Jackson

Jackson is the capital of the state of Mississippi. While it may not offer much in terms of tourism today, Jackson can be used as a stopover for getting to other parts of the state or further.

Understand

Before Jackson became Jackson, a village sprang up around a trading post on the Pearl River called LeFleur's Bluff. Even while the Choctaw Nation called this area home, Mississippi was created in 1817 and early government officials from Natchez selected this site for a new capital in 1821.

Jackson was slow to take off, but the Confederacy used it as a manufacturing center and military hospital during the war. General Tecumseh Sherman noted its significance and burned it once on his way to the military campaign in Vicksburg and then once again to completion after Confederate troops from the city had blundered a sort of revenge attack. Thus a lot of antebellum architecture went up in flames, sparing pretty much only the original capitol building and governor's home.

Thereafter Jackson eventually became the major metropolitan area in the state after wresting that status from Meridian. But, as elsewhere in the South, racial inequality permeated society, and Jackson became a significant site for Civil Rights movement activity from Freedom Riders demonstrations to marches.

Tourist information

• Visit Jackson website

Get in

By plane

• 1 Jackson-Evers International Airport (JAN  ^IATA), 100 International Dr, ☏ +1 601 939-5631. With direct flights from a number of major cities by Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United, and American Eagle. Flights from regional hubs (Charlotte, Memphis, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston (Bush and Hobby), Atlanta, Chicago (Midway and O'Hare), Baltimore, Washington-National, Orlando).  

By train

Amtrak serves Jackson with the once-daily City of New Orleans between Chicago and New Orleans. 2 Union Station is located at 300 W Capitol St, just west of downtown. The station also serves as a hub for local buses.

By bus

• Greyhound, Union Station, 300 W Capital St. offers buses from Union Station in downtown Jackson. Keep in mind the area immediately around the station and to the south is not the best at night. 

By car

Downtown Jackson is situated just northwest of the junction of Interstate 55 (running north and south) and Interstate 20 (running east and west). New Orleans, LA is about 190 miles south of Jackson; Memphis, TN. is about 210 miles north; Dallas, TX is about 300 miles west; Atlanta, GA is about 320 miles east.

Get around

JATRAN, the city transit system, has buses from Union Station six days a week until shortly after 5PM each day. Their phone number is: +1 601-948-7140 Pick up route schedules at the JATRAN office, open weekdays inside Union Station.

The JATRAN is not considered safe or efficient transportation by locals.

See

Landmarks and monuments

• 1 Old Capitol Museum, 100 S State St. A vestige of the past that escaped Sherman's scorching tactics, it was the original MS statehouse from 1839-1903.  
• 2 New State Capitol, 400 High St, ☏ +1 601 359-3114. Built in 1903 in Beaux Arts style, with a classy rotunda and all. Sometimes the golden American Bald Eagle atop the building will shift direction a little due to severe weather.  
• 3 Supreme Court Building, 450 High St, ☏ +1 601 359-3694.  
• 4 War Memorial Building, 120 S State St. (updated Aug 2019)
• 5 Mississippi Governor's Mansion, 300 E Capitol St, ☏ +1 601-359-6421. Tu-F 9:30-11:30AM. A fine specimen of architecture from the antebellum period that made it through the Civil War. (updated Aug 2019)
• 6 Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, 2332 Margaret W Alexander Dr, ☏ +1 601 345-7211. Displays the home of civil rights activist Medgar Evers where he was assassinated in his carport in 1963.  

Museums

• 7 Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, 222 North St, ☏ +1 601 576-6800. Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. Jackson was an important scene in the Civil Rights movement of the US. This museum covers that. (updated Dec 2017)
• 8 Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum, 1150 Lakeland Dr, ☏ +1 601-432-4500. M-Sa 9AM-5PM. Here you'll find a living history farm on an original (relocated) farmstead and practically everything you wanted to know about cotton and catfish rearing, plus gardens, a farm animal barnyard, and exhibits on typical agrarian town life and blacksmithing. Offers train and carousel rides for $1. $6/adult $4/concession. 
• 9 Mississippi Museum of Art, 380 S Lamar St, ☏ +1 601-960-1515. Th-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. With works by O'Keeffe and Cassatt but also Mississippian artists as well. free.  
• 10 Russell C Davis Planetarium, 201 E Pascagoula St, ☏ +1 601 960-1552. Mostly centered around a cinematic experience. $8 adults, for the digital show. 
• 11 Mississippi Children's Museum, 2145 Museum Blvd, ☏ +1 601-981-5469. (updated Aug 2019)
• 12 Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, 2148 Riverside Dr, ☏ +1 601-576-6000, fax: +1 601 354-7227. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. A museum whose mission is focused on the promotion and protection of Mississippi's natural landscape and its inhabitant. Part of the LeFleur Museum District Pass $6/adult $4/child $5/senior, free for children under 3.  
• Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, 1152 Lakeland Dr, ☏ +1 601 982-8264. (updated Dec 2017)
• 13 International Museum of Muslim Cultures, 201 E Pascagoula St, ☏ +1 601-960-0440. (updated Aug 2019)
• 14 Eudora Welty House & Garden, 1109 Pinehurst St, ☏ +1 601 353-7762. house tours by reservation. Home of fairly renowned Jacksonian writer who described life as she knew it in the early 20th century in her books like One Writer's Beginnings. $10 adult, $8 senior. (updated Aug 2021)
• 15 Light and Glass Studio, 147 Millsaps Ave, ☏ +1 601-942-7285. (updated Aug 2019)

Parks

• 16 Jackson Zoo, 2918 W Capitol St, ☏ +1 601-352-2580.  
• 17 LeFleur's Bluff State Park, 3315 Lakeland Terrace, ☏ +1 601-987-3923. Daily 8:00AM-5PM. Marks the site slightly northeast of downtown where the first European settler in the area, a French trader named Louis Lefleur, set up a trading post on the Pearl River that would eventually become the city of Jackson. Aside from historical points of interest, there are also short nature trails, an impoundment for fishing/canoeing, a golf course, and a campground. $2 per person daily admission, more for camping. (updated Sep 2024)
• 18 Mynelle Gardens, 4736 Clinton Blvd, ☏ +1 601 960-1894. Mar-Oct: daily 9AM-5PM; Nov-Feb: M-Sa 8AM-4PM. The gardens are 7 acres long and can be rented out for events. 
• 19 Battlefield Park, 953 Porter St.  
• 20 Byram Swinging Bridge, 100 Swinging Bridge Dr. Attractive pedestrian bridge across the Pearl. (updated Dec 2021)

Do

• On the weekends you can always find live shows to attend, such as at the Jackson Convention Complex or elsewhere. Jackson has a blossoming music scene, and various bars such as Martins, WC Dons, and Hal & Mal's often feature music ranging from Heavy Metal, to Indie Rock, to Blue Grass. The three aforementioned bars are all located in the same inlet off of State Street, and also just south of the Pearl Street exit from I55.
• Dixie National Livestock Show, Parade and Rodeo, Mississippi Coliseum and Fairgrounds, 1207 Mississippi St. The Wild West Rodeo comes to Jackson each year with this exciting event. 
• Mississippi Braves minor league (AA) baseball - Pearl, MS
• Mississippi Brilla pro-soccer - Clinton, MS
• John M. Perkins Foundation, 1831 Robinson Street, offering insights and tours on Jackson's city scene and some of its enduring struggles with inequality.

Buy

• Fondren District, North State Street from Woodrow Wilson to Meadowbrook Rd. Office: 3318 North State Street, +1 601-981-9606. Shopping, antiques, restaurants and more in this quaint neighborhood that is reinventing itself.
• Highland Village, 4500 I-55 N, ☏ +1 601-982-5861. (updated May 2021)
• 1 Northpark Mall, 1200 E County Line Rd (I-55 Exit 103), ☏ +1 601 863 2300. M-Th 11AM-8PM, F Sa 11AM-9PM, Su noon-6PM. (updated Feb 2018)
• 2 Dogwood Festival Market, 150 Dogwood Blvd, Flowood, info@shopdogwoodfestival.com. (updated May 2021)
• Renaissance at Colony Park, 1000 Highland Colony Pkwy, Ridgeland. 
• 3 Outlets of Mississippi, 200 Bass Pro Dr, Pearl, ☏ +1 769-972-3000. The state's largest outlet shopping destination. Stores include COACH Factory, Michael Kors, Gap Factory Store, Banana Republic Factory Store, Chico's Outlet, Nike Factory Store and rue21. It has 8 charging stations for Tesla drivers. (updated Dec 2021)

Eat

• 1908 Provisions-Fairview Inn, Belhaven Neighborhood (Downtown Jackson), Casual Fine Dining, Southern Cuisine, Lunch, Dinner and Sunday Brunch +1 601 948-3429
• Aladdin's, on Lakeland West, right before you reach State Street. Authentic and delicious Mediterranean.
• Little Tokyo, in Ridgeland near the Northpark Mall (+1-601-991-3800, 876 Avery Blvd N, Ridgeland). This is not a sushi-buffet restaurant, but their food is very good. If you're want to save money go during lunch, and purchase one of their bento-box specials (about $6-7).
• 1 Big Apple Inn, 509 N Farish S, ☏ +1 601-354-4549. Fourth generation-owned sandwich shop and an institution in Jackson. Serves the classic smokes & ears sandwich, with pig's ears. (updated Aug 2016)
• 2 The Iron Horse Grill, 320 W Pearl St, ☏ +1 601-398-0151. Located in an historic smokehouse near downtown. (updated Dec 2017)
• 3 Mayflower Cafe, 123 W Capitol St, ☏ +1 601 355-4122. M-Sa 11AM-10:30PM. Located in Downtown Jackson. Absolutely fantastic seafood. Try the broiled redfish with lump crab meat on top. Other specialties are the scallops and the shrimp. (updated Aug 2016)
• Pizza Shack. Located on Fortification Street across from the Baptist Health Center. Pizza Shack is Jackson's best pizza restaurant and offers a number of local favorites in addition to pizza. Priced very modestly and near the heart of the city, Pizza Shack is one of Jackson's best locally owned restaurants.
• Amerigo's, 6592 Old Canton Rd Ridgeland, ☏ +1 601 977-0563. Tasteful Italian servings. 
• Cock of the Walk, 13560 US 49 North (a good 15 miles north of Jackson, when you see the chicken statue out in front of this rural location, you're here), ☏ +1 601 362-0438. Tu-Su 11AM-8PM. A great choice for Southern cooking. 
• Mama Hamil's, 751 US-51, Madison. Another homey Southern cooking option, with appetizing comfort food and buffet. 
• The Bulldog, 6111 Ridgewood Rd. Pub chain, with, as you might guess, pub food. And a Barkade (arcade)... 
• La Cazuela, 1401 E Fortification St. It has a nice patio from which to enjoy your cerveza and fajitas. 
• Margaritas, 1625 E County Line Rd #120. This place really has the Spanish Colonial feeling going, so it feels like you could actually be at an eatery in Guadalajara or someplace. 
• El Portrillo, 1390 W Government St, Brandon. Suburbia type Mexican eatery for those who just want a local neighborhood venue. 
• Zaxby's, 6330 Ridgewood Ct Dr and elsewhere. Chicken finger purveyor. 
• Raising Cane's, 930 E County Line Rd, Ridgeland. Zaxby's big competitor, the chickens don't stand a chance. 
• Newk's, 379 Ridge Way, Flowood and elsewhere. With its corporate office right in Jackson, this restaurant is well represented in the city, offering pizza and other favorites. 
• Piccadilly's, 4800, #1 Interstate 55 n, Jackson and elsewhere. Cafeteria style eatery. 
• Sal and Mookies, 200 District Blvd E, ☏ +1 601-368-1919. Great NY pizza restaurant and ice-cream parlor. Also one of the cities best beer bars. 
• Walker's Drive-In, State Street, Fondren District. Nicely appointed 1950s atmosphere restaurant with an elevated approach in its uniquely Southern epicurious menu. Wine, spirits, full bar selections. Moderate to high prices for dining.

Drink

• 1 Hal and Mal's, 200 Commerce St, ☏ +1 601-948-0888. Located near Pearl St. in downtown Jackson, Hal and Mals offers a wide selection of domestic, imported, and locally brewed beers along with burgers, po' boys, salads, and desserts. Hal and Mals is also the home of great live music acts and a weekly trivia night. 
• 2 Fenian's Pub, 901 E Fortification St, ☏ +1 601-948-0055. An Irish style pub, Fenian's, located on Fortification and Jefferson in the historic Belhaven area of the city, is where the local college kids hang out and fill their glasses (Milsaps College and Belhaven University are located less than a mile away). Fenian's never charges a cover and usually has some form of live entertainment nightly, ranging from live bands to Irish music to 'Open Mic Night'. Fenian's also hosts a large selection of Scotch and is very reasonably priced. (updated May 2015)

Sleep

• 1 Fairview Inn, 734 Fairview St, ☏ +1 888-948-1908. 18 rooms including suites, private baths, phones, voice mail, TV and VCR's, sitting rooms, toiletries, and air conditioning. Some rooms have jacuzzis, fireplaces, plus many other amenities. 
• 2 Hilton Garden Inn Jackson Downtown, 235 West Capitol St, ☏ +1 601-353-5464. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Was for many years known as the King Edward Hotel and is a city landmark. Just two blocks away is the Jackson Convention Complex. 
• Marriot Downtown. 
• Drury Inn & Suites Jackson Ridgeland, 610 E County Line Rd, Ridgeland. Indoor pool and spa. Complimentary breakfast and evening socials with hot dogs and things that will help your bowel out. 
• Holiday Inn (multiple locations). 
• Days Inn by Wyndham Pearl/Jackson Airport, 235 S Pearson Rd, Pearl. It means well, for a Days Inn. 
• Hampton Inn (multiple locations). 
• Best Western (multiple locations). 
• Comfort Suites Airport (multiple locations), 121 Hospitality Dr, Flowood. They even offer a shuttle to the airport. 
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Jackson Airport (multiple locations), 501 S Pearson Rd, Pearl. Won't disappoint if looking for the cookie-cutter hotel chain feel. $82. 
• 3 Old Capitol Inn, 226 N State St (from I-55 take Pearl Street exit (96-A) and turn north on State Street), ☏ +1 601 359 9000, toll-free: +1 888 359 9001. Housed in a former YWCA building, this property was renovated in 1996. It features three room types: standard rooms, one-bedroom suites, and honeymoon suites with whirlpool tubs. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, free gated parking, free Southern-style breakfast, an off-site fitness center next door, a roof-top garden, and a business center with computer and printer. $100-175. (updated Dec 2020)
• Hilton Jackson, 1001 E County Line Rd (From I-55 exit at County Line Road (Exit 103)), ☏ +1 601-957-2800. Amenities include on-site restaurant, outdoor pool, fitness center, executive lounge, business center, meeting rooms, free parking, free Wi-Fi. (updated Sep 2023)

Stay safe

• Areas of the city you may want to be aware of your surroundings are: 'south side of the city - Terry Road, Raymond Road, and McDowell Road. On the west side of the city - West Capital Street, some parts of Highway 80. On the northern area of the city - Baily Avenue, and parts of north-western part of the city: Woodrow Wilson Avenue and Northside Drive. Keep in mind that most of these areas are typically not visited by tourists, and they are mostly the older areas of the city that are in decline.
• Keep in mind that a majority of the crimes in the city of Jackson are typically residential house burglaries, and typically are not against individuals or tourists. However this does not mean you should let your guard down and leave your street smarts and common sense at home. The Jackson police department keeps weekly reports for public viewing of where crimes occur the city.
• Use the same precautions as you would in any large metropolitan city. Protect your vehicle by locking it up and activating the alarm system, and do not advertise yourself as being wealthy or as a tourist. If you are in an area of the city looks dilapidated, use common sense and promptly leave to more secure grounds.
• If staying at the hotels nearby the fairgrounds or the coliseum in Jackson, keep your room door locked and bolted, and always keep your vehicle locked and in a lit area (if possible). Use precautions whenever someone expectantly knocks on your room door, and immediately contact the front office to validate the hotel staff is requesting access into your room. Visitors to the area hotels have been victims of robberies and assaults in the past.

Cope

Consulates

Be aware, there are no official consulates in the state of Mississippi. An honorary consulate only represents the business interests of a nation, and cannot provide legal or emergency assistance to their fellow citizens.

• Germany (Honorary), 1020 Highland Colony Pkwy, Ste 200, Ridgeland, ☏ +1 601 790-8281, fax: +1 601 790-8192, ebarneyr@aol.com. 

Go next

Routes through Jackson

Memphis ← Yazoo City ←	N  S	→ Brookhaven → New Orleans
Vicksburg ← Clinton ←	W  E	→ Pearl → Meridian
Memphis ← Ridgeland ←	N  S	→ Brookhaven → New Orleans
Indianola/Greenwood ← Yazoo City ←	N  S	→ Pearl → Hattiesburg
Vicksburg ← Clinton ←	W  E	→ Pearl → Meridian
Tupelo ← Ridgeland ←	N  S	→ Clinton → Natchez