The Best Day Trips From Jackson, MS

Besides serving as Mississippi’s capital, the city of Jackson is known for being the site of many significant moments during the civil rights movement. Because of this, it’s rich in historical museums and cultural institutions. However, many similar attractions and unique destinations are just a short drive away. If you live in the Jackson area and want to venture outside the city, we’ve provided our list of ideal day trips to assist you in your planning.

Meridian

Image by Ryan Wallace is licensed with Unsplash License

Distance from Jackson: 1 hour, 25 minutes

Meridian, known as Mississippi’s Queen City, was established in 1860 as a railroad hub. Like Jackson, it boasts plenty of museums for you to explore.

If you’re a country music fan, you’ll want to make the Jimmie Rodgers Museum a priority. Rodgers is considered the father of country music. The museum details his life and career and showcases a variety of memorabilia. The original guitar from Rodgers’ short film, “The Singing Brakeman,” is featured along with other archival pieces. A steam locomotive is parked outside the museum as a nod to Rodgers’ other line of work as a maintenance foreman and, later, a brakeman for the railroad. The museum is open to the public on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Another exceptional museum worth visiting is the Meridian Museum of Art (MMA) located in the old Carnegie Library building. Erected between 1912 and 1913, this landmark is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The MMA supports and promotes the work of artists from across Mississippi and the southern region. It houses collections, exhibitions, and special events for the surrounding communities. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday.

During your day out, take a moment to fill up your stomach at Weidmann’s Restaurant. Created in 1870, the downtown Meridian staple is Mississippi’s oldest restaurant. Felix Weidmann, a Swiss immigrant who was a transatlantic steamship chef, opened the restaurant in the Union Hotel. It moved to its current location in 1923. In keeping with tradition, each table is set with a handmade peanut butter crock and an assortment of crackers. Weidmann started serving it during the 1940s when there was a butter shortage due to World War II.

Are you a fan of fried green tomatoes, seafood gumbo, or blackened redfish? If so, this is your place. Be sure to order a slice of Weidmann’s World Famous Black Bottom Pie to complete your dining experience. It’s open daily for service and has a Jazz Brunch on Sundays.

Hattiesburg

Distance from Jackson: 1 hour, 40 minutes

Civil engineer William H. Hardy founded Hattiesburg in 1882 and named the city after his wife, Hattie.

One of the most popular attractions here for families is the Hattiesburg Zoo. This 12-acre zoo, which features over 100 species, is located in Kamper Park. Flamingos, tigers, alpacas, zebras, and birds are just some of the animals that make the zoo their home.

Ride on the train and carousel, tackle the high ropes adventure course, or dine at the Safari Grill. Additional activities include a splash pad during the summer, a mining expedition, and petting areas for Australian and African animals. Open Tuesday through Sunday, admission to the zoo starts at $6. Children under 2 years old receive free admission.

If you enjoy old relics and souvenirs, check out The Lucky Rabbit. This quaint vintage shop is often featured on HGTV’s “Home Town.” It’s 15,000 square feet of nostalgic machines, displays, gadgets, furniture, and decor. Owners Brandon and Abby Thaxton keep the store stocked with rare finds for their customers. The iconic pieces available are perfect for photo ops. Visit their downtown location to purchase collectibles and merchandise of all kinds. On the first Saturday of each month, an outdoor sale is held near the shop with approximately 40 vendors selling flea market items and local goods.

Paradise Ranch RV Resort

Distance from Jackson: 1 hour, 40 minutes

Would you like to stay at one of these nearby destinations for more than a day? For endless family fun, spend some time at the Paradise Ranch RV Resort. Tylertown is home to this adventurous 105-acre campground. Don’t have an RV? No problem. You can rent comfortable cabins and modern glamping tents that provide an enjoyable retreat for you and your loved ones.

You’ll never get bored with activities that include tubing down the Bogue Chitto, kayaking or canoeing on Bass Lake, and feeding tame red deer in the park. Go fishing in the natural cypress lake that’s stocked with bream and bass. During inclement weather, take advantage of the indoor game room, which has pool tables, a foosball table, board games, a large sectional sofa, and a television.

The star of this resort is the Blue Lagoon. Considered one of Mississippi’s hidden gems, the man-made lagoon is the equivalent of an enormous swimming pool. Surrounded by white sand, the lagoon contains beautiful artesian well water. You can zip line across it or simply relax in the hot tub. Younger kids revel in skipping through the splash pad and soaking up the sun. A camp store, food and drink café, and bathhouse are all on-site for your convenience. Tents and golf carts can be rented. It’s a popular spot, so make your reservations well in advance.

Grammy Museum

Distance from Jackson: 2 hours, 10 minutes

Did you know Mississippi has a Grammy Museum? In 2016, the Grammy Museum Mississippi debuted in the city of Cleveland as a sister site to the first location in Los Angeles. Cleveland was chosen because of the enormity of the Mississippi Delta’s musical history. Mississippi natives such as B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, and Robert Johnson heavily influenced American music styles. Did you know the Magnolia State has more Grammy winners per capita than any other state? You can discover plenty more factual tidbits as you take in the stunning exhibits and collections in the facility.

Get an opportunity to participate in the music-making process in The Roland Room. You can play electronic instruments and discover how present-day music is created. Feast your eyes on original clothing worn by celebrities on the red carpet at Grammy ceremonies. View rare footage of memorable moments and collaborations from Grammy award shows. Special exhibitions are often produced to mark musical milestones such as the legacies of Michael Jackson, The Supremes, and 25 years of Jermaine Dupri’s label So So Def Recordings.

Purchasing your tickets online before arriving is recommended, and children under 5 are admitted for free. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed Monday. Parking is available on the adjacent campus of Delta State University.

What do you think about our list of the best day trips near Jackson, Mississippi? Our team at Herrin-Gear INFINITI is dedicated to serving you and your automotive needs. Contact us today to learn about our new and used inventory. We take pride in providing exceptional customer service to the people of Jackson and the surrounding areas.