One rainy afternoon my husband and I decided to venture out to the Museum of Science and History (MOSH).  We’d visited similar museums as children and were curious to see if we would enjoy it as adults.  So, with our three-month old son in tow we headed to Downtown Jacksonville’s Southbank, where the MOSH looms over the St. Johns River. 

Upon entry I must admit we were a bit overwhelmed - it seemed that every children’s group in Jacksonville was visiting the museum that day.  After wading though the sea of children and buying our museum passes, which were buy one get one free with a Destination Deals coupon we entered our first exhibit - Atlantic Tails.  This exhibit is great for children who can touch and feel many items here.  Our favorite part was fun facts about sea life plastered on the wall.  Did you know the Blue Whale, the largest mammal feeds on the smallest form of life, plankton?  The first floor also includes an indoor zoo of sorts with owls, snakes and other Florida wildlife in the "Florida’s Naturalist" exhibit and beautiful aquariums in "Water Worlds."  The neon lights shining out and colorful fish swimming about were the most interesting and entertaining parts for our son. 

The "Currents of Time" exhibit on the second floor is the best part for the adults.  It’s an interesting walk winding through the museum taking you through 12,000 years of history!  From the Timucua Indians who were Northeast Florida’s earliest inhabitants to Jacksonville’s bid and win for the Super Bowl.  We enjoyed photographs and stories about Jacksonville’s survival through the Great Depression and how tourism began to thrive with the expansion of railroads from the North.  It was the first time I’d seen photographs of Dixieland Amusement Park and ostrich farm, Jacksonville premier entertainment prior to WWII.  I also learned that Jacksonville was consolidated 40 years ago.  I had no idea Duval County and Jacksonville had been one jurisdiction for so long.  The final curve of history features Florida Times-Union newspaper front pages with important stories from our recent past.  By the way, children will also love this floor as it hosts national traveling exhibits and is now inhabited by "Insect Giants." 

So, overall MOSH is worth a trip even without the kids, or with a three-month sleeping in his stroller.  Next time we’ll have to check out the Planetarium - the only one in Northeast Florida.  Here’s an insider tip - buy your Planetarium tickets early, as many shows had sold out once we arrived in the late afternoon.  Click here to learn more about MOSH.