The Best Spots For Family Fun in Jackson, Mississippi

As both the capital of and the largest city in Mississippi, Jackson is a thriving metropolitan area offering many attractions. With a variety of museums, historical sites, landmarks, gardens, parks, and a zoo, it’s easy to find something entertaining for the whole family to do together. Herrin-Gear INFINITI is happy to guide you around Jackson and explore some fun family activities for a cool weekend out with fun, learning, and laughter for everyone.

Mississippi Freedom Trail

The Mississippi Freedom Trail recognizes and honors significant people, sites, and events in Mississippi during the American Civil Rights Movement. Created in 2011, the trail now has more than 25 historical markers, and many are right in Jackson. To explore all the Freedom Trail markers, check out Mississippi’s Department of Tourism list.

Mississippi State Capitol Building

Image via Flickr by Army Medicine

Built from 1901 to 1903, the Mississippi State Capitol Building was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2016. Stop in for a free guided tour of the building, or observe the Senate and House of Representatives from the viewing galleries during legislative sessions. Don’t miss the extraordinary architecture as you work your way through this beautiful landmark, and be sure to swing by the gift shop before you leave for some memorabilia.

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

One of the most popular family excursions, don’t miss the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. Located in LeFleur’s Bluff State Park, another amazing local attraction, this is the largest museum in Mississippi. Its 300-acre landscape contains an open-air amphitheater, nature trails, an outdoor maze, a 100,000-gallon aquarium where you can watch fish feedings, and “The Swamp,” a 1,700-square-foot greenhouse. Fun, entertaining, and educational, this museum has it all, featuring displays with deer, fish, and fossils. The many interactive exhibits make this ideal for kids of all ages, including the Preschool Discovery Room complete with a giant tree house and slide.

Jackson Zoo

The Jackson Zoo, housed on 110 acres of land, is home to over 250 animals and 150 different species. Lions and tigers and bears, oh yes! But the zoo also houses some exotic animals, such as the Australian kookaburra, and 11 endangered species. such as the Sumatran tiger and the pygmy hippo. In addition to the wildlife, families will enjoy a splash pad for hot summer days, an animal-themed carousel, and a train ride for when you’re ready to take a load off your feet. While you’re at the zoo, don’t miss Wilderness Mississippi, a fascinating exhibit of indigenous animals.

Mississippi Children’s Museum

The Mississippi Children’s Museum is a wonderful environment full of hands-on exhibits, activities, and experiments for kids to try. Kids can learn about everything from music and the arts to health and nutrition to STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). Stressing reading and literacy and fostering curiosity and creativity in children, this museum is suitable for kids of all ages, including toddlers. The kids can learn while they pretend to be farmers, engineers, or train conductors. With so much to do here, the Mississippi Children’s Museum can easily provide hours of fun and entertainment.

Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

Got a kid clamoring for something different than museums and culture? Try the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum for the sporty kids! The sports museum offers an extensive history of sports and athletes in the Magnolia State. Sports buffs will love to learn more about their favorite athletes, and the interactive displays highlight more than 200 of the best competitors. Sports legends such as Walter Payton, Brett Favre, and Jerry Rice are just a few of the athletic idols you can run across.

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City of Jackson Fire Museum

For that kid who loves fire trucks, here’s something a little different. The City of Jackson Fire Museum and Public Fire Safety Education Center is full of local fire-related artifacts that highlight the Jackson Fire Department and teach fire safety. Check out displays such as antique fire trucks, a parade uniform from 1870, old equipment, old uniforms and helmets, and a horse-drawn steamer dating back to 1904. The Fire Museum will appeal to both children and adults, with a wide variety of presentations that include puppets for the younger visitors.

Mynelle Gardens Arboretum & Botanical Center

Image via Flickr by Rodrigo Paoletti

Ready to take the fun (and learning) outside? Mynelle Gardens Arboretum & Botanical Center is an outdoor classroom paradise, with over 7 acres of land with fish ponds and flowers such as azaleas and camellias. Originally a flower shop called Mynelle Green’s during the 1920s, this beautiful garden opened to the public in 1953 and was named a Jackson Landmark in 1993.

You’ll come across many statues, wooden bridges, swings, gazebos, and perhaps even an island within the gardens. The kids can feed the turtles, watch the fish in ponds, and visit the butterfly garden and feel the wings of the fluttering butterflies as they land on visitors. Thanks to Mississippi’s mild climate, this is a delightful outing year-round, and each season offers something special to see and enjoy.

Russell C. Davis Planetarium

The Russell C. Davis Planetarium is one of the largest planetariums in the country, featuring a giant hemispheric theater to educate and entertain the whole family. Its unique 60-foot full dome digital projection screen creates an atmosphere that’s truly out of this world. Learn all about the solar system, planets, stars, black holes, and many other elements of the universe. In addition to your cosmic exploration, you’ll also be able to tour the exotic depths of the ocean as well as journey back into the past to spend time observing the dinosaurs as they roamed the world.

We know how challenging it can be to keep kids entertained. But when it comes to family fun, we’ve got you covered. When you’re looking for fun-filled summer activities and need the car to get you there, we can set you up! For more family-fun recommendations or to let us know your kids’ favorite attractions in Jackson, Mississippi, contact us or stop by our dealership in Jackson and meet our friendly