Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

73,000 Sq Ft of Animal and Outdoors

2148 Riverside Drive
Jackson, Mississippi 39202

Website
MS Science Museum exterior with butterfly sculpture

Located in Jackson within LeFleur's Bluff State Park, the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science connects visitors with Mississippi's incredible natural world through immersive exhibits, live animals, aquariums, fossils, interactive experiences, and outdoor exploration.

The 73,000-square-foot facility is nestled against a 300-acre natural area showcasing the state's rich natural heritage through lifelike displays and living, breathing species. From white-tailed deer to waterfowl, and catfish to snapping turtles, each exhibit captivates as it educates. See 200 species of fish and their aquatic neighbors in a 100,000-gallon network of giant aquariums. Catch an alligator snoozing in "The Swamp," a 1,700-square-foot greenhouse with lush plants and its own 20,000-gallon aquarium.

Founded in the mid-1930s, the museum began at the behest of Fannye Cook, a biologist who returned to Mississippi after working at the Smithsonian. At that time, Mississippi had no laws protecting the environment or wildlife.

A pioneer in conservation biology, Cook started a campaign to create and implement laws protecting Mississippi's ecology, securing funding from the Works Progress Administration to survey the state's flora and fauna. The museum followed, housed under the Game and Fish Commission, now the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

children walking the Dinosaur trail with a large scale dinosaur model off to the left side
Children explore the new Dinosaur Trail
Credit: Blythe Summers/Courtesy of MDWFP

One of the best ways to interact with the material featured in the museum is to go outside, walking the two and a half miles of trails that cross through several habitats. Hikers can see ecological diversity firsthand as they make their way from the bluff to the swamp and the Pearl River. The outdoor experience also includes the Dinosaur Trail, featuring six large-scale, 3D dinosaur models, and the LeFleur's Mining Company Gem Sluice, where visitors can try their hand at gem and fossil mining. Visitors can also enjoy LeFleur's Bluff Playground, a family-friendly destination located on the LeFleur's Bluff State Park campus.

Museum Tour Time: 1 hour (2 hours including Nature Trail tour)

Hours: Monday–Friday: 8 am–5 pm | Saturday: 9 am–5 pm | Sunday: 1 pm–5 pm

Admission: Adults: $9 | Youth (Ages 3–18): $7 | Senior Citizens 60 and Over: $8 | Children Under 3: FREE | School Teachers with Classes: $3 per student

Amenities

Amenities

  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Family Friendly
  • Good for Groups
  • Meeting/Event Space
  • Outdoors
  • Retail

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