Soulful Family Fun in JXN

Jackson is a city that thrives on offering authentic experiences, so children of all ages are sure to stay active and entertained.

From festive dining experiences to outdoor playtime, opportunities for quality family time are endless.

Let Your Imagination Run Wild at the LeFleur Museum District

The LeFleur Museum District is home to four of our city’s state-of-the-art museums, perfect for family adventure.

The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum explores the state’s rich sports history. Dive into the stories and experiences of Mississippi Olympians, Super Bowl MVPs, World Series Champions and much more. Through interactive exhibits and games, Mississippi legends live forever.

Step back in time and discover our rich agricultural legacy at the Mississippi Agricultural & Forestry Museum. Venture through Small Town, Mississippi and the Fortenberry Farm as you learn how the agricultural industry shaped the state. Grab a cold, old-fashioned glass bottled Coca-Cola from the general store as you explore the filling station, cotton gin, sawmill, blacksmith shop, grist mill, and period replica church, doctor’s office, and schoolhouse. There’s also a barnyard, picnic pavilion and nature trail.

Let your imagination run wild at the Mississippi Children’s Museum, where children of all ages can dig for fossils, captain a shrimp boat, paint, crawl through a replica of the digestive system, and more! Adventure abounds at MCM and there’s no shortage of opportunity for learning and playing.

Mississippi’s natural landscape and its inhabitants are on full display at the Mississippi Natural Science Museum, where you can view live alligators, snakes, snapping turtles, and over 200 species of native fish. Enjoy the great outdoors along the museum’s lush hiking trail.

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

After a day of adventure, there’s nothing more needed than a sweet treat, and Jackson has plenty!

Grab a stool at the oldest diner and soda fountain in the city, Brent’s Drugs. Brent’s has been serving up classic milkshakes, malts, sundaes, and floats in the Fondren neighborhood since 1946. Located in Mississippi’s very first shopping center, you can’t leave without a visit to this Jackson staple.

For 40 years, Nandy’s Candy has been a must-do for kids (and those that are kids at heart). Whether you’re wanting truffles, fudge, or a satisfying sno-ball, Nandy’s serves it up with a smile.

At Sal & Mookie’s New York Pizza and Ice Cream Joint, go for the pizza, stay for the scoops! Step on up to their scoop shop, where a variety of flavors and options are at your fingertips. Enjoy your treats on their patio or on the District Green.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Learning is fun at the Jackson Zoo, where animal care, research, education, and conservation combine with a sense of wonder. Learn about animal species, habitats, and habits as you explore one of the city’s most treasured attractions. From lemurs to giraffes to black bears and much more, your family will be in the wildest of company.

Discover the Merry Old Land of Oz

With our rich literary history (that continues), we take reading seriously in Jackson. But that doesn’t mean it’s boring. At famed Lemuria Books, there’s a magical place devoted to instilling a love of reading in children – Oz. In this enchanting section of our beloved local bookstore, you’ll find booksellers chock full of spot-on recommendations. Whether your child loves graphic novels, fairytales, or history, the Oz and Lemuria staff will curate choices specific to their interests. You’re sure to want to stay a while.

See the Beauty in The Streets

The City With Soul is home to an abundance of public art, showcasing the creative community that calls Jackson home. From Shon Perryman’s “JXN Icons” across from the Two Mississippi Museums to Downtown Jackson’s vibrant traffic signal boxes, to Midtown, Fondren and beyond, there’s creative inspiration around every corner.

Check out our public art map to find murals, sculpture, and other public art (and the best Instagram-worthy photo ops!) at bit.ly/jxnpublicart.

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Author

Amanda Wells

Amanda Wells is founder of The Tell Agency and thrives on having a story to tell. After earning a degree in PR with a Journalism minor from Mississippi College, she turned that love of words into her life’s work - writing for a bevy of lifestyle publication with a focus on travel, cuisine, and interiors. Writing to showcase the good that surrounded her evolved into helping small business, corporate, and non-profit clients tell their story at The Tell Agency.