5 Best Sights in Jackson, Mississippi

If Jackson is the "City with Soul," Hal and Mal's is the sanctuary where, for decades, people of all ages have congregated to find comfort in the food, solace in the music, and fellowship at the bar. The entire complex, housed in a former train depot, comprises a combination of private and public event spaces—each one with unique traditions, including the headquarters for Jackson's biggest street party of the year: Mal's St. Paddy's Parade. Try the Blue Plate Special for lunch, Monday through Friday.

Get ready for hands-on fun inside this interactive museum where exhibit space covers nearly half a football field! Five predominating themes—Mississippi heritage; literacy; health and nutrition; the arts; and Mississippi industry—are packaged with such creativity that children may not realize how much they are actually learning.

As part of a process to create a cultural corridor in downtown Jackson, the Mississippi Museum of Art now represents the "open door" philosophy of the arts community. You'll feel welcome in light-bathed galleries flanked by a huge outdoor garden, where dancing fountains, outdoor sculptures, and a performance stage liven the green space. As a symbol of the museum's commitment to hospitality, admission to "The Mississippi Story," a part of the permanent collection, is free. Be sure to see photography by Mississippi literary giant Eudory Welty.

For a medium-sized facility, this museum packs a big punch—especially for families—with a combination of indoor and outdoor exhibits and activities, including a 100,000-gallon aquarium and a swamp-style greenhouse, as well as 2.5 miles of nature trails in part of LeFleur's Bluff State Park. Rotating exhibits, themed programs, and outdoor performances make this a good choice for return visits.

Named for the first public school built for African Americans in Jackson, this museum chronicles the struggles, contributions, and achievements of people of African descent, with particular highlights of the Mississippi experience. One of the permanent exhibits here, "Field to Factory: The Afro-American Migration, 1915–1940," was organized by the Smithsonian Institution as part of its comprehensive display at the Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. The historical exhibits will be of particular interest to visitors interested in the Underground Railroad, 20th-century civil rights, and Medgar Evers. There's a small gift shop on-site.