Jackson isn’t just Mississippi’s capital – it’s where history, culture, and Southern charm collide in the most delicious ways.
Think blues music drifting through the air, mouthwatering fried catfish that’ll make you weak in the knees, and civil rights landmarks that tell America’s story.
This city packs more personality per square mile than most places twice its size.
Whether you’re here for the legendary food scene, rich African American history, or surprisingly cool outdoor spaces, we’ve got your perfect Jackson itinerary.
From underground art museums to walkable historic districts, here are the 12 best things to do in Jackson, Mississippi that’ll give you the real deal Southern experience.
1. Mississippi Museum of Art – Best for Creative Souls & Culture Lovers
Jackson’s crown jewel of creativity, the Mississippi Museum of Art isn’t your typical stuffy gallery.
This free-admission space mixes Southern folk art with contemporary masterpieces in ways that’ll surprise you.
Their permanent collection includes 1,800+ works focusing on Mississippi artists, while the Art Garden outside transforms into an open-air concert venue on summer nights.
Don’t miss their community art programs where you can try your hand at painting or pottery.
Pro tip: Visit on Wednesday nights when they stay open late with live music and food trucks. It’s when the museum truly comes alive with local flavor.
2. LeFleur’s Bluff State Park – Best for Outdoor Adventures & Family Fun
Who knew Jackson had 450 acres of wilderness right in the city? LeFleur’s Bluff is where locals go to hike, fish, and escape the hustle without leaving town limits.
The 9-mile trail system winds through cypress swamps and hardwood forests where you might spot great blue herons or river otters.
Families love the playground and picnic areas, while serious anglers head to Mayes Lake for bass fishing.
New in 2024: Their disc golf course has become one of Mississippi’s best, with 18 challenging holes through scenic terrain. Bring your own discs or rent them onsite.
3. Mississippi Children’s Museum – Best for Families with Kids Under 12
Rainy day? The Mississippi Children’s Museum is pure magic for the under-12 crowd, with interactive exhibits that make learning ridiculously fun.
Kids can “perform” surgery in a mock OR, climb through a two-story Mississippi River exhibit, or get creative in the art studio.
The outdoor Literacy Garden features storybook characters come to life, complete with a child-sized version of the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Budget hack: Visit on the first Friday of each month when admission drops to just $5 per person.
4. Farish Street Historic District – Best for Music Lovers & History Buffs
Once called the “Black Wall Street of the South”, Farish Street’s restored storefronts now pulse with blues clubs and soul food joints.
This is where legendary musicians like Sonny Boy Williamson cut their teeth.
By day, take a self-guided walking tour past historic markers and murals. By night, catch live blues at F. Jones Corner, where the sweet tea flows as freely as the guitar licks.
Don’t leave without trying Big Apple Inn’s famous pig ear sandwiches (a Jackson staple since 1939).
Local secret: The Farish Street Heritage Festival each September turns the district into one massive block party with food, art, and nonstop music.
5. Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum – Best for Quirky Local Flavor
Where else can you tour a 1920s pioneer village, climb aboard a steam-powered sawmill, and meet baby goats all in one place? This 26-acre living history museum celebrates Mississippi’s farming roots in the most hands-on ways.
Kids go nuts for the heritage breed animals, while adults appreciate the antique tractors and blacksmith demonstrations.
Time your visit for their monthly farmers market where you can score just-picked pecans and homemade jams.
Don’t miss: The National Agricultural Aviation Museum onsite, showcasing crop dusters and flight simulators that’ll thrill aviation geeks.
6. Jackson Zoo – Best for Animal Encounters on a Budget
With 200+ animal species across 110 acres, the Jackson Zoo delivers big adventures without big city prices.
Their African savanna exhibit lets you get eye-to-eye with giraffes, while the Mississippi Wilderness area showcases native critters like black bears and red wolves.
New in 2024: The “Zoo After Hours” program lets small groups tour the grounds at dusk when many animals are most active. Perfect for unique date nights or family outings.
Insider tip: Bring quarters to feed the lorikeets in the aviary – watching these colorful birds land on your arms never gets old.
7. Museum of Mississippi History – Best for Understanding the State’s Soul
Connected to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum (but focusing on broader history), this engaging, high-tech museum takes you from Native American settlements to space age achievements.
Standout exhibits include:
- A full-scale Choctaw village reconstruction
- The actual “Little Green Apple” car from the 1960s that smuggled voting rights workers
- Interactive Hurricane Katrina experience that puts you in the storm
Plan at least two hours – the stories here will give you chills and change how you see Mississippi.
8. Fondren District – Best for Hip Shopping & Local Bites
Jackson’s coolest neighborhood mixes vintage boutiques, indie coffee shops, and some of the city’s best restaurants.
Start at Brent’s Drugs, an old-school soda fountain turned craft cocktail bar (try their grilled pimento cheese sandwich).
Art lovers shouldn’t miss Fondren After Five on the first Thursday of each month, when galleries open late with live music and street performances.
Must-visit shops:
- Orange Peel for quirky Mississippi-made gifts
- The Apothecary for small-batch skincare
- High Noon Cafe for vegan Southern comfort food
9. Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame – Best for Diehard Sports Fans
Even casual fans will geek out over this shrine to Mississippi athletes like Jerry Rice, Brett Favre, and Walter Payton. The interactive exhibits let you:
- Call a fake baseball game in the broadcast booth
- Test your skills in the quarterback challenge
- See Payton’s actual Super Bowl XX jersey
Their “Mississippi’s Greatest Games” theater shows heart-stopping moments from state sports history on a 4K screen with surround sound.
10. Pearl River Kayak Tours – Best for Water Adventures
Just 15 minutes from downtown, the Pearl River offers serene kayaking through cypress groves where bald eagles nest.
Local outfitters provide guided tours pointing out wildlife and sharing river lore.
Beginners love the 3-mile “Sunset Paddle”, while experienced kayakers can tackle the 10-mile wilderness route.
Either way, you’ll understand why Native Americans called this “the sweet water river.”
11. Mississippi State Capitol – Best for Architecture & Panoramic Views
Mississippi’s 1903 capitol building is a stunning mix of Beaux Arts and Classical Revival styles, but the real magic happens when you climb to the observation deck.
From 180 feet up, you’ll see all of Jackson spread before you – perfect for photos.
Free guided tours run hourly, revealing secrets like the hidden staircase and original 1903 electrical systems still in use.
12. The District at Eastover – Best for Upscale Shopping & Strolling
This open-air lifestyle center combines high-end boutiques with casual green spaces perfect for people-watching. Even if you’re not shopping, it’s worth visiting for:
- The giant chess set you can play on the lawn
- Summer concerts on the central plaza
- Cups Espresso Cafe’s famous frozen mochas
Local tip: Parking is easier on the north side near the bookstore, and there’s often free seasonal events like pumpkin decorating in fall.
Final Thoughts
From blues-soaked juke joints to cutting-edge museums, Jackson proves Mississippi’s capital has way more going on than most travelers realize.
These 12 best things to do in Jackson, Mississippi mix must-see history with offbeat local gems you won’t find anywhere else.
So what are you waiting for? Lace up your walking shoes, bring your appetite, and get ready to fall hard for this unpretentious Southern charmer.
Whether you’ve got a weekend or a whole week, Jackson’s ready to show you its soul.
Which spot are you hitting first? The children’s museum with your kids? A blues club for late-night magic? Or maybe that secret kayak trail? Let us know in the comments!