Ultimate Guide To Experiencing The Mississippi Gulf Coast, The Pearl In An Oyster

Spanning a total of 12 cities along the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is like a glistening pearl inside an oyster that has yet to be discovered. While each of these cities has its own unique characteristic - from the charming Bay St. Louis to the beachfront Biloxi - one thing about the Mississippi Gulf Coast remains consistent across all cities: its perfect blend of natural beauty with exhilarating activities and genuine Southern hospitality will make you want to visit the region over and over again.

How to Get to Mississippi Gulf Coast

Located between Mobile and New Orleans, Mississippi Gulf Coast can be best reached from the nearby Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, the hub for those traveling from afar. The airport serves three major airlines including American Airlines, Delta, and United with direct flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, and Houston. You can also take a scenic, 1-hour drive along the coast from New Orleans to the west or Mobile to the east.

Where to Stay on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

Suite-style lodging at the South Beach Biloxi Hotel & Suites

Sonheim Photography

While there are several casinos and mega hotels lined up along Beach Blvd. in Biloxi, opt for the cozy yet spacious South Beach Biloxi Hotel & Suites for a suite-style, family-friendly lodging. As Biloxi’s only hotel located directly on the beach, this all-suite hotel offers a breathtaking, panoramic view of the gulf from the balcony where you can watch the sun rise or catch a sunset. Some suites are also equipped with a full kitchen, washer and dryer, and other amenities to provide a feel of being at home.

What to Do on Mississippi Gulf Coast

Revive the rich history at Beauvoir

J.D.R. Hawkins

A former home of Jefferson Davis, the only President of the Confederate States of America, the beautifully restored Beauvoir is a majestic, 51-acre estate that features a rose garden, confederate soldiers’ cemetery, nature trails, and the Presidential Library. Revive the rich history of the American South by visiting the gulf-facing, National Historic Landmark where Jefferson Davis once wrote his memoirs.

Discover the coast from a new perspective withPaddles Up

Whether you are a newbie or an experienced paddle boarder, you can be at one with the water when you take a stand up paddle boarding or a yoga session with Paddles Up, which offers lessons, rentals, and retail in stand up paddle boards and accessories. Row out to the gentle gulf on a paddle board, where you can test your balance and strengthen your core, all the while discovering the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast from a whole new perspective.

Tour a craft brewery at Chandeleur Brewing Company

Started by twin brothers Cain and Cam Roberds, Chandeleur Brewing Companyoffers tour and tasting at its brewery located in downtown Gulfport. With the purchase of a ticket, you can get a behind-the-scenes look at craft brewing and sample delicious beers made using the freshest malted barley, hops, and local ingredients. Try a sample of Surfside Wheat Ale, which has an interesting flavor profile of spicy Germany hops and fresh pineapple juice, or Curlew’s Toasted Coconut Porter, which is infused with a touch of coconut.

Enjoy the natural beauty of Deer Island

Bask in the natural beauty of Mississippi Gulf Coast by taking a quick boat ride or kayaking toDeer Island, which is located just a quarter mile away from the shore. Boasting rich resources and wildlife with beautifully conserved walking trails managed by theDepartment of Marine Resources, Deer Island recently welcomed a new, 170-foot pier on its north side to expand public access to the island and to promote eco-tourism on Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Learn about the Sea Life at the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum

With the mission of preserving the maritime history and heritage of Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts and photographs that focus on the wealthy sea life in the region. The newly built, three-floor museum features an array of exhibits that ranges from charter boats to shrimping to net making, as well as valuable artifacts like the original Ship Island lighthouse lens and the U.S.S. Biloxi bell.

Get pampered at Senses Spa and Salon

IP Casino Resort

Rejuvenate your mind and body at Senses Spa and Salon at the IP Casino Resort in Biloxi. Indulge in spa treatments inspired by nature, including a full body massage based on traditional Swedish techniques of long strokes that soothe muscles and increase blood flow. Additionally, the spa offers a complete facial, manicure, and even a special treatment designed for men. You can also enjoy a relaxing sauna or work out at its state-of-the-art gym before your treatment.

Where to Dine on Mississippi Gulf Coast

Sweet and savory biscuits at The Greenhouse on Porter

The Greenhouse on Porter, a quaint cafe on the quiet west end of Porter Avenue in Ocean Springs, specializes in delectable, homemade biscuits (plain or sweet potato) with a rotating menu of special biscuits, such as onion biscuit roasted with cheddar and mushrooms or Louisiana strawberry biscuit with ricotta and citrus marmalade. Top it off with various fixin like pimento cheese, seasonal fruit jam, honey butter, or goat cheese fluff, and add a cup of pour over coffee for the perfect way to start your morning.

Innovative blend of cuisines at Corks & Cleaver

A Gulfport native, Chef David Dickensauge of Corks & Cleaver has worked at highly acclaimed restaurants across the country - from New York to Chicago to Miami - before packing his knives back to his roots to introduce the Deep South to his culinary ingenuity. Sourcing only the freshest ingredients, Corks & Cleaver highlights a creative menu with items that seamlessly fuses cuisines from around the world, including tuna poke over a bed of seaweed and edamame salad with kimchi puree and duck confit beignets with bok choy kimchi, smoked date marmalade, and cayenne powder sugar.

Seasonal menu with local ingredients at Vestige Restaurant

Featuring a constantly evolving menu that highlights local, seasonal ingredients,Vestige Restaurant in Ocean Springs serves modern American cuisine with a Southern flair. Start your meal with a couple small plates to share, including the tender, slow cooked pork cheeks over local rice risotto or house-made orecchiette pasta with garlic cream and parmigiano-reggiano. Highlights from the main course includes juicy, sous-vide pork chop with seasonal vegetables and pan-roasted fresh catch of the day with purple sweet potatoes.

Upscale dining in a historic house at Mary Mahoney’s

Located in the historic Old French House built in 1737, Mary Mahoney’s provides an upscale dining experience in one of the oldest homes in the U.S. Satisfy your hunger with the ultimate surf and turf menu of stuffed snapper, lobster, and filet mignon while enjoying the elegant ambiance of high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and open fireplaces. Don’t forget to leave room for Mary Mahoney’s famous bread pudding with rum sauce.

Island-style, patio dining with gulf view at Shaggy’s

With three locations across Mississippi Gulf Coast, Shaggy’s is a favorite spot among locals and tourists alike. This family-friendly, beachfront restaurant offers fresh seafood, burgers, and drinks on a colorful patio with a stunning view of the gulf. Enjoy shareable appetizers like fried green tomatoes topped with house-made remoulade and crab meat or blackened shrimp or a platter of boiled, cajun-spiced crawfish. Beach tacos with an assortment of seafood or meat selections like blackened mahi, fried oyster, or pulled pork enhance Shaggy’s lively, island ambiance.

Finger-licking, authentic Southern barbecue at Murky Waters BBQ

Get ready to use all 10 fingers while enjoying authentic, Southern barbecue at Murky Waters BBQ. Murky Waters smokes everything from tender brisket to fall-off-the-bones ribs for an ultimate BBQ experience. Try three different types of homemade BBQ sauces, including regular (sweet), spicy, and vinegar, and mix + match different sides like baked beans, fried okra, and sweet potato fries to create the perfect meal. The restaurant also hosts some of the south’s most renowned Blues musicians.

Best Barbecue, Best Seafood, and Best of Everything Else at Thrillist's Fest of the Best

It's not often that you get to have the best bites of different cuisines and types of food all in one night. But at this year's Fest of the Best, attendees got to do just that...all under one roof! From the best bagel to best Mexican to best of pretty much everything that New York had to offer, here are just a few of my highlights.

Best Barbecue: Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

Started as a mobile concession stand in the early 1980s, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is a standout chain with locations across Upstate New York and beyond. With numerous accolades already under its belt, including the Number #1 BBQ on Good Morning America, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que set out to impress the attendees with its delicious pulled pork sandwich, which highlighted tender Memphis-style pulled pork rubbed in sweet BBQ sauce and topped with Jack Daniel's onion relish in between fluffy potato buns.

Best Seafood: Luke's Lobster

You know you are getting the real deal when you are presented with a lobster roll that packs...a whole lobster claw. Luke's Lobster is all about using high-quality and big quantity lobster sourced from the gulf of Maine. Don't expect something that is drowning in mayonnaise. Luke's Maine-style lobster roll contains chunks of chilled lobster meat on top of buttery, toasted split-top bun with a dash of mayonnaise, a drizzle of lemon butter, and a touch of secret spices.

Best Burger: Saxon & Parole

This equestrian-themed restaurant in the Lower East Side specializes in "grilled domestic meats and aquatic delights," but the burger at Saxon & Parole is the true gem on the menu. The S+P Burger features dry aged Angus burger with possibly the moistest, juiciest beef patty I have ever tasted. Top it off with Pennsylvania Havarti and candied maple bacon in between toasted sesame buns, and you've got yourself the best burger in NYC!

Best Bakery: Sprinkles

As the world's first cupcake bakery, Sprinkles Cupcakes concocts handcrafted baked goods that are as delicious as they are beautiful. A trio of adorable, bite-sized cupcakes were almost too cute to eat...almost! My favorite was the signature Sprinkle Cupcake made with sweet, moist birthday cake topped with creamy vanilla frosting decorated with colorful nonpareil sprinkles. 

Best Dessert: Ample Hills Creamery

There is no way to resist scoops of ice cream with whimsical names like "Ooey Gooey Butter Cake," "Chocolate Milk & Cookies," and "The Munchies." Ample Hills Creamery - the recipient of Best Dessert - produces handmade ice cream with unique and creative flavors you haven't seen anywhere else. The Munchies, for example, is absolutely addicting. This pretzel-infused ice cream mixes in savory and sweet flavors with clusters of Ritz crackers, potato chips, pretzels, and mini M&Ms. You will be going back for seconds and thirds!

Red Meat is the Best When Rare

Some people are extremely squeamish and are appalled by the idea of eating something raw or rare. I try to be understandable in most cases, but I certainly don't understand how one could prefer well-done red meat to rare red meat. Clearly, the latter tastes much, much more tender and juicy...wow I sound a bit savage right now haha.

I went to a Korean BBQ restaurant in Samchundong. Unfortunately I forgot the name of the place, but it was pretty packed on a week night, so I'm assuming the restaurant is quite famous. Shortly after we made our order, the waiter brought a pot of fire to grill the meat.

The side dishes were very simple: kimchi, pickled garlic, scallions and onions, and bitter leaves. These are all garnishes for the meat, aka the entree.

The waiter placed two large pieces of beef on the grill and let them sit for a while. I was afraid the meat would cook too quickly, but he brought the scissor and began cutting them into bite-sized pieces before they burnt.

Red meat is called "red" for a reason; it's best when eaten slightly rare!

The onions and the baby portebello mushroom grilled perfectly as well. It's amazing how something as spicy and not tasty as an onion when eaten raw tastes so sweet when cooked.

By Korean standard, a meal isn't complete with only meat. I had nangmyun, a cold noodle in beef broth with cucumber and thinly sliced radish.

There was way too much ice, and the broth tasted a bit too sweet. I expected the green noodle to have some special flavor, but it just tasted like any other noodle.