Things to Do in Jackson MS (2025)

Tour Mississippi’s first legal distillery, then linger for cocktails and occasional live sets in the Farish Street arts district. Recognized by Garden & Gun and a past James Beard semi‑finalist, Cathead pairs craft spirits with community‑minded programming.

A downtown landmark for live blues and beyond since 1985, now honored with a Mississippi Blues Trail marker. The calendar still hums with Blue Monday, jazz nights, and touring acts; come hungry for gumbo and Gulf flavors.

Fourth‑generation counter on Farish Street famous for pig ear and smoke sausage sliders. Celebrated by Serious Eats, BBC Travel and Bon Appétit, it’s as much living history as lunch; expect quick service and a steady stream of regulars.

Jackson’s beloved independent bookstore in Banner Hall hosts author talks weekly and partners with the Mississippi Book Festival. Browse new releases, Southern literature, and a fine first‑edition room, then catch an afternoon reading with locals.

Slip behind Brent’s retro soda fountain into a dim, pharmacy‑chic cocktail den. Cited by Esquire, Garden & Gun and Southern Living, it riffs on soda‑fountain lore with prescriptions like a Ramos Gin Fizz and seasonal, technique‑driven drinks.

Part bakery, part community hub in Belhaven Heights, known for scratch pies, coffee, and an intimate after‑hours music and reading series. The Mississippi Book Festival and local creatives regularly take over the backyard courtyard.

Belhaven Town Center’s lively taproom anchors neighborhood happenings—Lagers & Joggers runs, trivia, and a sprawling Oktoberfest. Bring takeout from nearby spots, sip crisp lagers or seasonals, and mingle on the patio with families and dogs.

A restored 1940s cinema in Fondren showing first‑run and repertory films with dine‑in service. Praised in regional travel roundups, its schedule blends blockbusters, cult favorites, and special events in a classic‑meets‑modern room.

Long‑running, family‑owned venue where blue plates by day give way to late‑night sets from regional bands. Visit Jackson consistently highlights its patio shows and weekend lineups—an easy way to hear the City With Soul.

Chef Hunter Evans’s Mississippi‑French cafe earned The New York Times Restaurant List and multiple James Beard nods. Come for redfish almondine at dinner or a refined breakfast; the tasting menu channels local farms and Gulf bounty.

DJ Young Venom’s Black‑owned record and comic shop doubles as an art gallery and micro‑venue. Recently relocated downtown, it curates Mississippi music, design toys, and under‑the‑radar shows that showcase Jackson’s creative pulse.