Jackson offers something for everyone. The beautiful downtown area features city hall, Jackson Symphony Orchestra, Jackson District Library, local businesses, and several historic buildings and churches. Southern Jackson is home to the Cascades, a series of lighted waterfalls that serves as a backdrop for concerts and other events. Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History features several exhibits and galleries. Jackson also has two nice golf courses, the Cascades Golf Course and the Ella Sharp Golf Course.
Ella Sharp Park is named for Ella Merriman Sharp, who willed her 530 acre property to the city of Jackson in 1912. The large, well-maintained park is on the south side of Jackson, and its pool, golf course, and recreational facilities are popular during the summer. Ella Sharp Museum of Art & History is located at the park.
Near Michigan Avenue/M-50, Bloomfield Park features a baseball diamond, a large playground, tennis courts and basketball courts.
Ganson Street Park is a playtime spot for kids and has playground equipment.
On the east side of Jackson, Loomis Park features a large playscape, a picnic shelter, picnic area, tennis courts, basketball courts and a baseball field. Boos Recreation Center is located on the northeast corner of the park and offers yoga, aerobics, and other classes. The center also hosts indoor volleyball, basketball and trampoline.
William J. Memorial Park and Jerry Johnson Memorial Diamonds are located across the street from each other on North Street. The parks have baseball/softball diamonds and soccer fields.
Optimist Park's courts are well-used for pick-up basketball games. The park also has a baseball diamond and a small playground.
Off Blackstone Street, Lions Park includes two baseball diamonds, small playgrounds, tennis courts and baskertball courts.
Under The Oaks Park, Governor Austin Blair Park and Bucky Harris Park are small parks that have historical markers describing important events from Jackson's past.
Sparks County Park is a popular destination for walkers and joggers who use its winding paved paths. A portion of the trail system is a wide boardwalk that passes ponds full of ducks and swans. The park is also home to the Cascades Falls, a summertime attraction that was built in the 1930s. The waterfalls are lit at night and host concerts and fireworks from time to time.
On the southern edge of Jackson, Ella Sharp Park has some smaller trails that are used for biking and hiking.
For cyclists, Jackson also has several bike routes and bike lanes that fan out from downtown. The bike lane on Wildwood Avenue passes the historic Jackson High School, which was founded in 1866 and is an architectural marvel. The bike route on Brown Street goes past a spot for ice cream lovers, The Parlor. The sundaes are tasty and large, and you have plenty of flavors to choose from.
Ella Sharp Museum of Art & History is a worthwhile place to visit for history buffs. The museum includes an elegant Victorian home, a one-room schoolhouse, an authentic log cabin, and other historical buildings. The museum features many exhibits and works of art.
Many restaurants can be found in Jackson, especially near the city's shopping districts. One unique spot that is a must visit for ice cream lovers is The Parlor, which offers large sundaes and plenty of flavors.
There are numerous hotels around Jackon, especially near I-94. You'll also find plenty of food choices near I-94, Westwood Mall, and on Michigan Avenue/Business I-94.
Jackson Area Parks
Sparks County Park is a beautiful park with recreational trails that wind around scenic ponds and near the park's athletic facilities, which includes baseball diamonds, a golf course, basketball court, and horseshoe pits. The park also has a large playground, picnic shelter, sledding hill, and a band shell. The Cascades is located at Sparks County Park and hosts numerous events over the summer. The Cascades is a man-made waterfall that is beautifully lit at night. The Cascades Ice Cream Company is located at Sparks County Park and is known for its tasty treats.Ella Sharp Park is named for Ella Merriman Sharp, who willed her 530 acre property to the city of Jackson in 1912. The large, well-maintained park is on the south side of Jackson, and its pool, golf course, and recreational facilities are popular during the summer. Ella Sharp Museum of Art & History is located at the park.
Near Michigan Avenue/M-50, Bloomfield Park features a baseball diamond, a large playground, tennis courts and basketball courts.
Ganson Street Park is a playtime spot for kids and has playground equipment.
On the east side of Jackson, Loomis Park features a large playscape, a picnic shelter, picnic area, tennis courts, basketball courts and a baseball field. Boos Recreation Center is located on the northeast corner of the park and offers yoga, aerobics, and other classes. The center also hosts indoor volleyball, basketball and trampoline.
William J. Memorial Park and Jerry Johnson Memorial Diamonds are located across the street from each other on North Street. The parks have baseball/softball diamonds and soccer fields.
Optimist Park's courts are well-used for pick-up basketball games. The park also has a baseball diamond and a small playground.
Off Blackstone Street, Lions Park includes two baseball diamonds, small playgrounds, tennis courts and baskertball courts.
Under The Oaks Park, Governor Austin Blair Park and Bucky Harris Park are small parks that have historical markers describing important events from Jackson's past.
Trails and Bike Lanes
The Jackson area has several well-maintained trails for biking, walking, jogging, and rollerblading. The longest of the trails is the Jackson Intercity Trail, a paved route that starts near downtown on Biddle Street and slices southwest through Jackson. From Jackson's city limits, the trail is known as the Falling Waters Trail and stretches west to Concord.Sparks County Park is a popular destination for walkers and joggers who use its winding paved paths. A portion of the trail system is a wide boardwalk that passes ponds full of ducks and swans. The park is also home to the Cascades Falls, a summertime attraction that was built in the 1930s. The waterfalls are lit at night and host concerts and fireworks from time to time.
On the southern edge of Jackson, Ella Sharp Park has some smaller trails that are used for biking and hiking.
For cyclists, Jackson also has several bike routes and bike lanes that fan out from downtown. The bike lane on Wildwood Avenue passes the historic Jackson High School, which was founded in 1866 and is an architectural marvel. The bike route on Brown Street goes past a spot for ice cream lovers, The Parlor. The sundaes are tasty and large, and you have plenty of flavors to choose from.
Historic Locations in Jackson
Jackson has many historic buildings that remain from the mid-to-late 1800s, and you can see many of them downtown. There are also several markers around town that designate historic locations or important people from Jackson's history, including the Camp Blair Historic Marker, Under the Oaks Historic Marker, Jacksonburg Public Square and more.Ella Sharp Museum of Art & History is a worthwhile place to visit for history buffs. The museum includes an elegant Victorian home, a one-room schoolhouse, an authentic log cabin, and other historical buildings. The museum features many exhibits and works of art.
More About Jackson
There's plenty of shopping choices in Jackson. Westwood Mall on Michigan Avenue/M-50 is a large shopping mall with JC Penney, Elder-Beerman, and specialty retailers. On the north side of town, Best Buy, Target, Sears, and other shops are located on West Avenue, south of the junction of I-94 and northbound US-127. On the east side of town, Meijer and other retailers are on Michigan Avenue, west of south US-127. Downtown Jackson has several local retailers and specialty shops.Many restaurants can be found in Jackson, especially near the city's shopping districts. One unique spot that is a must visit for ice cream lovers is The Parlor, which offers large sundaes and plenty of flavors.
There are numerous hotels around Jackon, especially near I-94. You'll also find plenty of food choices near I-94, Westwood Mall, and on Michigan Avenue/Business I-94.
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