Experience Jackson

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Steve Rudolf, tour guide with the Historic Jackson Prison Tours, which take place at the original site of Michigan’s First State Prison. In 1839, a makeshift wooden fort with room for just 35 inmates became Michigan’s first state prison: Michigan State Prison or Jackson State Prison w...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Steve Saari, Director of Golf and Head Golf Professional at Calderone Golf Club. The course features a diverse style of play, with a mix of Scottish-Style links golf with traditional Parkland golf – with natural elevation changes. Their offerings also include an expert club-fitter in-...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Patricia Simpson, Executive Director with the Coe House Museum & Grass Lake Area Historical Society. The Coe House Museum is a beautiful Victorian home constructed in 1871 in the Italianate Tuscan Vernacular style; designated as a National Historic Building. Not only does it host...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Jen Lindahl and Cassandra Seagraves with the Commonwealth Commerce Center, a large venue space in downtown Jackson. With 3 banquet rooms, and a variety of other meeting spaces, any event from a corporate event, expo, wedding and other creative occasion can be accommodated. With over 9...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Savannah Sheets, one of the owners of Epiq Escapes in Jackson. Enter a locked room where you must find clues, solve a series of puzzles and riddles, and work together to escape in 60 minutes! All of their games are created locally, with a variety of themes to choose from for all ages...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Greg Vancalbergh, co-owner of Jackson Popcorn Depot. They specialize in gourmet popcorn, having over 50 different flavors in both sweet & salty varieties, as well as 30+ flavor mixes bagged in store. They also feature cinnamon roasted nuts, cookies, cotton candy, and freeze-dried...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Phil Fischmeister, Director of Golf at Cascades Golf Course, a municipal course on the outer edges of Sparks Foundation Park in Jackson. The course is known for its rich and traditional design, with four separate teeing areas; offering broad yardage options ranging from 5.282 to a bac...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Diana Agy, the Peggy Maher endowed chair of regional history and the director of the Heritage Center Museum at Jackson College, a place of inspiration, dedication, and service.  Volunteer students donate their time to collect and share the inspirational stories of Jacksonians whose sa...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Shane Stephens, one of the owners of Axe Play, Jackson’s premiere axe throwing bar located in downtown Jackson, offering a full-service experience with professionally trained coaches, leagues, and unique cocktails. Learn how you can book a time to throw in one of their lanes, whether...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Brian and Sally Krichbaum, current owners of Gilbert Chocolates, celebrating 125 years in Jackson.  They've got a long history of homemade chocolate for those who love sugar, sugar-free options, caramel, and even treats for pets! You can book tours or even schedule a gathering wit...

 In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Emily Thomas & Stacy Curtis with the Jackson County Fair, organizers of the 14th annual Southern Michigan Winter Beer Fest, coming March 8, 2025. From local to regional brewers and beyond, you’ll enjoy over 150 ciders, meads, wines, craft beers, IPAs, and spirits tasting, live du...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Tahny Lowry, who owns Lowry’s Little Flock Farm along with her husband, Kent. The farm is full of goats, chickens, sheep, llamas, alpacas and a donkeys, rabbits, ducks, and more. The farm is free to visit, and offers a chance to feed and interact with nearly 200 animals, enjoy sweet t...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Vice President of Marketing and Communications, welcomes Nathan Brue, Brewmaster at Ironbark Brewing Co. Ironbark is a friendly neighborhood microbrewery and gastropub, incorporating a fusion of science, art and hospitality, Ironbark has become a destination for those who appreciate local craft beer and good times. Nestled in a cozy neighbo...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Tim Stairs owner of Nostalgia, Ink. In downtown Jackson, celebrating over 35 years of comics, games, collectible figures, and more! Looking for a special back-issue, or to play a drop-in game of Dungeons and Dragons, Tim and his team will take care of you with care and help put together a perfec...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes John Spink with the Nite Lites at Michigan International Speedway. Nite Lites is a five-mile long holiday lights drive through experience, running nightly between Nov. 22, 2024 and Jan. 5, 2025. In it’s 29th year, the show adds new displays each season. View the 12 Days of Christmas, dinosaurs,...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Siera Stoyanovitch, owner of Stoyanna’s Ice Cream and Catering. Siera prides herself in homemade ice cream offerings during the winter months and specializes in made-from-scratch Greek-focused catering for any occasion. From her spinach pies to delicious baklava and other pastry creations, her f...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Chad Schedeler, one of the owners of Forty Nine South, a LITERAL old school venue, constructed in 1949; home to South School. In the 1980s, the building became a Masonic lodge, then reopened to the public in 2017 as Forty Nine South. Their mission was to restore the facility to its former glory...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Erin Valkuchak with FarmSudz, a family business whose incredible soaps and body products will leave your senses in overdrive. FarmSudz offers Perfectly Awesome Skincare inspired by nature. Helping people 'go green' with awesome zero waste options for both the kitchen and bathroom is high on thei...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Amy Piper, of Follow the Piper, as she reflects on her visit to Jackson County. Amy is a freelance travel writer, blogger, photographer, and author specializing in luxury and multigenerational travel. She is making her way through some of Jackson’s cuisine (during Restaurant Week), historical at...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Dale Fisher, photographer and owner of Eyry of the Eagle, a beautiful, wooded farm property in Grass Lake featuring an outdoor wedding pergola site nestled between densely wooded pines, overlooking a 3-acre pond. The Wings Gallery reception hall, and the Eagle’s Nest Barn. https://www.eyryofthee...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Devin Otto, General Manager at Booher's Fresh Market, which is also a diner offering Italian and American specialties, homemade mozzarella sticks, incredible pies, burgers and more! Boohers is a participant in Jackson County Restaurant Week: Burger Edition, November 11-17, 2024. Learn more about...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Ted Christoff, local legacy expert on the story of how Jackson became the birthplace of the Coney Dog in 1914. He also shares some of his Macedonian family’s close ties to the development and continuation of the beef-heart based chili, mustard, onion recipe that makes the Jackson Coney unique. L...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Kirk Root, General Manager at Cascades Manor, a beautiful tudor-style historic venue in Jackson; built in 1932. His experienced team handles every detail of your special event. With full-service catering, a fully stocked bar, and three private rooms to choose from, they can accommodate up to 275...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Beth Kuiper, Executive Director of the Jackson Downtown Development Authority, to share about the 2024 Downtown Jackson Haunted Tours. Working alongside Central Michigan Paranormal Investigations and local historian Maurice Imhoff, the DDA has developed a series of multi-stop tours throughout th...

In this episode, host Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson Marketing & Development Manager, welcomes Jenny Smith, a longtime volunteer and board trustee at Waterloo Farm Museum & Dewey School. The historical homestead and historic one-room schoolhouse are open for tours by appointment, and host a handful of events on their grounds throughout the year. On October 6 2024, they’ll open their g...