Belhaven - Jackson, MS Area Guide

During the start of the 20th century, there was a need for a neighborhood away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Many of the wealthier residents began eyeing what is now the outer downtown area. By the late 1920s, houses had sprung up on nearly every block, and Greater Belhaven was included within Jackson's city limits.

Directly next to one another, Mississippi Children's Museum and Mississippi Museum of Natural Science are perhaps the most visited museums in the area. Kids enjoy interactive exhibits, activities and programs focusing on art, history, health and science. The science museum features an indoor/outdoor natural science museum with an aquarium, greenhouse and permanent/seasonal exhibits.

The city of Jackson hosts and annual street party called Bright Lights, Belhaven Nights each August to celebrate and promote the unique community. The event highlights locals artists, musicians and merchants.

You can find something for every taste in the Belhaven area. While there's no central restaurant location, there are establishments all around the neighborhood.

The cozy cafe on North Congress Street, Two Sister's Kitchen, serves up Southern home cooking in a historic landmark. Stop by for the lunch buffet to try some of your local favorites such as smothered pork chops, fried chicken, fried green tomatoes and homemade macaroni and cheese. For breakfast, the country-fried steak remains a local favorite, and for dinner, the fried okra reigns supreme. Don't forget to take home some of the bread pudding, an obvious pick for dessert.

The go-so spot for authentic Mexican food, La Cazuela, has the biggest margaritas in a casual yet festive atmosphere. This establishment also provides a full-service bar, catering services, a Sunday brunch and live entertainment on weekends.

For a quick lunch, stop by Pizza Shack, the funky counter-serve joint that offers inventive pizzas, salads and sandwiches along with a long list of beer options. The Philly cheesesteak sub is a favorite, but you could also choose the chicken Alfredo.

The nightlife in Jackson remains very music oriented, and you can find live music playing every night of the week. A jazz club further south on Jackson Street, Underground 119 features live music, a massive bar, Southern eats and cocktails in a speakeasy environment.

For local music and open mic nights, head to Martin's Restaurant & Bar, which features ladies nights, happy hours and a special late-night menu. Locals also love frequenting the joint as they know they will get strong drinks at fair prices. Be sure to check out the website for the up-to-date music schedule.

Transportation remains quite extensive in Belhaven, and most residents get around the neighborhood by bus. The primary public transportation options include cars, Amtrak, buses, and taxis. While you can sometimes hail a cab in the city, it's much more unreliable in the neighborhood areas. However, you can always call one up, and it should be at your door in minutes; Uber stands to be a viable option as well.

Free public parking can easily be found around the neighborhood. Additionally, Highway 51, Highway 25 and Interstate 55 are accessible from the outer downtown area and can quickly get you to most other highways nearby. The town is walkable during the day, although bike riders should stick to the residential areas as there are no bike lanes on most of the major streets.

To escape the city without going far, be sure to visit the 305 acre LeFleur's Bluff State Park with lakes, forests and fields. There you can find a camp ground, great fishing locations, a playground, a nine-hole golf course and a new 18 basket disc golf course. Furthermore, many locals love bringing their dogs here to get some exercise. When visiting Jackson, don't stay in a motel when you can rent a spot in the wilderness for only $20 per night with water and electric included.

Plenty of neighborhood parks also reside in the area. Laurel Street Park provides a unique sand playground with big, beautiful trees. Looking for a great space for a picnic and some Frisbee? Visit Belhaven Heights for a large, open field lined with trees. For free seasonal events, visit the Belhaven Arts Series at the picturesque Belhaven Park, which also features programs of music, theater and art.

The cost of living in Belhaven remains greater than the Jackson average, which is lower than the national average. The average rent for a one-bedroom residence runs about $615 per month.

The cost to get to the city center from the outer downtown area should be around $1.50 as the price of gas in Jackson falls 11 percent below than the national average. In terms of alcohol around town, you can expect to pay around $5 for a pint of beer at a local pub.

Few shopping malls lie within the city of Jackson. In Ridgeland, the high-end Northpark Mall features familiar department and chain stores supplying contemporary clothing, furniture and accessories.

Kats Wine & Spirits on East Fortification Street has special-order, hard-to-find and critically acclaimed wines. This is the go-to spot for the best vino at the best prices. Check out its famous wine scoreboard to find out what all the regulars are raving about most.

A couple of notable speciality stores reside around the neighborhood. The designer consignment store, Fondren Muse, offers an online store and fantastic sales. Be sure to keep up to date on its website as new items are continuously popping up. For an upscale and chic boutique, 4450 LLC highlights women's clothing, shoes and accessories.

McDade's Market and Save A Lot service the neighborhood for groceries. Additionally, a farmers market occurs in Jackson on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.