Last year, low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines announced that they would be ending flight service at Jackson-Medgar Evers International Airport on June 7, 2014. According to the airline, “waning demand for Southwest service in the local market” and a “challenging environment” led to the decision. But fear not!
As many of our grandmothers would say, “One monkey don’t stop no show,” and just because Southwest service is ending, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the sights, sounds and history of this amazing city. Here are a few roads (and flights) that still lead to Jackson, Mississippi…
Fly, Fly Away!
The bad news is that Southwest Airlines is gone and they’ve taken their budget-friendly flights with them. The good news is, not every airline has followed suit. Major airlines Delta, American Airlines and United are still providing service to Jackson and for reasonable prices. A random search on Skyscanner.com for flights in July showed prices as low as $386 with one stop. After your flight, head to Two Sisters Kitchen for some Southern comfort that includes soul-hugging goodness, such as collard greens, fried chicken, black-eyed peas, macaroni and cheese, biscuits, fried okra and, of course, sweet tea.
Bus Ride to the Past
Planes aren’t the only way to get around. Greyhound offers reasonable fares to Jackson with tons of great American scenery to take in along the way. While you’re enjoying the ride, you’ll have plenty of time to contemplate the history of Jackson and plan stops to historic sites, such as The Medgar Evers House, Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center and the Freedom Corner, where at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. and Medgar Evers Boulevard, a memorial sits in their honor.
Train to the Future
Need to get to Jackson a little faster? Then Amtrak service to Jackson is just the ticket you were looking for. It can be pricey depending on your origin, but with the time you save, you’ll be able to hit the ground running and visit modern Jackson favorites like The International Museum of Muslim Cultures, Parlor Market and Salsa Mississippi.
Road Trippin’
Planes, buses and trains are great, but where’s the fun and adventure in that? If you truly want a road that leads to Jackson, then your best bet is to rent a car, round up some travel buddies and head out on a road trip! On the way you can stop in other states and explore the sights they have to offer. It’ll be like taking a vacation within a vacation, where you get to see multiple destinations for the price of one trip. When you finally arrive in Jackson, you can drive through scenes from Kathryn Stockett’s New York Times best-selling book The Help. Or explore the Mississippi Blues Trail and pass famous spots like the Ace Records marker, which marks the spot of Mississippi’s most successful record company, on the way to get rest at hotels like the Hilton Garden Inn and Fairview Inn.
About Danielle Pointdujour
Danielle Pointdujour is a proud Howard University grad and Brooklynite living the passport life to the fullest. With over 40 countries under her belt, you can always find Danielle traveling the globe in search of new experiences and sharing her two cents about the world around her. You can follow her writing, musings and global adventures on Twitter and Instagram.
