Lit In JXN: A Booklover's Itinerary
The capital city is a book lover's dream with a literary legacy that celebrates a good book or a sip of a writer-inspired cocktail.
After all, Mississippi's rich literary history precedes itself, with authors like William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Richard Wright, John Grisham, and Angie Thomas hailing from the state, to name but a few.
Morning
Start your day of bookish fun at Broad Street Baking Company & Cafe in Banner Hall, where daily pastries, savory quiches, and other classic breakfast items get your mind working.
Upstairs, a book lover's oasis awaits at Lemuria Books, where towering shelves and cozy nooks are home to thousands of fictional and non-fictional worlds to be discovered. First opened in 1975, Lemuria has been selecting books for its original First Editions Club for almost as long. For the list price of the selected work(s), you can join and receive a handpicked novel by an emerging or collectible author each month to read, enjoy and discuss. Oz is the bookstore's young readers section, with new and classic stories for children through young adults.
Down the street at Canton Mart Square, The Book Rack has been a part of the Jackson community for over 50 years. A delightful place to find and sell new and used books, you can spend hours exploring the shelves in a quest to discover a new favorite. Don't know what kind of book you're in the mood for? We recommend purchasing one of their "Mystery Bundles," which are covered in kraft paper and include 3-4 novels of a particular genre.
The Mississippi Library Commission offers a wide variety of direct and indirect services to libraries, government agencies and the citizens of Mississippi. Their collection is extensive as the "capital's library," and, the building - designed by renowned Jackson firm Duvall Decker - is worth the visit alone.
![Brick building exterior with a marker out from that is titled Margaret Walker](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Margaret-Walker-Center-exterior.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=4eb48e5ec71c7c0cea756832a1865c58 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Margaret-Walker-Center-exterior.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=abd9475b54ea0c6a8de88079e0492327 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Margaret-Walker-Center-exterior.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=d5ec52656dfefbd0874e0fcb37f3b292 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Margaret-Walker-Center-exterior.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=f71649f61c0b2c346c44b750ef7d5214 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Margaret-Walker-Center-exterior.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=babf8b338509281e9939321df77c496d 1200w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Margaret-Walker-Center-exterior.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=f2bfa11e4903f96dcf0e577348ff1b66 1440w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Margaret-Walker-Center-exterior.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=97ef85a95d131a2543bd327d8a81da43 1920w)
Afternoon
At Jackson State University, the Margaret Walker Center is a cultural preservation and resource center for African American history and culture. Open to the public, browse influential records like the papers of the late Margaret Walker Alexander; those of the former U.S. Secretary of Education, Roderick Paige; and a large oral history department that includes over 2000 interviews. Don't miss the additional exhibits and literacy projects showcasing the Center's collections and history of the university.
Cross over to Midtown and take a seat at Coffee Prose, where coffee and books collide in a community space perfect for studying and hanging out. If comics, graphic novels, and Manga are what you're looking for, Offbeat downtown is Jackson's foremost shop for alternative reads, art, and cultural finds.
![A white female is seen walking toward a brick home, Fall foliage is all around.](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/WELTY-HOUSE.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=48.91%2040.91&q=80&w=320&s=de484dfd2e72196aee3cca30f42e1628 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/WELTY-HOUSE.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=48.91%2040.91&q=80&w=540&s=0dd4a30c56974fd2337bf81a6cc2ea84 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/WELTY-HOUSE.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=48.91%2040.91&q=80&w=768&s=5f2d6a975ec8c4ef4ac87d48b90ec213 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/WELTY-HOUSE.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=48.91%2040.91&q=80&w=1024&s=9cb47aec7c042e5ed05c7fa3a8c0dee0 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/WELTY-HOUSE.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=48.91%2040.91&q=80&w=1200&s=aa303f8cc75f00bc64170a1789c4715b 1200w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/WELTY-HOUSE.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=48.91%2040.91&q=80&w=1440&s=1636808cafaee7c202c6a1f18ca86a03 1440w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/WELTY-HOUSE.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=48.91%2040.91&q=80&w=1920&s=8ecf902d5bee11d6ff2c823c2fd9db9e 1920w)
Take a walk on Belhaven University's historic campus before hitting up The Shoe Bird Cafe, named after Eudora Welty's only children's book, The Shoe Bird. Proudly serving up coffee for as little as $1 per cup, it's a quiet spot to curl up with a book or play a game with a friend from their board game collection.
A literary tour of Jackson wouldn't be complete without a visit to Belhaven and the Eudora Welty House & Gardens. Once home to the prolific, Pulitzer-prize winning writer and photographer, it pays homage to her works and life through guided tours, interpretive museum exhibits, and a walk through her historic botanical garden full of Southern blooms.
![A cocktail is shown with a menu in the background](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/librarylounge1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=96028af2e43b05c81a6185034b74f26a 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/librarylounge1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=6d5a862bda7b8e5640e52e58402fbe9d 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/librarylounge1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=88f78debe6c2e8714f73400bb5356959 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/librarylounge1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=bdfde90d7ebd1f4002e6c007627bd2ad 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/librarylounge1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=5763d7629d72cca66c4d15e1d5cc4920 1200w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/librarylounge1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=24224318ca53168de99d34449b243a4a 1440w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/librarylounge1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=73c480131eaf5d36a8ad36f5c1df9b03 1920w)
Evening
Happy hour awaits at the Historic Fairview Inn and Library Lounge, where the original library from 1908 has been transformed into a relaxing, intimate lounge and bar. Take a seat amongst a collection of vintage Civil War novels, as well as fiction and nonfiction works from renowned Southern writers. If you fancy a drink, look to their author-inspired cocktail specialties for inspiration. We love the "Eudora Welty," a refreshing concoction of Jackson's Cathead Vodka, Cucumber, Dr. Brown's Cel-Rey Soda, and Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur.
Grab a bite at Hal & Mal's before you turn in for the night. A storied watering hole, it has been a well-loved part of Jackson's literary and artistic crowd for decades. Even Eudora Welty has frequented the space (it was the site of her 90th birthday!) Be sure to explore all of the historic memorabilia and poster art on the walls to learn more about one of the city's most artistic and cultural establishments.
![People walk around outside the MS State Capitol where there are tents and lots of orange signage.](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/2019017-jackson-mississippi-mississippi-book-festival-2-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50.57%2067.46&q=80&w=320&s=a2c4e6806c669289a715609bfe23aeb7 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/2019017-jackson-mississippi-mississippi-book-festival-2-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50.57%2067.46&q=80&w=540&s=c29aa272db45fc01298d8ed31db55182 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/2019017-jackson-mississippi-mississippi-book-festival-2-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50.57%2067.46&q=80&w=768&s=141d25bc79d92ae1129f0557b99dcac5 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/2019017-jackson-mississippi-mississippi-book-festival-2-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50.57%2067.46&q=80&w=1024&s=c7ab3b1df284cb59dcaf526b459abd78 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/2019017-jackson-mississippi-mississippi-book-festival-2-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50.57%2067.46&q=80&w=1200&s=c16d840b48dbe74908f878de3ba1bd8e 1200w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/2019017-jackson-mississippi-mississippi-book-festival-2-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50.57%2067.46&q=80&w=1440&s=59a6ecb6c5021871d2c86fc29170e869 1440w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/2019017-jackson-mississippi-mississippi-book-festival-2-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50.57%2067.46&q=80&w=1920&s=0b3c1783a107022c29e8bff322d73de2 1920w)
Seasonal
Make sure to be in town during August, when the Mississippi Book Festival brings visitors from around the nation and world to the State Capitol grounds for its annual "literary lawn party." Free and open to the public, book lovers enjoy hundreds of visiting authors, panel Q&A's, book signings, Capitol tours, food trucks, and family-friendly fun.
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“Institute for Study of History, Life and Culture of Black People”
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1500 Peachtree Street
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