Shh… We’ve got a secret.
It’s a good one.
We’ve discovered an area that we never knew existed. Beach towns that are so picturesque and under-the-radar, you’d need to be a local to know about it. Or follow a really cool traveling couple… ;)
It’s a place where the seafood is plentiful and fresh, the hotels are charming and quaint, the weather is warm and breezy, and the white, sandy beaches are absolutely pristine. It’s a place called Coastal Mississippi, and it’s one of America’s best kept secrets. (In our humble opinion.)
THE BEACHES
One of the most surprising elements of Coastal Mississippi is the expansive and jaw-dropping coastline. There’s over 26 miles of scenic beaches, and there are even a handful of stunning islands you can visit (check out Ship Island, named one of the best beaches in the US)!
Whether you’re in the mood for a day of sunbathing or a sunset stroll along the water, it’s the ideal place to soak in the warm Mississippi sunshine and breathe in the crisp ocean breeze. And many of the beaches in Ocean Springs, Bay St. Louis, and Pascagoula allow leashed pups!
THE TOWNS
There are Twelve coastal communities that span throughout Coastal Mississippi, and while we didn’t have time to explore all of them, we did get the chance to see quite a few. Here are three standout towns that we absolutely adored!
Ocean Springs: This quaint, historic, and charming town quickly became one of our favorites. Known as the “City of Discovery”, Ocean Springs is buzzing with shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, and more! It’s incredibly walkable (we hardly drove our car while we were there), and the centuries-old live oaks gave ample shade wherever we ventured. Oh, and Ocean Springs is incredibly dog-friendly, too!
Biloxi: As soon as we found out that Biloxi was once known as “The Seafood Capital of the World”, we knew we’d like it. This epicenter for sea life is as scenic as it is adventurous, with activities ranging from sailing, jet skiing, and state of the art casinos! But more on that later… ;)
Bay St. Louis: It’s of no surprise that Bay St. Louis was named one of the “Coolest Small Towns in America” by Budget Travel, it’s absolutely lovely! Whether you’re looking for a day of shopping and brunching, or you’re in the mood to play a round of golf, Bay St. Louis has something for everyone. Don’t miss the incredible “Angel Trees of Bay St. Louis”, live oaks that have been carved into works of art!
Such a stunning stretch of coastline!
THE ACTIVITIES
The activities in Coastal Mississippi are endless. One could spend an entire summer here and not run out of things to do! We suggest exploring Coastal Mississippi’s site for a full list of activities… but here’s just a few of our personal favorites!
Biloxi Shrimping Trip (Biloxi): Our inner Bubba (or Forrest Gump) was brought out on the Biloxi Shrimping Trip, as we learned the ins and outs of shrimping, local marine life, and the shrimping industry in Biloxi! Our knowledgeable and quirky captains kept us laughing during the entire two hour tour, and the best part is… Sally, our Bernedoodle, was able to join!
Walter Anderson Museum of Art (Ocean Springs): Chances are you haven’t heard of Walter Anderson before, but believe us when we say you’ll be blown away not only by this American painter’s array of stunning artwork - but the legacy he left as well!
Ohr O’Keefe Museum of Art (Biloxi): One of the most jaw-dropping buildings in Coastal Mississippi is this fascinating and strikingly beautiful museum. It’s home to an incredible collection of ceramics by the famed sculptor George E. Ohr, who’s affectionately known as the “Mad Potter of Biloxi”.
Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum (Biloxi): If there’s one thing Biloxi does well, it’s seafood. This expansive and well-designed museum gives a look into Biloxi’s rich history in the maritime and seafood industry, with a wide variety of exhibits showcasing shrimping, boat building, recreational fishing, and more!
Infinity Science Center (Pearlington): The Infinity Science Center is a dream for star gazers, Nasa lovers, history buffs, and all children. It’s a non-profit science center that has a mixture of jaw-dropping exhibits and hands on experiences where you can learn about space, earth sciences, engineering, and technology. You’ll definitely want a few hours here, as there is a ton to see. Our favorite parts were the hurricane simulator (you get to stand in a tube with hurricane force wind) and the Saturn V rocket (the same one as the rocket used to send Neil Armstrong to the moon). Crazy!
Time to catch some shrimp!
You think Sally wants the shrimp?
The Walter Anderson Museum is an epic way to spend an afternoon!
Walter Anderson painted this whole room! Incredible!
Love the architecture at the Ohr O’Keefe Museum
Love all the color!
Stunning pieces of maritime history in here!
Blown away by the size of this rocket at the Infinity Science Center
THE LODGING
There is no shortage of lodging options in Coastal Mississippi, from extravagant casinos in Biloxi, to cozy B&B’s in Bay St. Louis, they have something for every type of getaway - and every type of budget! We adored where we stayed, but if you’re looking for something different you can find a full list here.
The Roost Ocean Springs: We have a short (but growing) list of places quaint inns and boutique hotels that have stolen our hearts… Places that we can’t wait to return to, and places that we hope to bring our kids one day. The Roost Ocean Springs is one of those spots.
This chic boutique hotel is situated in a restored historic building, with eleven spacious and luxurious suites. It’s cozy and welcoming, very dog friendly, walking distance from downtown Ocean Springs, and even boasts a casual grab + go market called “Eat Drink Love”, and a fantastic speakeasy called “The Wilbur”! We’d return to Coastal Mississippi just to spend more time at The Roost. Just mark our words, it’ll happen.
We’re not leaving
Loved our night caps at The Wilbur
Picture perfect night at The Roost
The Roost was definitely Sally approved
THE DINING
The seafood in Coastal Mississippi is so good, we dedicated an entire blog about it (which you can find here). But don’t think for a moment that seafood is all that they serve here! This fun and eclectic culinary scene has a little something for everyone - here’s just a few of the spots that stood out to us… When we weren’t indulging in crawfish nachos. ;)
Mockingbird Cafe (Bay St. Louis): The love for coffee, good food, and people runs deep at this local coffee shop and cafe, and the feeling is absolutely contagious. We’re big fans of their lunch menu (get the BLT with avocado), but from what we’ve heard, everything they serve is delicious. And they welcome dogs on their outdoor patio!
Pop Brothers (multiple locations): We’ll just say it right now. You haven’t been to Coastal Mississippi until you’ve been to Pop Brothers. This family-run “artisan ice pop” shop is what summer dreams are made of, with flavors ranging from Matcha Green Tea to Reese’s Cheesecake! Whatever flavor you decide on (and the decision will not be easy), you’ll be hooked. We’ve yet to try a better popsicle!
Bright Eyed Brew Co (Ocean Springs): We’re suckers for a coffee shop with good branding, and this one caught our attention just minutes after arriving in Ocean Springs. It was just as delicious (and adorable) as we had hoped, and their waffle menu is not to be missed! (We even let Sally have a taste!)
Yummy lunch at the Mockingbird Cafe!
We need a Pop Brothers at home!
Bright Eyed Brew Co - One of our favorite spots!