2021 Visit Meridian Visitors Guide

30 31 VISITMERIDIAN.COM MAKE IT A WEEKEND Kids and grown-ups alike love the interactive fun at The MAX and enjoy letting their imaginations run wild at the Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian. While you're downtown, be sure to check out some of the Around Town Carousels Abound artist-painted carousel horses. Then head to Highland Park to ride the real thing: the historic, irresistibly joyful Dentzel Carousel. End the day with a drive in the country to one of our many fish camps for Southern fried catfish. Next morning, explore beautiful Bonita Lakes Park. With nature trails, lakeside paths, playgrounds, and picnic facilities, it’s a full day’s worth of fun. Rainy-Day Options Stay dry and happy with these indoor options: • Interactive/educational displays at The MAX • Hands-on exhibits at Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian • Roller skating at Skate Odyssey • Bowl, play laser tag, and more at Event Zona & Trampoline Park • Race, throw, climb, and jump at Hype! • Shopping and snacking at Uptown Mall and Meridian Crossroads For a fun-filled family day, start at Earth’s Bounty (first Saturday of each month, April through November). While the kids enjoy the petting zoo, arts and crafts, and live music, you can check out the farm-fresh produce and other goodies. Head north on Highway 39 to refuel your vehicle and yourself at the Shell station that houses Pappy’s BBQ. Turn the kids loose at Jeannie’s Place at Planet Playground, behind Pappy’s in Northeast Park. Then splash away the day at Dunn’s Falls. 1 - DAY STAY History Even Youngsters Love When they enter The Simmons-Wright Company, “kids are awestruck,” said proprietor Gary Pickett. “For them, it’s like walking into the Twilight Zone.” Residents of Kewanee, east of Meridian, still regularly shop this enormous old-style general store. It also serves breakfast and lunch, plus fudge, pralines, and divinity, Monday–Saturday. Where to Get Wet Children love water. So they’ll be happy that many Meridian hotels have pools. Several sport all-season, indoor pools: Drury Inn & Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn, and Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Highland Park, site of the Dentzel Carousel, features a Splash Pad water playground and a swimming pool. At Dunn’s Falls, a short drive west of Meridian, children (and dogs) adore splashing in the waterfall and wading in the Chunky River. Picnic tables and barbecue grills make this a peaceful place for a meal. Picnic in a Park Bonita Lakes Park and Highland Park are great for picnics, with lots of space for kids to run and play. The 10,000-square-foot Planet Playground at Northeast Park is a community treasure. Bonita Lakes and Lake Okatibbee also offer nice playgrounds.