This is a sponsored post and I have been compensated. However, all opinions are mine. In my home, education has always been a top priority. But having fun is a very close second! We strive to find ways to link those two ideas together. I am blessed to have kids who have a thirst for learning and are always up for a family education vacation.
Education vacations are one of the most popular trends in family travel right now. According to the 2017 US Family Travel Survey, the top priority for a family vacation is “visiting new places and exploring together.” Mississippi has several attractions covering everything from STEM to entertainment.
If you are planning a Mississippi Education vacation, Mississippi Museums has a great list to hit. I believe it is best started in Jackson. It’s home to not one, not two, but three different interactive, educational museums for the young and old alike.
The Mississippi Children’s Museum has received many accolades through the years. Including Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence 5 years running. The museum houses five hands-on galleries. Each one features interactive, educational exhibits that kids love. They’ll have fun while they learn literacy, science, health, nutrition, and the arts. Exhibits include a working replica tv station, a literacy garden, and a giant Scrabble game.
This photo of Mississippi Museum of Natural Science is courtesy of TripAdvisor
The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science takes visitors back in time looking at prehistoric fossils and animals in the wild. You can also enjoy an underwater adventure in a 100,000-gallon aquarium network. It houses more than 200 species. The swamp exhibit has real-life alligators and freshwater turtles. Outside you can explore 2.5 miles of nature trails to see wildlife up close. The trails go past swamps, lakes, river bottoms, and wooded bluffs.
The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum is also in Jackson. Sports enthusiasts will enjoy learning about Mississippi’s rich athletic history. With legends like Dizzy Dean, Brett Favre, Archie Manning, and Jerry Rice featuring. They also have interactive exhibits where you can find out if you have what it takes to be a professional sports announcer. You can also measure yourself against the pros.
From Jackson head south to the Gulf Coast. There you can find two amazing science centers you won’t find anywhere else.
The INFINITY Science Center is the official visitor center for the John. C. Stennis Space Center. This is where NASA tests rockets. The INFINITY Science Center is the premier destination for STEM learning in the Gulf Coast region. There you can see an F-1 rocket engine and a US Navy riverine training boat. You’ll also be able to explore a 1,400 square foot biome. There you can see otters, birds, and alligators in the wild. You can also explore the surface of Mars and walk through a model of the International Space Station’s Destiny module.
In Gulfport, you can find the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center. In 2016 it received the highest honor a museum can get, the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. It has 6 acres of outdoor exhibits for you to explore. Including a replica weather station and a tree house village. You’ll also find an outdoor play kitchen and a kid’s sized replica of Main Street USA. Throughout the museum, kids can explore with role-play exhibits. In them, they can work in a market, be a veterinarian, work in a busy port, or an 1890s hotel. They can also experience an African safari or star on their own talk show.
The final destination is in Meridian, Mississippi, 20 minutes from the Alabama border. It’s home to the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience, known as MAX. The MAX celebrates Mississippi artists in all disciplines. They include; dance, drama, literature, music, and visual arts. 5 exhibits connect visitors with cultural points of interest in the state. While another 5 exhibits highlight artistic legends with roots in Mississippi. Guests come face to face with world-famous musicians, actors, artists, and authors from Mississippi.
Interactive learning is great for kids. They often don’t even realize they’re learning while they’re having fun. Learning doesn’t have to stop just because you’ve hit the road for a family trip. Be sure to stop off at these amazing interactive museums during your vacation. For more information to help you plan your Mississippi education vacation, the Visit Mississippi website is the place to go!
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Have you ever taken an Education Vacation? Have you ever visited Mississippi?
I would love to hear in the comments below!
Melissa Chapman says
June 12, 2018 at 4:56 pmMississippi has a lot to offer young minds this summer. From sports and entertainment to science and natural history this could occupy a child for the whole summer.
Ora Lee Gurr says
June 12, 2018 at 5:16 pmWe haven’t traveled to Mississippi in so long! My family loves interactive learning and combining education with vacation. I enjoyed reading about the experiences you all had and the pictures that described adventures.
Stacie says
June 12, 2018 at 5:25 pmThat is a great trip idea. I love taking trips that are fun and educational. They’re a great way to bond as a family and also learn some new things.
Bill Sweeney says
June 12, 2018 at 5:35 pmWe like to take family vacations that are both relaxing and educational. I like learning new things, and the kids do too.
Dogvills says
June 12, 2018 at 5:49 pmThe Infinity science center and the Arts and Entertainment museum are the ones I would love to take the kids to. I never knew Mississippi had these awesome museums! Vacation + fun learning experience is the perfect formula for a memorable summer.
Danielle Smith says
June 12, 2018 at 6:38 pmI personally think a vacation is more fulfilling if it contains something educational. Looks as though Mississippi is loaded with educational options!
Brandy says
June 12, 2018 at 6:51 pmI love family vacations that are educational. I haven’t been to Mississippi yet, but this makes me want to plan a trip. I will have to add it to my travel bucket list.
Theresa says
June 12, 2018 at 10:20 pmMy daughter will be a scientist once she finishes college. I bet she would LOVE to explore the INFINITY Science Center! Mississippi sounds like it has a lot to offer its visitors.
Sarah L says
June 12, 2018 at 11:03 pmI love good kid’s museums. We have a good one here in Denver.
Shannon Gurnee says
June 13, 2018 at 12:07 amI’ve never been to Mississippi before, but would love to visit someday! Love that there are places to enjoy and learn in at the same time.
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
June 13, 2018 at 1:49 amThis is such a great idea for summer! I am sure my kids will love to go here!
kiwi says
June 13, 2018 at 2:50 ami will definitely be visiting Mississippi this summer! I think people overlook this city, its only a state away from me so I will be explore this place!
Foodie Finds Home says
June 13, 2018 at 2:53 amMississippi certainly has never been on my radar of places to visit but after reading this post it seems like it should be. I never knew Mississippi housed so many cool places.
Joyce Brewer says
June 13, 2018 at 4:49 amI lived in MS for 7 years. It’s a gorgeous state with so much history. The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson is a must-visit too.
Peggy Nunn says
June 13, 2018 at 8:38 amThat looks like so much fun. I have not heard of that museum. I will have to check it out. Thank you for telling us about it.
Alison Jones says
June 13, 2018 at 6:47 pmI live in Tennessee, so I did take a road trip with my kids last summer. We went to Gulfport, MS and areas nearby. There was a lighthouse museum in Biloxi that showed a documentary about a severe hurricane that hit the area. It was educational for my kids – they know not to ignore the weather sirens after seeing the devastation that can happen. I would enjoy going back to the beaches, restaurants, shopping and museums in MS.
Sarah L says
June 17, 2018 at 10:54 pmAs far as my folks were concerned every vacation was an education vacation. It’s fun to learn new things.
Dana Rodriguez says
June 21, 2018 at 11:54 amI haven’t been to Mississippi in years. This is a really fun summer trip idea!
Sarah L says
June 23, 2018 at 10:52 pmOne vacation we toured the Denver Mint and saw how money was really made. Very educational.
Mary Songer says
June 28, 2018 at 1:00 amI’ve never been to Mississippi but now I want to go. Looks like there is a lot of interesting things to see and do. Thanks for the information.