Jackson, Tennessee, located in the middle between Memphis and Nashville, is home to the Jackson Generals, a Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Catch a game in Jackson, and then stay for the deep music history, delicious cuisine and outdoor activities. Here’s how to spend a few days in and around Jackson, Tennessee:
Jackson Generals - A Weekend Itinerary That's A Home Run
How to spend a few days exploring Jackson, Tennessee
May 8, 2017
Stop 1 of 4
Southern Legends of Music at the Carnegie
Start your day learning the extensive music history that’s found in Jackson. Did you know Carl Perkins and Sonny Boy Williamson are from here? Journey through The Legends of Tennessee Music Museum at the Carnegie Center for Arts & History to see the largest collection of Carl Perkins’ career like his first electric guitar, original signed records, albums and singles, costumes and more. Other careers are traced from local music greats like Tina Turner, WS Holland, Sonny Boy Williamson, and more. Downstairs, you’ll find Jackson’s role in the Civil War that includes bullet shards, historical documents and more.
Stop 2 of 4
Rock'N Dough Pizza + Brewery - Jackson
You’ll build up an appetite after all the rich music history. Indulge in Rock N Dough Pizza & Brewery which rolls out pies bigger than your head topped with delicious meats, veggies and cheeses. Order the Stallion and savor the beef pepperoni, salami, ham, red onion, goat cheese, tomato, black olives and balsamic reduction. Or, go for a classic like The Rita which has tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella. Wash it all down with a brew made in-house.
Stop 3 of 4
Cypress Grove Nature Park
Walk off your big lunch at Cypress Grove Nature Park where you’ll see local wildlife, waterfowl, trees and plants. Take a walk among the cypress forest via a boardwalk and then explore the Rockwell Observation Tower, the 25-acre wood duck lake, killdeer pond and the Aerie Trail Raptor Center, a sanctuary for injured eagles, hawks, owls and more.
Stop 4 of 4
The Ballpark at Jackson
Return to Jackson just in time to watch The Generals play a home baseball game at The Ballpark at Jackson. Settle in to one of the 6,000 seats at the minor league baseball stadium and cheer the team on, a Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks (who won its second league championship in 2016).
Day 2
Stop 1 of 4
Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum
Casey Jones Village is home to The Casey Jones Museum, three authentic rail cars, the Village Chapel, amphitheater, mini-golf course, Wellwood Store and the Providence House, an 1837 antebellum home that is currently used for events. Learn about Casey Jones, who gained international fame for his heroic train ride that cost him his life. The 1905 Village Chapel is open daily and gives a glimpse of historic architecture. The Wellwood Store, a historic country store, houses 1900s artifacts and exquisite woodcarvings by H.D. Moss.
Stop 2 of 4
Rusty's TV and Movie Car Museum
Step into entertainment history at Rusty’s TV and Movie Car Museum where you’ll come face-to-face with iconic vehicles and memorabilia from your favorite TV shows and movies. Marvel over cars from Ghostbusters, Batman, Back to the Future, The General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard and Scooby Do’s Mystery Machine.
Stop 3 of 4
Shiloh National Military Park
Take a guided or self-guided tour of the more than 4,200-acre Shiloh National Military Park which includes monuments, cannons, and quiet fields filled with cardinal flowers, black-eyed Susan, and blue phloxes that once were the sites of one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War, concluding with 23,000 casualties. Shiloh has a variety of historic sites, including the national cemetery which has approx. 4,000 soldiers and their family members.
Stop 4 of 4
Redbone's Grill and Bar
Drive back to Jackson for dinner at Redbone’s Grill & Bar where large portions of crab cakes, gumbo, oysters on the half shell, steak and ribs can be savored. Stay for the music performances of local and regional musicians who get the restaurant rocking.
Day 3
Stop 1 of 3
Brooks Shaw's Old Country Store and Casey Jones Village
Start your day with a southern breakfast buffet, overflowing with bacon, sausage, fried chicken, pancakes, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, baked apples, grits, white gravy and even chocolate gravy and biscuits at The Old Country Store at Casey Jones Village.
Stop 2 of 3
Tennessee Safari Park
Head to Tennessee Safari Park in Alamo, Tennessee, approx. 27 minutes north of Jackson, to drive through the safari where you’ll meet water buffalo, giraffes, peacocks, emus, fallow deer, red kangaroos, red ruffed and ringtailed lemurs, American bison, alpacas, zebras and more.
Stop 3 of 3
Chickasaw State Park
Continue your outdoor explorations with a horseback ride at Chickasaw State Park. Five miles of trail riding can be found at this state park, approx. 30 minutes from Jackson. If equestrian sport isn’t your thing, walk one of the eight trails within the park like the 1.5-mile Lakeshore Trail rated easy or the .8-mile Owen’s Spring Trail.
Your Rocky Top Adventure Starts Here
This trail is filled with the Rocky Top spirit – from history to modern day adventure, we’re sure you’ll love good ole Rocky Top as much as we do.
