The Mississippi Gulf Coast is really its own destination with a scenic little bit of everything. Visit and explore where you can enjoy casinos, museums, an aquarium, public art, marine park, fishing charters or a riverboat tour. A variety of food options for every taste, and then there's those views of the Gulf at every turn. Traveling to the Mississippi Gulf Coast is a lot of fun. Visit Gulfport, Biloxi and Ocean Springs with a plan to make the time quality time to remember!
The Coastal Mississippi area is known for short mild winters, it's subtropical climate and hot humid summers! Tropical storms (and a few massive hurricanes) have impacted the lives of all locals and extreme weather is part of the culture. Gulf Islands National Seashore are a historical tourist attraction and has been deemed protected. 11 miles off the coast, these barrier islands provide some protection from the elements. They are also quite interesting to visit!
Fort Massachusetts on West Ship Island was built after the War of 1812 and remained in use until 1903. These can be visited by ferry, for more info, click HERE. There are active military bases still open here and the presence is felt when visiting. Turkey Creek Community Historic District is a town that was built by emancipated African Americans after the Cicil War.
Biloxi ~ A scenic drive along the Gulf of Mexico/ America is a coastal treat! I had no idea that this from Gulfport to Ocean Springs there was so much of everything I’d love to take time to explore! Need nature and history? Check. Good food and shopping? Double check. Looking for some unique cultural places to make memories? Absolutely the place.
Here’s my favorite things you must do while you are visiting Biloxi:
Did you know Biloxi is a big gambling location? There are eight first class casino resorts! Attractive for Gulf Beaches, Historic Sites, a pier full of rides and water parks, Biloxi will surprise you! The Paradise Pier Amusement Park right next to Margaritaville reminds you that this is a place where you will have fun! The180-foot observation wheel makes the skyline feel like it's a holiday! This ride overlooks the Mississippi Sound, with air-conditioned enclosed gondolas and a fantastic light display after sunset. Check out the arcade, with over 250 games, a volcano rock wall indoor ropes course and more!
Top 5 Biloxi Hot Spots:
1. Biloxi Beach - I heard mixed reviews prior to arriving and know the shore has suffered with weather. I found this a lovely place to walk, along the scenic trail after snagging some free parking right along the coastline. Much more like a lake than the gulf, the birds and wildlife had the water and piers to themselves. There seems to be a lot of construction going on rebuilding from storms, but the beautiful wind patterns in the sands as well as unique engineering made this a nice place to stop and stay. Also, there are many water sports available inside the Visitor Center, and activities in this area are less expensive than other gulf beaches!
2. Biloxi Light House – One of the first cast iron light houses built, in 1848. Notable for withstanding many storms, most recently Hurricane Katrina which covered a third of the 64-foot structure!
3. Biloxi Bay Bridge – Connecting Ocean Springs and Biloxi, a wide pedestrian sidewalk and gradual incline makes this a great bridge to walk, overlooking the bay and taking in the beautiful engineering of a massive structure. There is parking on both sides of the bridge for view points, or to start your crossing from.
4. Biloxi Visitor Center – Well organized colonial style home and very fancy visitor center! Local hometown hero Astronaut Fred Haise exhibit, and views of the lighthouse from the ballroom and second floor balcony. Buy tickets here to go to the top of the light house, or rent a bike and ride along the gulf! Some ride all the way over the bridge to Ocean Springs.
5. Beauvoir – A historic site where Civil War artifacts can be found as you experience the reconstructed workspace of Jefferson Davis.
*I am not a gambler, but I enjoyed a stop by the Hard Rock and checking out the docks behind the casino.
** I missed out on the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum – but this is a must see when in the area! Open Mon – Sat 9:00 am – 4:30 pm, and Sunday noon – 4 (except Dec. – Feb.) $10.00/ adults, $8.00 seniors, $6.00 children and students 5 – 15.
Visiting nearby Ocean Springs and Gulfport – this whole shoreline exploration delightful for
Gulfport Mississippi ~ This is a great family destination. Rich with history, art and culture, plus a variety of fishing, kayaking, jet skiing and water sport options!
Ocean Springs ~ Is a quaint little walkable village with oak tree lined streets, cafés, home made goods, all kinds of art, baked goods and hand-crafted items. This artsy town is known for farmer's markets, galleries and the late artist Walter Inglis who used the surrounding nature to inspire his murals and paintings. Ocean Springs hosts several festivals throughout the year, you can see what events may occur HERE.
Gulfport ~ Where you'll find military, railroad and lots of local history, this town is still alive and well with thriving businesses. This is still a hub! The Port of Gulfport is still one of the busiest ports, and the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport lives here.
My Stay & Food: I landed in Gulfport- Biloxi, this airport is a breath of fresh air! I got my rental car while the baggage carousel started to roll out our luggage. The people who rented my car recommended where to get some great seafood: Half Shell Oyster House and Shaggy's were both highly recommended. I always try to save money while traveling and keep eating out at a minimum, BUT these prices to eat had me feeling like it was honestly just easier and more desirable to eat out than make my own! And that is saying something. Both Half Shell and Shaggy's were echoed by the locals I met with for work, and were later repeated at the Hotel when I asked where to eat :-)
I also ate at: Salute Italian Seafood Restaurant, where the ambiance was upscale and fun, food was delicious but the service was just eeh. I had the chicken cutlet parm, side salad and bread. Great serving size.
The Toasted Yolk Cafe was really awesome. Definitely the millennial younger hip vibe, but I sat inside, set up my computer and worked while having lunch and was very welcome. They actually brought me the wrong meal and then let me keep both meals! The service was so good that I wanted to stay longer.
I stayed at: DoubleTree by Hilton in Biloxi, where my view was so nice I left the curtains open and pulled up a chair to the window to work in! The bar downstairs also served a great burger. The people were so friendly and helpful. The room was comfy and the most important things to me are a good bed, and hot water with good pressure. All of this was on point! I requested a fridge in my room, and they delivered. I travel with a portable kettle and my own teas, so I did not experience the in room coffee bar.
This was a fun trip! From here I ventured on a 3 hour drive up to Jackson, the capitol of Mississippi. These places have very different vibes and I was happy to discover more about the culture while experiencing the Mississippi landscape and roadways, which were easy to navigate!
I did a little driving around just looking around and felt like Mississippi was much different than I'd pictured it in my head. This is why travel is so beneficial for making up better people with perspective and context. This was a very friendly place to visit, and I look forward to returning!
Honest review: Look, these are not the prettiest beaches to swim in. But the Gulf waters are massive and invites wildlife and nature. Recently changed to the Gulf of America, the presence of this waterway is undeniable!
~Wherever your travels take you, be sure to keep your presence in the moment.
~Nature is healing, grounding and living. Tune in.
~Enjoy where you are at. Be a little flexible with people and their navigation of time.
~Let go of things you can't control.
~Remember to put your people above things, and cherish the memories.
~Do things that will make you proud of yourself when you remember the scenario.
~Live more, in abundance and walk in your own footsteps.
~Breathe fresh air, feel the flow of water, and find your own level.
I specialize in helping families spend more time enjoying their quality time together and less time having to figure it all out. My four children have been my test subjects of how to plan a great family adventure for many years and now that my youngest is 20, many of my travels are work related, or grandma related! As time has changed, I've evolved but I still LOVE TO TRAVEL, explore, wander, visit, discover, learn and love. If nature is there, I can find my happy place. I use the term single not to emphasize my status but to signify that if I can manage some family fun on a limited teacher's salary with four children, anyone can do it. I am just very intentional in how I spend my time and earnings. I typically seek out budget friendly ways to enjoy my time, but will occasionally splurge for the right reasons :-)
Happy Travels!!
God Bless every road you travel on. xo
Mz. Savvy
A note from the editor:
The information in this article was accurate when published but may change without notice. Confirm details when planning your trip. I hope this makes it easier for your planning process.
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If you are planning a road trip along the Gulf Coast into Florida these can be amazing stops along the route. Check HERE for Florida Panhandle excursion in search of the best beaches. We made a family vacation out of this fun road trip with a home base out of Milton Fl.
Click to continue exploring Mississippi:
Jackson or Natchez
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