Mississippi Gulf Coast: 9+ Unique Adventures Beyond the Beach

The Mississippi Gulf Coast is absolutely beautiful. With barrier islands out in the Gulf of Mexico protecting the beaches along the state, the coastal Mississippi shoreline is calm and pristine…simply gorgeous.

You could come here and never leave the white sands…but don’t do that! There are plenty of fun and exciting things to do here beyond the beach. Here are my favorites from my trip to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

WHERE TO STAY ALONG THE COAST

If you’ve been following me for any amount of time, you know I love a unique place to stay. Thanks to Rain Travel Collection, there are several places like this along the “Secret Coast” that will make you the envy of all your friends.

• The Roost was named the most beautiful hotel in Mississippi by Architectural Digest. Eight luxury guest suites & an outdoor, heated pool make this restored historic building a true gem.

• Beatnik features a native garden, fire-pit & plunge pool, located in the Creative District of Ocean Springs. Four modern, floating cabins include wet bars, and private, lush outdoor showers…you’ll love the elevated 1950/60’s bohemian experience.

• The Hemingway offers four “blow your mind” rooms carved out of a historic bank building right in the heart of downtown Ocean Springs. “Unique” is an understatement. And you’ll love being so close to 100+ bars, restaurants, shops and galleries.

• Finally, Gulf Hills Resort is the newest in this collection with 30+ rooms on the water, plus a 9-hole golf course. Gulf Hills, in its former life, was the playground for the rich and famous. It was Elvis’s favorite escape…and even Al Capone visited on the regular. (Don’t miss the speakeasy, too.) Rain Travel is working to bring it back its original glitz and glam.

LIVE MUSIC VENUES

Unless you live under a rock, you know Mississippi is home to a rich musical heritage. You can’t visit the coast without taking that in.

MURKY WATERS BLUES N BBQ

Murky Waters Blues N BBQ has three locations, but we’re partial to the one in Ocean Springs located in a refurbished home from the 1950s. It features a beautiful square wooden bar, mason jar lighting and a large covered patio with an outdoor stage.

All three locations delight visitors with Blues music 6 nights a week – hosting a variety of singers from up and coming locals to Grammy-winning artists. Grab some pulled port or a catfish po’ boy and settle in for the night.

GROUND ZERO

You might know that Morgan Freeman has ties to Mississippi (If not, now you do!) and he’s opened a second Ground Zero Blues Club location in Biloxi (the first is in Clarksdale and it’s the #1 Blue’s club in the country). Three stories include a restaurant, stage, bar, VIP level and event space.

Grab a pork sammie and some fried green tomatoes, and listen to Delta Blues that will give you goosebumps, bring you to tears, and promise a taste of the real Gulf Coast.

PASCAGOULA RIVER AUDUBON CENTER

Pascagoula River holds honor as the last free flowing river in the lower 48 states, and one incredible way to see how important and diverse a river this is, is to visit the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Moss Point, MS.

Visit the interpretive center, explore the Children’s Nature Discovery Center outdoor playground, and bring your binoculars for spectacular birding along the bayou. Rent a kayak, or set aside time for a natural history lecture…I would love to be a local who could take advantage of their Novice Birding or Master Naturalist classes.

One of the highlights of my visit was taking the McCoys Swamp and River Tour. It is an additional charge on top of your entrance fee, and you’ll want to make reservations beforehand…but you don’t want to miss this! Explore the tidal marsh, learn about the importance of the river to the animals and industry of the area, the impact of changes to the river, and hope for a peek at alligators, water birds and more.

Because I visited during a conference, we did not have an opportunity to take the boat from the marsh into the swamp, but you will on this 2-hour excursion. The old-growth swamps, with majestic trees hung with cypress moss, are as wild as they are romantic.

BILOXI SHRIMPING TOUR

Nothing says “Mississippi Gulf Coast” like fresh seafood, and I loved learning more about how that happens down here. A ride aboard the Biloxi Shrimping Tour is fun AND educational!

You’ll spend a little over an hour in the Gulf, learning about how fishing boats work. You’ll even watch as they drop a 16-ft trawl into the water…and catch a glimpse of what comes up! We learned about different types of shrimp, which ones taste best, and why the shrimp caught here is such a delicacy. You’ll hold a few shrimp and see other sea creatures along the way. (I loved seeing the puffer fish!)

The boat sits guests on an upper and lower deck. When the sun is shining warmly and the salt air is blowing, the upper deck is a dream. Don’t worry if you miss a seat up there; about half-way through the tour the guide will ask you to switch places for a while.

WUT SUP PADDLEBOARDING

Paddleboarding…kayaking…bikes…jet skis…pontoon rentals…if you can use it for fun in the water, then it’s happening here!

Wat SUP sits on the Bayou Bernard, which offers a small waterway loop for newbies or a large waterway loop out to Big Lake. You can explore the lake on jet skis or a pontoon boat…or opt for a less wild ride like I did with my friend Karon above, and take the stand-up paddle boards out for a spin.

We loved exploring right in the area, with colorful barges along the shoreline, and gorgeous sea birds flying in the sky.

A few friends opted out of the water fun with us, but still enjoyed the sunshine by lounging in hammocks or riding a bike. Whatever your passion, Wut SUP can help supply your gear.

FISHBONE ALLEY

Tucked between tall buildings in downtown Gulfport, sits an unpretentious alley with a world of wonder and stories held within its walls. If not for the large sign designating the entrance, you might overlook it. But don’t you dare!

Fishbone Alley is in fact, just that — an alley. But if you look closer, you see that it’s an art gallery, a community space, a concert venue, a dining hall, a hidden gem, and so much more.

I love the graffiti art that local creators add in an ongoing project to show love to the space.

When you visit, check their Facebook page for events. You’ll often find live music, community tours, festivals and more posted there.

Another awesome feature? The to-go cup ordinance! You are free to grab a drink from one of the bars or restaurants and linger a little longer as you enjoy the vibe here.

Restaurant along the alley that we loved? Half Shell Oyster House with AMAZING oysters. Seriously!

Read More: 15 Things To Do in Gulfport MS for Coastal Fun

THE CASINOS ARE MORE THAN A GAMBLING LOCATION

Even if you’re not a gambler (I’m not…I’m just no good!) you will still enjoy staying at (or touring) the 12 casinos in the Gulf Coast.

I stayed at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi and adored it! The rooms are spectacular, and I loved having a view of the Gulf! There is also impeccable entertainment and concerts held here throughout the year. And you don’t have to stay here to enjoy one of the headliners.

Another thing that blew me away? The FOOD! First, the breakfast buffet. I have never seen this large a breakfast buffet in all my life. I’m not kidding! And every bit of it was delicious. And the other restaurants offering eats for lunch and dinner…Jia, Stalla, BR Prime…these were spectacular! They could each stand on their own, but to have them under one roof was a treat.

Bringing the kids? You can’t take kids on to the gambling floor, but they are always welcome in the restaurants, plus there is an arcade at Beau Rivage for them to enjoy.

I also toured Hard Rock and thought that my kids would have enjoyed it there, too. Even if you don’t stay there, be sure to take them on a tour of the lobby area (and grab a burger for lunch)!

ON OUR BUCKET LIST

I was lucky enough to get a taste of the Mississippi Gulf Coast while I was there attending the Travel South conference (thanks for hosting me Travel South and Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast), but it just wasn’t long enough. I hope to be back with the kids in the near future. Here’s what’s on my bucket list!

• Visit the Friendship Oak Tree in Long Beach.

• See the exhibits at the Ground Zero Hurricane Museum.

• Let the kids play at the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center.

• Interact with stingrays at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies.

• Go camping at the Gulf Islands National Seashore in Ocean Springs.

• Learn more about fishing and boating at the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum.

• Take a guided tour of the Biloxi Lighthouse.

• See the amazing exhibitions at the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art.

• Learn more about folk artist Alice Moseley at the Alice Moseley Folk Art and Museum.

• Take the This Property Is Condemned Walking Tour in Bay St Louis.

• Cruise to Ship Island on a ferry boat.

• Visit the historic district in Pass Christian.

• Get a vacation rental near a Biloxi beach.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR TRIP TO MISSISSIPPI

• YOUR MISSISSIPPI VACATION
• BILOXI: 17 Best Things To Do In Biloxi MS For Coastal Fun
• OXFORD: 23 Riveting Reasons To Escape To Oxford MS For The Weekend
• GREENWOOD: Why Greenwood MS Is An Ideal Adult Getaway
• JACKSON: 16 Outstanding Things To Do In Jackson

WHERE TO STAY IN MISSISSIPPI