Things to Do in Byram

The Russell C. Davis Planetarium transports patrons from the bottom of the ocean to the farthest reaches of the galaxy in a massive domed theater. Shows often replicate the night sky on a hemispheric screen, exploring nearby stars and planets as they appeared when viewed from different locations on Earth at various points in history. School groups can tour the facility with a program guide to learn about astronomy, physical science, and the likelihood of their ancestors being exceptionally good-looking space aliens. Large-format films portray the vast extremes of land and sea in natural-science documentaries, whereas occasional laser-light concerts pair contemporary tunes with vibrant beams of light and color.

Artist Melanie John's bright, colorful studio and retail shop surrounds visitors with her vibrant watercolor portraits and textured abstract paintings. Paintings, photos, and pottery also line the walls, inviting gazes to linger over aesthetically elegant pieces and check every design for hidden Magic Eye patterns. BYOB art classes help beginners and master palette wielders create their own masterpieces while sipping on toted-along beverages or purchasing tipples from the bar-licensed studio.

Head Master Park and the staff at Martial Arts Academy help students find a path of total lifestyle wellness, building their physical strength and character during tae kwon do classes. Having been awarded the Presidential Sports Award and taught in England, Korea, and the United States, Head Master Park possesses the know-how to lead students of all ages, experience levels, and body types. In his classes, he teaches students valuable self-defense and martial-arts techniques while instilling the tenets of the martial-arts way: respect, self-confidence, and discipline. Martial Arts Academy follows 10 distinct teaching principles that include aspects such as staying faithful to friends, respecting elders, and celebrating every life milestone by breaking a board in half.

The Bounce Palace's two rooms of massive inflatables accommodate up to 55 youngsters, from toddlers to 12-year-olds. Once inside, children can hop inside a bounce house adorned in primary colors, explore an ocean-themed inflatable adorned with inflated dolphins, and send Jane Goodall fan mail from the monkey cage. Bright-yellow walls surround each bounding visitor with pictures of kid-friendly favorites such as Batman, Spider-Man, and Disney princesses. Along with inflatable entertainment, The Bounce House's two party rooms host celebrations that the birthday child and adult guests attend for free.