Things to Do & Places to Stay
Walking Tour 1
An area gifted with a rich cultural heritage and history, there is much to see in Downtown Jackson. Beautiful architecture and elegantly restored buildings add to the character of Downtown. Take a walk and explore Downtown Jackson with Walking Tour 1 and try Walking Tour 2 when you are finished.
1. Thalia Mara Hall
The Jackson Municipal Auditorium was built in 1968 and renamed Thalia Mara Hall after acclaimed dancer Thalia Mara. The auditorium is owned and operated by the city and hosts plays, concerts, musicals and the symphony; it is home to the International Ballet Competition.
2. Mississippi Arts Center
The Arts Center serves as the host venue for art and cultural organizations. The Museum of Art, Muslim Museum, the Symphony and other groups are located in the facility.
3. Russell C. Davis Planetarium
Experience the wonders of the heavens and the earth through a magnificent hemispheric theater. Enjoy large-format films, laser light concerts, and sky shows.
4. Mississippi Museum of Art
The Mississippi Museum of Art recently moved into its new home. The Museum holds an extensive collection of more than 3,000 pieces of art created by Mississippians. The Museum hosts large scale exhibits and offers several educational programs for adults and children throughout the year.
5. Mississippi TelCom Center
The Mississippi TelCom Center combines cutting-edge technology with versatile, comfortable meeting spaces. The facility features gallery space for dining events, multimedia training, and board room suites with private reception area and conference room. The TelCom Center also includes a 378-seat theater.
6. Standard Life Building
One of most photographed buildings in Jackson, the Standard Life Building, designed in the Art Deco style, stands 18 stories tall with terrazzo floors illuminating the lobby. The building was built in five months and 15 days in 24- hour work shifts.
7. Union Station
This train station flourished between 1900 and 1924. It was then known as the Illinois Central Passenger Depot & Freight Office. In 2003, the station reopened after an extensive restoration.
8. Dr. A.H. McCoy Federal Building
The only federal building in the U.S. to bear the name of an African-American, Dr. McCoy was a highly respected businessman who held real estate, mineral rights and oil leases. The building stands on a portion of the former site of Dr. McCoy’s building, where he conducted business for forty years.
9. Jackson Police Museum
The museum opened in 2004 and lies adjacent to the Farish Street Police Substation. 10. The Alamo Theater This newly renovated structure was built in the early 1940s. It was one of the last Dual Purpose theaters in America functioning as a cinema and a performing arts theater.
11. Farish Street Baptist Church
It is one of the oldest African- American Churches in the Farish Street Historic District. Farish Street Baptist Church was founded on May 3, 1893.
12. Central United Methodist Church
The church was organized in 1890 with the present day structure built in 1962. The building is important to the area since many leaders of Black Mississippi attended the church as a meeting place during the Civil Rights movement.
13. Smith Robertson Museum
The Museum holds artifacts that represent the African-American Mississippian’s experience in the fields of history, art, music, and literature. The facility was formerly Smith Robertson Elementary, the first public school for African-American children in Jackson.
14. E.T. Woolfolk State Office Building
This historic, stately structure was built in 1949 and houses several state offices. A memorial, dedicated to Mississippi veterans of all wars, is located on the grounds.
15. Mississippi Department of Transportation
16. Central High School
Parts of this building may date as early as 1888-89. Its present Collegiate Gothic appearance is due to major remodeling in 1925. Currently, it houses offices for the Department of Education.
17. Robert E. Lee Building
The building was built in 1930 as a luxury hotel in the Italian Renaissance style. In 1969, it was remodeled for state offices.
18. Greyhound Bus Terminal
Now offices for architect Robert Parker Adams, the building was completed in 1936 and constructed in the Art Moderne style.
19. Marriot Hotel
With a recently completed multi-million dollar renovation, this is Jackson’s largest hotel with 303 guest rooms. There are 19 floors, a cocktail lounge and a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch & dinner.
20. Catholic Diocese Office
Designed by architect James T. Canizaro, it was built in the Georgian Revival style and was completed in 1946.
21. Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle
Built in the Victorian Gothic Revival style, this cathedral was constructed 1897-1900. A mosaic of the Gospel of John 10:16 was added in 1959 and is located above the door.
22. St. Peter’s Rectory
This building was built in 1921 in the Greek Revival style. It is the official residence of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson and of the Rector of the Cathedral.
23. James O. Eastland U.S. Courthouse
E. L. Malvaney designed this building in the Art Deco style as a federal building and U.S. Post Office. It was built 1932- 34 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 as part of the Smith Park Architectural District.
24. Edison Walthall Hotel
This luxurious hotel in the heart of Downtown Jackson offers 208 spacious guest rooms with 23 suites. The hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport, a swimming pool, fitness center and barbershop.
25. AmSouth Plaza Mall
The AmSouth Plaza Mall offers an assortment of shopping opportunities and restaurants.
26. Landmark Center
The Landmark Center houses offices for Bell South and other businesses. The lobby contains retail, a restaurant, dental office, and a branch bank.