NATCHEZ — Turn off the TV and plug in the GPS — don’t waste this day.

With gas prices dipping a bit, families who want to hit the road for summer day trips outside the Miss-Lou have plenty of regional options.

With many attractions within two hours of the Miss-Lou, summer doesn’t have to cost a small fortune.

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science — Jackson

Libby Hartfield, director of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson, said on any given day, guests can experience the natural world in the comfort of air conditioning.

Hartfield said the museum’s exhibit, “Frogs: Beyond Green,” is a must-see.

Hartfield said the frogs exhibit will be on display until January, but an idle summer day is the perfect time to visit.

“There are 80 individual frogs and interactive exhibits for kids, like, how far can you jump like a frog,” Hartfield said.

The museum director said in addition to the frogs exhibit, habitats all over Mississippi are represented in aquariums, terrariums and dioramas.

“We have over 100,000 gallons saltwater of freshwater aquariums,” Hartfield said. “You can take a tour of Mississippi and stay inside in the cold. You’ll wander through the whole state and end up in terrarium with live alligators, turtles, and even an alligator snapping turtle.”

Hartfield also suggested checking out the museums fossil exhibits.

“The exhibit includes fossil whales, a mastodon and a giant sloth and saber tooth tiger,” Hartfield said.

Mississippi Children’s Museum — Jackson

Also in Jackson is the Mississippi Children’s Museum.

Elaina Jackson, director of marketing for the children’s museum, said something exciting and fun is going on every day with interactive exhibits that focus on the State of Mississippi.

Jackson said the museum facilitates learning for the whole family.

“The exhibits are built for both children and adults, who have just as much fun as the children,” Jackson said. “We encourage parents to explore exhibits with children. Even I have learned more about our state since working here.”

Jackson said five different galleries house the exhibits, which cover Mississippi industry, arts, literacy, health and history.

“Guests can go to north Mississippi all the way down to the beach,” Jackson said. “On the beach, kids can do a fossil dig, or go to state capital in Jackson, and you can even find something about Natchez. You can come here and learn something about your home town.”

Grand Paradise Water Park — Collins

Striking the perfect balance of a sun exposure and cool water can achieved without trekking to the beach.

“Guests can expect to cool off, have fun, enjoy the day and just relax,” owner Steve Pickering said. “We have four big slides that will give you a thrill, and a big swimming pool with four smaller slides coming into it.”

Pickering said the park also features a lazy river for guests who prefer a leisurely float instead of sliding at high speeds, and an activity pool for small children.

“Everyone from toddlers to grandparents will enjoy themselves,” Pickering said. “It’s a good location, and it’s easy to get to. We have people coming here from Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi — everywhere. People going on vacation find us on the website, and stop here before heading to Florida.”

Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center — Baton Rouge

Don’t like the idea of living in a swimsuit all day? The Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center in Baton Rouge offers the outdoor experience without requiring so much sunscreen.

The nature center is located in the facility, surrounded by 102 acres of swamp and wilderness.

Tiffany Stevison, weekend supervisor at Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, said there are several half-mile walking trails to chose from.

Stevison said there are no alligators in the swamp, but wildlife abounds.

“We have coyotes, red foxes, grey foxes, deer, squirrels, hawks, owls — so much wildlife. The kids are just fascinated with that they see. It’s a swamp in the middle of the city.”

Inside the nature center are animals and exhibits.

Stevison suggested day-trippers arrive in the morning to beat the heat.

“The earlier the better,” she said. “More animals are active. Dress appropriately and stay on the trail at all times. There is poison ivy and chiggers. Wear closed-toe shoes and make sure you’re hydrated. Bring something with you to drink.”

Baton Rouge Zoo

The Baton Rouge Zoo is also an attraction within driving distance from the Miss-Lou.

Vicki Jones, guest service manager for the zoo, said animal demonstrations and programs are ongoing throughout each day.

“We have elephant demonstrations, otter encounters and weekend programs at our amphitheater,” Jones said.

The otter encounter allows guests to observe otters on land and under water. Jones said a tiger exhibit is a kids’ favorite, as well as the safari playground.

Vicksburg Battlefield Museum

A trip north to Vicksburg can be a blast from the past.

Lamar Roberts’s private collection of Civil War memorabilia and a giant diorama is on display at the Vicksburg Battlefield Museum.

The Fall of Dixie diorama depicts the battle for Vicksburg with a 250 square-foot layout of the battlefield, manned by 2,300

miniature soldiers — which Roberts says really captures the imagination of children.

“We also have a diorama of the race between the Natchez and the Robert E. Lee,” Roberts said. “And we have a 30-minute film called ‘The Vanishing Glory,’ taken from soldiers’ and families’ diaries — what they were really thinking and feeling. Not something someone wrote 100 years later.”

Yesterday’s Children and Antique Doll Shop — Vicksburg

Vicksburg’s battlefields and museums also have a lighter side. Yesterday’s Children Antique Doll Shop in Vickburg features dolls and toys from 1843 and forward.

“People whose moms have given away their dolls, they can find them here,” curator Carolyn Bakarich said. “And every generation has something to look at.”

With more than 1,000 antique dolls, 100 Barbies and a room dedicated to boys toys, Bakarich said there is really something for everyone.

“The little girls really like the American Girls doll collection,” Bakarich said. “We have just about every one ever made.”

SUMMER DAY TRIPS:

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science
2148 Riverside Drive, Jackson
Average round-trip gas cost: $30.66
Admission: adults — $6, youth 3-18 — $4, seniors — $5, children under 3 — free
Open: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.

Mississippi Children’s Museum
2145 Highland Drive, Jackson
Average round-trip gas cost: $31.84
Admission: $8, children under 12 months — free
Open: Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.

Grand Paradise Water Park
50 Grandview Drive, Collins, Miss.
Average round-trip gas cost: $34.17
Admission: Monday and Thursday — $17, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday — $20, Saturday 6 to 10 p.m. — $10
Open: Daily through Aug. 7; Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 6 p.m.

Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center
10503 North Oak Hills Parkway, Baton Rouge
Average round-trip gas cost: $29.50
Admission: Ages 18-64 — $3, 3-17 $2, seniors — $2.50 and kids 2 and younger — free
Open: Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

Baton Rogue Zoo
3601 Thomas Road, Baton Rouge
Average round-trip gas cost: $24.65
Admission: Adults and teens — $7, seniors — $6, children — $4, ages 1 and under — free
Open: Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Vicksburg Battlefield Museum
4139 Frontage Road, Vicksburg
Average round-trip gas cost: $21.40
Admission: Adults — $5.50, seniors — $5, students — $3.25 and children — $1.10
Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Yesterday’s Children Antique Doll Shop
1104 Washington Street, Vicksburg
Average round-trip gas cost: $21.26
Admission: Adults — $3, children under 12 — $2.
Open: Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.