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From the world-class arias of the Mississippi Opera Association to the stunning collections of local wildlife at the Jackson Zoological Park, visitors are never at a loss for diversion in this Southern capitol city.
Music and Theater
As Mississippi's only professional theater company, the New Stage Theatre just east of downtown has put forth full seasons of stunning theatrical productions for 35 years. Each season is highlighted by five main shows and complemented by a host of smaller productions, including a new-play series named for longtime supporter and local celebrity Eudora Welty.
Downtown's Thalia Mara Hall hosts a steady schedule of performances by resident and touring artists. It is the headquarters of the Mississippi Opera Association and the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, which boasts 50 years of excellence in chamber, classical and pops performances. The Hall also hosts performances by Ballet Magnificat!, a Christian-themed organization whose mission is to promote cultural and spiritual awareness through dance.
Located near Millsaps College, the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium is the site of many large outdoor concerts. As Jackson's most expansive venue, the stadium has played host to such big-name entertainers as Freddy Pendergrass and New Kids on the Block. For somewhat smaller-scale headliner entertainment, check the schedule at Jackson's Mississippi Coliseum. This indoor arena plays host to concerts, rodeos and sporting events throughout the year.
Sports and Recreation
Jackson is home to the Jackson Generals, the AA farm club of the Houston Astros and the only professional baseball team in the state. The summer season runs from April through August, with home games played at Smith-Wills Stadium, just north of downtown near LeFleur's Bluff State Park. The Jackson Bandits, who play at the Mississippi Coliseum, compete in the East Coast Hockey League, a proven breeding ground for NHL talent. Bandits and Generals tickets are relatively inexpensive when compared to big league prices, but can be hard to come by if not ordered in advance.
Jackson is home to four colleges, each of which participates in numerous intercollegiate sports. By far the highest-profile of these events are the football and basketball games at Jackson State University.
Jackson's most accessible sporting diversion for visitors is its assortment of public golf courses. In addition to a nice nine-hole course at LeFleur's Bluff State Park, facilities such as the Sonny Guy and Grove Park Golf Courses on the city's northwest side offer year-round putting at extremely affordable rates and are open to the public.
History and Museums
Although razed practically to its foundations several times during the Civil War, Jackson has taken great care in the ensuing 150 years to preserve what remains of its historic buildings and treasures. A great introduction to local and state history is free for the asking at the Old Capitol Museum of Mississippi History. An unflinching look at the state's civil rights triumphs and tragedies can be found in the museum's Civil Rights Exhibit.
A few blocks north of the Old Capitol, the Oaks House Museum sits on a quiet side street. Quite possibly the oldest house in Jackson, this National Historic Place is furnished with period pieces throughout and successfully recreates upscale city life in the mid-1800s. Just north of historic Greenwood Cemetery is another rare antebellum structure, the Manship House.
Another free and extraordinary museum can be found nearby at the Smith Robertson Cultural Center. Located on the edge of the Farish Street Historical District, this important facility is housed in what was once the first public school for African-American students in Jackson. The many interesting displays showcase the contributions of Southern blacks to all aspects of Jackson's history and development.
The impressive scope of the region's contributions to the fine arts can be explored at the Mississippi Museum of Art. Located directly downtown, this rather plain-looking brick structure is home to more than 3,000 works and emphasizes the work of Southern artisans in photography, native crafts and folk art.
The Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum boasts more than 40,000 square feet of artifacts, machinery and displays chronicling the development of the state's economy through the years. Situated outside the museum, the Fortenberry-Parkman Farm Restoration offers a working demonstration of country life during the years following the Civil War and is a great option for families with small children.
Within a stone's throw of these historical treasures is the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame, which showcases the contributions of the state's singers and songwriters with a strong focus on the origins and growth of such blues greats as B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf and Robert Johnson. Nearby is the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.
Nature
Laid out in a checkerboard design, Jackson's downtown area originally featured public parks on every other square block. While these squares have succumbed to development, one civic green remains. Named for a donor who gave $100 for its preservations, Smith Park is directly behind the Governor's Mansion. LeFleur's Bluff State Park, a magnificent stretch of woodlands just to the east of downtown, is located entirely within the city limits.
Also within the park is the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. The museum's glass anterior side opens onto woodlands, while a 100,000 gallon-aquarium houses more than 200 local species. For an even closer look at the wild, pay a visit to the Jackson Zoological Park on the city's northwest side. Founded in 1919, this sprawling park features creatures from the four corners of the earth, and the progressive children's 'Discovery Zoo' has garnered national praise.
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