Jackson Free Press

Whether an all-out eco-adventure sounds right up your alley, or resting your head on an organic cotton pillow at a chic, sustainable hotel is more your style; travel's now the perfect way to explore the great big green world around us.

Eco-Adventure: Not for the faint of heart, eco-adventures will take you deep into the rain forest, desert or mountains for a closer look at our natural world. Visit http://ecotourism.gordonsguide.com/ or http://www.sustainabletravelinternational.org/ to find your perfect eco-adventure fit.

Agritourism: Find out first-hand how Mississippi plays a part in feeding the world. Tour a buffalo park, visit a dairy farm and learn how to make cheese, harvest shrimp or hike through a vineyard. Agritourism is learning how food gets from the field to your plate. Visit http://www.visitmississippi.org to find participating farms and fisheries.

Green Cities: Visit a famously progressive city to see how they do the green thang. Begin with Portland, Ore., San Francisco, Seattle or Chicago (all ranked in the top 10 most sustainable cities in the U.S.). While you're there, don't forget to ride mass transit, eat local and seasonal food and shop for regional or locally made products.

Museums: Discover the natural world. Take a trip to Jackson's museums that celebrate nature and wildlife. Visit the Mississippi Forestry & Agriculture Museum, http://www.msagmuseum.org, or Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, http://www.msnaturalscience.org.

Parks: Last year, visits to Mississippi's many outdoor recreation centers and parks were down. Get out and show your support of our state's natural gems: Take a hike; bike; go camping; or have a picnic. Log onto http://www.visitmississippi.org to find a park in your area.

Fantasy Getaways: Live out your sustainable fantasy by traveling to, and staying at, one of the many international eco-resorts. How about a Mayan spiritual experience in Tulum, Mexico, or safari adventure in Africa? There's something for everyone. Visit http://www.sustainabletravelinternational.org, or eco-resorts.com for more information.

Scenic Byways: If the open road is your idea of a great escape, look no further than our own scenic highways and byways to spark your road warrior's sense of idyll. The Natchez Trace, Grand Gulf Raymond Scenic Byway and the Great River Road National Scenic Byway are a few trails to start blazing.