Discover Jackson’s Gems: A Culture Lover’s Dream Trip

Stay connected with Airtel’s international roaming plans as you discover Jackson’s gems, ensuring reliable communication while exploring the city’s rich cultural heritage, vibrant arts scene, and unique historical attractions.

With a rich past, vibrant arts scene, and pretty parks, Jackson charms visitors. Mississippi’s capital brims with stories and sites worth exploring. The ‘City with Soul’ keeps it real—a place where history echoes in civil rights landmarks and blues music spills onto streets. Art thrives in funky galleries and pretty gardens bloom. Ready to uncover Jackson’s treasures? Let’s dive into 10 top things to do in Jackson Mississippi:

1. Mississippi Civil Rights Museum

Start your Jackson journey at this moving museum. Opened in 2017, its interactive exhibits trace the struggle for equality in Mississippi. Eight themed galleries cover key events like the Freedom Rides and Emmett Till’s murder trial. Photos, artifacts, and personal stories humanise history. Don’t miss the Wall of Martyrs, memorializing those who died fighting injustice. The museum sits next to the Museum of Mississippi History—your ticket covers both.

• Address: 222 North St #2205, Jackson, MS 39201

• Hours: Tue-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm

• Tickets: $15 adults, $13 seniors, $8 students

2. Mississippi Museum of Art

Next up: the state’s largest art gallery in Jackson. This airy space spotlights regional artists and rotating exhibits. The permanent collection spans 5,500 works, from antebellum portraits to contemporary sculptures. Check out pieces by notable Mississippians like Walter Anderson and Marie Hull. Outside, stroll the tranquil Art Garden dotted with native plants and installations. Refuel with coffee and pastries at the onsite cafe.

• Address: 380 S Lamar St, Jackson, MS 39201

• Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm

• Tickets: $15 adults, $13 seniors, $10 students (garden free)

3. Eudora Welty House & Garden

Bibliophiles, make a beeline for this literary landmark. Pulitzer winner Eudora Welty called this Tudor Revival cottage home for 76 years. It looks just as it did in her day, down to the books on her bedside table. Hour-long tours share stories behind family heirlooms and how the garden inspired Welty’s poetic descriptions. Outside, a secret garden bursts with camellias, dogwoods, and azaleas she planted herself. The house-museum also hosts special events and writers’ workshops.

• Address: 1119 Pinehurst St, Jackson, MS 39202

• Hours: Tues-Fri 9am-3pm, Second Saturdays 12:30pm-3pm

• Tickets: $5 adults, $3 students/seniors, cash only

4. LeFleur’s Bluff State Park

Need a nature break? Stuff to do in Jackson Mississippi abounds at this 305-acre oasis. Hit hiking trails that loop through forests, around lakes, and past cypress swamps. Rent bikes to pedal the paved routes or get out on the water in a kayak. Kids love the playgrounds and disc golf course. History buffs can tour the Mayes Lake archaeological site, an ancient Native American settlement. Entrance is free, but some activities have fees. Campsites and cabins are available for overnighters.

• Address: 3315 Lakeland Terrace, Jackson, MS 39216

• Hours: 8am-5pm daily

• Entrance: Free, fees for some activities and camping

5. Jackson Zoo

Animal lovers won’t want to skip the 110-acre Jackson Zoo. This historic menagerie houses over 200 critters, from big cats to tiny tamarin monkeys. See Amur leopards prowl in a misty Asian forest and watch chimps chase each other on Chimp Hill. The African rainforest section gets you nose-to-nose with real pygmy hippos and grey parrots. Check the daily schedule for zookeeper chats, animal feedings, and safari train rides. Pack a picnic or grab burgers at the Elephant House Cafe.

• Address: 2918 W Capitol St, Jackson, MS 39209

• Hours: Thu-Sun 10am-4pm

• Tickets: $10 adults, $9 seniors, $7 kids 2-12

6. Farish Street Historic District

This downtown neighbourhood was the heart of Jackson’s black community in the early 20th century. Today, its blues clubs and historic markers make for an enriching stroll. See the worn wood stage where Elmore James and Ike Turner once strummed at the legendary Alamo Theatre. Civil rights sites like the Farish Street Baptist Church and Collins Funeral Home also line the lane. Grab authentic eats at the Big Apple Inn, known for its ‘Smokes & Ears’ sausage and pig ear sandwiches since 1939.

7. Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum

Dive into the state’s farming heritage at this sprawling complex. It features a recreated 1920s cotton town complete with a general store, blacksmith shop, and church. Interpreters share tales of rural life and demonstrate old-timey skills like quilting and syrup making. The National Agricultural Aviation Museum onsite displays crop dusters and tells how planes revolutionised farming. Kids dig milking a pretend cow and riding the carousel. Check the event calendar for festivals and demos.

• Address: 1150 Lakeland Dr, Jackson, MS 39216

• Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm

• Tickets: $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 kids 3-17

8. Mississippi Children’s Museum

Traveling with tots? Let them loose at one of the top family-friendly things to do in Jackson Mississippi. This hands-on wonderland packs in 40,000 square feet of interactive exhibits. Littles can shop for plastic produce at a mini grocery store, host a pretend TV news report, and clamber up a giant Scrabble wall. The World at Work gallery gets kids trying on different career hats, from dentist to forklift driver. Outside, a garden teaches eco lessons and invites picnics by the duck pond.

• Address: 2145 Museum Blvd, Jackson, MS 39202

• Hours: Tue-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1pm-6pm

• Tickets: $10 per person, babies under 1 free

9. Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

Find more kid-approved fun at this museum and 300-acre park. Inside, you’ll come face to fossil with a T-rex skeleton and life-sized tiger replicas. Fish fans can check out over 200 species of aquatic critters in a huge aquarium. The Preschool Discovery Room invites creative play with nature themes. Outdoors, an open-air amphitheater hosts creature features and two miles of boardwalks lace through forest and wetlands. Rent fishing gear to cast for bass and bream in onsite ponds.

• Address: 2148 Riverside Dr, Jackson, MS 39202

• Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm

• Tickets: $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 kids 3-18

10. Russell C Davis Planetarium

Cap off your trip with an interstellar adventure. Recently renovated, this cosmic theatre projects mind-blowing space shows on a 360-degree dome. Sit back and zip to Saturn’s rings, land on an asteroid, and ponder the vastness of our universe. Different shows target various ages, from starry storytimes to in-depth astronomy talks. Check the calendar for laser light concerts that pair dizzying visuals with pumping tunes by Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and more.

• Address: 201 E Pascagoula St, Jackson, MS 39201

• Hours: Sat 10:30am-5pm, by appointment for groups

• Tickets: $7 adults, $6 seniors/kids

Stay Connected in Jackson, Mississippi with Airtel

Ready to explore Jackson’s rich history, bold art, and natural beauty? A little planning goes a long way in ensuring a smooth trip. Book your hotels in Jackson in advance for better rates and availability, especially during peak seasons. Consider accommodations near the attractions on your bucket list to minimise transit time.

Speaking of staying connected, an international roaming pack is a must. With Airtel’s Postpaid International Roaming plans, you’ll enjoy seamless network access across the city. That means no hassle navigating, posting updates, or making reservations on the fly. Airtel has you covered, so you can focus on soaking up Jackson’s soul.

From museums to parks to planetariums, Mississippi’s capital offers something for every traveller. Hope this guide to the top things to do in Jackson Mississippi helps you plan an unforgettable trip. Have you visited any of these spots or have questions about the city? Let me know in the comments below. Happy travels!