Coastal Conversations

When Chef Austin Sumrall and his wife, Tresse, moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast from Birmingham, AL., it wasn’t simply because she’s from the area. It was because they knew how much potential the Coast had, and that it’s “poised for a breakout”. That’s why they’ve just opened White Pillars this week: to make a difference on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.



Many Coast residents remember the White Pillars of old (1969-1989), with its world-famous “Eggplant Josephine”, the massive white columns that faced the beach and for which the restaurant

No matter where you are, opening a restaurant can be one of the riskiest decisions a person can make. Roughly 60% of restaurants fail within the first year, while close to 80% never make it to their fifth anniversary. The Starfish Café in downtown Bay St. Louis is months away from its fifth anniversary, and did we mention it’s a nonprofit that allows you to pay what you want when eating there?

That’s right, the Starfish Café is a farm-to-table nonprofit organization that teaches cooking skills, financial literacy, resiliency training and other

Business trips, bachelor parties, family reunions and more are all reasons to visit the Mississippi Gulf Coast. If you have some time to kill, be sure to partake in some of the finer amenities the Coast has to offer bachelors and husbands of 20 years alike.

Charter Fishing

What better way to immerse yourself in the Mississippi Gulf Coast culture than to take advantage of some of the best sport fishing in the world? With charter fishing companies from Pascagoula to Pass Christian, and everywhere in between, there are countless options

Everyone knows the Mississippi Gulf Coast is home to some of the finest seafood in the world, as well as some of the most pristine beaches around. But some might be surprised to find out what an eclectic art scene there is across the Coast. Between Ocean Springs, Biloxi and Bay St. Louis, there are numerous galleries and museums that are brimming with beautiful works of art.

Walter Anderson Museum of Art

Arguably the most famous artist to ever live on the Coast, Walter I. Anderson (1903-1965) is recognized as an American master, and his

The Mississippi Gulf Coast, more affectionately referred to by some as “the Playground of the South,” offers accommodations of all shapes and sizes. From casino resorts to coastal inns, visitors to the Coast are not short of choices when it comes to rest and relaxation. This 62-mile stretch of scenic shoreline has seen a recent influx of charming boutique hotels, and we think you’re going to love them.

The Roost

Recently named the "most beautiful" hotel in the state, The Roost is within walking distance to both the beach and downtown Ocean

It doesn’t matter if you’re a visitor on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the weekend, or a long-time local, the Biloxi Shrimping Trip is well worth your time!

Whether you’ve lived here your whole life, or are just visiting the Coast for a few days, the Biloxi Shrimping Trip is a great way to have a fun experience and learn about where the majority of the world’s shrimp comes from. Departing from the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor, this “70-minute Living Marine Adventure Cruise” will take you and your party out into the Mississippi Sound to discover

Trying to plan a budget-friendly getaway? We’ve put together a list of low-cost activities so you can experience all that the Mississippi Gulf Coast has to offer without breaking the bank!

• Visit Lynn Meadows Discovery Center with the little ones and let them spend a few hours embracing their creative side and enjoying hands-out activities.

  • Cost for a family of 4 - $40

  • Check out the LMDC website for special rates.

• Visit one of the Coast’s local breweries, where you can enjoy a brewery tour and craft beer tasting for just $10

We’re excitedly counting down the days until the solar eclipse that will occur on August 21, 2017. While we won’t see a total eclipse here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy viewing the partial eclipse (about 80 percent coverage) that will be visible at approximately 1:30 p.m. CST.

Check out these solar eclipse viewing events happening on Monday, August 21:

INFINITY Science Center
Join INFINITY and its NASA partners for a day of activities surrounding the solar eclipse. Activities will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Whether you want to kick back and enjoy some local tunes or you’re looking for exciting headliners, there’s a music scene for you on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Here are some must-visit spots along the Coast where you can catch amazing live music year-round.

LAID-BACK VIBES

If you’re looking to relax and enjoy some great live music along with a cold drink, then you can’t go wrong at Buoys Bar in Bay St. Louis, a breezy beach bar with a fun, laid- back atmosphere. If you’re in the Biloxi area, check out the Sky Bar at the Reef, where you can

There’s no time quite like family time on the Mississippi Gulf Coast! Make the most of your experience with these 50 fun family activities:

1. Explore the Mississippi Sound on the Biloxi Shrimping Trip

2. Make a day trip out to Ship Island

3. Escape to Margaritaville’s Family Entertainment Center

4. Explore Earth and space at INFINITY Science Center

5. Go to a Biloxi Shuckers game

6. Bike the coastline

7. Cruise the Pascagoula River with Eco-Tours of South Mississippi

8. Take a cooking class at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural