My first time on a train and it wasn't bad at all. Nice way to travel. Relaxing and pleasant…read more Reasonably price especially if your not traveling too far. The observatory deck is the best thing. You can enjoy the natural light the the great scenery. Really nice way to travel. The only thing I would avoid is the food service. Anything that is already packed and sealed I would purchase. Stay away from anything they have to prepare. I noticed they don't use gloves and they will touch the food with bare hand...after handling other things such as money. Good thing you're allowed to bring your own food...in fact bring your own food!

Good morning America, how are ya?…read more Me and kiddo have been wanting to make a trip up to visit my sister for a while, and recently had the time to take a little adventure. Most any parent can attest, long drives with toddlers are painful. Especially if you are going about to solo. So, as I was weighing travel options, I decided to give Amtrak a go. My advice. Don't ride coach with a two year old. Trains could potentially be very dangerous with little exploring fingers, when the train his a bump, and you are standing it can knock you down (or into a fellow passenger) and if your toddler decides to have a meltdown of epic proportion there is no where to run (and not disturb fellow sleeping passengers). The bathrooms are like a glorified port-o-potty. Having learned that lesson on the way up there, so on the way back home to Nola, we upgraded to an econo-sleeper. Man, did that make a huge difference! You have two captains chairs that fold out to a small bed, black out curtains, and a door that you can close so the kid can scream NONONONONONO to her hearts content, and no one wants to throw you from the train. Also, meals are provided (I'm not saying good meals, but edible) and that's one less thing you have to worry about. The bathrroms are wayyyyy nicer in the sleeper cars. They even have little showers. I think the upgrade was around $60-$70 bucks. All passengers on the train can indulge in a beer or coctail, as they serve alcohol. There is a car made all clear, for those who want to look at the scenery. They make stops where smokers are allowed a chance to go grab a cigarette, or others can step out for a few minutes of fresh air. The staff were all really helpful and friendly. It was kind of fun sitting in the common area and visiting with other passengers. Now, lastly. This is a leisurely ride. If you are an impatient person, this may not be your best bet for travel. Also, then they say what time the train leaves, your butt better be there, or you will get left! The website is very user friendly. They keep it updates with arrivals and departures (our train was running a little late, and it was nice to be able to get on my smartphone and check that).

Super cute outdoor shopping center that has a European feel to it. I stopped by to visit the…read moreExplore Ridgeland center and was quite surprised by the variety of stores here. On a Wednesday morning, it was not too packed. The Explore Ridgeland had a lot of information about the area, things to do. Very friendly people working who were more than happy to sit and chat. I would recommend this to anyone. There is a bit of everything here. Groceries, clothing, accessories, books. Getting a lot done in one area is convenient.

My favorite place to shop when I'm home. Every store I like is in the Renaissance, the restaurants…read morethat I so enjoy, from the dressy up night out to the causal are all here, the salons that I visit for a quick haircut or dye job are nearby, the spas for massages to catch up with friends, the nail salons and grocery stores all right here. If you want to catch a movie, it's here too! I love this place; I love coming home!

I used to work here many years ago when I was in college. Some would say it's on the fancy side of…read moretown, which is funny. I laughed because I was a broke 19-year-old college student living not far from here in a one-bedroom apartment on the reservoir. Would I say it was fancy back then? Yes, in a good kind of way. Back then, just like now, no one made you feel unwelcome. But what I love about this place is the selection of stores. The stores back then and some now were uniquely owned. Therefore, you bought items that you didn't see a zillion people wearing. My favorite store has always been Maison Weiss; it's still here. I remember wanting a 200 dollar belt. I saved my little coins and got it, and added a bracelet. But I also loved and still love the restaurants and the open courtyards. I see they have added Whole Foods, LuluLemon, Free People, a Wine Bar, and some more stores, like Kendra Scott. I can say this place still holds its charm, and probably will forever. I know for me it will always have a place in my heart.

The stores are nice but Could not get anyone with leasing company to purchase gift card. Nobody…read moreanswered phone or in office. Left message and call was not returned. Understand that a new leasing company just took over but may need to go back to old one or find someone else. Went to Renaissance and bought gift card instead, so there tenants will get my $500......

Wow, what an incredibly well thought out museum dedicated to the efforts of all those who have and…read morecontinue to contribute to efforts of racial justice in Mississippi. During an open morning in Jackson, we stumbled upon the museum and decided to explore and it was easily one of the most memorable parts of our trip. We started by being welcomed into the space. This museum intentionally documents the history of the civil rights museum specifically as it pertains to Mississippi. One of the docents shared that she volunteers at the museum because she remembers what it was like growing up in Mississippi as a white child and has committed her allyship to ensuring others can understand what she witnessed with a deep desire for a better future for Mississippi. It was amazing that there were other guests visiting the museum not just from other states like us, but from other countries as well! The true treat of the visit was stumbling upon the center of the museum, where the youngest freedom rider to every be imprisoned was speaking to a group of high school soccer players from Texas. He shared his story and how his activism started at such a young age. The high school students and myself were in awe of just his bravery and hearing what it was truly like to fight for what's right at such a young age. This museum tells an important story that sadly isn't over as the fight for equity and equality is never over. Yet, it's inspiring to know that there are committed individuals ensuring that in the deep South, these stories are documented and told for all those to honor and understand.

We were very fortunate to be allowed to tag along a group that was being given a tour/introduction…read moreby the Museum Director, Mr Moore, who was very knowledgeable and gave great highlights to check out. You def need at least a day or so to check out and take in everything. They are closed on Mondays.

Appreciative of the for-thought to preserve the home of Medgar Evers. He was a civil rights…read moreactivist who was the NAACP's first field secretary in Mississippi. He was a United States Army veteran who served in World War II. He was involved in efforts to overturn racial segregation at the University of Mississippi, end the segregation of public facilities, and expand opportunities for African Americans, including the enforcement of voting rights prior to his assassination on June 12, 1963 in the driveway of his home. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery (with full military honors).

Medgar Evers (1925-1963) was a pioneering African American civil rights activist and the first…read moreNAACP field secretary in Mississippi, working tirelessly to dismantle segregation and secure voting rights. A World War II veteran, he investigated racist crimes, including the Emmett Till murder, and organized protests. His 1963 assassination in his driveway by a white supremacist brought national attention to the fight for equality. You can visit the house where Evers and his family lived and where Medgar was assassinated. See the reproduction of the bedrooms , the house, the kitchen and appliances as well as one of the bullet holes from a previous drive by shooting. There is even a map of where the assassin was. Very interesting stuff. The house is preserved by the NPS. It's free to enter and there were two rangers there to explain the history.

This pair of mounds are found in Jackson, MS. One, Mound A, is located at a rest area and is…read moreaccessible to the public. There is also an education center there. The other, Mound B, is on private land and is not accessible. Both mounds are on the National Register of Historic Places. The site dates back to 750 and 1600. Mounds of this type were constructed to basically serve one of two purposes, a platform and a burial area. Mound A, is about 22 feet high and 175 feet wide. Mound B, is 10 feet high and 75 feet wide. After the discovery/excavation of the remains of a structure and associated features on top of the mound, as well as numerous artifacts, it was determined that Mound A was more of a platform mound, while mound B was a primarily a burial mound. Both mounds were much larger, but have suffered from erosion over the years. As I mentioned, Mound A is located at a rest area (opened in 2008), both of which are maintained by the Mississippi Department of Transportation. That area is also known as Pocahontas Mounds Roadside Park.The area has security, restrooms, a nice air-conditioned interpretive center that explains a little about the mounds and picnic tables and benches in a patio area behind the bench. There is a nice paved path that leads to a viewing area, but you cannot get close to the mound. The grounds are nice and full of shade trees. I do not think people ae allowed on the green space though and are limited to the patio area and paved paths. Being located at a rest area, parking here is not an issue and is welcomed. There are ample spots available to park and it has easy access. Before my visit here, I had no idea what mounds were. Being a bit of a history buff, I found this site very interesting and learned a lot. The site (Mound A), is very well maintained and nice to visit, even if it is just to take a load off. If you are driving past, it is defiantly worth a stop. I came across this gem on my way to the petrified forest from downtown Jackson.

I have recently started stopping here while traveling on Hwy 49. I only saw one mound, but it is…read morenice sized. It also made for a pretty good photo op! There's a walking trail that's perfect if you've been traveling for a while and need to stretch your legs. At most, I've only seen 3 - 4 people walking the trail, so it's great for folks who appreciate a bit of privacy. Next door is a decent rest area, so this is a perfect place to stop in my opinion.

I've recently flown into Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) in Jackson,…read moreMississippi [100 International Dr] on Wednesday, 06/03/26. Upon arrival, I was surprised by how small and cozy the airport was. It was extremely easy to navigate through. The baggage claim area + car rental counters were readily available downstairs and the rental center was located directly across the street. The walking distance was relatively short, which I highly appreciated. This airport is the hub for airlines such as American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines. I traveled here using United Airlines via the commuter plane, which was actually the smallest airplane I've been on - "CommuteAir." I returned to this airport to fly home to California on Tuesday, 06/09/26. I had such a positive experience with the TSA line as it took under 5 minutes to get through. I must say it was the shortest TSA line that I've ever encountered in life so far, which was beyond convenient. The airport dining & shops included Samuel Adams / Riverbanks Bar & Grill, Dunkin', Pearl River Marketplace and Hudson. I had visited Hudson on 06/09/26, which was a convenience store filled with snacks, travel essentials, apparel, and so much more. I grabbed coffee and an Evian water bottle. The aesthetic of the airport was inviting. The restrooms were well-maintained and clean. All of the airport staff members were kind. Overall, Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport - JAN is such a lovely airport. Exploring around Mississippi by being surrounded by hospitable people and having access to delicious food were the highlights of the trip. I would be more than happy to visit Mississippi at some point again in the future.

Expectations of a small airport just have to be lower than a big international hub. Flying into…read moreJackson is an experience. 1 because you're most likely flying on a teeny tiny plane, but 2 because the amenities themselves are bare and minimal. While it was easy to get in and out of what was their security line, the challenge is that once inside, there really aren't any food options so plan ahead. Another challenge leaving is that you'll have to wait a long time for an uber. There weren't many other people waiting but it did take about 15 minutes for a car to be available. Just be prepared to move a little more slowly here.