Coastal Mississippi, Mississippi
By Charles McCool from McCool Travel
After the summer humidity eases and the hurricane threat has passed, Coastal Mississippi is one of the best places to visit in the USA in October. Mild temperatures mean that you can still enjoy the gorgeous beaches but also can comfortably do more outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, and golfing.
One of the top things to do in Coastal Mississippi in October is attend Cruisin’ the Coast. Cruisin’ the Coast is the most popular annual event along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and is nicknamed America’s Largest Block Party. Thousands of hot rods and antique/classic vehicles parade along a 30-mile portion of the scenic coastal highway for an entire week during early October.
Coastal Mississippi calls itself the Secret Coast and in my opinion, there is no place like it. It is one of the rare spots in the world with massive and magnificent live oak trees along the coast (see the Friendship Oak at the University of Southern Mississippi in Long Beach).
Visitors arriving by plane can fly into Gulfport Airport or New Orleans (and drive a little over an hour). Roadtrippers can find Coastal Mississippi by heading south from I-10 between Pascagoula and Bay St. Louis.
Several Coastal Mississippi museums will awaken your creative soul. Walter Anderson Museum of Art (in Ocean Springs), Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art (in Biloxi), and Shearwater Pottery (in Ocean Springs) are amazing art museums. Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum (in Biloxi) covers the history of the former “Seafood Capital of the World.” Mississippi Aquarium (in Gulfport) just opened in 2020.
Try creative coastal cuisine, including fresh Gulf seafood and local produce from James Beard award-winning chefs at Vestige (in Ocean Springs) and White Pillars (in Biloxi). But you also cannot go wrong with shrimp and grits anywhere or a po’ boy from Bozo’s (in Pascagoula) or Le Bakery Cafe (in Biloxi).
Definitely do not leave Coastal Mississippi without putting your feet in some of the softest, cleanest, and whitest sand in the world. Stay and savor one of their phenomenal sunsets.
Hotel Recommendation
Charles says, “The Roost in Ocean Springs is a remarkable small independent hotel, has won multiple design accolades, including from Architectural Digest for best hotel in south US.”
“The owners also operate Inn at Ocean Springs, a two suite luxury property, and The Beatnik, a new hip property.”
“Bay Town Inn in Bay St Louis is on the west side of Coastal Mississippi. It is a super cute inn owned and operated by a long time New Orleans tourism executive.”
