Featured Photo by Hey Ciara, Visit Jackson

Top Experiences In Historic Jackson, Mississippi For The Perfect Couples Getaway!

Jackson, MS

Jackson is the populous capital of Mississippi, located right in the heart of the southern Magnolia State. For Great River Road travelers, it is a 50 miles detour from the Mississippi River, but Jackson’s history, nightlife, entertainment, and charm are often worth the drive. Here you can dive deep into Civil War history, visit great museums and historical buildings, and hear live music in the place where many genres have their roots.

Jackson is also a great place for a perfect couples getaway with your significant other. You can take advantage of the many recreational activities, entertainment opportunities, and southern hospitality to plan the perfect vacation to enjoy with your partner.

5 Ways to Get Outside on the Turtle River

If your partner and you are interested in outdoor recreation LeFleur’s Bluff State Park is a perfect destination to add to your trip itinerary, but the park can be enjoyed by couples with all interests as well. LeFleur’s is a great place to set up a picnic and enjoy nice weather and the outdoors in Jackson. Pick a spot at one of the picnic tables or shelters in the shaded section of the riverside day-use area and enjoy a great afternoon with your partner.

While you’re at LeFleur’s there are plenty of options for recreation including hiking, golfing, fishing, boating, and disc golfing. With the park’s location being in the heart of urban Jackson, you are never too far from a museum, entertainment, or restaurant, making it easy to spend a couple of hours outdoors before heading back to explore more of the city.

5 Ways to Get Outside on the Turtle River

One of the best parts of the City With Soul is the amount of public art and murals scattered around the city. Public art is more common and widely celebrated in Jackson today than ever before, giving the city a vibrant and colorful look that captures the essence of these Mississippi communities. You can find public art on so many streets, walls, and common spaces across Jackson that the city crafted a map to find them all.

In Jackson, public art is seen as a way to connect communities and people, and your significant other and you can enjoy it in this way, too. A great way to remember your trip is through photographs, and the murals and public art pieces are the perfect backdrop for an impromptu photo shoot of your partner and you. Don’t be shy to ask a passerby to take a photo of the both of you, as locals and visitors alike are often more than happy to.

5 Ways to Get Outside on the Turtle River

Photo by Duling Hall

Mississippi, known as the “Birthplace of America’s Music,” is the state where many music genres have a rich history, such as the blues, country, and rock n’ roll. To experience a live show today is a bucket-list event for many people and something your partner and you should consider when in Jackson. Downtown Jackson and the Fondren District are great places to enjoy blues, rock and country music at the various local clubs and restaurants.

A local favorite you might want to check out is Hal and Mal’s, a premier venue for musical acts of all genres. Snack on Gulf Coast seafood, poboys, burgers, and great beverages while enjoying the band of the night for a great evening excursion. F. Jones Corner on historic Farish Street is another popular choice for live music and bar fare, or you can try out Duling Hall for a more intimate experience. Whatever your significant other and you decide on, you can expect a great show and a memorable time.

5 Ways to Get Outside on the Turtle River

The Fondren District is Jackson’s art scene, better known as a hub of musical and visual arts, unique owner-operated boutiques, and over two-dozen locally owned restaurants, bars, coffee shops and bakeries. It is a great place for everyone visiting Jackson for a day trip to wander the shops or an evening adventure sampling cocktails and food, but it can be especially fun for couples visiting for the first time. There are also frequent concerts, art openings, group fitness opportunities, book signings, food tastings, and more events, making the Fondren District the perfect place to try something new.

While the possibilities are endless in the Fondren District, one place you’ll want to be sure to visit for brunch or dinner is Saltine, a modern oyster bar and restaurant featuring Southern cuisine, fresh seafood, seasonal veggies & craft cocktails. Brent’s Drugs is another uniquely Jackson experience, a 1946 pharmacy turned into a novelty diner serving old fashion fountain soda and diner food. You can also visit The Apothecary at Brent’s in the storeroom of the old pharmacy, where you and your partner can try classic and original cocktails inspired by the soda fountain and pharmacy history.

5 Ways to Get Outside on the Turtle River

Photo by Fairview Inn

Treat your partner and yourself with a stay at the beautiful Fairview Inn Boutique Hotel just outside of downtown Jackson. Built in 1908, the Fairview Inn is one of the few Colonial Revival style houses that remains in the city, allowing guests to experience Jackson heritage through authentic historic rooms and other amenities. The gorgeous property steeped in history will make your stay in Jackson that much more enjoyable, along with everything the hotel has to offer on the inside.

If you want to plan the perfect trip for your significant other and yourself, be sure to book a room with a whirlpool tub and a working fireplace. Fairview Inn’s rooms also feature spacious living areas, a variety of bed options, and smaller amenities that make all the difference like plush robes and upscale bathroom products. You can even make your stay even more special with room add-ons, from romantic additions to food and beverages depending on the occasion. The onsite spa located by the gardens, nomiSpa, is a great way to relax and spend some time with your loved one. To top it all off, the Fairview Inn features the Library Lounge and 1908 Provisions for onsite dining, two of the premier evening locations in Jackson.

I am a student, aspiring writer, and avid reader of books. My favorite things in the world are my German Shepherds and hiking in Colorado.

Maeve Miller

Writer , River Travel Magazine