Country Vacations & Resorts

How about a “City with Soul,” and named for my favorite president, Andrew Jackson? (Happy 243rd birthday by the way!)

We’re off this time to Jackson, Mississippi.

Along the historic Natchez Trace you’ll find the capital of Mississippi at Jackson, with its population of approximately 160,000 residents. Having looked around for a prime location for the state’s capital, three intrepid souls selected Jackson for the “beautiful and healthful surroundings, good water, abundant timber, navigable waters, and proximity to the trading route Natchez Trace,” (quote from wikipedia.com), and since 1821, Jackson has been Mississippi’s capital city.

The city is named for Andrew Jackson, America’s seventh president, in honor of his victory at the Battle of New Orleans.

Jackson, Mississippi is full of history and, during the 1960′s, most of it was regarding the same racial segregation/desegregation issues facing the rest of the United States. The arrest of Freedom Riders, the murder of Medgar Evers, voter registration problems, and bombings of a synagogue by the KKK (Ku Klux Klan), kept the city in turmoil for nearly the entire decade. However, this city has survived and flourished and a trip to current-day Jackson allows the traveler to benefit from all the city has endured.

Jackson Mississippi is located on the Pearl River and is the only capital city to sit atop a live volcano, appropriately named the Jackson Volcano. Don’t worry though – Jackson’s volcano has been inactive for an estimated 65 million years! Jackson has a humid, subtropical climate and is prone to thunderstorms so, for those who have sinus issues – visit Jackson during Fall and Winter months to take advantage of warmer Winter temperatures – without the humidity.

Since receiving its first “Mississippi Blues Trail” designation, Jackson now has more of these than any other location in the state, and is the birthplace and/or home to many musicians. You can still catch the blues downtown at a variety of local clubs by visiting the revitalized and historic Farish Street while you sit back, relax and enjoy the best in Southern cooking and hospitality. Visit the Jackson Zoo , or take the Historic Downtown Walking Tour.  Don’t forget to check out the city’s variety of antique shops or visit some of the monuments and memorials to learn about this city’s important past. Tour the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, the home of renowned Mississippi writer Eudora Welty, and take a casual and scenic stroll through the beautiful seven-acre Mynelle Gardens.

Mynelle Gardens

Pearl River Resort – Choctaw, Mississippi

Casinos and gambling near Jackson, Mississippi

Want to check out one of the most visited casinos in Mississippi? Visit Choctaw – about 75 miles northeast of Jackson and, good luck!

Gardens, museums, blues, history, rivers, and antiques…Jackson, Mississippi is a fine choice for your next country vacation.

More detailed info on Jackson, Mississippi from those who know it best.