The beautiful city of Jackson is the capital and most populous city of the American state of Mississippi. Known as the "City with Soul', Jackson is famous for its music, particularly gospel, blues and R'n'B. The city was named after President Jackson and is full of attractions and activities that will take you back in time and allow you to experience a history like no other.

Nestled on the west bank of the Pearl River, this truly is a city of grace and benevolence. The locals here will welcome you with great Southern hospitality and this is essentially what makes the quality of life here so high. It is also one of America's most livable cities, which makes it even more worthy of a holiday visit.

There is an abundance of things to see and do in Jackson and these will greet you as soon as you drive into the city limits.

1. Mississippi Museum of Art

When it comes to precious art, few places in the state do it better than the Mississippi Museum of Art. Located in downtown Jackson, this is the largest art museum in the state and is home to many world-class exhibitions that are rivaled across the world.

The museum is known as the "museum without walls" and offers a truly meaningful and unique cultural experience. The art museum aims to engage visitors and locals alike with the visual arts, making it a centerpiece of Jackson's cultural district. Showcasing the glories of the past and present, and inspiring the future, this museum simply must be visited, if only to enjoy some magnificent pieces of art.

2. The Russel C. Davis Planetarium

For all those star gazers out there, Jackson has a treat for you. The Russel C. Davis Planetarium gives you the opportunity to experience the universe in a magnificent hemispheric theater that will transport you through time and space. Immerse yourself in breathtaking sky and space scenes, brilliant color laser images and thrilling large-format films. This planetarium offers an experience that is literally not of this world and the memories of this place can stay with you forever.

The planetarium is also located in Jackson's downtown cultural district, which means that you can spend an afternoon at the museum of art and then head to the planetarium for a night of star gazing.

3. Mynelle Gardens

This seven-acre collage of gardens features several distinct botanical gardens which will undoubtedly take your breath away. The garden can be explored as you walk along the winding paths, past the cascading rock pools and over pleasant bridges that will lead you to an island oasis.

The Mynelle Gardens are a pure example of your typical southern garden and are an ideal place to visit for any lover of nature. Acting as a wildlife sanctuary and a haven for songbirds, these gardens are bursting with vibrant colors, brilliant sounds and enticing aromas. To commemorate your visit here, you can also pay a visit to the gift shop, where you will uncover Mississippi crafts, gifts and items relating to gardening.

4. Jackson Zoo

No family holiday is complete without a trip to the zoo, and in Jackson you will find one of the countries finest. The Jackson Zoo received up to 200,000 visitors annually and is a living classroom for the young. This remarkable interactive family facility is located on 110 acres of Jackson land, with 52 of the acres acting as homes for the zoo's animals. In total there are 776 animals here, and 14 of these species are actually endangered.

The zoo is home to almost every animal imaginable and is a great way to spend a day interacting with the best of the natural world.

5. The Oaks House Museum

If local history is what you came here for, you will be pleased to find the Oaks Museum House, which demonstrates a perfect example of traditional Jackson life. This building is the former home of Jackson Mayor, James Hervey Boyd and is one of the only buildings to have survived the burning of Jackson during the Civil War.

The Boyd house was built in a Greek revival style and it remains one of the oldest structures in Jackson city. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a great place to visit if you want a taste of traditional furniture and beautiful Victorian garden styles.

The city of Jackson truly is an ideal destination for a family holiday. History and nature combine to make a city that is unlike any other and one that you can enjoy time and time again.

Christine Barton