The Perfect Day Trips To Take This Summer From Jackson, MS

If you’re planning a vacation to Jackson, Mississippi, or you’re a local looking for some fun seasonal activities, make sure to check out all the day trips you can take in and around this area. The summer is a great time to get outside, explore new places, and spend quality time with your loved ones. Here’s a list of some perfect day trips you can take this summer from Jackson.

Vicksburg, Mississippi

Image by Justin Wilkens is licensed with Unsplash License

Only a short 45-minute drive from Jackson, Vicksburg is a great place to spend the day. This city lies along its namesake river and was a French settlement in the 1700s before being the site of a battle in the Civil War. There are several places to dine out during your stay. You and your friends and family can check out 10 South for a rooftop experience or enjoy some southern barbecue at Goldie’s Trail Bar-B-Que.

There are plenty of fun and unique spots for you and your loved ones to check out while you’re here, including the Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum and the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum. If you’re a history buff, you can visit the Vicksburg National Military Park or the Old Court House Museum to check out an impressive variety of Civil War artifacts. While you’re here, you can extend your day trip to visit the nearby ghost town of Rodney, Mississippi.

Meridian, Mississippi

If you’re looking for a fun day trip from Jackson, make sure to visit Meridian, Mississippi, which is about an hour and 20 minutes away. This town was established in 1860 as a railroad hub, and while it may not be a hotspot for tourists, it definitely has plenty to offer visitors. If you’re looking for a place to grab a bite, Meridian is home to several great restaurants, including Jean’s, which is popular among locals and serves classic comfort dishes like fried chicken.

Here you’ll also find several unique museums, including the Jimmie Rodgers Museum, which is a great place to check out if you or your loved ones are fans of country music. If you’re visiting with little ones, make sure to stop by the Mississippi Children’s Museum, which features a variety of engaging exhibits that make learning fun. If you want to learn more about the history of the area, you can visit the Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum or check out works from local artists at the Meridian Museum of Art.

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

If you’re looking for college town vibes with a unique, artsy atmosphere, make sure to take a day trip from Jackson to Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Only an hour and a half away, Hattiesburg is home to William Carey University and the University of Southern Mississippi. Here you’ll find great shopping, like The Lucky Rabbit, a unique and quirky variety store, and plenty of photo ops at the city’s many murals.

If you’re looking for some local culture and history, check out Hattiesburg’s museums, including the University of Southern Mississippi Art Museum and the African American Military History Museum. The city also offers visitors a variety of great restaurant options, including The Midtowner, which is a classic diner, and Ed’s Burger Joint, a tasty place to grab a bite and relax with your loved ones. For additional family fun, you can also check out the Hattiesburg Zoo, where they have animals from around the world and you can learn about their conservation efforts and mission.

Greenwood, Mississippi

An hour and 40 minutes away from Jackson, you’ll find Greenwood, Mississippi, where you can reconnect with nature and explore a portion of the Mississippi Blues Trail. You can also hone your cooking skills at the Viking Cooking School, run by the high-end kitchen appliance manufacturer, the Viking Range Company. If you want to learn more about the area during your visit, make sure to stop by the Museum of the Mississippi Delta, where you can also learn about the ecosystems that occupy the city and surrounding area.

Step back into time and visit a restaurant that has been open since the 1930s, Giardina’s at the Alluvian, where you’ll find juicy steak and other upscale menu items. For more local flair, head to Fan and Johnny’s where you’ll find dishes like duck ravioli.

Natchez, Mississippi

Stop by Natchez, Mississippi, about two hours outside of Jackson, for a historically and culturally enriching day trip. This area has French, Native American, Spanish, African, and British influences, making it a unique and captivating place to visit. Make sure to check out the exhibits at the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture as well as the Grand Village of the Natchez, where you can see artifacts and burial mounts from local and nearby Native American tribes.

If you’re in the mood for a delicious Mississippi tamale, you and your loved ones have to stop by Fat Mama’s Tamales, an award-winning eatery with tasty dishes and margaritas that are popular among locals.

Laurel, Mississippi

Another fun day trip from Jackson is Laurel, Mississippi, which is only an hour and 40 minutes away. You may have heard of this town because of the HGTV show, “Home Town,” and if you’re a fan, you can stop by Laurel Mercantile Co., which is a shop owned by the couple who created the show.

Although this is a smaller town, there are plenty of great places to unwind and grab a bite, like Pearl’s Diner, where you can order a variety of classic southern dishes. For a bit of local history, you should visit the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, located in a historic home and featuring a selection of unique and culturally significant pieces.

Well, there you have it, our recommendations for the perfect day trips from Jackson, Mississippi, to check out this summer. Let us know if you explored the area and enjoyed our suggestions, and feel free to contact us if there are any great spots that we missed. We’d be happy to update our list so more Jackson locals and visitors can take advantage of all the fun this area and the surrounding cities have to offer.