Springtime in Coastal Mississippi

As travelers once again seek to discover new experiences, cultures, lifestyles, cuisine, and places, regularly using terms such as “hidden gem,” “undiscovered,” and “unexpected,” Coastal Mississippi – The Secret Coast is perfectly poised to surprise and delight as a region that offers all the relaxation, adventure, space to roam, and variety that travelers want without the overexposure that they don’t.

The Secret Coast’s temperate climate, along with its astounding natural beauty and rich, unique culture, makes for the perfect year-round destination. There is an incredible amount to do, see and experience across Coastal Mississippi: from outdoor activities, such as kayaking, boating, fishing and hiking, to a wide variety of attractions, museums, festivals, world-class gaming, and championship golf courses. When it comes to food, this is the place to be! From quaint coastal seafood spots to fine dining, we’ve got it all. In short, Coastal Mississippi checks all the boxes: great food, great weather, great prices, great people, and a great way of life.

Here is a brief overview of what The Secret Coast has to offer:

• Thanks to their temperate climate and astonishing natural beauty, Coastal Mississippi is a year-round destination for outdoor activities. They offer some phenomenal outdoor experiences, such as world-class golfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, birding, fishing, boating their many waterways, Schooner sails, and even a 70-minute shrimping trip, that is an absolutely wonderful excursion for the entire family, and shows you exactly how shrimp and other marine life live and end up on our plates! Discover the brand-new Mississippi Aquarium, overlooking the Mississippi Sound in downtown Gulfport. Have some fun in the sun and explore the nation’s longest man-made beach, or the barrier islands that sit just miles off Coastal Mississippi. With white-sand beaches and beautiful Gulf waters, the islands are an ideal day trip. While all six of Mississippi’s barrier islands offer something unique that is worth exploring, Ship Island is the most accessible to travelers thanks to its ferry service out of Biloxi and Gulfport.

• Their culinary scene is booming: Coastal Mississippi boasts a wide variety of gastronomic offerings, from quaint waterfront seafood spots serving the freshest Gulf seafood, to fine dining (including two James Beard nominees) and fusion cuisine. There is something to satisfy every taste bud, and there are plenty of hands-on opportunities to experience the very essence of Coastal Mississippi’s culinary scene.

• The Secret Coast’s art scene is an absolute gem: get your culture fix at the world-renowned Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art (designed by famous architect Frank Gehry), and discover the beautifully eccentric world of the illustrious Anderson family at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art and Shearwater Pottery Workshop and Showroom. Ocean Springs and Bay St. Louis boast wonderfully artsy, walkable downtown areas amongst the ancient live oaks, where you can wander in and out of shops, galleries, bars and restaurants all day long.

• There is always something to celebrate in Coastal Mississippi, and you will find festivals held across the Coast throughout the year, showcasing the region’s crafts, artisan-made items, local delicacies, seafood, talented musicians and much more.

• Gaming and entertainment – with 12 casino resorts featuring headlining entertainment, bars and restaurants, there is always something to see.

• To get to the moon, you must go through Mississippi first! The INFINITY Science Center is NASA's official visitor center for the Stennis Space Center, and offers a blend of space, Earth science, engineering and technology content, spiced with innovative programming, that leverages expertise from the area's leading-edge research and test operations. This combination guarantees an experience you will not find anywhere else.

• Coastal Mississippi offers an array of lodging options to cater to any preference, from luxury casino resorts and international hotel brands, to boutique hotels and Coastal bed-and-breakfast inns.

• For those on a budget, this is the place for you: There are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of free things to do in the area, as well as reasonably priced offerings or ways to save as you explore around every corner, including the mobile-exclusive Coastal Mississippi Attractions Pass that offers several options for discounted visits to ten major attractions.