The Gems of Jackson Mississippi
- Savvy Single Mama
- Mar 4
- 8 min read
Updated: 4 minutes ago
Jackson Mississippi, Capitol and gateway to the South has been dubbed, "the City with Soul". When visiting recently I was able to discover these gems of Jackson and wanted to share for others planning trips to this area. What I found was an affordable destination for a family trip or girl's trip with lots to do in the area, and a unique vibe, otherwise referred to as soul.
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Johnston Regional Airport (JNX) is easy to navigate, with two concourses and 19 Gates. The capitol of Mississippi had me not knowing what to expect when planning for this trip! I’d heard mixed reviews: everything from it’s not safe to you are going to love it! I’d already explored Natchez, and the Gulf Coast areas, so this felt like a treat. Learning so much about one state is the reason I started this Blog in the first place.
Bonus: I would be here working alongside coworkers, and I knew we would have a little time to eat and explore! A few things I quickly discovered: This is a city where you do bring children. Their Children’s Museum, Science Center, and playgrounds are seriously top of the top notch. The Fondren District had me feeling like I was pretty special! And the heart and soul here are warm, people are so kill you with kindness kind! Here are the things you’ll want to know planning your trip to Jackson Mississippi, like where to eat, sleep, and spent your time for a great experience.
You're Here! Let's go experience local Gems!
The Museum Trail: With over two dozen museums to choose from, many of which connect by Museum Trail, which aside from being a great walking way is home to one of the longest murals in Mississippi. This trail will eventually combine 6 miles of trails connecting the Arts district with other attractions, nature, and greenspace. At a scenic 3 miles right now, it connects the Mississippi Farmer’s Market at High Street, through Belhaven Neighborhood, and ends at LeFleur’s Bluff State Park along Museum Boulevard.
What’s down the line for Jackson resembles the Belt Line of ATL or Highline of NYC, but with the Mississippi Prairie lands as a beautiful backdrop for both nature and city to blend into one trail. The Museum Trail is already a hit!
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Le Fleur’s Bluff State Park - I pulled up on a Winter Day and asked at the gate if I could just drive in and take a look. The kindest attendant raised the gate and told me to enjoy my drive. People just don't exist like this where I am from. It was December and chilly, and the park did not have a ton of guests visiting. Over 300 acres of fun along the Pearl River, here you can fish, camp, picnic, walk the trails, or play 18-hole disc golf.
Le Fleur in Fresh means "the flower" and I am sure this park has tons during Spring and Summer. In Winter, it was nature's resting place, with welcome arms and a quiet colorful array of peace.
Eudora Welty House and Garden - This was my personal favorite stop. Mostly because I love to write, and she was a Pulitzer Prize Award Winning Author. It's a well done National Historic Landmark. A very personal look into the life of the author, her perspective and upbringing all introduced to the visitor. Her home and gardens are open for a deeper look into the life of Eudora, along with a certain cultural awareness which seeps into all her words.
The surrounding Garden, which was wonderful in winter, must be amazing to see when it's in bloom. Eudora Welty was not just an author but a gardener, and her mother designed the grounds. The curator there told me about some of their events and garden parties which are hosted on site. If I lived here, I'd greatly enjoy all of this. While I was visiting, they were preparing for bitter cold coming and moving all of the plants into a greenhouse storage. Just in this conversation I was given lots of ideas for my home garden and appreciation for the propagation of plants.
Free self-guided experiences (not house tours) Tue –Fri: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday: 12:30 to 4 pm.
The Old Capitol Museum is open Wednesday - Friday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Reservations are preferred. Email ocmscheduling@mdah.ms.gov to schedule. A National Landmark and example of Greek Revival architecture. Replaced by the "new" Capitol Building in the early 1900s. Th New Capitol is right across the street and both beautiful testaments of architecture can be seen back-to-back, or front to front! Inside the old: Beautiful curved staircase, library, Appellate Court, the Senate and House rooms, aside from the historical factor, there's a preservation gallery to show how the entire restoration.
Mississippi Museum of Art - Closed on Monday, Open 11 - 5 Tue - Sat and 1 - 5 Sunday.
The largest museum in Mississippi, with a beautiful 1.2-acre art garden. The free permanent collection features American and British painters as well as photographs, sculpture, and collage. Walk through the halls which feature some beautiful pieces and enjoy the journey!
Mississippi Civil Rights Museum - Witness the interactive Freedom Struggle which takes place in eight interactive galleries. This museum is connected to the History Museum, the use of multimedia to tell a power story is unparalleled. The story being told is of tragic past and an uprising to overcome. Many hours may be spent here, combing through history shared within its walls.
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For Kids:
LeFleur Bluff Education and Tourism Complex is a shared space between two amazing hands-on museums for children of ALL ages. This 30,000-square-foot playground is a family friendly state-of-the-art wonderland. I was visiting for work, and wished my grand girls were there to go be a child and enjoy the entire complex. I wonder how long you'd need before running out of things to do? A week?
Mississippi Children’s Museum – Not only is this a super fun, fresh learning oasis, but their website is cool too. They have lot's of resources and at home activities for any age. Talk about a place that makes learning feel like playing. Curiosity by the bucket, this is a great place for kids of all ages. There's a1,700-square foot greenhouse known as "the Swamp", a Preschool Discovery Room, featuring colorful murals and an iconic giant treehouse with a slide, and a Dinosaur Trail. Kids LOVE this stuff.
Mississippi Museum of Natural Science - within LeFleur's Bluff State Park, this museum hosts over 200 living species in our 100,000-gallon aquarium, and multiple exhibits both permanent and temporary.
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Places to eat:
Saltine - Inside of a huge brick school building converted into a food hall and business building, Saltine takes the main stage here with an impressive menu, excellent atmosphere and delicious food!
The Iron Horse Grill - Okay this is just a cool place to go. It helps the food is incredible too. A once deserted distribution plant, this is now a historic landmark restaurant with a museum. I love a good revitalization story this one rises from the ashes into a new creation.
Anjou - A classic French Bistro, this is a place you'll get an old-world flavor mixed with southern cuisine style for eating some delicious cuisine.
Music
*Live Blues at Hal and Mal's - every Monday night in the Red Room, the Mississippi Blues Society presents a nightly line up with an acoustic hour, band, bluesy menu, and a cash bar. This venue is well known along the Mississippi Blue's Trail as it has hosted many renown musicians. Local talent has taken this stage to an audience of the people and this cultural hub keeps a crowd! Free parking and security are part of the deal!
Where to Stay:
I LOVED this new hotel - The Homewood Suites where my suite was like an apartment. Full kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom all in a square lay out with a separate living and sleeping space. So clean! The best thing about this location was the location! Walking distance to food, movies, bowling, shopping and also the Medical Center. We stayed in the Fondren District. I strongly recommend this area for families or hipsters, travelers who want the revitalized experience. But be aware, this is revitalized from being a prior Mississippi Lunatic Asylum! Now filled with boutiques and cafes, the history is another example of crazy things have happened here.
Shopping:
In a world of places to shop, this may not seem like a top choice for new items, but I have to tell you the stores we visited, had great selections and prices I haven't seen in a long time! The museums here had quality items with reasonable price tags. Usually this is a way to pay entirely too much.
I know there are way trendier places, but I had to take an additional bag back to Florida because of all the deals I found at Ross. I can usually control my urge to buy and spend while I'm traveling because I already know I don't have enough space for a big shop. I threw reason out the window at the Jacksonville Ross. Winter coats, pajamas, baby clothes, picture frames, self-care items I've been looking for - I know, I want to shout out the local small businesses, but I got to keep it real too. Their Ross is so much better than ours, which was fully stocked and fashionable.
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I specialize in helping families spend more time enjoying their quality time together and less time having to figure it all out. My four children have been my test subjects of how to plan a great family adventure for many years and now that my youngest is 20, many of my travels are work related, or grandma related! As time has changed, we've evolved but we still LOVE TO TRAVEL, explore, wander, visit, discover, learn and love. Where there is nature, I find my happy place. I use the term single not to emphasize my status but to signify that if I can manage some family fun on a limited teacher's salary with four children, anyone can do it. I am very intentional in how I spend my time and earnings. I plan, research and typically seek out budget friendly ways to enjoy my time, but will occasionally splurge for the right reasons :-) I am happy to share what I've learned and itineraries we've tested to make your travels easier to navigate.
Happy Travels!!
If you'd like to see more about my adventure to Natural Bridge in Daniel Boone National Forest, click here.
Wherever your travels take you, be sure to keep your presence in the moment.
Enjoy where you are at. Be a little flexible with people and their navigation of time.
Let go of things you can't control. Breathe deeply. Take in the scene. Stop and smell the flowers.
Remember to put your people above things and cherish the memories.
💜
A note from the editor:
The information in this article was accurate when published but may change without notice. Confirm details when planning your trip.
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If you have more plans for Mississippi, let's visit two more areas!
Visiting Biloxi Mississippi? Visiting Natchez?
