Last Minute Travel Deals to Jackson

Jackson Mississippi Last Minute

A city with a turbulent and proud history, Jackson is the Mississippi state capital and is home to more than 184,000 people. Jackson was started as a trading post on the west bank of the Pearl River and was named after Major General Andrew Jackson, who went on to become President. Jackson played a major role in both the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. Taking a last minute trip to Jackson will give you a better look at our nation’s past, while also allowing you to enjoy the city’s exceptional culture.

The city’s nickname, “Best of the New South,” shows that it embraces the idea of advancement and technology. Right downtown you’ll find the premier, state of the art conference center, and within the metro area are 7 colleges and junior colleges and 11 hospitals. But as any last minute visitor will see, Jackson also retains a traditional Southern feel and high regard for culture.

While its size may suggest that it can only offer charming and quaint amenities, Jackson has the cultural resources of a much larger city. The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, the Mississippi Opera, the New Stage Theatre and the self-guided Civil Rights Driving Tour are all thriving here. It’s no surprise that in 2004, Jackson was named one of the best places in America to live, work and play.

Jackson is split up into several areas; go downtown if your last minute vacation includes time for museums. For a taste of Greek revival architecture, head to the Governor’s Mansion. From there, you can walk to the Mississippi State Capitol, which includes a museum on the area’s history and culture.

The Farish Street District is a neighborhood that spans about 60 square blocks to the west of downtown. There are about 700 historical landmarks here, as it was once a center of culture, politics, religion and business.

Restaurants are plenty in Ridgeland, so save your appetite until you visit this lively part of Jackson. Here you can pick up souvenirs at one of the many shops and stores. While you’re here, you may want to visit Woodworth Chapel, which once held many important meetings and events during the Civil Rights Movement.

One of Jackson’s most popular attractions, the Davis Planetarium/McNair Space Theater seats 230 in its auditorium, with programs changing often. Another popular spot is the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, and any sports fans on your last minute trip will love the interactive exhibits that allow visitors to play the championship golf course, soccer, or pitch horseshoes.

Two not to be missed museums on any last-minute getaway are the Mississippi Museum of Art and the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. Exhibitions that include 19th and 20th-century collections will catch your eye at the Museum of Art. There is also a sculpture garden, a hands-on gallery for kids, films, and a restaurant. At the state of the art Museum of Natural Science, you’ll be amazed at the 100,000 gallon aquarium full of aquatic life, and the 1,700 square foot greenhouse, home to alligators, turtles, and fish. Outside, you can go for a relaxing walk in the walking trails, which are found throughout a 300-acre natural area.

If Jackson’s natural surroundings have got you enamored, take a trip to the Jackson Mynelle Gardens, a quiet, 7-acre retreat full of winding pathways, cascading pools, and bridges to a quaint island. Songbirds make this enchanting garden their home, and a variety of wildlife can be found roaming around, too.

Mississippi is a beautiful state and is lucky to have within it a city like Jackson, where all the best of the South meets all the best of the modern world.