Group Tours

Museum Overview

The museum is located at I-55 and Lakeland Drive in Jackson, Mississippi, tucked within historic LeFleur's Bluff State Park and the LeFleur Museum District.

The museum's buildings and grounds feature a 73,000-square foot complex overlooking a 300-acre natural landscape and include: 

• 30,000 square feet of permanent exhibits
• a series of life-size displays of the state's diverse habitats
• a 100,000-gallon aquarium network housing over 200 living species
• a 1,700-square foot greenhouse called "The Swamp"
• 2.5 miles of nature trails including The Dinosaur Trail
• an open-air amphitheater
• a gift shop
• a 200 seat theater

• Video: Start your visit with a short video in the theater to orient your group to all there is to see and do.
   
• Staff Guided Museum Tour (45 minutes): Join our expert staff as they highlight the Museum’s 
  exhibits and tell the Museum’s story including how the Museum was founded in the 1930’s by Francis 'Fannye' Cook and how the Museum has evolved into an award-winning state treasure that helps to preserve natural Mississippi in the 21st century.
   
• Self-Guided Museum Tour (1 hour): Tour the Museum individually at your own pace. Indoor and Outdoor Exhibit Guides are available at the Museum’s front desk.
   
• MS Animal Encounter (30 minutes): Meet a Conservation Educator and come face-to-face with one of Mississippi's native animals!

• Senior Adult Groups (ages 60 and over): $7 per person
• Adult Groups: $8 per person
• Children's Groups (ages 3-18): $3 per person

The Museum offers free, on-site parking and can accommodate motorcoaches.

• We can provide recommendations for local restaurants and catering. The museum has a covered pavilion (reservation required). Picnic tables are available, first come first served, in LeFleur's Bluff State Park.
• Spotter's Snack Shack, located on our grounds, also offers quick snack options.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT?

Formal tours and programs are available year-round, during regular museum hours on Monday – Friday, based on availability. Generally, Monday – Wednesday are the best times to visit. 

Late summer and early fall are great times of year for a group visit. 

In spring, Fridays are prioritized for school groups. Also, during the spring, group visits are more enjoyable after 1 p.m. on Monday-Friday after school group visits have concluded and the Museum is less crowded.

WHEN IS THE MUSEUM OPEN?

• Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Museum Closed: 

New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Friday afterThanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day.

HOW DO I GET TO THE MUSEUM?

The Museum is located off Lakeland Drive at Interstate 55 in Northeast Jackson, Mississippi within LeFleur's Bluff State Park at 2148 Riverside Drive Jackson, Mississippi 39202-1353.

Note: Many GPS directions will direct you to the Museum’s back gate which is the employee and service entrance. The main entrance is on Highland Drive/Museum Boulevard at the entrance to LeFleur’s Bluff State Park.

WHERE CAN OUR BUS OR MOTORCOACH PARK?

Free parking for is available in designated areas located in our parking lot at the entrance of the Museum.

WHERE CAN OUR GROUP EAT LUNCH?

If you are planning to bring or buy boxed lunches, you must make arrangements prior to your visit. 

Please contact yolanda.hawkins@mmns.ms.gov to make meal arrangements and to reserve a dining area. Please ask about wheelchair accessibility. 

Areas for casual dining include: 

• Covered Outdoor Pavilion (located at Museum front entrance: weather permitting): Reservation needed.
• Picnic area in LeFleur’s Bluff State Park (picnic tables without a reservation; other areas available for larger groups with a reservation).