10 Activities
Getting Kitschy in Jackson: Diners, Oddities, and Classic Americana
Starts from
Detroit
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
10
Duration
10 hrs 5 min
Length
27 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Detroit
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
10 hrs 5 min
Length
27 mi
- History and Culture
- Unusual Locations
- Family-Friendly
- Gastronomy
Alana Valko
Travel Expert
- Visit a private museum filled with vintage cars and memorabilia.
- View magnificent wall murals on a self-guided walking tour.
- Eat at the birthplace of Michigan's famous coney dogs, and a century-old ice cream parlour.
While often forgotten from Michigan must-see lists, Jackson, Michigan is a historic hidden gem lying just west of Detroit. The town once served as an epicenter for innovation and transportation, acting as a major railway hub and automobile manufacturer in the early- to mid-twentieth century. With historic roots, much of the old charm still remains in its various niche museums documenting the city's histories, as well as the multiple hundred-year-old diners and dives. Jackson is the birthplace of the Coney Island hot dog, a dish now famously revered across the state.
You'll hit a locals-favorite diner for breakfast, home to generous servings and a kitschy, familial feel. Your day will be spent oscillating between historic oddities, great food, and lots of nostalgia. You'll visit a private car collection, view collections of Americana, eat at century-old eateries, and walk historic streets that have been beautifully modernized by over 40 public art murals across the city's buildings. You'll end the day visiting an illuminated man-made waterfall dating back to the 1930s.
You'll hit a locals-favorite diner for breakfast, home to generous servings and a kitschy, familial feel. Your day will be spent oscillating between historic oddities, great food, and lots of nostalgia. You'll visit a private car collection, view collections of Americana, eat at century-old eateries, and walk historic streets that have been beautifully modernized by over 40 public art murals across the city's buildings. You'll end the day visiting an illuminated man-made waterfall dating back to the 1930s.
Categories
- History and Culture
- Unusual Locations
- Family-Friendly
- Gastronomy
While often forgotten from Michigan must-see lists, Jackson, Michigan is a historic hidden gem lying just west of Detroit. The town once served as an epicenter for innovation and transportation, acting as a major railway hub and automobile manufacturer in the early- to mid-twentieth century. With historic roots, much of the old charm still remains in its various niche museums documenting the city's histories, as well as the multiple hundred-year-old diners and dives. Jackson is the birthplace of the Coney Island hot dog, a dish now famously revered across the state.
You'll hit a locals-favorite diner for breakfast, home to generous servings and a kitschy, familial feel. Your day will be spent oscillating between historic oddities, great food, and lots of nostalgia. You'll visit a private car collection, view collections of Americana, eat at century-old eateries, and walk historic streets that have been beautifully modernized by over 40 public art murals across the city's buildings. You'll end the day visiting an illuminated man-made waterfall dating back to the 1930s.
You'll hit a locals-favorite diner for breakfast, home to generous servings and a kitschy, familial feel. Your day will be spent oscillating between historic oddities, great food, and lots of nostalgia. You'll visit a private car collection, view collections of Americana, eat at century-old eateries, and walk historic streets that have been beautifully modernized by over 40 public art murals across the city's buildings. You'll end the day visiting an illuminated man-made waterfall dating back to the 1930s.
Alana Valko
Travel Expert
- Visit a private museum filled with vintage cars and memorabilia.
- View magnificent wall murals on a self-guided walking tour.
- Eat at the birthplace of Michigan's famous coney dogs, and a century-old ice cream parlour.
Day Itinerary
10 Activities
Day 1
26 mi1 mi
A Day for Curiosities and Michigan History
Spend the day around Jackson, Michigan eating at classic Americana diners and exploring the collections, art, and oddities of this unique town.
08:401 hr
Roxy Cafe
If you want to have a tasty breakfast not at home, stop in at this no-frills diner complete with breakfast specials and kitschy Americana decor, and Coca-Cola memorabilia. The menu delivers huge portions at modest prices, with off-beat offerings such as the Homer Simpson omelet, made up of radioactive peanuts, stale popcorn, and Duff’s beer. The family-owned diner has been in operation since 1941, and still runs with the mission to treat every guest like family—every local knows to enter through the kitchen, not the front door.
8 mi
15 min
10:001 hr
Ye Ole Carriage Shop
If you can, schedule a visit to the Ye Old Carriage Shop, an impressive private collection of old-fashioned cars, including 18 Jackson-made automobiles dating back to the early- to mid-twentieth century. During this period, Jackson was one of the largest manufacturers of automobiles in the Midwest. Lloyd Ganton, the founder of the museum, has also curated 15 other collections, including pedal cars, model aeroplanes, boxed toys, Coca-Cola memorabilia, and others. It's a must-see if you can make it—tours have to be booked by appointment at their phone number.
8.2 mi
20 min
11:2010 min
Parking Lot
Park here to explore Jackson's street art and try the famous local hot dogs.
Once parked, walk through the spectacular murals painted across the city, which began as part of the international Bright Walls Mural Festival in 2018.
You can find the map via the link in the next event of the itinerary.
Once parked, walk through the spectacular murals painted across the city, which began as part of the international Bright Walls Mural Festival in 2018.
You can find the map via the link in the next event of the itinerary.
0.1 mi
5 min
11:501 hr
Bright Walls
Since its inception, the festival has filled the city's buildings with more than 40 murals. Follow the map from the Bright Walls Festival team to help you see and identify each mural. When you are finished, head out for lunch.
0.6 mi
15 min
13:151 hr
Jackson Coney Island
For lunch, eat at the historic birthplace of Michigan's infamous Coney Island hot dogs.
Established in 1914, the Jackson Coney Island has fed the community through the Great Depression and two World Wars. Jackson Coney Island served the community and sat in front of the bustling Jackson Train Station on East Michigan Avenue, which had 50 trains running through it in its heyday. On your walk over, you will pass this historic train stop. Locals universally accept that Jackson Coney Island was the first Coney Island in Michigan, but it's up to you to decide if it's the best! When you are finished, walk back over to your car before heading out for ice cream.
Established in 1914, the Jackson Coney Island has fed the community through the Great Depression and two World Wars. Jackson Coney Island served the community and sat in front of the bustling Jackson Train Station on East Michigan Avenue, which had 50 trains running through it in its heyday. On your walk over, you will pass this historic train stop. Locals universally accept that Jackson Coney Island was the first Coney Island in Michigan, but it's up to you to decide if it's the best! When you are finished, walk back over to your car before heading out for ice cream.
0.5 mi
15 min
14:305 min
Parking Lot
Pick up your car and head a little east to stop for some desserts.
1.5 mi
10 min
15:0030 min
The Parlour of Jackson
Stop at The Parlour of Jackson for some old-fashioned ice cream sundaes, banana splits, and over 40 hand-dipped ice cream flavors. Over a hundred years old, the red diner furniture, jukebox, and old-school employee attire catapult you back in time to a 1950s diner.
3.5 mi
10 min
15:451 hr
Ella Sharp Museum
The Ella Sharp Museum is a peculiar museum on your route that features 11 nineteenth-century structures, including Ella's old farmhouse, a schoolhouse, an old log cabin, and a woodshop. Visit the museums' galleries and the Never Enough Time Gallery, a semi-permanent collection of curiously-looking clocks. Visit their website for additional information.
2.7 mi
10 min
18:002 hrs
Grand River Brewery
Head over to the grounds at Grand River Brewery, which boasts a brewery, distillery, winery, eatery, and full-service caterer, all in one stop. Formerly an 85-year-old public house, the neglected building was refreshed and converted to include a column vodka still and a 15-barrel steam-powered brewhouse. The menu serves hand-crafted and locally-sourced barbecue, pizza, and classic bar food. Choose from a wide selection of their house-made craft brews on tap.
2.6 mi
10 min
20:3030 min
The Cascades
End your route at The Cascades, a giant man-made waterfall that sits illuminated by a bursting light show. The falling waters were originally built in the 1930s to add positivity and attraction to the city. Now, after extensive restoration and renovations, the fountain and falls still stand, lighting up the city until now.