Jackson, MI Road Trips

Jackson is a very historic city, and thus has many historic landmarks and attractions. With ties to the automobile industry and disputed birthplace of the Republican Party, there is a lot for history-lovers, but also many modern attractions for the family or single traveler. Some noteworthy sites include: 1 Under the Oaks Park, 418 2nd St (in downtown Jackson), ☏ +1 517 788-4040. An historical site honoring the birthplace of the Republican Party. 2 Ella Sharp Museum of Art & History, 3225 4th Street (on the south side of Jackson), ☏ +1 517 787-2320, [email protected]. Five galleries, including the Midwest's finest wildlife art collection, in Ella Sharp's 19th-century farmhouse with impressive Greek Revival and Italianate architecture added on. Ella's Granary Restaurant, a log cabin, a country store, a school, and a beautiful museum campus are part of the National Register of Historic Places. The grounds of the Ella Sharp Park and Museum were farmland owned by Ella Sharp's grandfather, father, and husband. Upon Ella's death in 1912, she bequeathed the site to the City of Jackson to be transformed into a museum and a park. 3 Jackson County Airport, 3606 Wildwood Ave (2 mi (3.2 km) W of downtown). A private aviation airport. The airport hosts Jackson County Aviation Day which allows tours and rides in vintage World War II aircraft. There is a restaurant on site and a viewing center for visitors to watch the small planes take off and land.

There are many attractions in Jackson that appeal to a wide variety of individuals. The most notable of these include: Nixon Pool and Skate Park, 400 E North St. Phone|+1 517 788-4070. Outdoor waterpark with two large waterslides, a wading area, and an outdoor cafe with drinks and snacks. Also has a shallow area for younger children. Great large community pool and perfect cooldown spot in the summer. The pool is open from mid-June to mid-August. Skate park also on site. Nice skateboard course with board, helmet, and pad rentals. The skate park is open from mid-June to mid-August. Great place for summer fun! Ella Sharp Park, 2800 4th St. In addition to the large museum, this public park (Jackson's largest) includes an 18-hole golf course, 18-hole mini-golf course (very fun!), 18-hole disc golf course, trails, a playground, basketball courts, tennis courts, pickleball courts, baseball, softball, and soccer fields, nature areas, and pavilions. Open year-round and hosts many events. Hot Air Jubilee. This event is a highlight of Jackson's summer fun. For 3 days in July every year, dozens of hot air balloons take to the skies beginning at Ella Sharp Park and drift all over Jackson and the surrounding area. Fun to chase over country roads, and some offer rides high above the area or tethered rides when they have landed. 1 The Cascades Falls, 1992 Warren Ave. 11AM-11PM. This park occupies 465 acres and contains the illuminated Cascades, a giant waterfall and six fountains over which water tumbles in continually changing patterns.

The Parlour, Wildwood Ave at Daniel Road. Pleasant, somewhat "old-fashioned" ice cream parlour with delicious and generous servings of a variety of sundaes, sodas, shakes, etc. Many flavors to choose from. A Jackson tradition. Opened in 1944. (updated Feb 2023) Hinckley's Bakery (Hinkley's Donuts), 700 S Blackstone St. Excellent donuts. (updated Feb 2018)

Ogma Brewing Co. (Ogma), 29 E Michigan Ave (downtown), ☏ +1 517 888-7001. 11AM - 11PM. Community chill spot with house-brewed beers and nice food. (updated Apr 2024)

1 Home2 Suites by Hilton, 2704 Bob McClain Dr, ☏ +1 517 998-7000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Includes hot breakfast, WiFi, and indoor pool. (updated Dec 2021) 2 Courtyard by Marriott Jackson, 2010 Bondsteel Dr (exit 44 Springport Rd from US 127), ☏ +1 517 782-1000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. about $130 per night. (updated Apr 2024)

Jackson is served by Interstate 94 which runs east to west on the north side of town. To the west, I-94 continues to Kalamazoo and Chicago before heading further west to the Great Plains; it continues to the east through Ann Arbor to Detroit and ends in Port Huron. Jackson is also served by US 127 which runs north to south through the city. It enters Jackson on the northwest side and runs concurrent with I-94 for a few miles, then splits and goes south. US 127 goes north to Lansing and Mount Pleasant before merging with Interstate 75. It also goes south to intersect with US 12 and US 223 before continuing on into Ohio. M-50 is the major state highway running through town, following a northwest to southeast path. It goes northwest to Eaton Rapids and Lowell (near Grand Rapids) and southeast to Tecumseh, Dundee and Monroe. The eastern terminus of M-60 is at I-94 just west of Airport Road. M-60 continues southwest toward Three Rivers and Niles, in southwest Michigan. M-104 is a minor state highway servicing the city. Jackson County Airport (Reynolds Field) services the county's small private aircraft, but does not service commercial airlines. The largest nearby airport with commercial flights is Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DET), a 55-minute drive east of Jackson. The next largest airport in the region is Grand Rapids International Airport (GRR).

The city of Jackson is in a rough grid shape, with Interstate 94, US 127, Kibby Rd/McDevitt Ave, and M-60 roughly defining the north, east, south, and west borders of the city, respectively. Some major east-west thoroughfares running through the city are, starting from the north side, Monroe St, Argyle St, North St, Michigan Ave, Franklin St, Morrell St, High St/McCain Rd, Prospect St, South St, Kibby Rd/Park Rd/McDevitt Ave. Major north-south thoroughfares are, starting from the west side, M-60, Robinson Rd, Airport Rd, Brown St, West Ave (US 127 BUS, M-50), Lansing Ave, Jackson St, Cooper St, Elm Ave, Dettmann Rd. Other major thoroughfares that do not follow any grid-like pattern are Wildwood Ave, Boardman Rd, Spring Arbor Rd, Greenwood Ave, Weatherwax Dr, Page Ave, and Clinton Rd.