4-Days in Ocean Springs

Ocean Springs is a quaint, artsy, and vibrant community located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Home to bayous, oak lined walking trails, award winning eateries, museums, and some of the best sunsets around ~ a must visit for all Gulf Coast travelers. To help you explore this unique community, we’ve put together this 4-Day Itinerary! Featuring add-ons for longer stays, this is a great start for planning your Coastal Mississippi adventure!

 

This itinerary is based on a Thursday through Monday stay in Ocean Springs, but it can be abbreviated or changed as you see fit! We have also included some suggestions for a longer stay that incorporates more activities along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Before you begin your stay, we suggest calling Tri-hard Sports or Downtown Cart Rentals for bike or golf-cart rentals respectively. This is by no means necessary as Downtown and Front Beach are both walking distance, but it certainly adds a fun touch to your stay! If you need help coordinating, please let our Reservation Staff know!

 

Thursday

So, you’ve checked in, enjoyed a quick dip in the property’s plunge pool and are about to head out for your first evening in Ocean Springs. We recommend hitting up The Wilbur, a speakeasy-inspired craft cocktail bar, for some pre-dinner aperitifs and maybe a small bite to share. For dinner, Vestige is a M U S T. The James Beard nominated chef, Alex Perry and his wife, Kumi, roll out a fresh tasting menu each week that take your tastebuds on a flavorful journey in each course. All fresh and local, it is one of our favorite spots. We suggest calling ahead of your stay to secure a table. End your evening with a walk along Front Beach and enjoy a sky painted in a multitude of colors.


Friday

You awake to a new day at the Beatnik. For breakfast, head down to one of Downtown Ocean Springs’s newest establishments! The Lady May offers a great brunch menu and even has a Build-Your-Own Mimosa & Bloody Mary Bar! Spend the morning exploring Davis Bayou. Check out the walking trails and the Marine Education Center, which strives to teach visitors about our coastal ecosystems. It is also home to the longest steel cable extension bridge in the state!

Next, lunch it up at Eat Drink Love where you can enjoy a delicious spread of fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps and dips (trust me, it’ll be hard to pick just one!) Spend the afternoon meandering through the Walter Anderson Museum of Art. Get lost in the world of American Master, Walter Anderson, and enjoy his colorful and whimsical view of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. If you’re wanting to see more of the Ocean Springs art scene, head over to Shearwater Pottery. From downtown, cross over the Ocean Springs Harbor and you will find a family run pottery studio nestled among the trees. The Shearwater family has created ceramic wonders for over 90 years and still uses the original wheel. Make sure to ask to check out the “annex”.

For dinner, I recommend heading over to The Shed for an A M A Z I N G BBQ experience. At this point, you’ll probably be ready to retire and rest for another full day of Ocean Springs exploration.

 
 
 

 
 

Saturday

Saturday awaits! Start your morning B R I G H T with a delicious cup of nitro cold brew from Bright Eyed Brew Co., just down the street. Get your liquid energy to go and walk down to the weekly Farmer’s Market at the L & N Train Depot. Saturday is a good day to shop around Ocean Springs. Just walk up and down Government Street & Washington Avenue and stop in any shop or boutique that catches your eye. Some must visits are Realizations, Hillyer House, Coastal Magpie, Miner’s Toy Shop, Buddyrow Vintage, Ocean Springs Mercantile, Buff City Soap, & Love & Aesthetics. Definitely make a quick pitstop into Tatonut Donut Shop for a sweet, breakfast treat!

Once you’re about ready to drop, grab a bite from the food truck lot on Government Street or enjoy an early dinner at Maison de Lu before heading to East Beach to catch the sunset (maybe with a dessert from French Kiss)! If you’d like to reserve some beach chairs, let us know and we’d be happy to help you arrange them!


Sunday

Take “Easy Like Sunday Morning” to heart. Sleep in. Rest. Leisurely wake up and enjoy a few moments of quiet. When you’re ready to roll out of bed, try your hand at making a pour over in your Cabin’s wet bar. Sip your brew out on the screened in porch, and if you’re really feeling it, maybe read some poetry!

There is no better way to spend a late, Sunday morning, than with a delightful B R U N C H at White Pillars. Located in Biloxi, it is well worth the drive. Indulge on local favorites and maybe a mimosa (or two) and enjoy a classic Coastal Mississippi morning. We recommend calling ahead to make a reservation.

If you’re feeling up for a quick cruise over to Gulfport, head that way to visit the N E W Mississippi Aquarium! Experience the magic that is our coastal waters and learn all about the animals that live in our own back bay! Afterwards, meander through town- stop in at Pop’s Brothers for a gourmet popsicle, grab a pick-me-up at Coast Roast, and enjoy a local brew at Chandeleur Island Brewing! For dinner, you can stop at Half Shell Oyster House or Gollot’s Fresh Catch in Biloxi for some delicious seafood dishes before heading back to the Beatnik!

 
 

Monday

The sun rises beautifully on a bittersweet morning. Grab some coffee and head to Front Beach for one last morning walk and watch the rest of Ocean Springs come to life. On your way out of town, stop in for a delightful lunch at Mary Mahoney’s in Biloxi (definitely get the crab claws) for one more taste of the Coast.

As you head on to your next adventure, you can feel in your heart that you’ll be back again one day.


If you’ve got time…

Should you be staying for an extra day or two or three, we’ve got a few more recommendations that you can’t miss out on!

On the Water

  • Book a charter fishing trip! Head out to open seas for a coastal adventure like no other! We highly recommend booking in advance.

  • Enjoy a sunset sail on the Biloxi Schooner. Bring a few snacks and a bottle of wine and watch the sun slide below the horizon.

  • Get on island time with a round trip ferry ride to Ship Island! Located 11 miles offshore, it is home to tranquil waters & sandy shores, and is a favorite of visitors and locals alike!

  • Explore the back bays and bayous at a slower pace by renting a kayak or paddle board! There are many great areas to

Museums/Music Venues

  • Just across the Ocean Springs Bridge are two incredible museums, perfect to visit during the heat of the day or when it’s a bit too rainy to do much else outdoors!

    • The Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum showcases the Mississippi’s 300 years of history with many exhibits that range from net-making techniques to an old shrimp peeling machine.

    • The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art was designed by Frank O. Gehry and is home to a remarkable blend of architectural styles which span over a century of history.

  • Looking for a place to enjoy live music, food and drinks in an unforgettable atmosphere? Head to Biloxi’s newest nightclub, Ground Zero Blues Club! Co-owned by Morgan Freeman, it’s definitely worth a visit!

Restaurants

We know it’s hard to fit in all of our favorite spots in one trip, but here are a few more mentions in downtown Ocean Springs:

Need some extra guidance? If you love tours, definitely check out Ocean Springs Tour de Lis! The company has several different options, all perfect for seeing a different side of our coastal town!