The capital of Mississippi, Jackson is located roughly in the center of the state to the east of the delta region. Given its size and stature, Jackson is the undisputed cultural capital of the state even if it doesn’t offer the same level of blues-related places of interest as other smaller towns in Mississippi. It does, however, feature rodeo attractions, numerous museums and the best dining options this side of the Mississippi River.
As would be expected of the state capital, Jackson is home to numerous art galleries, the most celebrated of which is the Mississippi Museum of Art featuring famous works of the state. Jackson is home to a number of well-known historical buildings including the Governor’s mansion, which dates back to the 1840s, making it the second oldest continuously occupied state governor’s residence in the US and one of the best examples of Greek revival architecture in the country.
Jackson is great for trying typical southern fare, Cajun dishes and more exotic cuisine like Japanese and even Lebanese. The downtown area is also home to numerous excellent seafood restaurants that ship fresh fish up from the Mexican Gulf coast.
Highlights
Governor’s Mansion: dating back to 1842, this Greek revival-style building is still in great shape and is one of the most aesthetically pleasing structures in Jackson.
Mississippi Museum of Art: a well-stocked collection of some of the best paintings in the state meaning it’s a who’s who of Mississippi painters.
Jackson Zoo: parrots, elephants and tigers make this well-run zoo an excellent venue to bring children for the day.
Jackson Planetarium: laser shows, films and a range of interactive exhibits mean this attraction is as popular as when it first opened 25 years ago.