackson, Mississippi has plenty for sports and outdoor enthusiasts. Golf pro, nature lover or water sports enthusiast, there is a version here for you. Get out there and use it.

Jackson’s African American Heritage

For anyone interested in African American history, Jackson, Mississippi holds attractions you should not skip. From the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum through to the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center, you are in for a treat.

Mississippi Civil Rights Museum

The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum is a state-of-the-art facility telling the story of the civil rights movement in Mississippi. You come away knowing the men and women who fought for freedom and equality through that turbulent period of the nation’s history.

Eight galleries carry the museum, covering everything from slavery to the present day. Interactive exhibits and powerful artifacts sit alongside firsthand accounts from people who lived through the civil rights movement.

Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center

The Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center is a comprehensive depository of artifacts portraying African American Mississippians’ experience across history, art, music and literature. The museum stands on the site of Jackson’s first school for Black children in 1894 and now works as a museum and cultural center teaching the public about the African American experience in the Deep South.

The collections run from photographs and paintings through to musical instruments and clothing. You come away with the contributions of African Americans to Mississippi’s cultural heritage laid out, the blues, gospel music and literature included.

To learn more about African American history in Mississippi, put the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center on the list. Neither will disappoint.

Jackson’s Unique Museums

History buffs have a lot to work with in Jackson, particularly on museums. Here are two unusual ones to check out:

Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum

Curious how agriculture and forestry shaped Mississippi’s economy and culture? The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum is the answer. Exhibits cover the state’s agricultural and forestry practices from the early 1800s through to the present day, and the equipment and tools used by farmers and foresters are all on display.

The Heritage Center is the highlight here, a collection of historic buildings moved onto the museum grounds. A grist mill, a log cabin, a blacksmith shop and more sit inside it. Farm animals fill out the rest, cows, pigs and chickens among them.

Museum of Mississippi History

To learn more about the history of Mississippi, the Museum of Mississippi History is the place. It covers the state from prehistoric times through to the present day. Exhibits take in the state’s Native American heritage, its role in the Civil War and its part in the Civil Rights Movement.

The highlight is the This Little Light of Mine exhibit, carrying the stories of Mississippians who fought for civil rights. Artifacts from the state’s past fill the rest, including a 1903 Cadillac built in Jackson.

Both museums belong on any Jackson itinerary. They give you an unusual view of Mississippi’s past and present, and they land well with history buffs of any age.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you recommend some free things to do in Jackson?

Jackson has plenty of free things to do that will not touch your budget. Take a stroll through LeFleur’s Bluff State Park, visit the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, or work through the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center. For something more adventurous, a self-guided tour of the Mississippi State Capitol Building costs nothing, teaches you plenty and fills an afternoon well.

What’s the number one tourist attraction in Mississippi?

We hate to play favorites, but the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum stands among the leading attractions in the state. The museum tells the story of the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi through powerful exhibits, artifacts and interactive displays. Anyone interested in history or social justice, or simply after something thought-provoking, should go.

Is Jackson Mississippi worth visiting or should I just stay home?

We may be a little biased, but Jackson earns the visit. The historical depth, the culture and the friendly locals mean there is always something to see and do. The food helps too, since soul food, barbecue and international cuisine are all covered. Why stay home when Jackson is sitting there?

How can I spend a day in Jackson MS without getting bored?

Easily. Start the day with coffee and a pastry from one of Jackson’s charming cafes. Then take a stroll through the Mississippi Museum of Art or the Mississippi Children’s Museum. For lunch, pick one of Jackson’s restaurants, The Pig & Pint or The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen among them. In the afternoon, work through the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum or walk the Belhaven neighborhood. If you are still going, catch a show at the Thalia Mara Hall or the New Stage Theatre.

What’s Jackson MS known for besides being the capital of Mississippi?

Jackson is known for a long list of things. It carries some of the strongest blues music anywhere, along with a thriving arts scene and a deep literary history. The city is also famous for its cuisine, soul food, barbecue and seafood included. Then there are the friendly locals, who are always glad to show visitors around and share what they love about Jackson.

Frequently asked questions about Jackson, Mississippi

Is the Jackson Zoo a full morning with kids?

A morning, comfortably. The Jackson Zoo runs endangered species alongside the more exotic animals, and the Splash Pad at Lakeland Terrace gives everyone somewhere to cool down once the heat of the day lands. Feeding the giraffes is the part the children keep talking about the following day. Strollers manage the paths around the enclosures without any real difficulty at all. Go early in the day, because the afternoons here get heavy through the summer months.

Which Jackson museum works for children?

The children’s museum, without any contest. Interactive exhibits and hands-on activities keep younger visitors occupied rather than merely walked through, and the outdoor play area adds a giant slide and a splash pad to the mix. The natural science museum is the next step up from there for them. Its fossil hall holds a 70-foot-long mosasaur, which works on any age at all. Save the civil rights museums for older children who are able to carry them.

Is LeFleur’s Bluff State Park good for a family day?

Yes, and it will cost you nothing. The park holds a lake, nature trails and campsites, so a group can split up in the morning and still meet each other for lunch. Renting a boat out turns the water into the whole afternoon for you. Deer and turtles will show themselves to anyone walking quietly enough. It sits close enough to downtown that a museum morning and a park afternoon fit together very comfortably.

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