7 Surprising Family Adventures in Meridian: Mississippi's Best-Kept Secret

My first Meridian surprise came in Highland Park, home to one of the world's few remaining Dentzel carousels still in its original location. As a biologist, I'm naturally drawn to historical specimens, and this 1909 mechanical marvel qualifies as just that—a perfectly preserved example of early 20th-century craftsmanship featuring 28 hand-carved animals.

What fascinates me most is how the carousel serves as an unexpected teaching tool. Each animal represents species that once roamed Mississippi's diverse ecosystems, making it a whimsical entry point to discuss regional ecology with children. I watched families point out differences between the carved animals while children's eyes widened with the same wonder I see in my university students during their first field expedition.

After riding the carousel (yes, this 50-year-old scientist couldn't resist), we explored the surrounding park's mini-train and picnic areas. I recommend bringing a field guide to identify the surprising variety of songbirds that inhabit the park's mature trees.

As someone who's dedicated his life to making biology accessible, I was thoroughly impressed by the Mississippi Children's Museum's Meridian location. Unlike many children's museums that sacrifice scientific accuracy for entertainment, this facility masterfully balances both.

The museum's 'Wild About Mississippi' exhibit particularly caught my attention with its accurate representations of local ecosystems. My trained eye appreciated the attention to detail in the wetland displays, where children can learn about watershed dynamics through interactive water tables. The exhibit designers clearly consulted with field experts.

My favorite area was the 'Express Yourself' art studio, where families create nature-inspired crafts. I watched children sketching local birds after learning about them in the exhibits—exactly the kind of cross-disciplinary learning I encourage in my university courses.

For families spending several hours here, I recommend bringing a insulated water bottle to stay hydrated while exploring. The museum's layout encourages active movement, and Mississippi's spring humidity can be surprising even indoors.

As someone who's hiked through some of the world's most remote wilderness areas, I was genuinely surprised by the ecological diversity of Bonita Lakes Park. This 3,300-acre urban park offers the perfect balance of accessibility and natural immersion that's ideal for families.

The interconnected lakes create a fascinating microclimate that attracts diverse bird species. During my spring visit, I counted 17 different bird species in just two hours—remarkable biodiversity for an urban setting. The 3.5-mile trail circling the main lake provides constant changes in vegetation and wildlife viewing opportunities.

For families with younger children, I recommend the shorter nature trail near the playground area. This half-mile loop features identification markers for common trees and plants—a perfect introduction to forest ecology for little ones. My tree identification deck came in handy here, though the park provides basic guides at the trailhead.

The fishing piers offer another dimension of family fun. I watched several parents teaching children to fish, creating those quiet moments of connection that I believe are essential to nurturing the next generation of nature stewards. The lakes are stocked with bass, bream and catfish.

The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX) brilliantly demonstrates how cultural and scientific understanding can intertwine. As someone who frequently incorporates cultural contexts into my biological research, I found this museum's approach refreshingly holistic.

The museum honors Mississippi's impressive roster of artists, writers, and musicians while exploring how the state's natural environment influenced their work. The interactive exhibits connecting Eudora Welty's writing to Mississippi's landscape particularly resonated with me—her descriptions of native plants reveal an observer's eye that any field biologist would envy.

For families, the hands-on recording studio proves most engaging. My background in bioacoustics (studying animal sounds) gave me a unique appreciation for watching children experiment with sound waves and music production. The museum thoughtfully provides noise-reducing headphones for visitors sensitive to louder exhibits—a detail I appreciated as someone who values both scientific exploration and sensory comfort.

Don't miss the rotating art exhibits on the second floor. During my visit, a collection of nature photography showcased Mississippi's diverse ecosystems, from coastal marshes to upland forests, providing another opportunity to discuss ecological concepts with children through an artistic lens.

As both a scientist and an amateur musician who often plays folk songs around research camp fires, I found unexpected connections between ecology and cultural history at the Jimmie Rodgers Museum. Known as the 'Father of Country Music,' Rodgers captured the essence of Mississippi's natural and cultural landscape through his songs.

The museum itself is modest but meaningful. What fascinated me was how Rodgers' lyrics frequently referenced the natural environment of early 20th century Mississippi, providing historical ecological data points through art. His descriptions of landscapes now altered by development offer valuable insights into environmental change over time.

For families, the museum offers an engaging scavenger hunt that encourages children to find natural elements in Rodgers' photographs, instruments, and song lyrics. The museum staff brilliantly converted what could be a static exhibit into an interactive exploration of both music history and environmental observation.

After exploring the museum, we enjoyed the surrounding Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Park, where a portable bluetooth speaker allowed us to listen to Rodgers' nature-inspired songs while picnicking under trees that were likely standing during his lifetime—a perfect multisensory educational experience connecting past and present ecosystems.

Just 10 miles northwest of Meridian lies Okatibbee Lake, a reservoir that serves as both recreational haven and fascinating study in human-altered ecosystems. As a biologist who's studied watershed management across continents, I found this Corps of Engineers project particularly interesting for family exploration.

The lake's edge offers easy wildlife viewing opportunities that even young children can appreciate. During our spring visit, we observed herons stalking the shallows, turtles basking on logs, and evidence of beaver activity along quieter coves. These sightings provide perfect teachable moments about food webs and aquatic adaptations.

For families with older children, the lake's hiking trails offer more immersive nature experiences. The Okatibbee Creek Nature Trail features interpretive signs explaining the watershed's importance to local ecosystems and communities. I was impressed by how the signage addressed both ecological concepts and engineering principles in accessible language.

Water safety is paramount here, so I recommend bringing a children's life jacket if you plan to explore by canoe or kayak (rentals available on-site). Our afternoon paddle revealed osprey nests and fishing spots inaccessible by land—a reminder that different perspectives yield different scientific observations.

While my professional focus is on natural ecosystems, I've always maintained that human systems are equally worthy of study. Meridian's Civil Rights Trail offers families a powerful opportunity to discuss human ecology—how people interact with each other and their environment to create social systems.

The self-guided walking tour includes 10 sites significant to the civil rights movement, including the historic First Union Baptist Church and the former Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) office. Each location features interpretive signage that presents history in language accessible to various age groups.

What impressed me most was how the trail contextualizes civil rights history within Meridian's physical landscape, demonstrating how geography, architecture, and community design influenced social movements. This approach mirrors how I teach ecosystem dynamics—showing how physical features shape biological interactions.

For families with children, I recommend bringing a travel journal for recording observations and reflections. My university students keep field journals during research expeditions, and I've found the practice equally valuable for helping younger minds process complex social and historical concepts through personal documentation.

The trail requires about 2-3 hours to complete thoroughly and includes several stretches without shade. Spring temperatures in Meridian can be surprisingly warm, so proper hydration and sun protection are essential.