EAT, STAY, PLAY: JACKSON
EAT, STAY, PLAY: JACKSON
In Jackson, “The City with Soul,” you can trace Mississippi’s evolution from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, to the hub of music and culture it is today. The capital city offers world-class arts and entertainment at Thalia Mara Hall and the Mississippi Museum of Art, as well as a large variety of dining options ranging from down-home to upscale. Jackson also has a growing craft beer and spirits scene fueled by Lucky Town Brewery and Cathead Distillery.
Eat
For more than 30 years, Hal & Mal’s has been a downtown institution for authentic Southern cooking and live music. Grab a drink at the bar, admire the eclectic music memorabilia lining the walls, and catch a performance in the restaurant while you eat. Make sure to try the gumbo!
Johnny T’s Bistro & Blues on historic Farish Street has a laid-back lounge atmosphere. The live music space upstairs is the former Crystal Palace Ballroom, which hosted the likes of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington in the 1930s and 1940s. Have a cocktail on the patio and enjoy house specialties like shrimp toast and Cajun chicken pasta.
Beautifully renovated and reopened, the Iron Horse Grill, is a 12,000 square foot music venue full of reclaimed wood and exposed brick. Seasoned tortilla chips made in-house, served with fresh salsa, are famous around town. Go upstairs to the Mississippi Music Experience, whose exhibits and life-sized wax statues illustrate the state’s many contributions to America’s music.
Stay
Built in 1923 as the Edwards Hotel and then renamed the King Edward Hotel in 1953, this Jackson landmark was a major center of Jackson society and politics for over 40 years. After many years unoccupied, it was renovated and reopened as the Hilton Garden Inn-Jackson Downtown in 2009. Featuring 186 hotel rooms, 64 luxury apartments, and Southern contemporary dining at the King Edward Grille, guests can enjoy a luxurious stay in this historic building.
This Colonial Revival house was built in 1908 and remains one of the top historic hotels in the city. Featuring 18 luxury guest rooms, including two pet-friendly rooms, The Fairview Inn features spacious living areas, queen- and king-sized beds, and whirlpool tubs in select suites. With meeting facilities for groups up to 400, an on-site restaurant and lounge, and spa services, The Fairview Inn is the perfect location for any weekend retreat or special event.
Play
The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum shares the stories of a Mississippi movement that changed the nation. The museum promotes a greater understanding of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement and its impact by highlighting the strength and sacrifices of its peoples.
Take in some Mississippi blues at F. Jones Corner on Farish Street, every Thursday through Saturday night until 4 a.m. With regular performers like Jesse Robinson or Sherman Lee Dillon and the Mississippi Sound, it's a first-stop in Jackson for the hottest blues at this authentic juke joint.
Visit the Eudora Welty House and Garden, a literary museum located in the historic Belhaven neighborhood and former home of Eudora Welty. The house is where the Pulitzer Prize winning author created her novels and short stories of international acclaim. The home, where Welty lived until her death in 2001, still contains her stacks of books, which cover almost every surface.
