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 reserved the beautiful and historic Peachtree House (https://www.peachtreehousems.com/) as the "official" conference accommodations. Just across the street from the Belhaven campus, and three short blocks from the building that houses the Department of Dance, it is the housing closest to the conference, and will serve as the gathering place for for the Opening Reception on the evening of Friday, September 5. You may, of course, stay anywhere in the area, but this option is convenient to everything, relatively affordable, and provides a more communal experience for those interested in that.
The house is divided into 4 apartments with two bedrooms and one bathroom each. Each apartment has a kitchen and a living room. You may book a room with one king, queen, or double bed (by yourself or with another person), or a single bed in a room shared with one other person.
Prices vary by room and can be found as you view and select your accommodations. Earliest check-in is on September 4 and latest check-out on September 8. Price is the same should you plan to arrive after September 4 or check out before September 8.
If you plan to arrive before the 4th or after the 8th, you may make reservations to do so, just contact conference host Owen Rockwell at owenrockwell@gmail.com and/or (917) 628-7050 to arrange to extend your visit at the Peachtree, as he is in contact with the owner. Cost for this varies by rooms and by number of occupants.
View Peachtree House and 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.