Things to do in Jackson

Top Things to Do in Jackson

Things to Do in Jackson


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Top Attractions in Jackson

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.

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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.

What travellers are saying

  • slkuelkd113
    Buffalo, NY120 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Facing the prospect of a very rainy day in Vicksburg, I decided to drive to Jackson to check out this museum. Am I glad I did - it turned out to be the highlight of my entire visit to Mississippi! This is a modern, engaging museum (it opened in 2017). It held my attention for over three hours, and I still had to leave without seeing everything. The museum lays out the history of African Americans, from their arrival in slave ships in 1619 to the present, with special attention to events in Mississippi. The many exhibits are excellently curated and designed to engage you and hold your interest. They remind you just how many historic (and not very pleasant) events took place here - including Reconstruction, Jim Crow, the lynching of Emmett Till, the forced desegregation of schools, Freedom Riders, the assassination of Medgar Evers, and the Freedom Summer of 1964 (when three civil rights workers, both black and white, were killed in Philadelphia, MS). The exhibits bring all these events to life with videos, sound and artifacts (like sitting in a model church where a civil-rights meeting is taking place). I thought I was well-informed about many of these events, but I learned (and felt) so much more while visiting this museum. Its impact for me was on a par with the 9/11 museum in NYC.
    Written 17 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • slkuelkd113
    Buffalo, NY120 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Having some free time while getting ready to fly out of Jackson, I decided to stop here for the free tour. The tour was capably led by a very pleasant retired gentleman, who eagerly shared his love of history and this building. The building itself is beautiful, and I very much enjoyed seeing its architecture and the chambers where the House and Senate meet.
    Written 17 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • kathrynharres
    Columbia, IL37 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Eudora Welty has always been my favorite short story writer, so I was thrilled to finally visit her house and garden. The staff was warm and knowledgeable, even recommending a beautiful place to stay for the night, The Orchid B&B. It was obvious that the young docent loved Eudora as much as I do which added to the experience as we went through the house. What a treasure it is, still as it was when Ms. Welty lived there. I almost expected her to come around the corner and ask us to join her for a glass of bourbon. I will return and recommend it to fans of Eudora and fans of American Southern Fiction.
    Written 15 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Gail M
    Northeastern Ontario, Canada83 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We were very pleased to discover this gem right beside our campground. Hats off to the team for setting up such interesting and educational displays. It was worth adding to our list while in Jackson!
    Written 11 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • slkuelkd113
    Buffalo, NY120 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Seeking things to do on a very rainy day, I decided to stop by this museum. I'm so glad I did! When I arrived, I discovered that I was the first guest of the day - and admission was free of charge! What a start! As you can tell from its name, this building once served at the State Capitol for Mississippi - until it was replaced by the "new" capitol in the early 1900s. Over many years, the old capitol fell into disuse and disrepair, and was in danger of being torn down after the destruction wreaked by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Instead, a group of preservationists decided to save the Old Capitol - and restore it to its original condition. You can visit both the floor and the galleries of the House and Senate chambers. The Senate includes interesting recreations of historic debates that took place there. You can also visit the original governor's office. Best of all (for me) was the "preservation museum," which provided detailed accounts of all the work that was done to preserve and restore this beautiful and historic building. Preservationists throughout the world would delight to see what's been done here!
    Written 17 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Zero M Snapshot
    Brandon, MS11 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Some things in need of repair, lubrication or adjustment: log crane, milk cow, car track timer, etc., but not a huge deal. Kids wanted to go back next day. Restrooms very clean.
    Written 30 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Allen NY2FL
    Miami, FL17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    House was closed when I went, yet I was still moved by standing at an historic and sobering reminder of a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights movement.
    Written 26 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • N0rmalee
    Bossier City, LA674 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We love to visit art museums when we travel and this one is impressive. The current special exhibit is $13 per person but as retired military, not only did my husband get in free but it applies to family also! The current exhibit is an invitational with art from Mississippi residents. The permanent collection is also good. It’s all on one floor so easy to get around. Free parking, very friendly helpful staff.
    Written 28 June 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Skipper
    75 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Intro narration by Morgan Freeman is a great touch! I remember him saying it would lesson racism if it weren't talked about all the time. I would agree. Before the Into is over it would be a nice touch to show a video flyover of Emerald Mound. This would tie into the Indian Artifacts that are the next thing you see. There is a model of the mound, but they need to let you know this is the second largest mound in the country, not just “one of the largest.”

    WWII is the war we are most connected to and yet it has only a tiny space. Mr. Turcotte's diary has a map of the POW camp in Poland where he was kept. It would be nice if t hey would turn to this page. Also, they need to show the type of bomber he was in. The Russians were coming and bursting shells could be heard. The German soldiers let those who could walk 30 miles to the nearest prison camp walk. No one wanted to be captured by the Russians. The Germans had no trucks in which to carry them. Then the front lines came again and he had to walk miles once more to be safe.

    As you walk into the “First Peoples” the dugout canoe is now illuminated so you can see it. Thanks. A video upstairs has a woman talking about slavery. She says “They were subjected to rape by the Master.” This was not common place and only serves to divide us. Rather, we need to be bringing people together.

    Mississippi has beautiful homes that are known world wide, especially Natchez homes. It would be nice to see them as part of our history. Architects revere the columns of Stanton Hall. Longwood is everyone's favorite, and it simply must be shown! It is the most beautiful house in the country to me. At least on the outside where it is complete. The last time I toured it there were a dozen people from Spain and another dozen from France. So much history! I think it is worth mentioning that some of the biggest slaveholders were Yankees. Dr. Duncan went back up North in 1863 after all his farms were completely destroyed by Federal troops. Animals killed or stolen. And he was a “Unionist” with papers to show it! Melrose is now part of the Natchez National Historical Park. So many more!

    There is a small picture of Waverly near West Point. It has the most beautiful and interesting stairs. These need to be shown. You are instructed to visit the home if you want to see how a wealthy MS family lived before the Civil War. Why not show us here?

    Thanks for removing the guitar belonging to an abusive musician. Now how about showing one from BB King or Elvis? Gibson guitars used to make the “Lucille” model in Memphis, because I took the factory tour. Fashioned after BB King's guitar. We could at least get one of those if we can't find a guitar the BB King played.
    Written 30 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mary O
    Florida124 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great tour with Steve. It was just the 3 of us, so plenty of time for questions. It's quite and impressive place with an interesting history. The home is beautiful and defined a must see if you are in Jackson! You can even sleep in the bedrooms....if you get a special invitation from the Governor. Steve knew everything about the house, we were really happy to have met him!
    Written 27 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Chuck Buck
    18 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum – We enjoyed this museum a lot. About 2/3 outside exhibits and 1/3 inside. We spent just over 3 hours here. Very inexpensive costing, I think our senior tickets were $5.
    Written 9 May 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Matthew M
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This brewery in amazing! The beer is fantastic, the staff is knowledgeable, and the atmosphere is incredibly inviting.
    Written 12 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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