You can't find a better deal than free. And that's precisely the deal at several Jackson attractions.
The recently restored and reopened Old Capitol Museum is free to visitors, as are some exhibits at the Mississippi Museum of Art. The Manship House Museum and tours at the Governor's Mansion are also freebies.
"In the past days, of the old Old Capitol, summer would slow down a bit, but we've been busier than ever," says Old Capitol Museum director Clay Williams. "Adult groups, tour groups and summer camps for kids seem to be looking for a place to go and the fact that we're free offers a nice choice."
While the architecture, historic preservation and voting rights exhibits might be over the heads of a group of 4-year-olds who recently toured the Old Capitol, what's overhead there is right impressive. Everybody likes to look up in that great rotunda. "And when you're 2 feet, 11 inches, it's pretty awe-inspiring," Williams says, chuckling. The museum's next tour that day was a church group of seniors - a testament to its broad appeal.
The Mississippi Museum of Art's permanent collection, highlighted in The Mississippi Story, and exhibits of Gulf Coast masters and Eudora Welty in New York are free and open to the public.
There are even ways to save on seeing the museum's current blockbuster, Raoul Dufy: A Celebration of Beauty. Students get in free on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In a special promotion until that exhibit's close July 5, visitors can combine lunch at the Palette Cafe and Dufy admission for $15 (a savings of about $5 for adults).
Art and fine craft lovers should also set their sights on these Jackson sites: the Arts Center of Mississippi; Municipal Gallery of Art, both in Jackson; the Mississippi Craft Center in Ridgeland.
The Jackson Zoo's special deals throughout the year often tie into holidays. On Father's Day Sunday, every dad who brings a paying child gets in free, where not only wild animals, but also vintage cars will be on display. Keep an eye out, too, for coupons for zoo deals in Town Planner and The Entertainment Book. And there's one more cool, sweet deal: through June, any zoo visitor can take the receipt to Sal & Mookie's for a free ice cream cone.
Membership has its privileges at several Jackson institutions, at a price that often pays for itself within a couple of visits, plus extras.
"Friends of the Zoo is the best deal you're going to get, whatever level you choose," says zoo spokesman Chris Mims. Individual ($15), Grandparents ($35, grandparents and their grandkids) and Family ($45, two adults and their children) memberships allow free admission throughout the year, free or discounted admission to more than 100 zoos nationwide, plus discounts on the gift shop, parking and special events.
At the art museum, membership levels start at $45 for individual and $60 for family/dual, and include free or discounted admission and priority entrance to museum exhibitions and programs, invitations to preview parties, gift shop discount and a newsletter.
The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science has individual ($35) and family ($60) memberships, too, which act as a get-in-free card, and include members-only events, a newsletter and gift shop discount.
Even so, regular admission is nominal - around $5 for adults and $3 for kids - at most area draws, such as the science museum, Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center, Davis Planetarium, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum and Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum.
Periodic events at the Kirk Fordice Equine Center on the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson offer an eyeful of competition for free. The 62nd National Appaloosa Show and World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show offers a chance to watch hundreds of the pretty horses display talent, versatility and color, Monday through July 4.
Church festivals in the fall and spring often roll out the music and fun for free, with any money spent there on food, art or activities going for a good cause.
