MOSH (Museum Of Science & History)

My toddler and elementary aged kiddos loved it here! The staff was friendly and while we didn’t play on it, the indoor playground (5 and under) looked very nice! Other than that area, though, it was all pretty run down at best and kinda janky in others. Either way, the kids couldn’t tell the difference and the older learned or brushed up on a lot of science! We took advantage of the EBT/WIC discount and got $3 entry for myself, free for one kid and then my toddler was free all the time.

**Disappointing Experience for a Screen-Free Family Outing** If you’re hoping for a screen-free, engaging family outing, I would not recommend MOSH. During my visit, I was disappointed by the overall condition of the museum, which seemed poorly maintained. Many signs and displays were visibly worn out or falling apart, which gave the impression of neglect. The animal exhibits were limited to a few creatures, including several turtles, a lizard, a small owl, and a pigeon. I was especially excited for the “Touch Tank” experience, but it turned out to be a letdown. After walking around in circles trying to find it, I eventually stumbled upon a small, empty tank surrounded by barriers. There was no signs saying when it would be back in use and the tank itself was not toddler-friendly as it was positioned too high off the ground. I had also looked forward to the “Creation Station,” imagining it would be a creative space for children. However, it was disappointing to find no art supplies at all—just a few old Christmas decorations still up (despite it being almost April), a small pile of Duplo Legos, a poorly made shape sorter with chipped paint, and a lone puzzle. It wasn’t at all what I expected. Upstairs, the atmosphere felt chaotic, akin to an arcade with numerous screen-based activities. And the history section was just ok. While I personally didn’t mind the history section with its few artifacts and lots of reading material, my children were uninterested. The lack of interactive displays beyond the screens made it difficult for them to engage. Additionally, the museum's facilities were problematic. The bathrooms were closed when I first arrived, though they eventually reopened. The building itself felt very hot, with only the lobby and gift shop offering any relief via air conditioning. The elevator had an unpleasant burnt rubber smell, and the third floor was completely closed off. Outside, there’s a small pond with a lone turtle, but this didn’t make up for the overall lack of activities. My toddler was bored within an hour, and I would recommend this museum more for older children who might better appreciate the screen exhibits.

MOSH is such a gem in Jacksonville! It's the perfect mix of fun and education for all ages. The exhibits are always engaging, especially the interactive science displays and local history sections. The planetarium shows are a must-see, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Whether you're visiting with kids or just exploring on your own, MOSH offers a meaningful and memorable experience every time. Highly recommend! Passport series are amazing

Hard to navigate. We did not find any dinosaurs that were spoken of besides the one allosaurus. The second floor was really neat. It was very off putting but in a cool and interesting way. The planetarium Orion show was underwhelming.

MOSH in Jacksonville is a nice museum with some interesting exhibits, but it feels quite outdated. We were able to go through the entire museum in about an hour, which made the experience feel a bit short. While we didn’t dislike our visit, for the price of admission, the museum could definitely use some updates to make it more engaging and modern.