The Gulf Coast of Mississippi has tons of great things to do and places to eat, so it can be hard to choose how to spend your time if you only have a few days.
A weekend spent on the beaches of Mississippi can be as relaxing or as exciting as you want. With only 2 days, my friend and I were able to explore and do many different things in Biloxi, Long Beach, and Gulfport, Mississippi.
Here are some of the best things to do and places to eat on the Mississippi beaches and in the coastal towns!
Long Beach
Long Beach, MS, is a little beach town only a few minutes from Gulfport. The beaches in Mississippi generally have calm waters, and the waves are very small.
I think if I was a parent this would be a great beach to bring my kids. There are very few people around, and since the waters are calm, I wouldn’t be as afraid of my kids getting bombarded by waves.
That’s not to say that this beach isn’t good for adults. I think Long Beach is the perfect place for a quiet and relaxing vacation.
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We actually chose to stay in Long Beach at The Inn at Long Beach.
The Inn sponsored our stay, but all opinions are my own.
This charming hotel is right across the street from the beach and has clean, spacious rooms and a delicious breakfast. The beds are so comfy after a long day at the beach!
Just FYI, even though the hotel is so close to the water, very few of the rooms have a gulf view. Here is our view from the 6th floor.
The beautiful oak trees around the pool sometimes obstruct the view, but they do make relaxing at the pool even better.
Remember how I said Long Beach is quiet and not very crowded? That makes it perfect for beach photoshoots. At sunrise and sunset, we were the only people on the beach.
Mississippi Aquarium
Mississippi Aquarium is a must-see in Gulfport. It’s home to creatures from the Mississippi River, the nearby bayous, and of course the Gulf of Mexico.
Besides the traditional aquarium experience, you can also see various bird species in the aviary. Check out some of the outdoor habitats for animals such as otters, crocodiles, and alligators.
Start your tour of the aquarium in the main building where you can touch stingrays and other gentle sea creatures. My favorite part was probably this huge tank pictured below.
There are several places to see inside this particular tank, including a walkthrough tunnel. But this photo was taken in a large room. If I had had more time, I would’ve sat in here for a long time just watching the fish, sharks, and stingrays swim by.
Pop Brothers
Pop Brothers is a local popsicle place in Gulfport, but they have a few locations on the Mississippi coast. They make all-natural, handcrafted popsicles in many different flavors!
The popsicle I tried was Unicorn Magic. It was so delicious, and it made me want to go back to try more flavors! Pop Brothers has fresh fruit pops, cream pops, and indulgent pops.
Fishbone Alley
Fishbone Alley is a hidden alley behind several restaurants and coffee shops in Gulfport. This eclectic spot is covered in graffiti and interesting art, making it a cool place to take photos and hang out.
Some of the art is small or hidden, so I suggest taking your time and looking around at all the cool murals. We were lucky since we visited around noon on a weekday and no one was around.
Seafood Restaurants
If you go to the beach, you have to eat fresh seafood. That’s just the rules! I’m not a big seafood fan, but I love fried fish and fried shrimp served with fries and hushpuppies. So healthy, I know.
I’ve eaten at 2 great seafood places in Long Beach. One is Steve’s Marina Restaurant which is where I got the fish and shrimp with onion rings pictured above.
They have great food, but I also loved the view! Steve’s is right next to the Gulf so you can enjoy the Gulf views while you eat.
Another delicious place to eat in Long Beach is Lil’ Rays. This little restaurant has been serving amazing seafood for over 40 years.
It doesn’t have views of the Gulf, but the food is definitely worth a trip!
Gulfport Marina and Port
The city of Gulfport unsurprisingly has a large port for boats and cargo ships. Here you can catch a ferry to Ship Island or one of the other islands off the coast of Mississippi.
Ship Island has beautiful beaches, a lighthouse, and a Civil War-era fort. You can see a replica of the lighthouse at Gulfport Marina.
Replica of Ship Island Lighthouse
Friendship Oak
The Friendship Oak is a live oak tree that is over 500 years old! It’s been through many hurricanes and storms, so this tree has seen better days. Even though some of the huge branches need support from a few wires and poles, the Friendship Oak is still a beautiful old tree.
You can find this tree on the University of Southern Mississippi campus. The campus is right across the street from the beach. The other large oak trees on campus provide some great areas to take a stroll (or some photos).
Yard Milkshakes
If you’re wanting a sweet treat, try The Yard Milkshake Bar! With several locations in the South, this ice cream place serves outrageous specialty milkshakes.
We visited The Yard in D’Iberville, MS which is only 5 miles north of Biloxi. It’s in the middle of a nice shopping center called the Promenade.
I knew I would never be able to finish an entire milkshake by myself since they really don’t hold back on the toppings! But I wanted to get something unique, so I decided to try the Specialty Bowl.
Pictured above is my Strawberries & Cream Cheesecake bowl which was amazing! And yes, that is a piece of cheesecake on top.
Biloxi Lighthouse
The famous lighthouse in Biloxi is a cast-iron lighthouse built in 1848.
To take a tour of the inside of the lighthouse, admission is $5, and tours are only given in the morning. Be sure to check their website for schedules.
You can also see the outside of the lighthouse any time of day. We visited at sunset so we could take photos outside with good lighting.
If you’re looking for somewhere unique to take a beach trip, Mississippi has so much to offer! Escape the crowds of the more popular beaches and enjoy a peaceful beach vacation on the Gulf Coast.
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[…] you ever been to Bellingrath Gardens? I had never heard of it before my trip to the coast of Mississippi. This beautiful estate in Theodore, Alabama is only an hour east of Biloxi, Mississippi, and it is […]
Such a beautiful city. Thanks for sharing!
Mary, your weekend on the Gulf Coast included both leisure and exploration. Families and adults alike can enjoy the tranquil waves of Long Beach. I appreciate you sharing!