US Travel Guide - Jackson

Jackson Entertainment

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 & Theater
As Mississippis only professional theater company, the New Stage Theatre just east of downtown has put forth a full season 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 long-time supporter and local celebrity Eudora Welty.

Downtown's Thalia Mara Hall hosts a steady schedule of performances by resident and touring artists. It is 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 by Ballet Magnificat!, a Christian-themed organization whose mission is to promote cultural and spiritual awareness through dance.

Near Millsaps College, the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium is the site of large outdoor concerts. As Jacksons most expansive venue, the stadium has played host to such big-name entertainers as Freddy Pendergast and the New Kids on the Block. For somewhat smaller-scale headliner entertainment, check the schedule at Jacksons Mississippi Coliseum. This indoor arena plays host to concerts, rodeos, and sporting events throughout the year.

Those with more rugged musical tastes are advised to check out some of Jacksons finer watering holes. Here in the heart of Delta blues country, the tradition of homegrown music continues at the Subway Lounge on the citys southwest side, near Jackson State University. This smoky blues joint draws a mix of professionals, students, and urban youth to midnight shows on Fridays and Saturdays. A similarly eclectic mix of music lovers can be found nightly at Hals and Mals just east of downtown.

Sports & 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 LeFleurs 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 seasons at Jackson State University. A highlight of the football season is JSUs acclaimed brass ensemble, the "Sonic Boom" Marching Band. The bands halftime performances must be witnessed to be believed.

Jacksons most accessible sporting diversion for visitors is its assortment of public golf courses. In addition to a nice nine-hole course at LeFleurs Bluff State Park, facilities such as the Sonny Guy and Grove Park Golf Courses on the citys northwest side offer year-round putting at extremely affordable rates, and are open to the public.

History & 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 historical 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 states civil rights triumphs and tragedies can be found in the museums Civil Rights Exhibit.

A few blocks north of the Old Capitol, the Oaks House Museum sits on a quiet side street. This painstakingly-restored home of a former Jackson mayor is one of only a handful of homes to survive the Civil War. 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. Dating to 1857, this uniquely-styled home provides a rare example of Gothic Revival architecture.

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 Jacksons history and development.

Perhaps Jacksons most famous and tragic Civil Rights leader, Medgar Evers was assassinated in the driveway of his small home on the citys northwest side in 1963. Today, the modest home stands as quiet shrine to the martyr, and although relics of Evers' life and works are preserved inside, you must make previous arrangements to view the interior.

The impressive scope of the regions 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.

One of Jacksons most unique museums is across the road from LeFleurs Bluff State Park on the citys northeast side. The Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum boasts over 40,000 square feet of artifacts, machinery, and displays that chronicle the development of the states economy through the years. Outside the museum, the Fortenberry-Parkman Farm Restoration is a working demonstration of country life during the years following the Civil War, and is a great option for families with small children. Also on the grounds, the museums Crossroads Town is a faithful reconstruction of small town life in early 1900s Mississippi.

Within a stones throw of these historical treasures is the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame, which showcases the contributions of the states singers and songwriters, with a strong focus on the origins and growth of such Delta blues greats as B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, and Robert Johnson. Nearby is the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, which features over 500 recorded interviews with homegrown legends, as well as archival footage of great moments in local sports history.

Natural Splendor
Laid out in a checkerboard design, Jacksons 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 Governors Mansion. LeFleurs Bluff State Park, a magnificent stretch of woodlands just to the east of downtown, is entirely within the city limits. The park features hiking trails, camping, boating, and picnic facilities, and a pleasantly-challenging public golf course.

Also within the park is the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. The museums glass anterior side opens onto woodlands, while a 100,000 gallon aquarium houses more than 200 local species. The Mississippi Web of Life exhibit takes visitors through each age of the states geographic and natural development. The loudest raves are reserved for "the Swamp," an enormous greenhouse (complete with alligators) that is an accurate recreation of some of the most fertile and darkly fascinating topography of the state. For an even closer look at the wild, pay a visit to the Jackson Zoological Park on the citys northwest side. Founded in 1919, this sprawling park features creatures from the four corners of the earth, and the progressive, childrens "Discovery Zoo" has garnered national praise.

The Russell C. Davis Planetarium adjoins the Mississippi Museum of Art. Don't miss the star-gazing programs staged nightly in the state-of-the-art observatory theater, and for a little psychedelic wonder, you can't beat the weekend laser light shows.

James Redmond