Family Fun in Ridgeland
Looking for fun things to do with the kiddos? Well, we’ve got your covered in Ridgeland with a lot, and we mean a lot, of kid-friendly activities. In fact, there’s so many great things to do in our fun city with kids you’ll definitely need to plan for a long weekend.
Where to Stay
When planning a trip with kids it’s always a good idea to have a comfy place to stay with a full kitchen, laundry facilities, pool, and room to spread out. And if you’re bringing the entire family, you may want a pet-friendly option too. Home2 Suites by Hilton is conveniently located just off I-55 so you can jump on the interstate and head to some of the amazing children’s museums down the road in Jackson. Home2 Suites is located between Renaissance at Colony Park and the Jackson Street District. Homewood Suites by Hilton is located not far from I-55 just off County Line Road and is near the newly renovated Northpark Mall. Homewood Suites even offers grocery shopping service for busy travelers. Staybridge Suites is also located just off I-55 near County Line Road and is yet another beautiful hotel with all the amenities your family wants and needs.
Where to Eat
All that fun is sure to work up young appetites, and who doesn’t love a yummy pizza pie? Soulshine Pizza Factory in The Township at Colony Park is a lively local restaurant that’s always full of young families having a grand ol’ time. You can also hear some awesome live music there too on select nights. And the best part is that kids eat free on Tuesdays at Soulshine! Other restaurants that offer free or reduced children’s meals with the purchase of an adult entree are at the French bistro Anjou Restaurant on Saturdays, Slim Chickens on Sundays all day dine-in only, Primos Café & Bake Shop after 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Sombra Mexican Kitchen after 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, and Applebee’s offers $1.99 kid’s meals all day on Tuesdays. Have lunch or dinner on the shores of the Rez at the famous Cock of the Walk. This big, rustic restaurant is kid-friendly and entertaining. The servers, dressed in outfits reminiscent of the by-gone days of the riverboat era, serve up the area’s best fried catfish, fried pickles and flip cornbread out of mini cast-iron skillets. And for dessert, you simply can't forego the Custard Counter at Full Stop Burger Shop.
What to Do
Inside and out family fun abounds in Ridgeland with bike trails, boating, trampoline parks, and a host of nearby museums to delight young minds. Bring your own bikes or rent them from Bicycle Revolution Mobile Bike Service and take a ride on Ridgleland’s 15+ miles of paved paths around town and along the Natchez Trace Parkway. For the more adventurous cyclists Ridgeland also has 10 miles of dirt paths at the Ridgeland Mountain Bike Trails perfect for beginner and experience mountain bikers. And there’s the Magnolia Ridge BMX Track here. We offer a whole lotta fun on two wheels in our nationally recognized Bicycle-Friendly Community.
For fun on the water, rent a pontoon boat and pull-tube at Main Harbor Store marina. They even have a double-decker party barge with a slide. Main Harbor Store also carries everything you need for a fun day of fishing on Barnett Reservoir. Go kayaking on the Rez (what the locals call the lake) with Pearl River Kayaks. They will deliver your kayak and everything you need for your paddling adventure. Pearl River Kayaks’ friendly, experienced guides offer wildlife, birdwatching and other themed tours.
Need to burn off a little energy indoors? The kids, and kids at heart, can jump themselves crazy at Altitude Trampoline Park or Sky Zone Trampoline Park.
There’s more amazing indoor things to do at the newly renovated Northpark. Northpark Mall’s multi-million dollar renovation includes a family lounge with private nursing areas, baby changing stations, a large child-friendly restroom and amenities to entertain children while shoppers relax and recharge. There’s also the state-of-the-art play area Discovery Park where children can run, learn and explore. The Eatery at Northpark features kid-size seating and a massive interactive gaming wall.
Just down the road in the capitol city of Jackson, you’ll find a host of museums to enjoy. Whether it be interactive activities at The Mississippi Children’s Museum, nature trails and an aquarium at The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, animal exhibits at the Jackson Zoo, or historical farmstead vibes at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, there's no doubt you'll find interests for every person in the family. While you're taking some time to explore Ridgeland's surroundings, enjoy an outdoor adventure in Flora, home to the Mississippi Petrified Forest.
See, we told you there’s a lot of family fun in and around Ridgeland, so make your plans to come visit us soon!