I confess: previous to this summer, Mississippi's Gulf Coast is a spot that we had always driven right past on our way to the beaches in Alabama or Florida. This summer, we decided it was time to stop and explore The Secret Coast!
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| Our vacation to the Mississippi Coast 2021 |
Mississippi's Gulf Coast: The Facts
- Mississippi's Gulf Coast is a string of 12 communities and 62 miles of land where the Gulf of Mexico meets the shoreline of Mississippi.
-The Gulf Coast is about eight hours by car from Arlington. You can take the north route through Hattiesburg, which will take less time, or the south route and come through New Orleans, which will take longer.
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| Biloxi, Mississippi! |
-The Secret Coast has something for everyone in your family. You can shop in Ocean Springs or Bay St. Louis or gamble at the casinos in Biloxi. Kids can head to the waterpark or the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center. You can hang out on the beach or go out on a boat excursion. There are lots of fabulous places to eat and spots to explore. The Gulf Coast will entertain everyone!
-The beaches or Coastal Mississippi are man-made! In 1951, the Army Corps of Engineers trucked in tons of sand to make beaches where the water meets the land.
-Hurricane Katrina did a significant amount of damage to the Gulf Coast in 2005.
Mississippi's Gulf Coast: Things to Do
Lynn Meadows Discovery Center- Let your kids run, jump, climb, play and explore until they wear themselves out! Kids can host a talk show, run a grocery store, create art projects and so much more. This spot is great come sunshine or rain! Best for ages 0-12.
Mississippi Aquarium- Encourage your kids to learn as they play at the new Mississippi Aquarium! See alligators and crocodiles, catch a show about dolphins, see birds in the aviary, interact with sharks and crabs and more! The on-site cafe has yummy food, so feel free to stay for lunch! Best for all ages.
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| Fun at the Mississippi Aquarium. |
Ship Island Excursions- Kick back and relax on this 90-minute cruise that will teach you all about the shipping canal in the area. Watch for dolphins, grab snacks and drinks on board and get your camera ready! Best for all ages.
Biloxi Shrimping Tour- This tour is a must-do when you are on The Secret Coast. Learn all about shrimping in the Gulf. After you drag the net to catch shrimp, you'll get to learn about everything else you pull up with the net! You'll probably get to see dolphins, too. Highly, highly recommend. Best for all ages.
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| Posing with the Biloxi Shrimping Boat. |
Gulf Islands Waterpark- Splash, swim, slide and play at this fun waterpark in Biloxi. Don't forget your sunscreen! Best for all ages.
Beach time- Spend time on the beach with the family! The beaches in the area may be man-made, but they are still fun! Dip your toes in the Gulf and have a great time. My girls spent four hours catching hermit crabs. There are also plenty of spots where you can rent jet skis and other watercrafts. Best for all ages.
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| Catching hermit crabs on Gulfport Beach. |
Gamble- If you love a good casino, Biloxi has some great options for you! My husband didn't make this trip with us, and he's the gambler in the family... So I don't have a personal opinion on the casinos. But if you want some adults-only entertainment, there’s a place for that in Mississippi! Best for 18 and up.
Mississippi's Gulf Coast: Places to Eat
It's not a secret that the EA crew loves to eat. Here were our favorite stops of the trip!
Shaggy's- We saw so many people wearing Shaggy's shirts when we were in Hattiesburg that we couldn't wait to check out this beach spot. Our margs were delicious, the kids' meals came in frisbees they got to keep and the whole place had a fun, it's-5-o'clock-somewhere vibe. Highly recommend!
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| Dinner at Shaggy's in Biloxi, MS. |
Burger Burger- Need something fast and inexpensive? Give Burger Burger a try! The po'boys were fantastic and the whole meal was laidback and unfussy.
The Green House Biloxi- Stop here for great breakfast biscuits. We tried simple biscuits with honey butter and devoured every bite. Plus the coffee. Yum!
Patio 44- Ever have one of those meals with great food and even better company? That was our experience at Patio 44. The food was exquisite (try the pea saute. Don't ask questions- just trust me!) and the ambiance fantastic. Their servers were super attentive and we didn't want the meal to end! Head here for a classy meal in your cutest rompers (see the pic of my girls for reference!).
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| Fancy girls in rompers at Patio 44 in Biloxi. |
Coast Roast- One great cup of Joe. I shouldn't have to say more. But a good cup of coffee should be shared!
Mississippi's Gulf Coast: Shop til You Drop!
If you love to browse the racks like I do, there are some great places to shop in Mississippi!
Ocean Springs- If you want to browse cute boutiques and local items, head over to Ocean Springs! We dropped some cash at the toy store there, called Miner's Doll and Toy Store. We dropped some serious cash at the adorable kids clothing store Sugar and Spice (because RuffleButts was on sale and I love RuffleButts!). There are lots of spots to rest your legs and grab a drink while you shop, too.
Bay St. Louis- This cute stop near the Louisiana border has lots of fun boutiques. We stopped at Fleurty Girl and loved all the Nola-inspired items!
Sharkheads- Find every souvenir you never knew you needed at this souvenir megastore!
Mississippi's Gulf Coast: Where to Stay
We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott in Gulfport. It was clean and right across the street from the beach. The pool had a deep end where kids could dive and play, and we could walk to Shaggy's. We were very happy with this pick!
We really loved our time in Mississippi. If you can't make the drive all the way to Florida but want something a little different than Texas beaches, it might be time to consider the Mississippi Coast! If I left your favorite MS spot off this list, please let me know! We love The Secret Coast!
*Please note: we were hosted by Coastal Mississippi Tourism. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
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