Last-Minute Summer Getaways Before School Starts 

The backpacks may be waiting, but summer is not over yet. Mississippi makes it easy to fit in one final family escape, whether you have an entire weekend or only a free afternoon. 

Instead of planning an elaborate vacation, choose one destination, pack light and let the final days of summer unfold at an easier pace. 

Build a Gulf Coast Weekend 

For a classic end-of-summer getaway, head to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Start at the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport, where indoor and outdoor habitats introduce families to river otters, dolphins, sea turtles, crocodiles and species found throughout Mississippi’s waterways and the Gulf. The aquarium features more than 200 species across freshwater and saltwater environments. 

Pair Hattiesburg and Meridian 

A road trip through Hattiesburg and Meridian combines animals, imagination and plenty of interactive fun. 

At the Hattiesburg Zoo, families can meet animals from around the world and enjoy attractions designed for younger visitors. Nearby, the tiny Hattiesburg Pocket Museum transforms an alleyway into a changing display of miniature scenes, colorful installations and unexpected details. 

Continue to the Mississippi Children’s Museum–Meridian, where hands-on exhibits use play to introduce children to literacy, science, health, art and Mississippi culture. The museum is also home to the nation’s first permanent Goodnight Moon exhibit, bringing the beloved picture book to life in an immersive setting. 

Older children and adults can add a visit to The MAX, which celebrates Mississippi’s influence on music, literature, visual art, food and entertainment. 

Plan a Play-Filled Day in Jackson 

Jackson offers an easy museum-centered getaway for families who need plenty of air-conditioned activities. 

The Mississippi Children’s Museum includes five main galleries, a Literacy Garden and interactive exhibits covering science, health, culture, literacy and the arts. Through September 6, 2026, families can also experience Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out, which uses familiar characters and activities to help children explore feelings and emotional well-being. 

Nearby, the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science introduces visitors to the state’s native animals, habitats and ecosystems through aquariums, exhibits and nature trails in LeFleur’s Bluff State Park. 

Trade Screens for a State Park Stay 

For a quieter finale to summer, reserve a cabin or campsite at Tishomingo State Park in northeast Mississippi. The park’s hiking trails wind through forests and distinctive sandstone formations, creating scenery that feels unlike anywhere else in the state. 

When water levels and seasonal conditions allow, the park also offers a 6.25-mile canoe trip along Bear Creek, passing sandstone bluffs, wooded banks, shoals and gentle Class I rapids. Canoe trips require reservations and are dependent on weather and water conditions. 

Whichever destination you choose, the goal does not have to be fitting in everything. Order the ice cream, stay for the sunset and give summer one more day before the school-year schedule begins.