Free and Budget Friendly Jackson

Public Art Map

As many of us face increasingly difficult times, art has become a way of coping. Whether you’re an artist or an observer, public art has become a widespread celebration in Jackson. If there’s a blank wall in the city, it won’t stay that way for long—murals and sculptures have become popular ways that local artists can express themselves and their talents. A few of those include:

• Hank Aaron Mural – Hank Aaron Sports Academy at Smith Wills Stadium

• “Big K.R.I.T.” mural – Arts Center of Mississippi

• Midtown Sculpture Walk

• “Bean Alley” (pictured above) – by The Bean coffee shop

• Fertile Ground mural – Galloway Elementary School

For a more complete list and map, visit our Public Art Map here.

Mississippi Museum of Art

Maybe you’ve seen a few street murals and would prefer a museum experience? The Mississippi Museum of Art in downtown Jackson is free, except for selected special exhibitions.

The museum offers exhbitis fit for visitors of all ages. Kids can get involved with hands-on activities in various workshops, labs and summer camps. Teens have their own events that include workshops and other occasions to make friends and learn more about art.

Current exhibitions in the museum include “New Symphony of Time,” featuring 170 art pieces from various artists, and “Four Freedoms” by Mildred Nungester Wolfe. These exhibits are permanent installments of the museum, paired with rotating exhibitions throughout the year.

For more information or to learn about upcoming exhibitions, visit msmuseumart.org. The museum is located at 380 South Lamar Street.

The Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art

If you’re looking to mix your love of art and the outdoors, the Art Garden makes a great afternoon excursion. This 1.2-acre park is a part of the museum where visitors can enjoy seasonal landscaping, art fixtures and garden beds filled with native plantings. The museum also hosts a variety of exhibits in the Art Garden, including exhibitions, festivals, outdoor films, musical performances and other cultural events.

Just as the museum is free of charge to guests, so is the Art Garden. For more information, visit the Garden’s website page at msmuseumart.org/the-art-garden. The garden is located at 380 South Lamar Street.

Two Mississippi Museums

Every Sunday, experience the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and Museum of Mississippi History - for free. Hours are 11 am - 5 pm. The on-site Nissan Cafe by Nick Wallace is open 11 am - 4 pm

Mississippi Music Experience at the Iron Horse Grill

See wax statues, antique instruments, and a vast collection of musical memorabilia - for free, any day of the week at the Mississippi Music Experience Museum - all while stopping in for a great meal at The Iron Horse Grill.

LeFleur’s Bluff State Park

Priced at just $2 for an adult day pass (or $4 per car load), LeFleur’s Bluff State Park is perfect for those looking to enjoy the outdoors before winter hits. A urban oasis among the everyday bustle of the city, this 305-acre state park offers a place for camping, fishing, kayaking, picnic spots and a series of nature trails.

Visiting with little ones? LeFleur’s Bluff’s Education and Tourism Complex (enter on the west side on Museum Drive) is home to the Mississippi Children’s Museum and Mississippi Natural Science Museum, and a state-of-the-art, ADA-accesible playground, making it a fantastic family-friendly day trip (museum admission is separate).

Learn more about LeFleur’s Bluff State Park here. Access the heart of the park off Lakeland Drive at 3315 Lakeland Terrace.

Jackson Zoo

Who doesn’t love a check-in with their wilder side!? The Jackson Zoo at Livingston Park sits on 110 acres of land and features 250 animals from 150 different species. The zoo operates as an educational experience for all ages. It features interactive exhibits and a plethora of information on each animal that lives on the grounds.

Visitors 13 and older are $8 per person, ages 2 to 12 are $5, and those under two years old are free. Any adult showing proof of new or completed vaccination will receive one free children’s ticket as a bonus.

The zoo’s hours are currently Thursday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. For more information, visit jacksonzoo.org. The zoo is located at 2918 West Capitol Street.

Mississippi Agriculture Museum

Part museum, part living-history farm, the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum features a recreated 1920s cotton-economy-era town that features local historical artifacts. Inside, the museum chronicles agricultural life in the state, and, is home to the National Agricultural Aviation Museum.

The “Ag Museum” holds rotating seasonal events.General admission is $6 and $5 for ages three to 17, seniors and military personnel. Ticket pricing varies depending on special events hosted at the museum.

For more information, visit msagmuseum.org. The museum is in the LeFleur Museum District at 1150 Lakeland Drive.

Eudora Welty House & Garden

The home of Eudora Welty (author of “The Optimist’s Daughter” and more) for more than 80 years until her death in 2001, the Welty House and Garden are kept by The Mississippi Department of Archives and History. In its 1986 state, when Welty was in the midst of her writing and traveling, the home is one of the most intact literary homes in America.

An avid gardener, Welty took great pride in the gardened grounds of her home. The vibrant imagery of her writing focused primarily on plant-based images, with a total of over 150 plants mentioned in her stories.

The Welty Garden is always in bloom. No matter the season, flowers and plants thrive within the garden grounds to create a unique experience for visitors year-round.

Although the garden is completely free for visitors, tickets for the Welty House are available for purchase over the phone or at the visitor center. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for those 60 years old and over, teachers, military and Mississippi Heritage Trust and National Trust members. Student admission is $5 students and free for children under six years old.

To learn more about this historical place, visit welty.mdah.ms.gov. The house is located in the Belhaven neighborhood at 1109 Pinehurst Street.