2024 Family-Friendly Experiences Gift Guide
Give the gift of experiences this year (and all year!) ! The Gulf Coast has so many incredible experiences to offer kids of all ages! We want to give a special shout out to Lynn Meadows Discovery Center for sponsoring this guide! Below, you can find all of the family-friendly memberships and tickets that the Coast has to offer.
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center Membership
Members of Lynn Meadows Discovery Center receive very special benefits throughout the year, like free museum admission, invitations to exclusive events and great discounts. Plus, you receive the added bonus of knowing that you’re supporting the arts and education in our community.
Membership Includes:
All members of Lynn Meadows Discovery Center enjoy:
Unlimited free general admission for one year from date of purchase
10% discount at the Discovery Gift Shop on purchases of $10 or more
10% discount on birthday parties, facility rentals and camps
Invitations to exclusive members-only exhibit previews, receptions and special events
Special ticket prices for events
Subscription to our e-newsletter and calendar of events
NEW! Digital Membership Card
Lynn Meadows truly has something for everyone. Whether you want an indoor play day full of creativity and exploring or your little ones want to explore the tree houses outside, there is so much to see and do! You can also find GIFT Certificates on the website.
Traintastic! Interactive Model Railroad Museum
From model trains to a fantastic indoor play area to an outdoor train ride, you don’t want to miss this one!
Membership Includes:
Your TrainTastic™ Museum annual membership is your connection to the largest and most exciting model train museum in the world!
With an annual membership you are not only supporting the museum but you are preserving the rich history of model trains for generations to come. Enjoy unlimited access throughout the year, special member only events, discounts off gift shop purchases and birthday party rentals and so much more! For options and pricing, click here
Infinity Science Center
The science center’s goal: to be THE place where the curious at any age can lose themselves in the depths of the ocean and the farthest reaches of space!
Membership includes:
Pathfinder $55
- Free admission for 2
- Free 3D movie tickets for 2
- 10% off Odyssey Gift Shop
Voyager $90
- Free admission for 4
- Free 3D movie tickets for 4
- 10% off Odyssey Gift Shop
Adventurer $125
- Free admission for 6
- Free 3D movie tickets for 6
- 10% off Odyssey Gift Shop
Memberships- as well as one time tickets- are available for purchase at the front desk!
Mississippi Aquarium
Mississippi Aquarium is a premier institution delivering an awe-inspiring entertainment experience which supports animal research and conservation, inspires learning and instills a passion for the aquatic world.
Membership Includes:
Annual Pass holders play an essential role in the success of Mississippi Aquarium by supporting educational programming, conservation initiatives, community project and aquatic research. With each visit, you help us provide outstanding care for your favorite Aquarium animals and the opportunity for us to expand our education, conservation and community programs.
Annual Pass Benefits
One year of admission to the Mississippi Aquarium.
NEW - Free Parking in the Coastal Transportation Authority parking garage*
NEW - Two one time use bring a friend tickets (cannot be used on day of pass activation)*
NEW – Flash Your Pass Program – show your Mississippi Aquarium pass at dozens of area businesses to get exclusive discounts View Discounts!
Events exclusive to annual passholders, including early openings and other events to be scheduled throughout the year
20% off New Virtual Reality Experience
10% off encounters and experiences
10% off at Pelican Pointe Café and The Gulf Shop
10% off birthday parties, summer camps and kids events
Invitations and discount pricing to Annual Pass holder events
10% off general admission guest ticket when accompanied by an Annual Pass holder
Individual Annual Pass cards printed onsite at time of purchase
Hattiesburg Zoo
Hattiesburg Zoo is the PERFECT family zoo located just about 45 minutes North of the Coast! From train rides and a carousel to giraffe feedings and a splash pad (in the summer), there is so much to do! There is also a playground for the little ones, a petting zoo, mining expedition and a ropes course!
LOOKING TO GET THE BEST ZOO EXPERIENCE ALL YEAR LONG?
Hattiesburg Zoo memberships truly provide the best bang for the buck! With three different membership levels, everyone is sure to find the perfect package. Please click below to choose the best membership level.
Kip’s Cub Club -$35
ADMIT ONE Admission cost for one named child
10% off in the gift shop
10% off at Safari Grill
10% off at Ladha’s Cantina
Discount on High Ropes Adventure CourseSky Trail is $10.00 / Sky Tykes is $5.00
ADMIT TWO Admission cost for one named adult & one guest
10% off in the gift shop
10% off at Safari Grill
10% off at Ladha’s Cantina
Discount on High Ropes Adventure CourseSky Trail is $10.00 / Sky Tykes is $5.00
ADMIT FOURAdmission cost for one named adult & three additional people
10% off in the gift shop
10% off at Safari Grill
10% off at Ladha’s Cantina
Discount on High Ropes Adventure CourseSky Trail is $10.00 / Sky Tykes is $5.00
IMMS
From mini camps to dolphin and ray encounters to season passes and more, there is so much to see and do at IMMS! It is truly a hidden gem on the Coast!
Membership Includes:
Purchase your annual pass today at Ocean Adventures Marine Park or online.
Individual Passes $50.00
Group Passes for Four $180.00.
Each additional pass purchased with group passes are $45.00
Pass Holder Benefits:
All annual pass holders receive free admission for one year to Ocean Adventures Marine Park at The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies.
Pass holders will also receive 10 percent off in our concession stand and our gift shop, as well as $10.00 off animal experience programs excluding black out dates.
Gulf Islands Water Park
This is a great gift that keeps on giving! Whether you are ready to race down water slides, hang out in the wave pool, or just lay out in the sun, there’s something for everyone at Gulf Islands Water Park! Gulf Islands is the largest water park on the MS Gulf Coast!
To view the different season pass options, click here!
Big Play
From a mini golf course to lazer tag arenas to go-kart tracks and bumper cars, you don’t want to miss out on Big Play in Biloxi!! Currently, there is a December Deal where you can purchase a $100 game card and get a $50 game card to gift or keep for yourself! You can also find bowling, 2 roller coasters, and plenty of arcade games!
Purchases can be made on site!
Learn more here!
Margaritaville
Fun is the name of the game at Escape, Margaritaville Resort Biloxi’s 55,000-square-foot arcade. Open to everyone, this is the perfect place to escape a rainy day, enjoy a day off from school, or get away for a long weekend. Not to mention, it’s the perfect place to watch the game. Just imagine catching every single play while your kids play, too.
And when those hunger pains hit, grab a bite at one of our many awesome food options to fuel you up for another round of games.
Book a staycation or just go for the day!
Paradise Pier
Set sail with the whole crew to Paradise Pier! Located directly beside Margaritaville Resort Biloxi, experience thrilling rides, relax with hand-crafted refreshments, and enjoy unbeatable views of the Mississippi Sound at the biggest pier on the Gulf Coast. From soaring on the Aerobar to spinning uncontrollably on the Puddle Jumper, we're the ultimate destination for non-stop fun and excitement.
Get pricing and ticket info here!
SkyZone
From the Kid Zone to a Ninja Warrior zone, this trampoline park has it all!!
Our parks are full of one-of-a-kind attractions designed to push your limits, allow you to fly higher and just have tons and tons of fun.
Buy a membership or tickets here!
Wild Acres Private Experiences
Learn more here
We offer private, hands-on tours and encounters Wednesday-Sunday from 12pm - 6pm, by appointment only! All ages are welcome for these fun adventures! Tickets required for ages 2+.
From private hands on tours to animal encounters and events, you are sure to find something WILD at Wild Acres in McHenry!
Call us at 228-209-9436, email us at wildacresms@gmail.com or send us a message on Facebook to schedule. APPOINTMENT REQUIRED!
Centennial Plaza
Looking for a fun staycation? Centennial Plaza's water playground offers the best fun in the sun on the Mississippi Gulf Coast!
Both Oasis Resort and Grand Centennial Hotel guests will receive wristbands upon check-in* granting
them access to the Coast’s newest and most fun water playground, including:
ZERO-ENTRY POOL
TWO GIANT WATER SLIDES
SWIM UP BAR
COLORFUL SPLASH PAD
950-FOOT LAZY RIVER
POOLSIDE DINING
All this fun in the sun is sure to leave you famished. Enjoy a delicious selection of food and drinks from the nearby Oasis Grill without even leaving the water playground area.
Movie Theatre Passes
Whether you want to say Thank You, Congratulations, Nice Job, Happy Birthday, Happy Holidays - movies are always a good idea!
Cinemark Gift Cards here
The Grand Theatre Gift Cards Here
Shuckers Tickets
Whether for young or old, there’s nothing quite like a baseball game! There are several options available from season passes to single game tickets! Check out their page for events and themed nights throughout the year.
Snag season tickets here
Or
See all offerings here!
Mississippi Seawolves Tickets
Season ticket pricing for your hockey-lovers can be found here!
Ship Island Excursions
Ship Island Excursions and the Skrmetta Family are celebrating 98 years of transporting visitors to the Mississippi Islands.
A cruise to Ship Island is an affordable, family-friendly adventure and one of the most popular outdoor attractions on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Passengers are sure to spot dolphins while crossing the Mississippi Sound on the 1-hour boat ride. You’ll discover what locals and visitors have enjoyed for generations, the Coast’s finest beaches. The passenger ferries depart from the Gulfport Yacht Harbor in Jones Park (intersection of Hwy. 90 and Hwy. 49). Boats operate typically mid-March through October.
The island is also home to Fort Massachusetts, a beautifully preserved, brick structure used during the Civil War. Seasonal fort tours are offered by the National Park Service. A section of beach with lifeguards is available in summer. Food service is offered on the boats and on the island. Umbrella and beach chair rentals are also available.
