Everyone knows about Mike the Tiger, but did you know there’s an entire natural science museum hiding right in the middle of LSU’s campus?

Step inside Foster Hall and you’ll find the LSU Museum of Natural Science, a free museum filled with animals, fossils, dioramas and specimens from Louisiana and around the world.

Whether you’re an LSU student who has walked past Foster Hall a hundred times, a parent looking for something different to do with the kids or a Baton Rouge local ready to play tourist in your own city, this one deserves a spot on your list.

There’s a Lot Hiding Inside Foster Hall

The LSU Museum of Natural Science was founded in 1936, and its public exhibit area has called Foster Hall home since 1955.

Today, visitors can explore nine habitat dioramas along with exhibits featuring mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. You can also find fossil bones from a mastodon, a cast of an Allosaurus skull and exhibits dedicated to Louisiana wildlife and Native American history.

And yes, there’s even another Mike inside.

The museum has an exhibit featuring the first Mike the Tiger, making it a particularly fun stop for LSU fans who think they already know everything about the university’s favorite mascot.

It’s More Than a Museum

What visitors see on display is only a small part of what happens here.

The LSU Museum of Natural Science is also an active research museum with collections spanning mammals, birds, fishes, reptiles and amphibians, paleontology, anthropology, archaeology and genetic resources.

In total, the museum holds approximately 2.5 million research specimens. LSU says it is home to the third-largest university-based bird collection in the world as well as the world’s largest collection of genetic resources, or DNA samples.

So while you’re walking through the exhibits, researchers and students in the same building are actively using the museum’s collections to study the natural world.

Pretty cool for something that has been sitting right on LSU’s campus this whole time.

Bring the Kids

If you’re constantly searching for inexpensive things to do with kids in Baton Rouge, here’s another reason to add this one to your list: admission is free.

The exhibit area includes interactive elements designed for both children and adults, and visits are self-guided, so families can explore at their own pace. LSU also offers downloadable activities for different age groups that families can print before visiting.

You could even turn it into an LSU campus adventure. The museum recommends checking out the LSU Campus Mounds and the Allosaurus replica in Howe-Russell Hall while you’re there.

Know Before You Go

The LSU Museum of Natural Science is located at 119 Foster Hall on LSU’s campus, behind LSU Library and across from the Greek Amphitheatre.

The public exhibit area is currently open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free. Groups larger than 10 should arrange their visit with the museum in advance.

Visitor parking is available in metered areas around campus, including the Visitor Information Center lot, Thomas Boyd lot and designated spaces in the campus parking garage.

So next time you’re heading to campus to see Mike, consider adding one more stop.

There are a whole lot more animals waiting for you inside Foster Hall.

And be honest… did you even know this museum was here?