This city located between Memphis and Nashville offers a fascinating Civil War history, a thriving music scene and a variety of outdoor activities.
Jackson is a city in west Tennessee known for its Civil War history and musical heritage. The city was originally called Alexandria when it was settled in the early 19th century. It was renamed in 1822 to honor General and future President of the United States, Andrew Jackson.
The city played a key role during the American Civil War. Tour monuments throughout Jackson that commemorate its place in America’s history. On East College Street, a monument marks the Affair at Jackson. It was here that Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest exaggerated the size of his small cavalry and kept a Union force of 10,000 men at bay. Visit the sites of the Battle of Salem Cemetery and the Battle of Parker’s Crossroads, where Forrest further delayed Union General Ulysses Grant’s progress to Vicksburg.
Jackson is located in the middle of two of the country’s greatest musical cities and has its own unique musical heritage. Discover this history at the Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame, which is home to old video footage, portraits of famous musicians, Elvis memorabilia and an in-house dance troupe. If your tastes lean more toward classical performances, see a show by the Jackson Symphony Orchestra.
Experience moviemaking history at Rusty’s TV and Movie Car Museum. This venue has more than 25 cars from famous films and shows.
For an outdoor night of fun for the whole family, head to The Ballpark at Jackson to cheer on the home team. This is where the Jackson Generals play AA baseball.
Rent a bike or walk the peaceful trails of Natchez Trace State Park on foot. Nearby, see the majestic raptors that live in Cypress Grove Nature Park.
The weather in Jackson is warm throughout the year. Even during winter months, temperatures never dip below freezing. If you visit during the summer, you can expect very hot days that are great for exploring forest trails or cooling off in the air-conditioned comfort of a museum.
From Jackson, take the highway west to Memphis or east to Nashville. You can reach either city by car in less than 2 hours. McKellar-Sipes Airport offers flights to many major cities within the U.S.