Jackson area
Around Jackson area
Photo: chmeredith from Jackson, MS, USA · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · Mississippi · 691k people
Jackson area
Locals say Jackson · “City with Soul”, “Capital City”
Where the blues and magnolias meet
Mississippi Braves ScarletJackson State Navy
Welcome to Jackson, where the blues run deep and the food hits hard. Whether you're here for the music, the history, or just passing through, you'll find a warm Southern welcome. Grab some sweet tea and settle in.
Clubs for Jackson area
No clubs for Jackson area yet.
The room
Jackson area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Jackson's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Jackson. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Jackson area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Mississippi State Capitol Historic seat of state government.
- Jackson Zoo Family-friendly zoo in LeFleur's Bluff.
- Mississippi Museum of Art Largest art museum in the state.
- Mississippi Children's Museum Interactive exhibits for kids.
- LeFleur's Bluff State Park Urban park with trails and a lake.
- Ross Barnett Reservoir Popular for boating and fishing, known as 'The Rez'.
- Outdoors Fish on Ross Barnett Reservoir
- Outdoors Hike at LeFleur's Bluff State Park
- With kids Explore the Mississippi Children's Museum
- With kids Visit the Jackson Zoo
- Evenings Live blues at local clubs
- Evenings Brewery taprooms
- Locals love Soul food diners
- Locals love Barbecue joints
Through the year
- Mississippi State Fair October Annual state fair with rides, food, and livestock shows.
- Mississippi Blues Marathon January Marathon and half-marathon through Jackson's streets.
- Mississippi Book Festival August Annual literary festival with authors and panels.
- Canton Flea Market May and October Huge bi-annual flea market in nearby Canton.
- Jubilee!JAM Summer Summer concert series in downtown Jackson.
Jackson has a humid subtropical climate with hot, muggy summers and mild, short winters. The best time to be out is spring and fall, when the weather is comfortable and the city is alive with festivals. Best: Spring (March-May) and fall (October-November) are perfect for outdoor activities with mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “The Rez”
- Ross Barnett Reservoir, the big lake just north of town.
- “J-town”
- Nickname for Jackson, often used by locals.
- “Soul Bowl”
- The annual Jackson State vs Alcorn State football game.
Getaways
- Vicksburg Visit Vicksburg National Military Park.
- Natchez Explore antebellum mansions and historic district.
- Greenwood Experience Delta blues history and culture.
- Hattiesburg Enjoy a college town vibe and local breweries.
Local flavour
Teams
- Mississippi Braves MiLB (Double-A South)
- Jackson State Tigers NCAA Division I (SWAC)
Eat and drink
- Fried catfish A staple of Southern and soul food, often served with hush puppies.
- Delta-style tamales Mississippi Delta tamales, a unique regional take on the classic, often spicy and served in corn husks.
- Comeback sauce A tangy, creamy sauce originated in Jackson, used on salads, sandwiches, and more.
- Sweet tea The quintessential Southern drink, served over ice.
- Soul food platters Collard greens, cornbread, fried chicken, and other comfort classics.
Where people go
- Juke joints and blues clubs Intimate venues with live music, often in converted homes or small bars.
- Soul food diners Family-run restaurants serving down-home Southern cooking.
- Barbecue joints Smoky, slow-cooked meats with regional sauces.
- Antebellum mansions and civil rights landmarks Architecture and sites that tell the region's complex history.
Heritage and traditions
Jackson is proud of its deep roots in blues music, the civil rights movement, and Southern hospitality. Locals cherish the city's literary legacy, soul food, and the Mississippi River's influence.
This time of year in Jackson area
- Football season Fall Jackson State Tigers games draw big crowds.
- Mississippi State Fair October State fair with rides and food.
- Canton Flea Market May and October One of the largest flea markets in the South.
Say it like a local: “Gallery” — A term for a porch or veranda.
Festivals
- Jackson Rhythm & Blues Festival August Celebrates local blues heritage.
- Mississippi State Fair October State fair with rides and food.
- Canton Flea Market May and October One of the largest flea markets in the South.
- Mississippi Book Festival August Authors and readers gather.
- Jubilee!JAM June Community arts festival.
- Mississippi Blues Marathon January Running event with blues music.
Landmarks with a story
- Mississippi State Capitol Beaux-Arts building from 1903.
- Eudora Welty House Home of the famous author.
- Mississippi Civil Rights Museum Tells the story of the civil rights movement.
- Medgar Evers Home Home of the civil rights leader.
- Mississippi Museum of Art Houses regional art collections.
- Old Capitol Museum Former state capitol building.
Food traditions
- Fried catfish A staple from the Mississippi Delta.
- Delta-style tamales Spicy, wrapped in corn husks.
- Comeback sauce Spicy mayo-based sauce for fried fish.
- Sweet tea Sweetened iced tea served everywhere.
- Soul food platters Fried chicken, collard greens, and cornbread.
Music and arts
- Blues music scene Mississippi is the birthplace of the blues.
- Gospel music Strong church-based tradition.
- Soul music Influenced by Motown and Stax.
- Literary arts Home to authors like Eudora Welty.
A little history
- 1822 Founded as a trading post on the Pearl River
- 1821 Became state capital
- 1963 Civil rights movement hub, including the 1963 assassination of Medgar Evers
- 1863 Devastated by the American Civil War
- 1877 Home to Jackson State University, founded in 1877
Rivalries
- Jackson State vs Alcorn State The 'Soul Bowl' is a fierce HBCU football rivalry.
- Mississippi State vs Ole Miss The Egg Bowl is big even in Jackson, with fans on both sides.
- Jackson vs Madison Friendly rivalry over schools and lifestyle between the capital and suburbs.
- Game day Jackson State Tigers football
- Game day Mississippi Braves baseball
- Outdoors Fishing on Ross Barnett Reservoir
- Outdoors Hiking at LeFleur's Bluff State Park
- With kids Visit the Mississippi Children's Museum
- With kids See the Jackson Zoo
Southern accent with a drawl; phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to' are common. Words like 'pecan' are pronounced 'puh-KAHN'.
Only here
- Home to the only Civil Rights Museum in the US.
- The 'City with Soul' nickname.
- Mississippi State Fair has a giant slide.
- Blues music legends like B.B. King performed here.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the heat; summers are hot and humid.
- Learn to say 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'.
- Try a fried catfish po'boy with comeback sauce.
- Visit the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum to understand local history.
- Expect occasional thunderstorms; carry an umbrella.
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Areas in Jackson area
Nearby
Every areaWinnsboroLouisianaWhere the Mississippi meets the cotton fieldsMcCombMississippiWhere the pines meet southern hospitalityColumbiaMississippiWhere the pines whisper and the Pearl flows.WoodvilleMississippiWhere the pines meet the riverCollinsMississippiWhere the pines meet the red dirtNatchezMississippiWhere the Old South whispers along the river.KosciuskoMississippiWhere the pines meet the red clayBogalusaLouisianaWhere the piney woods whisper Louisiana stories.
Jackson-Vicksburg-Brookhaven, MS CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.