Jackson's restaurant scene has you covered whether you’re in the mood for authentic soul food, Cajun cuisine or even a pig-ear sandwich.

James Beard nominated Sambou's African Kitchen serves Gambian food on the city's northside while James Beard Award-winning Bully’s Soul Food has all the classics from turkey necks and greens to fried green tomatoes and neckbones in West Jackson. Near the JSU campus, Stamp's Super Burgers offers, arguably, the best burger in town.

At Sugar’s Place Downtown, have a classic meat-and-three experience with everything from chicken and waffles to fried catfish. They also have a delicious hearty breakfast for those looking to jumpstart their day with plenty of fuel. In Fondren, Soulé offers a respite from a busy day along with craft coffees and teas.

Since Mississippi is known for its Creole influence, find a true taste of the Bayou at 1693 Red Zone Grill or Johnny T’s Bistro & Blues.

And of course, no trip to Jackson is complete without a meal at Big Apple Inn. Established by a first-generation Mexican immigrant family, the restaurant was a popular meeting place for Freedom Riders and even hosted meetings held by Medgar Evans in its basement. The legendary restaurant is known for its tamales and signature pig ear sandwiches. For the handheld masterpiece, pig ears are pressure cooked until tender then served on a bun with homemade hot sauce, slaw, and mustard. They’re a rite of passage in Mississippi culture and well worth their miniscule $1.70 price tag.

Jackson State University's Sonic Boom of the South is one of the most renowned HBCU marching bands in the nation, known for their high-stepping style and dynamic performances. In 2024, they made history as part of Usher's Super Bowl LVIII halftime show performance in Las Vegas, bringing their signature precision and energy to one of television's most-watched events. The band followed this milestone with another historic achievement, performing in the 2025 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, where they dazzled crowds with their distinctive sound and choreography.

On Farish Street, a historic district that once was the undisputed hub for Jackson’s Black community, you can still find original businesses that graced the streets in the ‘50s, as well as new ones that are carrying the torch for Black businesses in Jackson today. Marshall’s Music & Bookstore continues to make history as the country’s oldest continuously operated Black-owned bookshop, near another longtime favorite, Afrikan Art Gallery.

Elsewhere in the city, other Black business owners help the city shine with thriving boutiques and retail stores that show off the city’s soul. Phillip Rollins, also known as DJ Young Venom, offers records, toys, comics, and space for the creative community at Offbeat, his alternative art and apparel store, in Downtown Jackson. Lofton + Co. provides the city with small-batch handmade candles, wax melts, soaps, and body scrubs. And, once a month in season, the Magnolia Sunset Market - a curated lineup of mostly Black artisan vendors - sets up shop sometimes alongside another Black-lead market effort, Jxn Flea.

From the city’s Civil Rights Museum to lesser-known landmarks and points of interest along the Mississippi Freedom Trail, there’s plenty to explore in Jackson when it comes to Civil Rights. The city even curated a Civil Rights Google Map that notes several places of interest on the Freedom Trail as well as other Civil Rights sites. If you don’t have time to check off every location on the list, here are some places to start.

Mississippi Civil Rights Museum

The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum has eight interactive exhibits that explore the Civil Rights movement in Jackson from 1945 to 1976. Visitors can see important stories and artifacts, and sometimes even get a tour from Hezekiah Watkins, the youngest Freedom Rider.

Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center

The Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center is where the first school for Black children opened in 1894. It showcases African American history, culture, and notable figures, making it a great place to learn about the Deep South's African American experience.

Cofo Center at JSU

The COFO Center at Jackson State University honors the Council of Federated Organizations, which united several civil rights groups between 1963 and 1965. It preserves the history of Mississippi's Civil Rights Movement and key events like Freedom Summer.

Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument

The home of Medgar Evers, a key Civil Rights leader, is now a national monument. Evers fought for Black rights in Mississippi and was assassinated in 1963, with his home serving as a reminder of his sacrifice and activism.

Tougaloo College

Tougaloo College, founded in 1869, is known as the "Cradle of the Civil Rights Movement" and hosted famous leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. During the Civil Rights era, its students participated in important sit-ins that helped inspire activism in Mississippi.

Mississippi Freedom Trail

To see the full picture of Civil Rights in Mississippi, plan to make as many stops as possible along the Mississippi Freedom Trail. Locations include the Greyhound Bus Station where Freedom Riders were famously met by state police; HBCU Jackson State University; HBCU Tougaloo College; and the site of a sit-in at Woolworth’s department store. The Mississippi State Capitol, where the “March Against Fear” rally was held in 1966, is also part of the historic trail.

Margaret Walker Center

At Jackson State University, the Margaret Walker Center is a cultural preservation and resource center for African American history and culture. Open to the public, browse influential records like the papers of the late Margaret Walker Alexander; those of the former U.S. Secretary of Education, Roderick Paige; and a large oral history department that includes over 2,000 interviews. Don't miss the additional exhibits and literacy projects showcasing the Center's collections and history of the university.

Farish Street

Explore the nine-block Farish Street District that was once a thriving hub for Black-owned businesses and community. In post-war 1947, Farish Street was bustling with activity and life. Though the district is much quieter today, visitors can learn all about its livelier past through commemorative markers that celebrate Farish Street’s glory days. Be sure to see the Alamo Theater and Trumpet Records, two institutions that carry the torch for Farish Street as it experiences a promising renaissance.