Category: Recent Coverage

12 Gulf Coast Ways to Get Off The Beaten Path

Mar. 07, 2023

MARCH 1, 2023 BY CHERÉ COEN|NEW ORLEANS MAGAZINE MARCH 2023 Chalk it up to the pandemic or my increasing age, but a requisite element of a good vacation is finding time to flee the madding crowds. If you feel the same, you’re in luck. Along the Gulf Coast, there's numerous ways to get off the beaten path or discover something unique from the mainstream. We’ve compiled a few to get you started. Jumping with Dolphins Look for signs when heading down Lorraine Road in Gulfport or you miss the cutoff to Ocean Adventures Marine Park. Located on…

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The 50 Best Small Towns in The South

Mar. 07, 2023

By Southern Living Editors Updated on March 7, 2023​ Forget about size. These 50 Southern towns may be small (some are technically villages) but each one has its own distinct story to tell. We asked our readers to share their favorites, and this wide-ranging list captures the wonderful diversity of our region. You’ll find towns by the seaside, in the mountains, outside of big cities, near universities, and more. Some are known for German food (Helen, GA; Fredericksburg, TX), others have thriving art and culture scenes (Ocean Springs, MS;…

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Ocean Springs Is The Coastal Mississippi Town You've Been Missing

Mar. 07, 2023

This buzzy coastal destination is rife with artistic talent, cute shops, delectable food, and cool new spots to stay. By Kelsey Ogletree PHOTO: ALEX NORTH PHOTOGRAPHY If Ocean Springs were looking to make a bumper sticker, it might read something like this: "My downtown's cooler than your downtown." This quaint community in coastal Mississippi has no need for personal boasting, however, as its rich history, artistic flair, and small-town atmosphere speak for themselves. Colorful, contemporary, and culturally rich, the town is especially…

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Coastal Mississippi's Biggest Attraction: Kindness

Jan. 30, 2023

There’s certainly no shortage of interesting things to experience when visiting the Mississippi Gulf Coast. From learning about the inner workings of a shrimp boat to being kissed by a rescued dolphin – there are plenty of great memories to be made when you visit this part of the country. But something unexpected happens to visitors who come here for the first time. It probably starts with someone holding open a door at a gas station. Or it might be a smile from a complete stranger passing on the street. You might notice it when you’re out to…

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Coastal Vibes

Dec. 30, 2022

Chilling out in charming Mississippi beach towns is just as fun in winter Cheré Coen ​A chill in the air doesn’t hamper the fun along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Even when temperatures drop too low for walks on the world’s longest man-made beach, there are indoor activities, including great dining and casinos. Coastal Carnival is in full gear after Twelfth Night on Jan. 5, followed by more than 20 parades rolling throughout the coastal cities. In Ocean Springs, view floats and walking groups at the annual Ocean Springs Carnival Association’s…

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The Best Christmas Light Displays in the U.S. - Coastal Mississippi's Gulfport

Nov. 16, 2022

Throughout the holiday season, one of the most treasured traditions for many is getting out to see the festive Christmas lights. From simple displays of icicle lights hanging off the eaves of a house to the most elaborate musical light shows and everything in between, people love to see the glitter and color of Christmas lights. While some events require tickets or admission fees, many are open to the public free of charge. To kick off your holidays, here are the 10 U.S. cities with the best Christmas light displays. 5. Gulfport, Mississippi…

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In Ocean Springs, idyllic doesn't mean sleepy

Oct. 23, 2022

There's always something afoot in this trendy beach town. The Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, the largest event of its kind in Mississippi, runs Nov. 5-6 and draws a crowd of around 150,000.​ BY JESSICA FENDER | Contributing writer Oct 23, 2022 - 5:00 am OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI — The inscription above the door at the end of the gallery reads, “Beware by whom you are called sane.” Just over the threshold, every inch of a room roughly the size of a walk-in closet dances in rapturous homage to the natural splendors of the…

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Pass Christian is the Mississippi Beach Town You've Probably Never Heard of

Jun. 29, 2022

Southern Living A laidback seaside vacation awaits! By Tara Massouleh McCay Updated June 29, 2022 Credit: Courtesy of Coastal Mississippi Affectionately known as "The Pass" to locals and devoted visitors, it's common knowledge that Pass Christian is the place where problems, stress, and worries of the world come to pass. Incorporated in 1848, the tiny Coastal Mississippi town of fewer than 7,000 people has kept a low profile over the years, with nearby Gulfport, Bay St. Louis, and Ocean Springs getting most of the out-of-town draw. However…

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Foodie Travels: Add Mississippi’s Gulf Coast to your spring itinerary

Mar. 30, 2022

By Kara Kimbrough The burnt ends platter sells out quickly at Murky Waters, so placing an order early in the day is critical. Courtesy photo Spring, wonderful spring … the official start of vacation season. Before you pack the car or book a flight, consider an alternate plan. Don’t wreck the budget with a long sojourn to an expensive out-of-state resort area filled with pricey restaurants. Instead, look no further than our own Gulf Coast. Besides festivals held almost every weekend, beach walking, shopping, casino hopping, sightseeing and…

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Thriving Coastal Mississippi ready to host annual Southern Gaming Summit

Mar. 30, 2022

By Gary Trask Beau Rivage will once again host the Southern Gaming Summit - one of the longest running gaming industry trade shows in the country. Despite a series of unimaginable and unavoidable obstacles, the gaming industry in the state of Mississippi continues to thrive. The last 15-plus years have been a roller coaster ride for the state, most notably the Coastal Mississippi region, which has been forced to deal with outside factors such as catastrophic natural disasters, a recession, the largest oil spill in U.S. history, and a…

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