Metro Jackson Attractions Association

Mississippi Children’s Museum
P.O. Box 55409 - Jackson 39296 - 601-981-5469

The excitement is building as plans for the Mississippi Children’s Museum are being finalized. This $24 million dollar development, near the heart of the capital city, is being created by some of the top educators, researchers, architects and exhibit designers in the country. Museum organizers share the beliefs of our school teachers and educators that we should foster and inspire life-long learning and appeal to the diverse learning styles of Mississippi’s children and the adults who care for them. The Mississippi Children’s Museum will celebrate our state’s rich history and tradition by providing exhibits and programs that are fun, creative and imaginative, thereby igniting and inspiring a thirst for discovery, knowledge and learning in ALL children. This 40,000 square foot unique educational facility is due to open in 2009. Check our progress and learn how you can be involved by visiting our website at www.mississippichildrensmuseum.com.

Mississippi Crafts Center

950 Rice Road - Ridgeland - 601-856-7546

The Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi is proud to announce the opening of the New Mississippi Crafts Center. Since 1973, the Guild has elevated craft to fine art and has a spectacular new building to showcase the work of approximately 400 Master Craftsmen. The Gallery is open year-round from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday. The Mississippi Crafts Center is an art gallery, museum, community center for special events, and education facility. Admission is free to the gallery. The annual Chimneyville Crafts Festival is held the first weekend in December at the MS Trade Mart, off High Street, in Jackson. For details, call or visit www.mscrafts.org.

Mississippi Farmers’ Market

929 High Street - Jackson - 601-354-6573

The new Mississippi Farmers Market in downtown Jackson provides an uptown take on “country come to town.” The Mississippi Farmers’ Market offers fresh produce, crafts, chef demonstrations, school contests, children’s activities and entertainment. Visitors do not have to wait to get home from the market to have a taste of Mississippi. Breakfast and lunch are served at the casual Farmers Market Grill. Featured are fresh Mississippi grown meats, fruits and vegetables, and home-style cooking. From week to week and season to season, the varied offerings at the market constantly change. There is always something fresh at the Mississippi Farmers’ Market in downtown Jackson.

Mississippi Museum of Art

“Mississippi’s 2008 Travel Attraction of the Year”

380 South Lamar Street - Jackson - 601-960-1515

The Mississippi Museum of Art opened a brand new facility in June 2007. The Museum presents multiple exhibitions each year, featuring regional, national and international art. The Museum also boasts a permanent collection of more than 4,000 works of art. The Mississippi Story, an exhibition of works from the Museum’s collection, reveals the remarkable history of visual arts in the Magnolia State. The Mississippi Story is available free of admission to the general public. For details on the new facility, hours, admissions, exhibitions and programs, please visit www.msmuseumart.org.

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

“Mississippi’s 2006 Travel Attraction of the Year”

2148 Riverside Drive - Jackson - 601-354-7303

A series of life-sized displays gives a comprehensive sense of  Mississippi’s diverse habitats, along with an understanding of the relationships that exist among the state’s land, plants, animals and people. A 100,000-gallon aquarium system houses over 200 living species of native fish, reptiles, amphibians and aquatic invertebrates. A 1,700-square-foot greenhouse called “The Swamp,” with another 20,000-gallon aquarium, provides a home for alligators, turtles, fish and a lush native plant garden. 2.5 miles of nature trails and native plant gardens are enjoyed year round. To learn more, visit msnaturalscience.org.

Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

1152 Lakeland Drive - Jackson - 800-280-FAME - 601-982-8264

Mississippi’s first museum for the 21st century contains a wide array of interactive, participatory exhibitry. Touch-screen television kiosks allow museum visitors to access archival footage, biographical information and more than 900 interviews with famous Mississippi athletes like Walter Payton, Jerry Rice and Archie Manning. Open Monday- Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For details, e-mail us at generalinfo@msfame.com or visit us on the web at msfame.com.

Museum of Mississippi History

200 North Street - Jackson 39202 - P.O. Box 571 - Jackson 39205 - 601-576-6920

Plans are underway for construction of a new Museum of Mississippi History in downtown Jackson. The state-of-the-art museum will tell Mississippi’s history from the earliest times to the present, exploring all aspects of the state’s rich cultural heritage. The Museum of Mississippi History was forced out of the Old Capitol, its home for decades, after Hurricane Katrina severely damaged the site. The museum continues to offer traveling exhibits and programs for school and civic groups. The Mississippi History Store (formerly Old Capitol Shop) is temporarily located in the William F. Winter Archives and History Building, 200 North Street, Jackson. For more information, visit mdah.state.ms.us.

The Oaks House Museum

823 North Jefferson Street - Jackson - 601-353-9339

The Greek Revival-style cottage, The Oaks, was built about 1853 on four acres of urban farmstead. Also known as the Boyd House, it was the home of the James Hervey Boyd family for more than 100 years. Mr. Boyd was mayor of Jackson four times and alderman for many terms, including the year 1863 when Jackson was burned by Union forces. For a glimpse of middle-class life in the years 1853- 63, come to The Oaks House, with its cistern, dairy and garden, and site of original detached kitchen, privy and stable. To learn more, visit the museum’s website at www.theoakshousemuseum.org.

Old Capitol

State Street at Capitol Street - Jackson - 601-576-6920

The Old Capitol, closed since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita damaged the building in the

fall of 2005, is scheduled to reopen in January 2009 after a complete restoration. The museum will have a new focus, interpreting the distinguished history of the building that served as Mississippi’s statehouse from 1839 to 1903, with a special focus on government in action. Exhibits will also detail the early history of Jackson as the capital city and historic preservation. For more information, call 601-576-6920 or visit mdah.state.ms.us

Russell C. Davis Planetarium

201 East Pascagoula Street - Jackson 39201 - 601-960-1550 (recorded show information) 601-960-1552 (offices and group reservations)

Experience one of the largest and best equipped planetariums in the South –

providing space for our children and the child in each of us! The McNair Space Theater’s large-format films, star features and laser/light concerts take you to the farthest reaches of our planet and universe. The Lobby showcases space transportation, the solar system, the Milky Way and the cosmos, as well as unique

souvenirs and gifts. To learn more, visit TheDavisPlanetarium.com or email

info@TheDavisPlanetarium.com.