51+ Coastal Mississippi Hidden Gems on The Secret Coast

12 min readMay 13, 2019

Coastal Mississippi is only an hour’s drive from New Orleans and Mobile. I set out, on four trips within the past year, to find some fun, cool, and happy Coastal Mississippi Hidden Gems, secret spots along The Secret Coast.

While I was hoping to find maybe two dozen compelling places, my list keeps growing. At this point, I will limit the list to 51. Or a few more. Instead of counting, just go visit and enjoy these Coastal Mississippi hidden gems.

Before your next Mississippi Gulf trip, please see these articles about things to do in Coastal Mississippi:

Please note that everything on this list is not a secret to everyone. In fact, some of these places are popular but still worth mentioning so that future visitors will enjoy them. As Yogi Berra once said, “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.” Yes, your favorite Coastal Mississippi secret spot may one day not be a secret but please realize there are 10,000 more hidden gems to discover.

Thank you to the Coastal Mississippi visitors bureau and its partners (lodging, dining, and attractions) for hosting me on three separate occasions the past year. Special thank you to the magnificent Public/Media Relations Manager Anna Roy for helping me explore and discover Coastal Mississippi secret places.

Coastal Mississippi hidden gems: #SecretCoast sunset spot

Secret Public Art Spots

Ruth’s Roots, Bay St. Louis. Ruth’s Roots is a super funky and colorful community garden with live animals, games, relaxation areas, a free library, donation area, and, of course, a public garden.
Fishbone Alley, Gulfport. Fishbone Alley runs between two rows of buildings in downtown Gulfport. Many restaurants back up into Fishbone Alley, making it a lively destination on weekend evenings. The huge “Make It Funky” painted wall is one of my favorite things to see in Coastal Mississippi but the entire alley is colorfully painted-even the electricity and water meters!
Biloxi Bay Bridge Mosaics, Ocean Springs. Mosaic tile artist Elizabeth Veglia installed the 120 feet long (longest mosaic artwork in Mississippi) with contributions from four local artists. This beautiful mosaic artwork features vibrant coastal Mississippi nature and animal scenes.
Tree art. All along the Mississippi coast, oak trees that are aged, dead, or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina (or other reasons) have been lovingly given new lives by local artisans. Trunks and branches of the magnificent oak trees are transformed into animals, angels, or other creations. The first carved tree I remember seeing is in front on the INFINITY Science Center. Just a few days before I visited, lightning struck the oak tree. An eagle was already carved into the remaining tree and more was to be done. Anyone see the completed project?

Secret Coastal Mississippi Museums

Bay St. Louis Mardi Gras Museum. See spectacular and lavish Mardi Gras krewe costumes, read about area Mardi Gras history, and get local information at the Mardi Gras Museum inside the Bay St. Louis Visitor Center.
Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, Biloxi. See hundreds of historic items from Coastal Mississippi’s lengthy history as Seafood Capital of the World at the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum. I loved the building setting on Biloxi Bay, its two Biloxi schooner models, and the shrimp peeling machine.
INFINITY Science Center, Pearlington. Learning about science is fun at Infinity Science Center, which also is the official visitor center of NASA’s Stennis Space Center. At INFINITY, design flood cities, create hurricanes, ride in Apollo 11, do a deep immersive ocean dive and rescue operation, and pose with the most powerful engine ever created.

Secret Coastal Mississippi Art Museums

Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, Biloxi. Driving along highway 90, the ultra funky buildings designed by Frank Gehry first attract your attention. Visit the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum to view the collection of Mississippi Gulf Coast potter George E. Ohr and also fascinating and informative displays of the overall culture heritage of Coastal Mississippi.
Shearwater Pottery, Ocean Springs. Visit the Shearwater Pottery studio to see individually hand-crafted pottery, where the descendants still use technique developed by Peter Anderson in 1928. While products from the website are shipped all over the world, the studio here in Ocean Springs is the only official retail outlet.
Walter Anderson Museum of Art, Ocean Springs. While the Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs focuses on the artist/philosopher Walter Anderson, the museum also incorporates works from Shearwater (founded by Walter’s brother Peter Anderson) and other Coastal Mississippi artists.

Secret Mississippi Gulf Coast Sunset Spots

OK, there are countless places along the Mississippi coast to watch glorious #USGulfCoast sunsets every night. Here are a few special secret places I found.

Biloxi Bay Bridge, Ocean Springs. The photo at the top of the article and below was taken from the pedestrian walkway next to the Biloxi Bay Bridge. Before driving over the bridge, exit near McElroy’s on the Bayou and drive to the parking area; this is also the way to drive to Lovers Lane (see above).
DaBayou Bar & Grill, Ocean Springs. For nice sunset views across the bayou, bring some friends (or just a special one) and grab an outside table at DaBayou Bar & Grill 30 minutes before sunset.
Henderson Point. Between Bay St. Louis and Pass Christian is an area called Henderson Point. The wide, white sand beach is usually not crowded and a great place for a romantic sunset.

Secret Coastal Mississippi Sunrise Spots

Bay St. Louis. Let’s say you are staying at Bay Town Inn (a great place to stay in Bay St. Louis). To see a nice sunrise, head to the water, turn right, walk past the railroad tracks (less than 1/2 mile) and pick a spot on the wall or down by the water. Try both, because they offer different views of the sunrise!
Beau Rivage, Biloxi. If you score a high floor room facing east at Beau Rivage, the sunrise views are spectacular. Two of the three mornings I stayed there, the fog was very thick, which made the scene eerie and fun.
Front Beach, Ocean Springs. OK, truth is Front Beach is wonderful for sunsets and I could have included it above. I really like going to Front Beach though for sunrises. Pelicans and other birds are waking up, dolphins are jumping around, and the US Gulf Coast is starting to stir. It is a great time of the day.

Secret Coastal Mississippi Adventures

Biloxi Shrimping Trip is super entertaining and informative. Dave, the first mate, has everyone laughing within a few minutes and he has the bravest children (of all ages) touching sea critters before the end of the excursion. The Biloxi Shrimping Trip is definitely a fun thing to do in Biloxi. #BigShrimpin
McCoy’s Swamp and River Tour, Pascagoula. Operating from the Pascagoula River Audubon Center, McCoy’s Swamp & River Tour is a fun and informative (shhh!) Coastal Mississippi adventure. Look for eagles, ospreys, and other wildlife along one of USA’s most pristine wilderness environments.
Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, Gautier. The only place on this list north of I-10 is Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR. Here you can hike among pine forests, see orchids and carnivorous plants (cool!), and maybe glimpse a rare Mississippi sandhill crane or two.
Paddles Up, Ocean Springs. Paddles Up is a fun adventure and clothing store in Ocean Springs but they also operate yoga classes and guided trips and rent SUP and kayaks. Tell Amanda I suggested you visit!
Pascagoula River Audubon Center kayak trip. Another Coastal Mississippi adventure possibility is to rent a kayak from Pascagoula River Audubon Center. I brought a half and half po’ boy from Bozo’s and had an excellent #LiquidRoadTrip experience, highlighted by gator and sandhill crane sightings.
Wolf River Canoe & Kayak, Pass Christian. Allow 2–5 hours for a #LiquidRoadTrip along the Wolf River. Bring a cooler with your own drinks and food, and let Wolf River Canoe & Kayak provide the boat and directions. Look for petrified stones along the river banks on this Coastal Mississippi adventure.

Secret Tree Spots in coastal Mississippi

The Friendship Oak in Long Beach is magnificent and the most well-known tree along Coastal Mississippi. Bask among the dozens of other live oak trees near it on the campus of University of Southern Mississippi. The Mississippi Gulf Coast has hundreds of beautiful oak trees and here are some of my favorites.

Lover’s Lane, Ocean Springs. The street is lined with old oaks. The biggest and most majestic one came down a couple of years ago and I have a pen made from its wood. See the rest before they perish!
Moss Point. Moss Point, just north of Pascagoula, has many gorgeous oak trees. At least one street has a nice oak tree canopy.
Old Spanish Trail, Pass Christian. Walk, bike, or drive (slowly) along Old Spanish Trail (East Scenic Drive) to admire the nice waterfront homes but mostly the gorgeous oak trees.
Ruskin Oak, Ocean Springs. Stroll or ride on Ruskin Avenue and see dozens of giant oak trees. The oldest is the Ruskin Oak but note that it is set back on private property.
Anthony’s Under the Oaks, Ocean Springs. Some beautiful oak trees surround Anthony’s in Ocean Springs and the adjacent The Julep Room. This is also a nice setting to watch sunsets over the Old Fort Bayou.
Mary Mahoney’s, Biloxi. Whether or not you choose to eat here, visit Mary Mahoney’s for the gorgeous oak tree covering the entry way.

Secret Coastal Mississippi Breakfast Spots

Greenhouse on Porter, Ocean Springs. They call themselves Biscuit Springs for a reason. Smartly, Greenhouse on Porter creates different savory and sweet biscuits each day, encouraging daily visits. I know I would if I lived in the area! Sit in the greenhouse and snap a picture of Marigold, the resident cat who has her own Instagram account.
KnuckleHeads, Ocean Springs. Occupying a gas station just a little past the main downtown Ocean Springs section of Washington avenue, KnuckleHeads is a popular place with craft draft beer and eclectic southern entrees. When they have crawfish, order them! For breakfast, empanadas and burritos hit the spot!
Le Cafe Beignet, Biloxi. The Shrimp & Grits at Le Cafe Beignet might be second best in Mississippi, after Chef Austin’s version at White Pillars (of course!).
Mockingbird Cafe, Bay St Louis. The tagline at Mockingbird Cafe is “Happiness is Homemade.” I love that, plus their “Skip the Plastic” policy, but most of all their food. Whatever breakfast item you order (pulled pork and grits is one suggestion), opt for the side of potatoes. They are so good!

Secret Casual Places to Eat in Coastal Mississippi

Bozo’s Grocery, Pascagoula. Remarkable po’ boy in a “locals only” environment that is also welcoming to visitors. I recommend ordering the half oyster, half shrimp po’ boy at Bozo’s.
Le Bakery & Cafe, Biloxi. Amazing French bread combined with ethnic fusion leads to interesting and tasty options at Le Bakery & Cafe. I tried a yellow coconut Thai curry chicken po’ boy that I still dream about. Gotta go back soon!
Mikey’s on the Bayou, Ocean Springs. Grab a seat on the outside porch of Mikey’s on the Bayou and enjoy a dozen local raw oysters for $7 while overlooking the bayou. So nice!
Serious Bread, Bay St. Louis. Come to Serious Bread in Bay St. Louis for the artisan fresh breads but stay for the incredible chicken salad. I call it the deconstructed chicken salad sandwich stop!

Coastal Mississippi Hidden Gem Restaurants

While the above two categories specifically covered breakfast and casual dining, the following are some of my favorite Coastal Mississippi restaurants.

Eat Drink Love, Ocean Springs. The roast beef sandwich and fresh salads at Eat Drink Love are remarkable. Try the current infused spirit if you dare at this small boutique eatery located in The Roost in Ocean Springs.
Fatsumo, Pass Christian. Try the creative and fresh sushi in an off the beaten path location at Fatsumo in Pass Christian. Perhaps most impressive to me was that one of Coastal Mississippi’s top chefs told me Scott Meinka at Fatsumo is a rock star chef.
Vestige, Ocean Springs. Gastronomy gem Alex Perry recently received a semifinalist nomination for the James Beard Award in the Best Chef: South category. Perhaps Vestige is not a secret but still GO THERE! His creations awaken all the senses-powerfully colorful and vivid flavor combinations. An example from my most recent visit was the black-eyed pea miso paste salmon (see photo below).
White Pillars, Biloxi. If French Hermit oysters from Deer Island are on the menu, order them! Chef Austin Sumrall always delivers delicious locally inspired dishes and says these oysters can be served within two hours of leaving the water. Speaking of dishes, White Pillars serves their beautiful offerings on Satterfield Pottery plates from Oxford, Mississippi (I love them!).

Coastal Mississippi Lodging Hidden Gems

Front Beach Cottages, Ocean Springs. Located on a quiet residential street and a quick ten minute walk to downtown Ocean Springs or the beachfront, Front Beach Cottages is a fun place to stay in Coastal Mississippi. Choose from four separate cottages (I tried Bellande and Key West) and use their complimentary bicycles and kayaks to explore the area.
The Grand Magnolia Ballroom and Suites, Pascagoula. The Grand Magnolia in Pascagoula is a nicely renovated historic inn. If you can, stay in The Little Gem as I did, which is the room used by Jimmy Buffett before his latest concert in his birth town of Pascagoula.
Gulf Hills Hotel and Conference Center, Ocean Springs. The Love Me Tender, Love Me Suite at Gulf Hills Hotels is a three bedroom, 2,000 square feet suite with vintage Elvis Presley memorabilia. Bring your entourage!
Hotel Pass Christian. There are 10 total rooms at Hotel Pass Christian but the four oversized suites have full kitchens, wet bars, and private patios!
The Inn at Ocean Springs. Located right on Washington Avenue, in the heart of downtown Ocean Springs, is the uber-cool The Inn at Ocean Springs. Avenue Suite is set behind Mackey Suite, but both are elegantly furnished, luxuriously appointed, and freshly updated as of March 2019. Also check out the not-so-secret award winning The Roost (its sister property), about two blocks away.

Fun Coastal Mississippi Hotels.

Secret Coast Funness Along the Mississippi Coast

Biloxi Brewing. Located a block from MGM field, Biloxi Brewing is a perfect stop before or after a Biloxi Shuckers game or any time.
Cat Island Coffehouse and Pass Christian Books. Housed in the same building, Cat Island Coffeehouse serves up drips and treats while Pass Christian Books feeds the mind. The building offers a loft with an immense collection of books by Mississippi authors and outside seating to enjoy those drinks and reads.
Hops and Growlers, Ocean Springs. I love Hops and Growlers for many reasons but one is the grit beer. Hope they have it when you visit. If not, they have at least 15 other craft beers to sample.
Jimmy Buffet beach, bridge and childhood house, Pascagoula. All Parrotheads should visit Jimmy Buffett’s childhood home in Pascagoula, then the renamed Buffett Beach and Buffett Bridge.
The Wilbur, Ocean Springs. Located at The Roost, The Wilbur is a beautifully designed craft cocktail bar. Make sure you visit the Al Capone speakeasy room.

Coastal Mississippi Instagrammable Locations

In addition to the 62 miles of sugar sand beaches, the Make It Funky sign in Fishbone Alley, and countless other Mississippi coast scenes, the following are some potentially cool Secret Coast Selfie Spots.

INFINITY Science Center. Take a selfie at the INFINITY Science Center with the Saturn V Rocket, the most powerful engine ever made.
Sharkheads, Biloxi. The giant shark mouth surrounding the entrance door at Sharkheads is a fun Coastal Mississippi selfie spot.
Souvenir City, Biloxi. Enter Souvenir City through the oversized gator mouth but not until you take a few selfies for your Instagram account.

Wow, indeed I listed more than 51 secret spots in Coastal Mississippi. How many of these Mississippi Coast off the beaten path locations did you know about? Or visit?

Please leave a comment with any other Coastal Mississippi hidden gems I should check out.

Resources about Coastal Mississippi:

Coastal Mississippi: The Secret Coast (formerly Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast): website : Facebook : Twitter : Instagram

The My Gulf Coast Travel App will help you find more Coastal Mississippi hidden gems and Secret Coast off the beaten path funness directly from your iPhone.

Fun Things To Do On The Mississippi Gulf Coast.

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