MOSH (Museum of Science and History)

1025 Museum Circle Jacksonville, FL 32207

Hours

Closed Tuesday

Open Mon, Wed, Thurs, Frid 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sunday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Cost

Here are the costs associated with visiting MOSH (Museum of Science and History):

Adults: $24
Senior (55+)/Student/Military: $22
Children (ages 3-12): $18
Children under 3: Free

Prices are subject to change; check their website for updates.

904-396-6674

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About

If you’re looking for something to do on your Jacksonville Beach getaway that’s indoors and fun for all ages, add MOSH (Museum of Science and History) to your timetable. You may discover that it is one of the best things to do away from the surf!

This local landmark started as The Jacksonville Children’s Museum in 1941 near downtown. In 1967, the museum initiated a hands-on learning opportunity with animals that continues today. The museum moved in 1969 into a 33,000-square-foot building near Southbank Riverwalk and changed its name to the Jacksonville Museum of Arts and Science in 1977. It adopted its current name, MOSH, in 1988 and is on the cutting edge of education today.

Exhibits at MOSH range from core and signature displays to traveling exhibits and a planetarium. The Arts Infusion program lets guests of all ages interact with artists who showcase their work. This one-on-one access will broaden children’s appreciation for the arts while allowing the artist to interact with onlookers.

The MOSH Discovery Camps offer One-Day, Fun-Day opportunities for children to participate in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) activities. Additional camps are available for schools and organizations, and there are even overnight Camp-Ins at MOSH.

The museum’s central downtown location is a springboard for visiting nearby landmarks like the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Such convenience makes it easy to add multiple attractions in a day.

MOSH will entertain you and your children for hours with educational hands-on exhibits that make learning fun!

MOSH (Museum of Science and History): Fun Facts & Cool Features

One exhibit that will also appeal to parents is the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium. It uses digital projection and sound to project breathtaking cosmic adventures on the 60-foot dome. What is also appealing is that there are various shows, so you can find something that will appeal to your group. For example, the Cosmic Concert event features lasers and cutting-edge audio with over 35,000 watts to create a sensory world of exploration you don’t want to miss.

The Atlantic Tails is a Core Exhibit showcasing the coastal creatures of Northeast Florida. You’ll see animals found along the First Coast and Fermata, the life-sized sculpture of a Right Whale. There are plenty of hands-on activities that will fascinate children and adults.

Another fascinating exhibit is the JEA Science Theater, where a MOSH Educator explains the cause of explosions and shocks. The museum also offers fun experiments and other STEM-related activities for a memorable day.

The Creation Station is a signature exhibit that’s fun for the whole family. Here, visitors tackle DIY projects ranging from creating crafts from everyday products to using computer programs to make music. Space is limited for sanitation reasons, so book your time in advance to learn by doing.

After exploring MOSH, visit any of the nearby restaurants like Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar & Store to discuss what you learned. You can also add visiting other facilities like the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for an immersive day of discovery.

Visiting MOSH during a trip to the First Coast leaves a lasting impression, transforming an ordinary day into an unforgettable adventure. Add it to your itinerary for an immersive Jacksonville Beach activity.

Getting There

Here are step-by-step driving directions to MOSH (Museum of Science and History) from Jacksonville:

Start on I-95 S from Union St.
Follow I-95 S to Main St Bridge/FL-1 N in Jacksonville; take exit 350A from I-95 S.
Merge onto Museum Cir.
Turn right onto W State St.
Turn right onto N Newnan St.
Continue onto the Main St Bridge.
Turn left onto Museum Cir.
Address: MOSH, 1025 Museum Cir, Jacksonville, FL 32207

Local Tips

Online tickets are strongly encouraged.
Check the online calendar for daily events.
Parking is free but limited; plan accordingly.
Consider a membership for discounts and perks.

Location

1025 Museum Circle Jacksonville, FL 32207

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a recommended one-day itinerary in Jacksonville Beaches?

Start the day off along 3rd St. at Jax Beach Brunch Haus for everything from basic breakfast favorites to hearty brunch options and tasty brunch-tails that go way beyond mere mimosas. From JBBH it’s a short hop over to the Jacksonville Beach Golf Course for those looking to spend a day on the greens.

On the north side of 3rd St., step into Maple Street Biscuit Co. for coffee and their self-proclaimed biscuits that wow. After breakfast, walk to Jacksonville Beach’s extended pier. Enjoy a stroll out over the Atlantic Ocean, or watch anglers casting their fishing lines. This is a great way to enjoy fishing in the area, especially if you don’t have enough time to go out on a boat. If surfing is more your style, be sure to hit the waves. Atlantic Beach to the north is more apt for novice surfers, while swells near the Jacksonville Beach Pier can be more challenging as this is the area’s high-tide break.

For lunch, savor the region’s fresh seafood as restaurants in Jacksonville and across the First Coast proudly serve fresh Mayport shrimp. Take in the view at Dockside Seafood restaurant to satisfy your shrimp cravings. Or, try Palm Valley Fish Camp in Ponte Vedra south of Jacksonville Beach after visiting the famed TPC Sawgrass golf course.

Many people who visit Jacksonville Beach are simply asking, where can I go to relax? Consider Neptune Beach to the north, a less crowded beach with calmer waves and plenty of space to spread out. A stroll through Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is also a calm way to spend the day. If visiting downtown Jacksonville, the Riverwalk along St. John’s River provides ample walking space and benches to relax on while enjoying the view.

Wrap up the evening in Jacksonville Beach with the warm and elegant setting of Eleven South. This award-winning restaurant provides an exquisite fine dining experience to top off your day. For more casual fare, stop by TacoLu for fresh baja tacos and tequila with the essence of Florida.

Why is Jacksonville known as the First Coast?

People often refer to this part of northern Florida hugging the Atlantic Ocean as the “First Coast” (sometimes called the “Historic Coast”). Today, the First Coast moniker has come to represent it as the first coast in Florida that tourists visit when traveling southbound along the Atlantic seaboard. The name initially represented this area as the first part of Florida colonized by Europeans in the 16th century. Both the French and the Spanish settled into this part of northern Florida on lands of the Mocama and the Timucua. Further down the coast, St. Augustine was Florida’s first European settlement.

What are the biggest main events around Jacksonville Beach?

Jacksonville Beach welcomes visitors throughout the year to enjoy its wonderful weather and prime events. Each March, The Players Championship attracts golf aficionados from across the globe to our beckoning beaches.TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra has been home to The Players Championship of the PGA Tour since 1982.

If pigskin is more your style, Jacksonville is home to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, so it’s easy to catch a game in season. Another highlight, though up in the sky over Jacksonville’s Naval Air Station, is the NAS Jax Air Show. Birthplace of the Blue Angels, the NAS Jax Air Show generally takes place mid-October each year (check the event site for upcoming dates and program changes).

Back on land, or rather in the waves, the Super Girl Surf Pro also hits Jacksonville Beach in the fall. Held at the Jacksonville Beach Pier, this is the world’s largest women’s surf, lifestyle, and music festival.

When your vacation plans include an adventure to Jacksonville Beach, you can be certain there’ll be plenty to see and do!