West Jxn

Steeped in history and culture, West Jackson is experiencing renewed interest thanks to places like Jackson State University.

Ranked a national Top 20 HBCU, JSU is an equal parts diverse and technologically advanced four-year university that serves to equip its students to become local and global leaders. If you're in town during the fall, be sure to cheer on the school's celebrated, SWAC-championed football team, along with the school's world-class marching band and dance troupe.

For a deeper dive into the city's roots and culture, take a tour of Jackson State University's Margaret Walker Center, an extensive archive and museum dedicated to the African American experience on the college campus.

The Walter Payton Center is Jackson State University's state-of-the-art health and fitness facility. Open over 350 days a year and 118 hours a week with 9,000 square feet of activity space, the variety of recreational programs spans all ages and abilities. Members can enjoy the outdoor patio after a workout, or schedule a message with an in-house massage therapist.

If you have the opportunity to travel by private aircraft or are in the corporate airline business, West Jackson’s Hawkins Field has exceptional facilities for pilots who are both transient and home-based. Established in 1928, Hawkins Field was the site of the inaugural Delta Air Lines flight in 1929 and has been providing soaring service ever since.

Pete Brown Golf Facility was established as Jackson Municipal in 1947 and eventually renamed after Jackson native Pete Brown in June 2019. Affectionately referred to as "Muny", Brown began his career as a caddie at Municipal before later becoming a professional golfer and the first Black player to win a PGA-sanctioned event. Today, Pete Brown Golf Course plays nearly 6,700 yards from the Blue tees and offers generous fairways, mild rough, and a driving range.

Cindy Ayers-Elliott's Foot Print Farms is a point of pride for West Jxn.

Credit: Drew Dempsey/Tell Agency

Experience local flavors at Stamp's Super Burgers, a no-frills, counter-service institution that's been serving up hamburgers and caring for the community for over 45 years. Bully's Soul Food Restaurant has all the hearty Southern food your heart (and stomach) desires, from beef ribs to classic fried chicken and catfish.

Stamp's Superburger is the original Jackson burger

Take a walk around the historic Jackson Zoo, which has supported a variety of exotic animals in the capital city since 1916. Mynelle Gardens Arboretum & Botanical Center is only a short drive away and a tranquil spot to walk, meditate or take in the sights of Southern azaleas and camellias. Finally, Foot Print Farms is another great opportunity to be outdoors, where their "farm fresh, city sweet" motto is put into action in providing locals with opportunities to grow, nourish themselves and promote agritourism.