Best 5-Day Itinerary for the MS Gulf Coast

I was born and raised on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, so I know a thing or two about places to go, things to do, what to eat and must stop spots! 

The Mississippi Gulf Coast hosts the largest man-made beach in the world at 26 miles long! Its white sand beaches, diverse seafood cuisine, and rich history make it a popular tourist destination. As your Travel Advisor, I've created a 5-day itinerary for you to explore what makes the Mississippi Gulf Coast a must-visit!

Before You Go

1. Book flights to GPT (if needed). 

2. Book rental car (if needed) - Here is a list of the onsite car rentals at the GPT airport.

3. Book where you'd like to stay. (see below "Where to Stay" list for recommendations)

4. Book dining and spa reservations.

Where to Stay

Cheap and Nice - Hyatt Place Biloxi 

Boutique Hotel (not on the beach) - The Roost

Beautiful Casino - Beau Rivage

Great for the Family (includes a small water park) - Centennial Plaza

Stylish - Hotel Legends

Thrilling (check out the website to see what I'm talking about) - Margaritaville

Day 1  |  Arrival Day

1. Fly into Gulfport (GPT) 

2. Rent a Car - Here is a list of the onsite car rentals at the GPT airport.

3. Put your hotel into your GPS and head to your hotel!

4. Explore the area and grab some dinner at Half Shell Oyster House, drinks at The White House Hotel at Cora's Restaurant and/or ice cream at Ben & Jerry's at the Hard Rock Casino.

If you have the time and energy after traveling, head to the Margaritaville Family Entertainment Center for some fun!

1. Mosaic Mural

Drive to Ocean Springs and check out the Ocean Springs Bridge Mosaic Mural (seen in the picture above) - next to Highway 90 & Front Beach - This mural is also the longest mosaic in Mississippi at 120 feet long!

2. Beach/Playground

Walk the beach and back. If you have little ones with you, enjoy some time at Fort Maurepas City Park & Nature Preserve playground and/or the Little Children's Park playground.

3. Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch

Enjoy a brunch at The Lady May OR grab donuts at Tato-nut Donut Shop and coffee at Bright Eyed Brew Co. 

4. Shopping

Find some souvenirs, jewelry or art at the Pink Rooster/Gallery Garbo. Even if you don't by anything, you'll love looking around at the local artists works! Make sure to check out ALL of the rooms (there's some tucked in the back). You can find Mignon Faget (one of my favorites) jewelry here! Feel free to ask questions about items too! The workers are knowledgable about the art and the artists who make it!

5. Art Museum

Go to the Walter Anderson Museum of Art. Walter Anderson was a celebrated American artist known for his vibrant paintings that captures the essence of the Gulf Coast and its inhabitants. Check it out!

6. Explore

Explore the shops around including Coastal Magpie, Ocean Springs Mercantile, Pop Brothers (I used to work here), and the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center (check out the green plague out front with some history about it, also I've done dance recitals here). 

Day 3  |  Biloxi

Map of Day 3 - Get your map by clicking here.

1. Breakfast/Coffee

Enjoy an instagramable coffee from Le Cafe' Beignet. Hungry? Grab something to eat there too!

2. History

HURRICANE KATRINA - You might hear people talking about Katrina while you're on the Gulf Coast because it was absolutely devastating. (My house got 6.5 feet of water and we were LUCKY!) Visit the Hurricane Katrina Memorial to get a glimpse of the impact that the Gulf Coast had due to Katrina.

COOL OLD BANK - I'm not sure why, but The Peoples Bank is one of my favorite buildings in Biloxi. Plus Howard Ave has brick roads for a portion of it which is fun to walk on and feel back-in-time!

MARDI GRAS - Want to learn more about Mardi Gras? Check out the Coastal Mardi Gras Museum.

3. Photo-Op

Take a fun photo-op at the "Greetings from Biloxi" sign! While there, you can check out Gallery 782 if you'd like!

4. Lunch

Walk to and eat at Mary Mahoney's Old French House. 

5. Spa

Enjoy the Beau Rivage spa! Make reservations here! (This spa experience is INCREDIBLE!)

6. Dinner

Eat at one of the places you haven't yet from the list above. If you want to stay at the Beau, eat at the buffet there! Also, if you are 21+, you can play some casino games! (My husband's favorite is roulette!) Just remember to quit while you're ahead! 

Day 4  |  Gulfport to bay st. Louis

No map today since you can pick through a variety of places to go!

• BRING: Your bathing suit, towel and change of clothes if you'd like to go to the beach!

1. Breakfast/Coffee

Check out Boozer's Brew (closer to Lynn Meadows or closer to Downtown Gulfport) for some morning coffee and light breakfast or enjoy Waffle House on the beach for a big breakfast!

2. Discover

If you have little ones, you'll want to stop by Lynn Meadows Discovery Center and/or the TrainTasic and/or Ocean Adventures Marine Park and/or Mississippi Aquarium. 

3. Gulfport

Explore Gulfport including Jones Park (has a great splash pad for kids), Fish Bone Alley, and Chandeleur Island Brewing Company (check times)

4. Lunch

Get tamales and a side of rice and beans from the Talame Shak! (Open Tues - Fri) If they aren't open, go to Murky Waters BBQ (get the wings)!

5. Beach

If you're looking for a blue beach, take a ship over to Ship Island - more info here). If you don't want to go on an excursion, then I recommend going to the beach in Long Beach (it's quiet there)! 

6. Afternoon Coffee

(Take Scenic Drive as you drive to) enjoy an afternoon coffee at Cat Island Coffeehouse! This is my favorite coffee shop on the Gulf Coast, so if you only go to one, go to this one!

7. Pass Christian

Exit Cat Island Coffeehouse and walk down Davis Ave to 2nd St and back, checking out shops along the way. (If you'd like to check out Good Morning America's Robin Roberts' sister's cafe, keep walking down Davis Ave till you find "Roberts Place Cafe" on the left!)

8. Bay St. Louis

Head to Bay St. Louis! Enjoy a sunset at the Bay St. Louis beach. (Also, don't miss the beautiful wood sculpture of the angel at Christ Episcopal Church!

9. Dinner

Enjoy dinner at TBT (The Blind Tiger... this place is super chill) or Field's Steak and Oyster Bar (fancy). 

10. Dessert

Need something for dessert? Head on over to Creole Creamery for some ice cream!

Day 5  |  Departure Day

1. Check out of hotel.

2. Return rental car (filling it up with gas before you drop it off if they require you to).

3. Fly home (with memories and souenirs to remind you of a great vacation).

4. Start planning your next trip!