Jacksonville is known for the number of family-friendly activities the city has to offer. One of our favorites is spending the day at the Museum Of Science and History. At the museum, you’ll find exhibits about biology, history, astronomy, animals, and more, so load up the kids in a minivan rental and head on over for a day of educational fun.
Admission
Tickets for the museum are reasonably priced, so you and your entire family will be able to attend without breaking the bank. General admission to the museum is $10 for adults, and $8 for senior citizens, active military personnel, and children ages three to 12.
General admission is $5 on Friday, making this the least-expensive day to enjoy the museum. There are also extended hours on Friday, allowing you more time to spend enjoying the exhibits.
You can also purchase a “Galaxy Pass” that includes general admission to the museum plus entrance to one planetarium program. Galaxy passes are just $5 more per ticket than general admission.
There are plenty of parking options available, including free parking for your minivan rental in the parking lot next to the Main Street Bridge.
Hours
The Museum of Science and History is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The museum’s weekend hours are 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. You can visit the museum year round, except on major holidays.
Exhibits
- The Body Within: Learn about the human body in this hands-on exhibit.
- Water Worlds: Explore the underwater world of the first coast in the Museum of Science and History’s permanent aquarium exhibit.
- Currents of Time: Travel back in time, and learn about Jacksonville’s long history.
- Atlantic Tails: Dive into this exhibit and meet Fermata, a life-sized right whale, along with her baby.
- The Loft Gallery: This changing exhibit space houses artifacts from Museum of Science and History’s very own history collection, as well as objects on loan from other historical institutions.
- Florida Naturalist’s Center: Take a look at the owls, turtles, and alligators living at the museum.