TRAVEL, LODGING, AND FOOD INFORMATION
Travel
By air
Arrive at Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN). Service from and connecting through (by airline):
American Airlines: Charlotte (CLT), Washington, D.C. (DCA), Dallas (DFW)
Delta Air Lines: Atlanta (ATL)
Southwest Airlines: Baltimore/Washington (BWI), Denver (DEN), Houston (HOU), Nashville (BNA)
United Airlines: Houston (IAH)
By train
Amtrak – Stop at Jackson’s Union Station on the City of New Orleans Route. Arrives from South (New Orleans) or from North (Memphis/Chicago).
Highway
Jackson is at the intersection of Interstates 20 and 55
Lodging
Peachtree House (Conference Housing)
The Guild has already reserved the Peachtree House for the duration of the event. It is available for the first 10-16 people who are interested and will be the location for the Opening Reception on Friday, 9/5.
Peachtree House is divided into 4 apartments with a total of 8 rooms. Each apartment has a kitchen and a living room. The apartments can be left open to make a joined living space, which we will do on Friday night during the Opening Reception. Due to its close proximity to campus (across the street), and short walk to the Dance Studios (two blocks), it will be the “conference central” accommodation. Some folks will need to share a room with a twin bed, others will have a queen. There is one King-sized bed that can be shared by two people, ideally who know one another and are willing to bunk up. One other person can choose to sleep on a sectional couch. If we meet this capacity and more people are willing to double up in a queen bed, there are several other couches large enough to sleep one person each. The total capacity is up to 16 people, but the final cost for each person. Contact Owen Rockwell to put your name on the list and to pay a deposit ($100). This space will be available starting the evening before the event (Thursday, September 4), but if you plan to get any earlier than that, or plan to leave Jackson later than Monday, September 8, there is the possibility of getting in early/stay later, just work that out with Owen and/or the owner, Janie beforehand.
View rooms here
Other Air B&Bs around Belhaven - All walkable to campus
In particular I recommend:
-Peachtree House
-Lofts at Belhaven Town Center
-Kendall House, Kennington Mansion
-Griswold’s Campus House and Cottage
View all the AirBnBs in the Behaven area
Other Accomodations - In order of proximity to campus
-Fairview Inn – Very close, short walk to campus, historic Plantation-style buildings.
-Homewood Suites – Fondren,”Arts” district with many options for food and coffee, walkable to campus, but not super close. There is also a grocery store nearby for those who wish to cook for cost saving or personal reasons, as rooms here have kitchenettes.
Downtown - Close drive, not easily walkable to campus. Close to local music venues such as Hal & Mals (Bar/restaurant/live music venue and site of final banquet on Sunday, Monday-Blues Night) and Iron Horse (bar/restaurant/live music venue)
-Westin – New/Modern, restaurant attached
-King Edward/Hilton Garden Inn Hotel – Historic Building with attached coffee shop.
-Old Capitol Inn – Historic Building with rooftop bar and attached restaurant.
-Orchid B&B – Historic Building
Close to Interstate - Drivable only, but in a residential/shopping/dining community.
-Residence Inn District at Eastover
-There are many other hotels and AirBnBs in the Jackson metro area, however the recommendations above are based on quality and (mostly) close proximity to campus/conference. Other hotels also may not be in proximity to area attractions, music venues, and better dining options.
Contact conference host Owen Rockwell with any questions regarding alternate housing options not listed above.
Dining
Belhaven Restaurants
Fine(er) Dining
-Elvie’s – High Brow Southern Cuisine at the Belhaven Town Center
-Pulito Osteria – Italian at the Belhaven Town Center
-1908 Provisions – Fine dining at the Fairview Inn
-Manship Wood-Fired Kitchen – Local favorite serving Southern Cuisine and brick-oven pizzas.
Coffee and Treats
-Native Coffee – 3 blocks from Dance Building in a repurposed service station. Sells smaller assortment of Just Vanilla (local gourmet pastry shop) pastries
-The Shoebird – Campus coffee Shop Located in the Student Center (also about 3 blocks away). Serves a wide variety of fantastic pastries from Just Vanilla (local gourmet pastry shop). Open 7a-2pm Friday and 8a-12p on Saturday.
-Cultivate Coffee Project – New Café in Belhaven Town Center.
-Urban Foxes – Pie slices and an excellent Espresso bar.
-Spectrum Sip – Juice, teas and smoothies.
-Sunflower Oven – Co-op artisanal bread bakery. Only open 10am-4pm.
-Mayday – Ice cream at the Belhaven Town Center
Bars
-Fertile Ground - Brewery at the Belhaven Town Center
-The Library – Intimate Cocktail Lounge at the Fairview Inn (small plate food items).
-Good Bar – Outdoor cocktail bar at the Belhaven Town Center
-Rowan’s - Nice “dive-bar” at the Belhaven Town Center (has good burgers).
Quick Bites and Pizza
-Keiffers – Casual Greek: Gyros, Salads etc.
-Poppies Pies – Upscale brick-oven pizzeria at the Belhaven Town Center
-Wing Mouth – Upscale wing shop at the Belhaven Town Center
-Pizza Shack – Thick crust pizza and salads close to the Belhaven Town Center
-Jimmy John’s – Sandwich shop chain commonly found in American college-towns
-Picantes – Mexican food located a few blocks from the Belhaven Town Center, next to:
-Wing Stop – National chain. Wings and beer.
-La Casuela - Mexican Food Short drive or long walk from campus area.
-Subway
-McDonald’s
Other Points of Interest within walking distance of Belhaven University
-Museum Trail – Walking/Running/Biking/Workout Station
-Belhaven Mountain Bike Trails
-LeFleur’s Bluff State Park
-Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and Museum of Mississippi History
-Eudora Welty Foundation, House and Gardens – The home and grounds belonging to 1973 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Fiction. (Located directly across the street from Belhaven University).
-Laurel Street Park – Playground and playing field/unofficial dog-run.
-Belhaven Park – On Poplar Street between campus and Belhaven Town Center. Nice spot to relax and walk a dog.
-Belhaven Heights Park – Walking trail and workout station
-Mississippi Children’s Museum
-Mississippi Museum of Natural Science
-Fondren – longer walk or short drive from campus area to more restaurants, shopping, and entertainment.
For those who plan to travel to Jackson early or leave late, Owen Rockwell is happy to make recommendations for surrounding attractions as well as ways to spend time in Mississippi. Since Mississippi is the self-proclaimed “Birthplace of America’s Music” (i.e. the Blues), Owen is also happy to arrange a tour of Blues-related sites in Jackson and the surrounding area. Memphis and New Orleans, both major sites of American musical tradition and innovation are nearby and accesible by a couple hour's drive or half-day train ride.