What’s going on in Jackson? JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI CITY WITH SOUL WHAT’S GOING ON IN JACKSON? PLENTY OF FUN. ON ANY GIVEN DAY, YOU’LL FIND EVENTS LIKE THE FARISH STREET FESTIVAL, DIXIE NATIONAL RODEO, USA INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION, MAL’S ST. PADDY’S PARADE, MISTLETOE MARKETPLACE, CELTIC FEST, MISSISSIPPI WILDLIFE EXTRAVAGANZA AND CAPITAL CITY CLASSIC. AND WE HAVEN’T EVEN MENTIONED THE CAPITAL CITY’S RICH VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS AND MANY HISTORICAL AND FUN ATTRACTIONS. SO LOOK THROUGH THIS HANDY, HELPFUL GUIDE. WHEN IT COMES TO EXCITING THINGS TO SEE AND DO, WE’VE GOT IT GOING ON. TABLE OF CONTENTS WHAT’S GOING ON IN JACKSON 2 GENERAL INFORMATION 11 ATTRACTIONS AND MUSEUMS 14 SAMPLE ITINERARIES 24 ANNUAL EVENTS 26 ARTS AND CULTURE 33 ACCOMMODATIONS 37 HOTELS AND ATTRACTIONS MAP 40 OTHER AREA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND TOURISM OFFICES 42 MEET MEINJACKSON 44 WHAT’ S GOING ON IN JACKSON WHAT’ S GOING ON IN JACKSON Eudora Welty House & Garden 2009 marks the 100 birthday of Jackson’s Mal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival celebrated and beloved author, Eudora Welty. Downtown Jackson turns out the green Among the most intact literary homes in America, and the green-at-heart for this truly fun-loving, the museum and carefully restored gardens are Irish inspired celebration. open to the public, and many centennial events and activities take place throughout the year. Summers Hotel and Subway Lounge Marker During the era of segregation, many black Russell C. Davis Planetarium/ musicians stayed at the Summers Hotel, Ronald E. McNair Space Theater established in 1944 by W.J. Summers. In 1966, Summers opened a popular club in the hotel Experience the universe in one of the South’s basement that he called the Subway Lounge. largest and best-equipped planetariums! The Subway garnered international fame with the release of the film documentary, “Last of the Mississippi Jukes.” A Mississippi Blues Trail marker commemorates the place where it stood. Farish Street Heritage Festival Mississippi State Fair The second oldest African-American community One of the South’s largest fairs, featuring festival in the state of Mississippi features live amusement rides, entertainment, livestock entertainment from national, regional, and local competition, exhibits, and concessions. artists and performers. 2 3 WHAT’ S GOING ON IN JACKSON WHAT’ S GOING ON IN JACKSON Dixie National Livestock Show & Rodeo JSU Homecoming Beginning in January, the Mississippi Fairgrounds Activities include a parade, coronation of hosts the largest livestock show east of the the Homecoming Queen, the football game, Mississippi River. In February, the Coliseum hosts and a Greek step show. the second largest PRCA Rodeo with ten performances over seven days. Capital City Football Classic Mississippi Wildlife Extravaganza Activities surrounding the Jackson State University and Alcorn State University football The state’s largest wildlife trade show for game include a scholarship banquet, Miss Capital outdoor enthusiasts of all ages at the City Classic pageant, pep rally, comedy show, Mississippi Trade Mart. Battle of the Bands, and much more! Celtic Fest Jubilee!JAM Come immerse yourself in Celtic culture. This As the city’s biggest outdoor music and arts event features Celtic music, displays by Celtic festival, Jubilee!JAM features performances by artists, educational workshops, family and great local, regional, and national artists. children’s activities, and plenty of concessions. 4 5 WHAT’ S GOING ON IN JACKSON WHAT’ S GOING ON IN JACKSON Mississippi State Capitol Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Completed in 1903, the Mississippi State Capitol, patterned after the nation’s capitol in Experience Mississippi’s living heritage through a Washington, D.C., exemplifies the Beaux Arts visit to the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. Classical Style of architecture and serves as the working seat of state government. Smith Robertson Museum & Cultural Center Medgar Evers Library A comprehensive depository of artifacts This city library located in Evers’ former celebrating the African-American Mississippians’ neighborhood was renamed in dedication to accomplishments in the fields of history, art, the memory of Medgar Evers, with a life- music, and literature. Named one of the Top 10 sized bronze statue of him erected at the “Best Places to be Enveloped in Quilts” by library by local citizens. USA Today. Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry The International Museum Museum/National Agricultural of Muslim Cultures Aviation Museum Unique in the United States, the IMMC This 40-acre complex, located in the heart of highlights contributions that Muslims have made the city, brings to life Mississippi’s rich to the city of Jackson, the state of Mississippi, agricultural heritage. the region, the nation, and the world. 6 7 WHAT’ S GOING ON IN JACKSON WHAT’ S GOING ON IN JACKSON Mississippi Museum of Art Entertainment Mississippi’s oldest and largest professional arts Blues, Jazz, Rock, Country, and much more. organization now has a beautiful new home with changing exhibits and an extensive, permanent Catch it live all around the town. collection of more than 4,000 works. Jackson Zoological Park Mistletoe Marketplace An afternoon wandering along the walkways of the Jackson Zoo will delight kids of any The largest fundraiser in Mississippi! Enjoy the age. Explore the newest attraction, excitement of this multi-day holiday shopping Wilderness Mississippi, along with many extravaganza featuring more than 100 merchants other exhibits containing hundreds of from across the nation. Named an ABA Top 100 animals from around the world. Event in North America Mississippi Sports Hall Christmas at the of Fame and Museum Governor’s Mansion Mississippi’s first museum for the 21st century contains an array of interactive sports exhibits. Beautifully decorated with traditional Named one of the Top 10 “Most Amazing holiday greenery and fruit, the Baseball Museums in America” by ESPN. mansion is open for morning tours. 8 9 WHAT’ S GOING ON IN JACKSON Belhaven Singing Christmas Tree A Belhaven College tradition since 1933, the singing Christmas Tree is an outdoor choral performance of the season’s favorite Christmas songs and lights. GENERAL INFORMATION A CITY WITH WONDERFUL TEMPERATURES AND WONDERFUL ENTERTAINMENT. GENERAL FACTS TRANSPORTATION Web Sites for Visitors Air www.visitjackson.com Jackson-Evers International Airport www.jacksoncitywithsoul.com 100 International Drive 601-939-5631 Chimneyville Crafts Festival Population www.jmaa.com This yearly event promotes and preserves the 202,064 fine work of regional craftsmen through Jackson-Evers International Airport is the commercial demonstrations and displays. airport serving Jackson. Designated as a general Climate purpose Foreign Trade Zone, it maintains two 8,500- Winter: 48°, Spring: 65°, foot runways and has undergone a multi-million Summer: 81°, Fall: 66° dollar renovation. Location Airlines serving Jackson are American Eagle, Central Mississippi, crossroads of Interstates 55 and Continental, Delta, Northwest Airlines, Southwest 20, running north-south and east-west respectively. Airlines, and US Airways Express. Hotels 48 properties with over 5,000 rooms. Daily Direct Flights Serving Jackson: Restaurants • Atlanta • Houston Bush City of Jackson Christmas Parade Over 300 fine restaurants, many with convention • Baltimore/ Intercontinental Usher in the Yuletide Season in downtown and banquet rooms; cuisine from authentic deep Washington, D.C. • Houston Hobby Jackson at the annual Christmas Parade held the Southern cooking to international fare. first Saturday in December. • Charlotte • Memphis Taxes • Chicago Midway • Orlando 7% sales tax; 4% hotel and 2% restaurant tax; • Dallas/Ft.Worth • Washington, D.C. $0.75 per room night tax. • Detroit Reagan National 10 SEE WWW.VISITJACKSON.COM 11 GENERAL INFORMATION GENERAL INFORMATION Union Station Thalia Mara Hall Auditorium LOCAL TOURS (Municipal Auditorium) 300 West Capitol Street 255 E. Pascagoula Street & GUIDES By Appointment Only 601-355-6350 Jackson, MS 39202 Rail 601-960-1537 African-American Heritage Tours 601-366-1762 • Contact: Clotie Graves, Tour Manager Amtrak Passenger Station Smith-Wills Stadium General Information and Reservations Step-on guide for motor coach; customized tour 1200 Lakeland Drive, Jackson, MS 39216 planning. 1-800-872-7245 • www.amtrak.com 601-362-2294 Amtrak serves the City of Jackson with daily service to Chicago and Clinton Bagley Licensed Tour Guide New Orleans. Ground Distances To 601-576-6834 (day) • 601-206-5725 (evening) Other Major Cities Bus Greyhound-Trailways Bus Lines • Atlanta 441 • Memphis 208 Custom Tours 601-845-2989 • Contact: Forrest Cooper 601-354-1913 • www.greyhound.com • Birmingham 248 • Miami 979 601-540-1098 (cell) Provides 8 inbound and outbound • Chicago 753 • New Orleans185 • Dallas 412 • St. Louis 505 Step-on guide for motor coach; personally guided city buses daily. tours for individuals. Limo/Taxi Cab Ground Distances To Other The Fondren Express Trolley Information is available by contacting the Mississippi Cities 601-213-7433 Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau Lunchtime shuttle service in the Fondren community; at 1-800-354-7695 or 601-960-1891 or by • Biloxi 165 • Laurel 84 private charter for weddings, birthdays and corporate visiting our web site at www.visitjackson.com. • Brookhaven 56 • Meridian 93 events. Historical and Cultural Tours for groups of all • Clarksdale 151 • Moss Point 181 ages. www.FondrenExpress.com or Captain