One of Mississippi’s nicknames is “The Hospitality State,” and Jackson, the capital city, lives up to that name. Jackson is a city with small-town warmth. Throughout the city, you’ll find beautiful historic buildings alongside important landmarks and modern attractions.

Jackson has been home to a variety of artists including musicians, authors, and dancers over the years, and this artistic influence is on display throughout the city. Those familiar with Southern cuisine will also not be surprised to find that Jackson has excellent restaurants. Any time you eat, you know it’s going to be good because that’s just how people do things here.

As a native Mississippian, I’ve spent years visiting the capital city. I even lived in Jackson for a while after graduating college. Each year, I come back for a few of my favorite events like the Mississippi Book Festival. Jackson sometimes gets overlooked when it comes to Southern cities, but I love sharing the best of this city with others.

If you’re planning a trip, and you’re looking for the best things to do in Jackson, here are my suggestions!

The Eudora Welty House. Chad Robertson Media/Shutterstock

Visit the Eudora Welty House

For lovers of literature, the Eudora Welty House is a must-visit while in Jackson. Mississippi author Eudora Welty lived and wrote in the 1925 Tudor Revival house for 75 years. The house is staged with Welty’s possession as it would have been during 1986 while Welty was still actively writing. The tour of the house gives a lot of insight into the life of one of the most distinctive American writers of the 20th century. You feel as if she’s just stepped out as you walk through the rooms.

Besides the house itself, the garden is one of the highlights of a visit there. I didn’t know until I took a tour that Welty was an avid gardener. The garden has been restored according to the details from photographs and journals. Rather than being a show garden, it has a lovely, personal atmosphere.

Even if you aren’t a huge fan of Eudora Welty, a visit to the home of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author is a special experience.