20 Things To Do In Jackson Tn

Jackson is a quaint city roughly halfway between Memphis and Nashville. The town experienced a boom due to the railroad during the 19th century and, more recently, as a stopover destination for travellers driving between Nashville and Memphis.

While Jackson might be significantly smaller in size and prominence than the Volunteer State’s other large cities, it has terrific amenities and attractions, a warm small-town feel and a unique vibe. From the annual West Tennessee Artisan Trail to the Tina Turner Museum, Jackson has plenty to keep you busy. So tick off these things to do in Jackson, Tennessee, as you explore the Volunteer State.

Jackson, Tennessee

20 Things To Do In Jackson Tn

1- Visit The N.C.and St. L. Depot and Railroad Museum

Explaining and exhibiting the railway’s important role in putting Jackson on the map in great detail, N.C.& St. L. Depot and Railroad Museum is a wonderful destination to learn and explore.

Housed inside the former railroad depot just a block from Jackson’s Fairgrounds Park, the museum’s exhibits include a detailed model train track, a fully-restored caboose and fascinating memorabilia dedicated to the history of rail in Tennessee.

The museum is worth stopping by, with many historical items. 

N.C.& St. L. Depot and Railroad Museum is at 582 S Royal St, Jackson, TN 38301.

2- Visit The Carnegie Center for Arts and History

Located inside the building that housed the former Jackson Free Library, Jackson’s first public library that opened in 1903, the Carnegie Center for Arts and History is one of the city’s most important historical and cultural sites.

The National Register of Historic Places-listed building houses the Carnegie Center for Arts and History.

It received significant contributions from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who played a fundamental role in the library’s establishment.

Today the centre is home to the Carnegie Legends Museum, which exhibits memorabilia and artefacts belonging to some of the biggest stars from Tennessee, including Tina Turner, Denise LaSalle, and Eddy Arnold.

Carnegie Center for Arts and History 305 E College St 6215, Jackson, TN 38301.

3- Watch A Show At Carl Perkins Civic Center

Named after Jackson’s famous son, Blues singer Carl Perkins, the 2,200-seat Carl Perkins Civic Center is the go-to destination for live music and theatrical performances throughout the year.

Opened in 1973, the venue has drawn several big names in the entertainment industry and has quickly become one of Jackson’s top attractions for late-night entertainment.

Carl Perkins Civic Center is at 400 S Highland Ave, Jackson, TN 38301.

4- Follow The West Tennessee Artisan Trail

The West Tennessee Artisan Trail was established to highlight and display the artworks made by local Jackson artists and artists in the broader western Tennessee region.

Apart from being an excellent destination to pick up some fantastic art pieces at bargain prices, the West Tennessee Artisan Trail, which was first set up in 2015, has provided much-needed exposure to hundreds of young independent artists across Tennessee.

West Tennessee Artisan Trail is at 124 E Baltimore St 118, Jackson, TN 38301.

5- Have Fun At Donnell Century Farm

Offering an authentic rustic farm experience a mere stone’s throw away from Downtown Jackson, the Donnell Century Farm Adventure is a wonderful attraction encouraging visitors to connect with nature.

The Donnell Century Farm Adventure’s zip lines, petting zoos, and hayrides ensure that visitors of all ages are entertained all day long.

Hosting all sorts of fun and engaging events and seasonal events throughout the year, the Donnell Century Farm Adventure is one of Jackson’s top outdoor attractions to visit.

Donnell Century Farm Adventure is at 3720 Hwy 70 E, Jackson, TN 38305.

6- Cypress Grove Nature Park

The lush and scenic Cypress Grove Nature Park is a sprawling 4,000 acres (1,619 ha) of untouched nature with different biomes – such as marshland, cypress forests and grassland.

A comfortable 1.9-mile long (3 km) nature trail runs through a section of Cypress Grove Nature Park, which stretches from the park’s main entrance to the beautiful 25-acre (10 ha) lake inside the park.

Free to enter, Cypress Grove Nature Park is a delightful destination to visit to celebrate Tennessee’s beautiful scenery and marvel at the indigenous animal, tree and plant species.

Cypress Grove Nature Park is at 866 Airways Blvd, Jackson, TN 38301.

7- West Tennessee Farmers’ Market

Open between May and November, the annual West Tennessee Farmers’ Market is the place to be if you’re looking for fresh produce from locally sourced farms, homemade pastries or healthy takeout meals under one roof.

Attracting over 70,000 visitors to its stalls yearly, the West Tennessee Farmers’ Market is one of the hottest venues in Jackson and is a delightful destination to visit if you’re a shopaholic or just a curious visitor.

Open Tuesday to Saturday every week from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., the West Tennessee Farmers’ Market is a must-visit destination that’s well worth visiting in Jackson during summer and autumn.

West Tennessee Farmers’ Market is at 91 New Market St, Jackson, TN 38301.

8- Admire The Mural at the International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame

While the International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame sadly closed its doors for good in 2020, the former museum’s famous outdoor mural of some of rockabilly music’s most prominent figures remains free and accessible to the public.

Established in 2001, the museum housed artefacts and exhibits of all things related to rockabilly, which have all been moved to the nearby Carnegie Legends Museum after the International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame closed.

Fortunately, the museum’s star attraction, a massive outdoor mural, is still as present as ever on the museum’s exterior brick wall and is a distinctive backdrop for a quick photo to remember your trip.

The mural at the International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame is at 105 N Church St, Jackson, TN 38301.

9- See The Wildlife At Tennessee Safari Park

The Tennessee Safari Park is a fun and relaxing destination where visitors can partake in a 5.5-mile-long (8.8 km) safari drive in their own vehicles.

You’ll pass zebras, giraffes, antelope, bison, ostriches, llamas, emus and more.

If you’re interested in getting a closer experience with the park’s denizens, buy a snack bucket at the park’s entrance to feed the animals during your safari.

One of the most entertaining activities in Tennessee, the Tennessee Safari Park is one of the things to do in Jackson if you visit with kids.

Tennessee Safari Park is at 618 Conley Road, Alamo, TN 38001.

10- Shop At Old Hickory Mall

Opened in 1967, the Old Hickory Mall is one of Jackson’s premier shopping venues.

When it originally opened, the Old Hickory was an open-air shopping mall. Now it has over 70 stores selling all sorts of antiques, clothing, and jewellery.

The Old Hickory Mall is also home to many of Jackson’s top eateries and dining options.

The mall’s convenient location near Downtown Jackson is within walking distance of many of the city’s top sites and attractions.

The Old Hickory Mall is at 2021 N Highland Ave, Jackson, TN 38305.

11- Jump Around At Sky Zone Trampoline Park

The Sky Zone Trampoline Park is just one of Jackson’s many fantastic family-friendly activities visitors of all ages can enjoy while stopping by or passing through the city.

Like other trampoline parks around the world, Sky Zone Trampoline Park has a variety of fun attractions, including Sky Zone’s famous Freestyle Jump, Ultimate Dodgeball and Skyslam zones.

So much more than simply an indoor trampoline park to bring the kids to, the Sky Zone Trampoline Park is one of Jackson’s top-rated venues. 

Sky Zone Trampoline Park is at 65 E Park Square, Jackson, TN 38305.

12- Taste Tennessee Moonshine

Treating visitors to handcrafted spirits and a wide array of mouth-watering cocktails, the Samuel T Bryant Distillery hosts tours and tastings where visitors can appreciate the entire distilling process of their favourite spirits.

The distillery’s tours introduce guests to the entire distillation process from start to finish.

They produce Tennessee Moonshine and a range of handcrafted spirits like blackberry, blueberry and strawberry moonshine. 

For visitors over 21, the distillery’s drinks menu is full of amazing spirits and cocktails prepared in-house, which guests are welcome to order and enjoy on-site.

Samuel T Bryant Distillery is at 1331 Lower Brownsville Rd, Jackson, TN 38301. 

13- Picnic At Chickasaw State Park

The Chickasaw State Park is 22 miles (35 km) south of Downtown Jackson and is a sprawling 1,378 acres (557 ha) of pristine Tennessee nature that once upon a time was the home of the native Chickasaw tribe.

Since the Federal Government purchased the land in 1818, the Chickasaw State Park has been one of west Tennessee’s most popular public parks.

Its star attraction is the picturesque Placid Lake, which sits right in the heart of the park and is a popular picnic area for families and couples over the weekend.

Chickasaw State Park is at 20 Cabin Ln, Henderson, TN 38340-4128.

14- Visit The Tina Turner Museum

Within the single-room schoolhouse, Tina Turner formerly attended, the Tina Turner Museum pays tribute to one of America’s most talented performers.

Moved to Brownsville, Tennessee, from Turner’s hometown of Nutbush, the museum exhibits various items that once belonged to Turner, including stage-worn outfits and never-before-seen photographs.

There are also displays of the numerous gold and platinum records she received throughout her career.

The Tina Turner Museum is free to enter and is next to another museum dedicated to a Tennessee music legend, Sleepy John Estes.

Tina Turner Museum is at 121 Sunny Hill Cove, Brownsville, TN 38012.

15- Discover The Secrets Of The Pinson Mounds

While the Pinson Mounds might not look like much at first glance, the Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park, located roughly 14 miles (23 km) from Downtown Jackson, is a series of 17 mounds dating back to 200 BC.

The Sauls Mound is the largest in the 1,300-acre (526 ha) park and the second-largest in the United States.

Standing at 72 feet (22 m) high, it’s unknown who created the Pinson Mounds, however, the park’s boardwalk, nature trails and impressive visitors’ centre make exploring and discovering the mounds a fun and educational experience.

Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park is at 460 Ozier Rd, Pinson, TN 38366.

16- Shop At Butler’s Antique Mall

Butler’s Antique Mall is a sizeable shopping venue with a range of antique furniture, décor pieces, toys, and clothing.

Situated just outside Downtown Jackson, Butler’s Antique Mall is the perfect place to shop for bargains or just window-shop.

Butler’s Antique Mall is at 2213 Hwy 70 E, Jackson, TN 38305.

17- See The Exhibits At Rusty’s T.V. and Movie Car Museum

Started by Rusty Robinson when he purchased his first car at the age of 14, Rusty’s T.V. and Movie Car Museum today exhibits over 50 motorcycles, cars and trucks from popular movies and T.V. series.

Visit Rusty’s T.V. and Movie Car Museum to spot the original Batmobile used in the Batman film franchise or the famous Ghostbusters car from the popular film series, Ghostbusters.

A must-visit destination for car and movie buffs, Rusty’s T.V. and Movie Car Museum is one of Jackson’s star attractions.

Rusty’s T.V. and Movie Car Museum is at 323 Hollywood Dr, Jackson, TN 38301.

18- Explore The Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum

Dedicated to local hero Casey Jones, a locomotive engineer who perished after risking his life to save others after a head-on collision, the Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum recounts the infamous crash and details of Jones’ life.

Forming part of N.C.& St. L. Depot and Railroad Museum, the Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum has exhibits and attractions that visitors of all ages will appreciate.

Stop by the 35-ton (77,162 lbs) replica train Casey Jones operated or learn about the railroad’s role in Tennessee during the Civil War.

Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum is at 30 Casey Jones Ln, Jackson, TN 38305.

19- Step Back In Time At The Casey Jones Village

Combining top restaurants with a host of historical attractions and museums, the Casey Jones Village is a family-friendly destination.

Honouring the life and sacrifice of Casey Jones, the Casey Jones Village transports visitors back to 1880.

It has themed shops, houses and structures, including a rustic farm selling fresh produce to guests.

An excellent place to visit to get outside and enjoy fun attractions, visiting the Casey Jones Village is one of the many fun things to do in Jackson for families.

Casey Jones Village is at 56 Casey Jones Ln, Jackson, TN 38305.

20- Wander Around Liberty Garden

Treating visitors to over 14 acres (6 ha) of lush greenery and stunning collections of native and exotic plant species, the Liberty Garden Arboretum and Park was established to honour military veterans who made the sacrifice for their country.

Scenic pathways and a gazebo ensure visitors can comfortably explore the Liberty Garden Arboretum and Park.

Free to visit and fully stocked with attractions dedicated to the history of the U.S. military, wandering around the Liberty Garden Arboretum and Park is an interesting thing to do in Jackson.

Liberty Garden Arboretum and Park is at 24 Channing Way, Jackson, TN 38305.