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Jackson Maps & Attractions Guide
Jackson maps & Attractions - Things to do
in Jackson
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Jackson
Attractions - Things to do
1. Old Capitol Museum
100 S. State Street
www.mdah.state.ms.us/museum |
What is it? Originally called State House, the Old
Capitol building has filled three purposes in its long history.
From 1839 to 1903 it served as the state capitol, between 1917 and
1959 it housed government offices, and from 1961 to the present it
has become an award-winning museum enshrining Mississippi's
history. The exhibits are arranged in several categories, the
highlight being 'Mississippi 1500 to 1800' which depicts the era
when Americans, Europeans and Africans first encountered each other
in the state, drastically altering the lives and society of the
Native Americans who lived here. Full-scale dioramas illustrate the
importance of cotton in the state's development, and interactive
audio-visual experiences explain the profound effects of the Civil
War on Mississippi. *Note: due to the damage caused by Hurricane
Katrina the Old Capitol Museum has been closed until further
notice.*
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm; Saturday 9.30am to
4.30pm; Sunday 12.30pm to 4.30pm
Phone:(601) 576 6920 |
2. The Governor's Mansion
300 East Capitol Street
www.mdah.state.ms.us/museum/mansion.html |
What is it? The Mississippi Governor's Mansion in
downtown Jackson is the second oldest continuously occupied
governor's residence in the United States. It was first occupied in
1842 by Governor Tilghman Tucker and his family, having just been
built in the Greek Revival style, the most popular style of the
period. Today architectural historians consider the mansion one of
the best surviving examples of this style in the country, and in
1975 the building was designated a National Historic Landmark. The
historic section of the mansion, furnished in period Empire style,
is open to the public.
Hours of Operation: Guided tours every half-hour between 9.30am and 11am,
Tuesday to Friday. The mansion may be closed on occasion for
official state functions and is closed during the last two weeks of
December. The mansion grounds are closed to the
public
Phone:(601) 359 6421 |
3. Manship House Museum
420 East Fortification Street
www.mdah.state.ms.us/museum/manship.html |
What is it? The home of Charles Henry Manship, Civil War
mayor of Jackson, and his large family has been restored as a
museum depicting life in Mississippi in the mid-19th century. The
house was built in Gothic Revival cottage style in 1857, and was
unpretentious compared to the mansions for which the south is so
famous. Today the house still stands in its original setting of
trees and shrubs, painted in its original olive and cream colour
with an authentic shingled roof. Manship was a decorative painter
and craftsman and much of the interior features his handiwork, all
restored or reproduced. The rooms have been furnished with some
original objects.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Friday 9am to 4pm; Saturday 10am to
4pm
Phone:(601) 961 4724 |
4. Russell C. Davis Planetarium
201 East Pascagoula Street
www.thedavisplanetarium.com |
What is it? Jackson's impressive planetarium is one of
the largest in the world, with a huge hemispheric wrap-around
screen that presents regular Sky Shows on astronomy, astronauts and
space exploration. The planetarium, situated in the downtown
cultural district, also presents laser light concerts featuring the
music of contemporary and classic rock and roll artists combined
with the imagery of a powerful indoor laser system, and astronomy
hobby courses.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm, Friday 8.30am to
9.30pm, Saturday 12.30pm to 9.30pm, Sunday 1.30pm to 5pm. Show and
film schedule varies
Phone:(601) 960 1550 |
5. Mississippi Museum of Art
201 East Pascagoula Street
www.msmuseumart.org |
What is it? The State's largest art museum, the
Mississippi Museum of Art in downtown Jackson houses more than
4,000 works, including the world's largest collection by
Mississippi artists. The museum also hosts numerous visiting
exhibitions.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm; Sunday 12pm to
5pm
Phone:(601) 960 1515 |
6. Farish Street Historical District
www.farishstreet.com |
What is it? The 125-acre neighbourhood bounded by Mill
Street, Amite Street, Fortification Street and Jackson Street near
downtown, known as Farish District, is one of the few historically
black districts, built by former slaves, listed on the national
register. It takes its name from Walter Farish, a freed slave who
settled on the northeast corner of Davis and Farish Streets. The
district was once the centre of political, religious, economic,
educational and entertainment activities for the black
professionals and craftsmen who lived in the area's 700-odd
buildings, most dating from between 1890 and 1930. Among the more
notable buildings are 229 East Church Street, former home of Dr
Sidney Redmond, wealthy and successful businessman, and the Farish
Street Baptist Church. Renovation in the district is ongoing and
private home ownership is being encouraged in an effort at urban
renewal.
Hours of Operation:
Phone:(601) 949 4000 |
7. Vicksburg National Military Park
www.nps.gov/vick/index.htm |
What is it? The Vicksburg National Military Park
commemorates one of the most decisive battles of the American Civil
War: the campaign, siege and defence of the city of Vicksburg, 44
miles (71km) west of Jackson in Mississippi. Vicksburg was under
siege for 47 days in 1863 as confederate forces vainly tried to
defend the city high on the bluff guarding the Mississippi River.
The battlefield at Vicksburg is in a good state of preservation and
visitors can explore 1,325 historic monuments and markers, 20 miles
(32km) of reconstructed trenches and earthworks, an antebellum
home, 144 cannon emplacements, the restored Union gunboat, USS
Cairo, and the Vicksburg National Cemetery. While in Vicksburg
don't miss a riverboat ride on the mighty Mississippi and a visit
to the River City Blues Museum in Clay Street, with the largest
blues collection on public display in the
world.
Hours of Operation: Visitor centre open daily 8am to 5pm
Phone:(601) 636 0583 (Visitor centre) |
8. Elvis Presley Park
306 Elvis Presley Drive, Tupelo
www.elvispresleybirthplace.com |
What is it? The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, was
born in Tupelo, northern Mississippi in 1935 in a humble home where
he began his meteoric rise to fame. The simple two-room house where
Elvis drew his first breath is now contained in a park, which has
become a place of pilgrimage for thousands of fans every day. The
city of Tupelo has other attractions too to make a trip north of
Jackson worthwhile. Elvis Presley Park includes not only the
period-furnished house, but also a museum, memorial chapel, gift
shop and a life-size statue of the legend, aged 13, as he was when
he moved from Tupelo to Memphis, Tennessee, with his
family.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm (until 5pm from
October to April); Sunday 1pm to 5pm
Phone:(662) 841 1245 |
Jackson Holidays guide
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Transport -Hiring a car is perhaps the best way to
get around in Jackson as many of the attractions lie outside the
city, though taxis are readily available.
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