Beautiful Jackson

Jackson is the capital of the U.S. state of Mississippi.

The Mississippi Freedom Trail runs throughout the state and includes historic sites which were significant in the Civil Rights Movement.

The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science offers information about the state’s natural landscape and its inhabitants. There are wildlife exhibits and an aquarium with more than 200 species. Since the museum cares about preserving the nature of Mississippi there is an outdoor center as well. You can relax here and walk along the nature trails.

The Mississippi State Capitol was completed in 1903. Among its highlights is a 180-foot dome roof with a 15-foot eagle coated in gold leaf. When legislative sessions occur, visitors can view the Senate and House sessions from the public gallery. The building is a National Historic Landmark.

The Old Capitol Museum has found its home in one of the most historic buildings in the state. This is a National Historic Landmark and has information about some of the most meaningful moments for both Mississippi and the entire nation. At this location the 1839 Married Women’s Property Act was passed, the 1868 and 1890 constitutions were drawn up here and Mississippi officially seceded from the Union in 1861.

The Mississippi Museum of Art has many windows that let in natural light which illuminates the inside. Some of the artwork found here is by American artists including Arthur B. Davies, Robert Henri, Reginald Marsh, and Thomas Sully. You can enjoy relaxing on the patio and terrace.

Fondren District is Jackson's art district located between the railroad and Interstate 55 from Northside Drive to Woodrow Wilson Avenue.

The area has a vibrant and lively art scene. There are unique boutiques, cafes, and bakeries. You'll also find many art galleries and live music to serenade passersby.

The Eudora Welty House is a National Historic Landmark and was once the home of internationally acclaimed author Eudora Welty. Here you can see paintings, linens, furniture, rugs, and photos. There is an impressive collection of books. You can also tour the lovely gardens. Visitors can watch a film that gives important background information and then can see the many exhibits.

The Mississippi Governor’s Mansion is an impressive example of Greek Revival architecture from the 1840s. This is the second oldest continuously occupied governor’s residence in the country and a National Historic Landmark.

The Boyd House is also known as “The Oaks”. It is one of the city's oldest homes built in 1853. Today this Greek-Revival cottage is the state headquarters for the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America and a museum. The home has most of its original features.

The Russell C. Davis Planetarium is one of the top planetariums in the South. The dome features a digital cinema offering visitors a full-dome visual experience. Here you can learn all about astronomy, celestial navigation, and voyages through space. This is one of the largest facilities of its type in the country. It hosts film screenings, festivals, and fashion shows.

The Mississippi Children’s Museum offers interesting and educational exhibits. Everyone can get a hands-on experience with the interactive exhibits. There are also exhibits that are related to the culture and heritage of the state including its history and geography.

The Oaks is a Mississippi landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the oldest residence in the city of Jackson. It was built in 1853 in the Greek Revival style.

The Jackson Zoo is home to 380 animals and 202 species. There are ten endangered species among them leopards, spider monkeys, chimps, hippos, and lemurs. For kids, there is a splash pad where they can play in the water.

LeFleur’s Bluff State Park is a green and lush park that includes a nine-hole golf course and a driving range. You can enjoy camping, hiking, and fishing. LeFleur was a French-Canadian explorer who set up a trading post in the 1700s on the Pearl River. The city’s original French name was LeFleur’s Bluff. It is a great place to escape from the noise of the city.

Fountainhead is also called the J. Willis Hughes House and was designed in the Usonian style by the great architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of only four Wright homes in the state.

The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum has interesting exhibits, memorials, and films that will take you from the end of the Civil War through the 1970s. Memorials include monoliths that are dedicated to lynching victims and multiple theaters show films about pivotal moments. There is information about the important role of the church in building community and stories about civil rights activists during the turbulent 1960s.

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum has displays dealing with the history of agriculture and forestry and its impact on Mississippi. Among the highlights here is the “Small Town Mississippi” area featuring replicas of what a typical town looked like in the 1920s. The Heritage Center is a major exhibit showing how the transportation methods by rail, water, and land relate to agriculture and forestry.

Two miles outside of Jackson you'll find the Mississippi Petrified Forest. This is an ancient forest that was turned into stone by time. There are several trails to explore. Visitors enjoy the “caveman's bench”, a conveniently situated section of petrified wood. Here you'll also find the Earth Science Museum which has a collection of fossils.