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Jackson is a city of about 68,000 people in West Tennessee, roughly halfway between Memphis and Nashville along Interstate 40. Founded in 1821 and named for Andrew Jackson, it became an important railroad hub, and it is famous as the hometown of the legendary engineer Casey Jones and a cradle of rockabilly music through Carl Perkins.
Casey Jones Village gathers the engineer's home and railroad museum with the popular Old Country Store restaurant. Downtown, the restored NC&StL Depot tells the story of the railroads, and the International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame honors the local musicians who helped shape early rock and roll. The city also has historic districts of Victorian homes and is home to Union University and Lane College.
Nature and history lie close by. Cypress Grove Nature Park offers a boardwalk through a cypress swamp, Pinson Mounds preserves one of the largest Middle Woodland mound complexes in the country, and Chickasaw State Park has lakes, trails and cabins about half an hour south.
The preserved home of railroad engineer Casey Jones, who died in a famous 1900 wreck, set in Casey Jones Village with exhibits on his life and the golden age of railroading. Outside stands a steam locomotive like the one he drove. Allow an hour or so and pair it with a meal at the Old Country Store.
A small downtown museum honoring rockabilly artists with ties to Jackson and West Tennessee, especially Carl Perkins, with photos, instruments, records and stage costumes. Guided tours share stories of the early days of rock and roll. Hours can be limited, so call ahead before visiting.
A large restaurant and general store in Casey Jones Village known for its Southern buffet of fried chicken, vegetables, cornbread and cobbler, plus an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. The store sells candy, local foods and gifts. Arrive before the lunch rush on Sundays, when local families fill the tables.
A covered farmers market in downtown Jackson where regional growers sell fresh produce, honey, baked goods, plants and crafts during the growing season, with special events and festivals. It is a good place to try local tomatoes and peaches. Go early on Saturday mornings for the best choice of produce.
A restored 1907 passenger depot of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway in downtown Jackson, now home to a railroad museum with model trains, artifacts and historic rail cars outside. It recalls the era when Jackson was a busy rail junction. Admission is free; check the weekday hours.
A state park about 15 minutes south of Jackson protecting a large Middle Woodland ceremonial site with at least a dozen earthen mounds, including Sauls Mound, one of the tallest in the United States. A museum shaped like a mound explains the site. Walk the trails and boardwalk, and allow two hours.
A city nature park with an elevated boardwalk winding through a cypress swamp, an observation tower and a raptor center that cares for injured hawks, owls and eagles. It is a peaceful walk with good birding. Admission is free; bring bug spray in summer and look for turtles and herons along the water.
A state park in the pine forests south of Jackson with Lake Placid for fishing and paddle boats, a swimming beach, hiking and horse trails, cabins and campgrounds. It is a favorite family getaway in summer. Rent a cabin for a weekend, or come for a day of swimming and a picnic by the lake.
A downtown civic center named for Jackson's rockabilly legend, hosting concerts, comedy, sports, trade shows and community events through the year. It is the city's main indoor venue for touring acts. Check the event schedule online, and combine a show with dinner at one of the restaurants downtown.
A residential historic district in Jackson listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with tree-shaded streets of early 20th-century houses in a mix of the popular styles of that era. It shows the city's growth in the railroad era. Enjoy it on a slow drive or walk, and remember that the houses are private homes.
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Log in to add photosPhoto: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ M.D., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ M.D., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ M.D., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Spencer Kellum, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Spencer Kellum, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Spencer Kellum, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Spencer Kellum, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Brian Stansberry, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
