Weekend In Gulfport

The Mississippi Coast is such a hidden gem, in my opinion. It had not been on my radar to travel to, but that’s probably because we live on the West Coast. I came across Gulfport when mapping out a road trip from New Orleans to Charleston, wanting to see Mississippi and Alabama along the way. I was surprised at how much I LOVED Gulfport. We were there in March, but got lucky with the weather. Both nights we were there, the sunsets were gorgeous. We got to enjoy the beauty of the beaches, without the big crowds too. Spending a weekend in Gulfport is perfect for anyone looking to explore the Mississippi Coast.

Gulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi (after Jackson) and is known for its beaches and laid-back feel. It’s less than 90 minutes from New Orleans and less than 3 hours from Jackson.

The best time of year to visit would be May, giving you plenty of sunshine before the Summer crowds. That being said, you can still spend a weekend in Gulfport and enjoy the beauty of the beaches and relaxation whenever the sun is out.

Weekend In Gulfport Itinerary

Day 1:

»Stay @ The Grand Centennial: We stayed at The Grand Centennial hotel. It was pretty central to everything and overall nice, given the price. This would be a great spot for kids (especially in the Summer) as they have a game room and a small water park.

»Breakfast @ Perks Coffee Shop: Perks Cafe is in Downtown Gulfport and has delicious coffee and breakfast. Be sure to try their famous King Cake Iced Coffee and breakfast sandwich.

»Jones Park: After grabbing breakfast downtown, head to Jones Park. You can walk around the harbor and take pictures in front of the lighthouse. It’s a small area, so you can see everything quickly if you’re wanting to soak in more time at the beach.

»Beaches: Gulfport is home to 6+ miles of beautiful beaches. Take a drive along the coast and head to one of the many beaches to enjoy some sunshine. Even if you’re not there in the Summer, you can take a walk along the coastline and take in the beauty.

»Lunch @ Shaggy’s: Take a break from the sunshine and head over to Shaggy’s for lunch. Shaggy’s is a laid-back restaurant with a view of the beach and serves Southern comfort/coastal food (crab cakes, oysters, po’boys, and fish tacos). Plus they have delicious cocktails.

»Sunset @ The Beach: Being from Southern California, I’ve seen my fair share of beach sunsets, but there was something so different about watching the sunset in Gulfport. Everything seemed more crisp and the colors were gorgeous. There are plenty of spots along the beaches to pull in and watch the sunset.

»Fishbone Alley: Fishbone Alley is a quick walk from Half Shell Oyster House (check if there is a wait to be seated, and jump over to Fishbone Alley while you wait). It’s an alley lined with artwork (graffiti style), so it’s perfect for pictures.

»Dinner @ Half Shell Oyster House: Half Shell Oyster House is inspired by the taste and style of New Orleans. The inside is even decorated like Borbon Street. The Redfish Orleans and oysters were delicious. They’re also known for their Pink Pearl Martini (though you can’t go wrong with any of their martinis).

Day 2:

»Breakfast @ Greenhouse Biloxi: On the second day of your weekend in Gulfport, start by taking a drive to explore the surrounding cute towns – Ocean Springs and Biloxi). Greenhouse is a trendy coffee/quick bite breakfast spot on the way to Ocean Springs. The Bacon Cheddar Biscuit Sammy and Sweet Potato Biscuit Sammy are super popular (and delicious).

»Explore Ocean Springs/Government Street: After breakfast, head over to explore Ocean Springs. The Main Street of Ocean Springs sits under gorgeous live oak trees and has such a quaint feel. There are lots of shops and restaurants along the main street. If you’re into craft beer, be sure to check out Craft Advisory Brewing.

»Lunch @ The Lady May: The Lady May is located in Downtown Ocean Springs and has a variety of salads, sandwiches, burgers, and flatbreads. Be sure to try the Bacon Jam Burger or the Honey Butter Fried Chicken – both are crowd favorites.

»Explore Biloxi: Biloxi, in between Gulfport and Ocean Springs, is known for its casinos and beach vibe. You could definitely stay in Biloxi if you’re looking to be more “in the action”. It’s an easy (and fun) spot to stop through and explore on your way back to Gulfport.

»Dinner @ Chimneys Restaurant: If you’re looking for something a little classier, Chimneys is the perfect spot. It’s tucked behind a few gorgeous tress, and was modeled after a historic home. The best part is you can see the ocean from the patio. They have great steaks and their Mississippi Mud Pie is delicious.

The Quick List:

Day 1:

• Stay @ The Grand Centennial Hotel
• Breakfast @ Perks Coffee Shop & Cafe
• Jones Park
• Beaches
• Lunch @ Shaggy’s
• Sunset @ The Beach
• Fishbone Alley
• Dinner @ Half Shell Oyster House

Day 2:

• Breakfast @ Greenhouse
• Explore Ocean Springs / Government Street
• Lunch @ The Lady Mary
• Explore Biloxi
• Dinner @ Chimneys

*This post is not affiliated with any of the mentioned establishments.