Car Rental Jackson

Jackson sits close to Mississippi’s centre, criss-crossed by interstates and quieter routes, making it simple to tick off all the places on your vacation itinerary. The I-20 is the major east/ west route, heading west through Vicksburg into Louisiana and east through the Bienville National Forest and Meridian into Alabama.

The other major interstate is the I-55, pulling you south to Louisiana or driving north past Grenada and Batesville into Tennessee. Head north if you’re planning to visit Memphis. Local areas are served by Routes 18, 25, 49, 51 and 80 – these are often more picturesque ways to see the surrounding area than the interstates, with more places to stop and rest.

Downtown Jackson, where many of the main attractions are located, has plenty of parking, with garages and metered street parking adding up to some 10,000 spaces. State-wide speed limits are 70mph (112km/h) on most rural freeways and interstates, while a top speed of 65mph (104km/h) on the state’s four-lane highways and a minimum limit of 30mph (48km/h) on interstates. These will be clearly signposted to avoid confusion. Other driving rules will be familiar – always wear a seatbelt and don’t use a cell phone while driving.

Jackson is an intriguing mix of the new and the old. It’s a place where Southern hospitality still goes a long way - but also one coming to terms with its history, especially in terms of race.

This shift in culture has led to a slew of fascinating museum openings. There are few better places to get a sense of the seismic shifts in American life brought about by the Civil Rights movement than here. But that’s not all – there’s also fine southern food and neighborhoods with a modern vibe.

The fight for rights

While there’s glory to be found in Jackson’s past, there’s struggle too. Follow the Mississippi Freedom Trail Markers dotted around the city to dip your toe into the charged racial tension of the not-so-distant past. They include the home of activist Medgar Evers and the relatively new Civil Rights Museum.

Profound and thought provoking, the museum is dotted with sculptures commemorating the victims of lynching, while it shares an entrance – and many themes – with the neighbouring Museum of Mississippi History. Learn about the legacy of the Jim Crow laws, slavery and the civil war, and the injustices meted out to those protesting for voting rights and human dignity. It’s unflinching and stunning.

Fabulous Fondren

The buzzy Fondren district has a hipster vibe that seems transplanted from Portland or Brooklyn - but with a uniquely southern spin. Chock-full of great coffee spots, independent stores, pop-up food venues and the terrific Fondren Art Gallery dedicated to local artists, this is the coolest area in the state.

Wander the friendly streets, passing from bakery to bookstore, café to bar. Dip into the Pig and Pint for barbecue – smoked wings, brisket sandwich and cola-glazed baby back ribs are just a warm up for the fried Twinkie strawberry shortcake dessert.

Babalu is the place to go for southern-inspired tapas or hearty tacos that run the gamut from cauliflower to crispy pork belly. For some lip-smacking seafood, look no further than Saltine with its oyster bar, po’boys, alligator gumbo, and catfish and chips.

The surprising south

One of the joys of Jackson is how it combines things you’d expect to see in the south alongside attractions that take you aback. You’d expect to see the home of Eudora Welty, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author who was born and died here. More unexpected, however, is the International Museum of Muslim Cultures, which has some fine exhibitions including a permanent one on Timbuktu.

The Mississippi Museum of Art boasts a stunning contemporary collection that takes in pop artists Andy Warhol, Mother of American modernism Georgia O’Keeffe and dozens of artists from the state. If you have kids in tow, the Mississippi Children’s Museum might be a more popular destination. There are toy exhibits, a constant program of events, literacy garden and plenty of chances to play. It’s another sign that tells you that Jackson isn’t all about the past. 

Make the most of your time in Mississippi’s vibrant capital when you book car rental in Jackson.