Jackson TN is a great addition to Nashville or Memphis. Music history and family attractions are abundant in this area.

Sample rich pasta dishes and elegant seafood entrees at Brooksie’s Restaurant. This restaurant is popular for date nights and special occasions.

1. Tennessee Legends of Music Museum

The Tennessee Legends of Music Museum is a Carnegie-built Museum located in Downtown Jackson. It pays homage to Jackson’s music heritage, sandwiched between the hotbeds of blues and country & Western. Showcasing memorabilia that ranges from blues harmonica player Sonny Boy Williamson’s first guitar to Carl Perkins’ emergence as rockabilly royalty, the museum offers an excellent overview of the city’s musical roots.

Casey Jones Village is a nearby community named after railroad engineer Casey Jones. It includes a railroad and folk hero museum, as well as restaurants and a performance space that can accommodate 2,500 people. Also on-site is the aptly-named Train Depot, which features a model train track and a caboose. Stop by the Downtown Farmers Market to sample local produce, or Shelia’s Sweet Secrets to try strawberry cream cheese roll. Car aficionados will want to check out Rusty Robinson’s TV and Movie Car Museum, a family-friendly exhibit that showcases the cars that you may recognize from your favorite movies.

2. Hard Rock Cafe

The founder of Hard Rock Cafe is Jackson native Isaac Tigrett, who along with Peter Morton, started the popular theme restaurant chain in 1971. His story isn’t the typical tale of a man from a low-income family who became wealthy.

Jackson’s Hard Rock Cafe can be found in the Columns Shopping Center. Guests can enjoy pit-smoked barbecue and other southern favorites. Menu items include ribs and pulled pork. There are also chicken dishes. There is also a wide variety of salads and pizzas as well as burgers, seafood dishes, sandwiches, and burgers.

The Sakura Restaurant in North Jackson, located on Carriage House Drive, offers authentic Japanese cuisine and pan-Asian dishes. Menu items include edamame, miso soup and fresh sushi as well as noodle dishes and fried rice. Save room for dessert.

3. Tina Turner Museum

The Tina Turner Museum is located inside a one-room school house built by the singer’s great uncle. It was originally called Flagg Grove School and represents the rural schools that African-American children attended in West Tennessee following the Civil War.

Outlaw-Clark says that since Turner’s death, the museum has experienced a huge increase in visitors. The museum stayed open until late to allow fans to pay their respects. She hopes the Exit 56 Blues Fest, which will be free to all attendees, will bring even more visitors to the museum.

Tina Turner Museum should be visited by music lovers as well as those who are interested in the Delta region of west Tennessee. The museum is a great addition to any itinerary focusing on Tennessee’s pioneering music.

4. Rockwell Nature Park

A must-visit for history buffs, Rockwell Nature Park is located on another of Tennessee’s century farms and is home to an array of animals. You can drive through and visit the petting zoo or walk around and feed the animals.

This Jackson attraction is highlighted by a scenic cypress woodland, with a mile long boardwalk. You can also visit the 25-acre Wood Duck Lake, Killdeer Pond or the Aerie Trail Raptor Center and spot herons, beavers, deer and other wildlife in this tranquil park.

This market is located in Downtown Jackson and offers fresh produce, meat, and dairy products for visitors who love the foods of the Midwest. Locals and tourists from Nashville and Memphis love to visit the market, making it an excellent addition to any day trip itinerary.

5. Carl Perkins Civic Center

The Carl Perkins Civic Center, named after a legendary singer of country music, is a multi-faceted venue which hosts concerts, stage performances and other events. It is also home to the Jackson Symphony and the Miss Tennessee Pageant. The venue has seating for a symphony or stage show. It also offers movable partitions that can be used to divide the lower level of the venue into smaller conference and meeting spaces.