Jackson Mississippi questions..
 

My husband is traveling there for business soon, and I was hoping for a few restaurant recommendations, as well as anything else of interest.
He'll be there for one week, will have a rental car and would appreciate any help.
Thanks for your advice, J.

Oh, jetty. I am so sorry :-(

Okay Starr's, what's up? Never mind that when he returns at 4:40 A.M., I'll be comatose..

I did do some searching for Jackson, and was hoping for locals' advice..
he likes seafood and anything meat and potatoes basic.

Is the zoo worth a visit? J((C))

I traveled there a LOT on business - and have two co-worker friends that know I like to "stop and smell the roses" but was never taken to "see the sights" of Jackson. I just don't think there are many sights to see.

Always stayed at the Hilton and ate there - or the restaurant in the parking lot.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ssissippi.html

Here's the tripadvisor list. Interesting that Western Sizzlin is in the top 10.

I'd catch up on my movies while I was there for a week. Oh, my shopping fiend coworker did take me to SteinMart one day :-)

Check out the tripadvisor list for attractions.

I didn't know about the Eudora Welty house -
http://www.mdah.state.ms.us/welty/
and garden -
http://www.mdah.state.ms.us/welty/garden.html

My son lived in the Jackson area for 24 years. Here are afew things to see in or around Jackson.
Jackson Zoological Park
Manship House Museum
Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry/Natural Agricultural Aviation Museum
Mississippi Museum of Art
Mississippi Museum of Natural Science
Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame
The Oks House Museum
Old Capitol Museum
Russell C Davis Planetarium/McNair Space Theater
This is to name afew.Been to them all. I especially enjoyed the Zoo, and the Russell C Davis Planetarium is very good. And the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry was a great tour also.

We ate in so many different restaurants in all the years, cannot begin to recommend any, and never stayed in any hotel/motel always stayed with my son.

Schimmels's is a very nice restaurant
for you to try and there are many more
places to eat there other than Western
Sizzlin.

Schimmels is #7 on the list.

Western Sizzlin is #6

Thank you.. he'll be with two other people and they'll appreciate the dining advice.. J.

Where is he staying, jetty? There's not much to choose from in Jackson. If he is staying at the Hilton, the restaurant in the parking lot has offered consistent service and food over the years. The name sometimes changes, but it is where we always entertained customers and VIPs. And, it's an easy stroll "home" after a glass of wine or two. If he IS staying there, and isn't an HHonors member, have him join. The club level lounge offered a quiet getaway and a chance for business meetings. We often conducted interviews there.

(Disclaimer - it's been 4 years since I've been to Jackson. One of the scariest days of my life. Waiting to do a presentation as a hurricane moved inland and watching the wind and rain pick up. Coworker's hubby came to get me to rush me to the airport - but the flights were cancelled. Got the last rental car available and drove all the way home.)

Jetset, I happen to live in Jackson and although it's not the best place in the world, it's sure as hell not the worst either. As far as recommendations, will you be traveling with your husband? Does he have a hotel booked? The Fairview Inn is a very nice bed and breakfast in a beautiful antebellum home near downtown. Restaurants to try: Walker's Drive In (not REALLY a drive in), Nick's, Shapley's, and the aformentioned Schimmel's. What part of the country do you live in? Just asking, out of curiousity. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance. I will be happy to help you in any way possible :) Amy

Forgot to add, FYI I have NEVER even set foot inside of Western Sizzin', nor do I know anyone that has :)

jetset, I can't help you with specifics about Jackson, but I wanted to tell you that we evacuated there once for a hurricane and we were so impressed with the hospitality of the people. Everyone was genuinely caring and kind and sympathetic to our situation.

Thanks to all who replied so far.. he is flying in from Alaska, via Sea-Houston.. and arrives in the mid afternoon. How is that Express Jet Airlines on the small leg?

I'll make alist of your ideas.. what's the deal with the Western Sizzlin' anyway,lol?

I don't yet know his accomodations as they may have been made for him already by another company.. will advise later, J.

I LOVE Western Sizzlin. #3, Medium well, peppers and onions, baked potato, butter and sour cream, please. The closest one is in the next state and I visit when I'm in the mountains :-)

Alaska-aaaahhhhh!!!! One of my husband's biggest customers is in ANC. One place I haven't been yet, but would love to visit. Never heard of Express Jet. Maybe you mean Continental Express? They fly directly between Houston and Jackson-small 50 passenger jets. Nice little rides :)

yes Amy, that's the one! J.

amydelta, since you are a local, steer them to a good BBQ place. I've gone thru there several time, years ago, and it's as good as Memphis BBq. ((b))

Schimmels is very good and I would certainly recommend it.

For a place to stay, try Millsaps Buie House.

J, what is the DATE that he will be returning?

Psst . . . don't tell her I told you, but for inquiring minds, that's her birthday. ;-)

Thanks for the help.. he'll actually be staying an hour south of Jackson, but with the car, can get around after work with his group. I'm making a list of most recommended places to eat.
The temps should be a welcome change too. We're still in the mid twenties/low thirties for daytime highs.

BG~snake eyes;)

Ah, if he is staying an hour south of Jackson that will open it up some.

New ideas folks?

For example, rather traveling an hour north to Jackson, I'd travel a little more than an hour south to New Orleans. Of course it all depends on WHERE "south" is. McComb?

We may be talking Cajun country more than Jackson.

S, SW, or SE?
If they are willing to drive an hour after work, then I'd head to Vicksburg for sure!

Our high today is 82!! Spring has sprung in the south...woohoo!

Collins, Tom Collins, lol.. and 82.. oh that sounds tropical to me.. we have to wait til mid June for those temps..

staying pale, J.

Okey, dokey. Now, it's PLANNING time!

This may help start things off -
http://www.visitmississippi.org/pack...Group=Consumer

He can buy some of Delta Burke's old stuff for you as you present :-)

http://www.covingtonchamber.com/index.html

http://www.covingtonchamber.com/county_tourism.htm

My kids jumped in our pool yesterday evening! The water is still too cold for me (67*), but they didn't seem to mind!

Gulfport is 101 miles away. Here's a gulf/ beach website. The link takes you to the volunteer website in case he wants to do some volunteering while he's there -
http://www.gulfcoast.org/static/inde...;contentID=385

Did you find out where exactly he is going? Is it Hattiesburg?

Collins MS

Home of none other than Gerald McRaney! Bless his heart-that's even worse than Jackson...But only about 15 mins to Hattiesburg which is good sized college town (University of Southern Mississippi). There are plenty of bars, restaurants, etc. in Hattiesburg without even having to bother driving to Jackson, and close enough to the coast (1-1 1/2 hours) if he wants to drive down and check out the destruction of Katrina. Try the Purple Parrot Cafe in Hattiesburg.

Starrsville and amydelta and all:

Thank you again.. it sounds like his project will finish up by the weekend, which leaves him a couple days for exploration(changing airfare gets ridiculous sometimes, and he doesn't know if he'll be back again).. so this sure helps.

He drove to Hattiesburg today and was impressed by the area. He mentioned big beetles and frogs at night,lol.

I will keep checking and pass these suggestions on. J:)

I just talked to my MS friend about an hour ago and forgot all about your DH.

Is he going to stay in the area or travel about? I'll call/ email and get some suggestions.

If he's going to move, I'd suggest he drive and see Vicksburg and then spend the night nearer Jackson before his flight out.

Starrs.. the description of the motel sounds worthy of a Norman Bates report on Friday night..((D))

I would hope he'd get to the Gulf and see some of the historical sights around the area as you suggested. J.

jet, I'm scared of what kind of hotel might be found in Collins, MS. Yikes!! Since it's not exactly a tourist mecca, I can't imagine that there would be anything worthy of a tripadvisor rating :) If your husband is into gambling, tell him to check out the Beau Rivage in Biloxi~it is supposed to be great since it reopened (post-Katrina). Also, if he were to go to Biloxi, Mary Mahoney's (just across the street from the Beau) is a nice place to get some fresh seafood~they have the BEST seafood gumbo! I would recommend heading to the coast vs. coming up to Jackson.....

will do amydelta.. he does like Texas hold em,lol..
and that sounds like a great road trip. Now I'm wishing I was there.

Thanks, J.(waiting for the snow to melt)

J, how did your husband fare in MS? Did he get home yet? Just wondered if he was able to get out and see/do anything other than Collins (bless his heart!).

amydelta~ thanks for asking.. he's there til tomorrow actually.. he did try crawfish, see some of the area within a two hour drive, and made references to big spiders,lol..
the weather wasn't awful either.. he said he got a bit sunburned yesterday.

Thanks again for your help and advice.. because of hie work schedule, he was unable to do more, but maybe another time, J.