Guide to Naturefest!
Calling all outdoors enthusiasts!
Get ready for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife’s annual celebration NatureFEST! on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science.
![NATURFEST Science Museum child plays with large bubbles](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/NATURFEST-Science-Museum-child-plays-with-large-bubbles.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=5b1fcdda7dfe8b4e1c4ab437667ea6be 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/NATURFEST-Science-Museum-child-plays-with-large-bubbles.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=b806c7868e2f6d93bf9fc834030e8a69 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/NATURFEST-Science-Museum-child-plays-with-large-bubbles.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=725aae99253b42f9bc9a7cad10bf37cd 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/NATURFEST-Science-Museum-child-plays-with-large-bubbles.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=63b7215947e64145e190f32770e1906a 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/NATURFEST-Science-Museum-child-plays-with-large-bubbles.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=546490665a7e83c1308fd91f03cbe30e 1200w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/NATURFEST-Science-Museum-child-plays-with-large-bubbles.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=5758b263f6839dedb02897ab5be84eea 1280w)
What To Expect
A festival, nature outing, and museum trip rolled into one, NatureFEST! is back with plenty of activities for the whole family. Visitors can participate in live wildlife demonstrations with birds of prey and reptiles, watch fish feeding by divers in the museum’s giant aquariums, go on exclusive behind-the-scenes tours with local scientists, and more. Young patrons can enjoy a variety of crafts with The Home Depot’s Kids Workshops and embrace their wild side with face painting.
Multiple exhibitors from around the state will showcase their own animals, wares, and crafts, including the award-winning Hattiesburg Zoo, Camp Creek Native Plants, Central MS Beekeeping, Jackson Audubon, and Pearl River Woodcarvers, to name just a few.
Where To Dine
Vicksburg-based and Veteran-owned Triple J’s Pizzataco food truck will be parked on-site with a mouthwatering selection of street tacos. Plenty of kid-friendly restaurants are a short drive away in Fondren (Brent’s Drugs, Highball Lanes, The Station), The District at Eastover (Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint), and Belhaven (Belhaven Town Center, The Manship Woodfired Kitchen, Keifer’s).
![Museum Trail solo female bike rider with colorful mural and bridge](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Museum-Trail-solo-female-bike-rider-with-colorful-mural-and-bridge_2024-03-25-152533_upmh.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=34.67%2061.32&q=80&w=320&s=f41b51597a1652f386d9666e3b45f970 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Museum-Trail-solo-female-bike-rider-with-colorful-mural-and-bridge_2024-03-25-152533_upmh.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=34.67%2061.32&q=80&w=540&s=2802d5c7d4b1fe918cf501a1bc4a76c5 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Museum-Trail-solo-female-bike-rider-with-colorful-mural-and-bridge_2024-03-25-152533_upmh.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=34.67%2061.32&q=80&w=768&s=5324c282b41351bfabfdcaa42af673c6 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Museum-Trail-solo-female-bike-rider-with-colorful-mural-and-bridge_2024-03-25-152533_upmh.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=34.67%2061.32&q=80&w=1024&s=de483ee9c0c052acc433c05ca44ee084 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Museum-Trail-solo-female-bike-rider-with-colorful-mural-and-bridge_2024-03-25-152533_upmh.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=34.67%2061.32&q=80&w=1200&s=d79a19dc9ff83ac53f23a5e83fbc82dc 1200w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Museum-Trail-solo-female-bike-rider-with-colorful-mural-and-bridge_2024-03-25-152533_upmh.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=34.67%2061.32&q=80&w=1440&s=74ce0273c876ca1ab57164aac6e9acab 1440w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Museum-Trail-solo-female-bike-rider-with-colorful-mural-and-bridge_2024-03-25-152533_upmh.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=34.67%2061.32&q=80&w=1920&s=461e9167dec61c35af2f156b2837b797 1619w)
Explore The Outdoors
Take your day outside a step further in one of Jackson’s several parks, walking trails, and play stops. The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science has a range of nature trails connected to the museum itself that take you through bluffs, river bottoms, lakes, and scenic swamplands. The state-of-the-art LeFleur's Bluff Playground sits in front of the museum with a 30,000-square-foot playground for children ages 6 months to 12 years old, including 80 play activities – 73 of which are inclusive to children with accessibility needs.
The Museum Trail and Belhaven Mountain Bike Trail begins steps from the museum entrance and have both a multi-use, 2.5-mile rail-to-trail path, as well as multiple wooded trails for casual walking and hiking. LeFleur’s Bluff State Park is another great option for camping, hiking, and enjoying 305 acres of protected woodland and Mayes Lake. If you’re in town for an extended stay, check with Capital City Kayak Adventures for rentals and guided tours in the area.
Location & Admission
This event is included with museum admission or MMNS Foundation Membership. The museum is located off Lakeland Drive at Interstate 55.