The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science is located in a 300-acre natural area; its 73,000-square-foot building features lifelike displays and living species. The museum also has 2.5 miles of trails through a variety of habitats, from higher ground to swamps and the Pearl River. Exhibits and diverse landscapes are both highlights of a visit.

Nature Trails and Routes with Different Highlights

LeFleur's Bluff State Park also combines nature with activities for a range of interests. The 305-acre urban park has campsites, fishing, picnic areas, nature trails, and an 18-hole disc golf course. The approximately 3-mile Museum Trail offers a different way to explore: this paved, multi-use route connects LeFleur's Bluff State Park, the museum district, Belhaven, and the Mississippi Farmers Market. It is intended for pedestrians and non-motorized users, including walkers, runners, and cyclists.

Clinton Community Nature Center offers a different experience: 2.3 miles of shaded gravel trails wind through a native forest, with occasional wooden bridges and boardwalks along the way. The trail network spans 2.5 miles, including 0.4 miles of the historic Natchez Trace. It also includes the site of Sumner Hill School, founded in 1872 and considered the first public school for African Americans in Hinds County. The trail surface and historic sites give this place a different character from the paved Museum Trail, which connects several destinations.

Museums, History, and Sports

At the Museum of Mississippi History, eight main galleries trace Mississippi's history from prehistoric times to the present. The Reflections Gallery invites visitors to record their own memories of Mississippi in a private video booth. Here, history is presented not only as a chronological overview but also through personal recollections.

The Smith Robertson Museum preserves and shares African American history and culture through exhibits, programs, and educational offerings. Its permanent exhibits include Field to Factory: The Afro-American Migration, 1915–1940 and a Civil Rights Gallery. Exhibits may change. The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame offers a different perspective on the state's history, honoring more than 300 athletes, coaches, and influential sports figures with ties to Mississippi. The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum presents sports history through a self-guided experience featuring archival footage, interviews, and statistics.

Hinds County Courthouse in Raymond offers another distinctive historical and architectural landmark: built from 1857 to 1859, it is an example of the Greek Revival style.

Gardens and Hands-On Experiences

The Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art is free and open to all visitors. It features seasonal plantings, beds of native plants, permanent art installations, and water features. The garden program may change. You can stroll through the Eudora Welty Garden for free on a self-guided visit during visitor hours. It is one of only two public botanical gardens in Mississippi. Check opening hours before you arrive.

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum in Jackson spans 40 acres and offers hands-on educational experiences for the whole family. The Museum General Store sells local Mississippi products, including Mississippi Bees Honey, Pennington Farms Honey, Hillside Vineyards Jelly and Jams, and Mississippi Cheese Straws. The selection may change.

At the Mississippi Children's Museum, visitors can explore a variety of interactive areas. Wonderbox is a makerspace. At Exploring Mississippi, children can search for fossils, steer a shrimp boat, explore wild pine forests, and fish. The Literacy Garden features a large treehouse, oversized pink story mushrooms, and a sunken amphitheater. At The World at Work, children can milk a cow, drive a real car, and operate a large crane. Exhibits may change.

Practical Information

Street parking is available on North Street at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, along with a parking garage accessible from Jefferson Street between Amite Street and Mississippi Street. Accessible parking spaces are available in the garage. Parking options may change, so check visitor information before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Byram, Clinton, Jackson, Neshoba County, Adams County, Jefferson Davis, Tate County, Lowndes County.

For the broader travel overview: Mississippi.