Jackson, Mississippi

Overview

Jackson, Mississippi, a lively Southern city of 150,000, hides an offbeat allure where quirky museums, secret urban haunts, and historic oddities draw adventurous travelers beyond its civil rights landmarks, attracting over 2 million visitors yearly. Founded in 1821 as Mississippi’s capital, this Delta hub sits 180 miles north of New Orleans and 200 miles south of Memphis, cradled by the Pearl River and rolling woodlands. Beyond catfish and blues music, Jackson offers eccentric gems like a museum of quirky folk art, a hidden speakeasy in a former cotton gin, and vibrant street art in the Fondren Arts District. It’s an offbeat Southern playground where civil rights history, quirky creativity, and riverfront charm collide, perfect for those craving unique adventures over tourist staples.

Top Attractions (Art, History & Hidden Bars!)

Mississippi Museum of Art

Explore over 6,000 artworks, including a stunning collection of quirky Southern folk art and Kress Collection oddities.

Fondren Arts District Murals

Wander Fondren Drive where colorful murals tell tales of Delta blues legends and civil rights history.

Old Capitol Museum

A stunning 1839 Greek Revival building filled with quirky Civil War relics and historic secession artifacts.

The Apothecary Speakeasy

A hidden bar inside a historic 1900s cotton gin, serving craft cocktails with authentic Prohibition vibes.

Eudora Welty House & Garden

The 1925 home of the famous author, perfectly preserved with quirky literary artifacts from the Pulitzer winner.

Mississippi Civil Rights Museum

A powerful museum with interactive exhibits, quirky freedom rider stories, and moving Emmett Till memorials.

Unique Stories & Facts (Quilts, Gins & Typewriters!)

• Folk Art Relics: The Art Museum’s collection includes a quirky 1930s quilt with intricately stitched scenes of Mississippi Delta life.
• Mural Surge: A 2016 art boom transformed Fondren’s old storefronts into vibrant outdoor galleries, with murals celebrating local pride.
• Speakeasy Secret: The Apothecary operates in a former cotton gin that secretly hid bootleggers during the 1920s and is now a quirky cocktail nook.
• Welty’s Typewriter: The Eudora Welty House preserves her 1940s Remington, the quirky tool she used to write her Pulitzer-winning stories.

Best Travel Seasons (When to Visit Jackson!)

Popular Activities (Beyond the Blues!)

• Art Touring: Explore the Mississippi Museum of Art to see its quirky collection of Southern folk quilts and paintings.
• Mural Strolling: Wander through Fondren, where Fondren Drive’s vibrant, Delta-inspired art comes to life.
• Capitol Visiting: Tour the Old Capitol Museum to see its impressive collection of Civil War relics and quirky secession documents.
• Speakeasy Sipping: Slip into The Apothecary for expertly crafted cocktails in a hidden, historic cotton gin nook.
• Literary Wandering: Visit the Eudora Welty House to admire her quirky manuscripts and beautifully preserved gardens.
• Civil Rights Exploring: Tour the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum for its powerful freedom rider stories and quirky historical exhibits.

Casinos Nearby (~30 Miles)

There are no casinos within 30 miles of Jackson. The nearest major gaming hub is the Pearl River Resort in Philadelphia, about 90 miles away. For quirky thrills closer to the city, explore the local speakeasies or vibrant murals instead.

Famous Buffets Nearby (~20 Miles)

For a classic all-you-can-eat Southern feast, Golden Corral is just 5 miles from downtown. While not a buffet, Cock of the Walk in Ridgeland (10 miles) is a local institution famous for its hearty catfish platters and quirky cornbread served in cast iron skillets.

Oddities Nearby (~20 Miles - Jackson's Quirkiest Side!)

Haunted Tourism Nearby (~20 Miles - Ghosts of the Delta!)

• Old Capitol Museum: Staff at this 1839 building have reported encounters with ghostly lawmakers still haunting the historic chambers.
• Eudora Welty House: The spirit of the famous author is said to linger in the study of her preserved 1925 home.
• Vicksburg National Military Park (40 mi): Just outside the 20-mile range, this 1863 battlefield is famously haunted by phantom soldiers in the trenches.