Posts by Natalea Thomson | Coastal Conversations

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Natalea Thomson

Date Night Ideas

By Natalea Thomson on Jan. 13, 2021

Looking to get away with your sweetheart this Valentine's Day? Consider Coastal Mississippi as your backdrop for rest, relaxation, and romance. And maybe some adventure thrown in! With 62 miles of coastline to explore, we have enough to see and experience to keep your itinerary booked and your passion kindled. Our breadth of beaches, boating, and fishing excursions are perfect for adventure seekers, while our history trails, birding opportunities, and eco-tours suit our nature enthusiasts. If it’s a weekend of leisure you seek, our list of…

Best Al Fresco Dining in Coastal Mississippi

By Natalea Thomson on Jan. 11, 2021

What pairs best with authentic coastal cuisine? Outdoor ambience! In addition to the best fresh-caught seafood and the most innovative menus you’ll find in the Southeastern United States, Coastal Mississippi boasts a variety of restaurants with incredible al fresco dining experiences. Al fresco dining, or dining outside, is the preferred method of eating on the coast, whether it be a quick solo lunch or a shared family meal. Enjoy a shrimp po-boy as you watch the waves roll in from the Gulf of Mexico, or savor chargrilled oysters over…

Coastal Mississippi's Guide to The Peter Anderson Festival

By Natalea Thomson on Oct. 14, 2020

Are you planning on attending the South’s premiere arts and crafts festival? You should! Mark your calendars for November 7-8, 2020 for the 42nd Annual Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival presented by Blue Moon. We’ve crafted our own How-To guide to ensure you navigate Coastal Mississippi’s biggest festival like a pro. Before visiting, we encourage you to check with individual businesses on any potential changes to their availability and/or hours, but rest assured Coastal Mississippi is working diligently with our partners to ensure your…

Work Hard, Play Harder in Coastal Mississippi

By Natalea Thomson on Aug. 25, 2020

Working from home is the new normal for many of us. We’ve traded our office desks and watercooler chats for Zoom meetings from the kitchen table. And though this new work environment has its benefits, staying in one space day in and day out has delivered a big dose of quarantine fatigue. Solution? A new, exciting workspace! Coastal Mississippi has 12 charming coastal communities spread across 62 miles of scenic shoreline – plenty of room to roam in between those virtual meetings. Easily accessible by car, you can enjoy the elements of The Secret Coast while increasing your work productivity and shedding your monotonous routine. You can work hard and play even harder, and no one needs to know that you are technically on vacation. We won’t tell if you won’t. Before booking, we encourage you to check with individual businesses on any potential changes to their availability and/or hours, but rest assured Coastal Mississippi is working diligently with our partners to ensure your safety and health is the top priority. Find out how in ourDestination Health Promise. …

Family Fun in Coastal Mississippi

By Natalea Thomson on Jun. 18, 2020

Does your family favor the speed of a go-kart track over sunbathing by a pool? Are you a big kid at heart who likes the occasional arcade zombie battle or adrenaline rush of air hockey tournaments? Say no more! Coastal Mississippi boasts an array of top notch, family fun activities for kids of all ages. Before booking, we encourage you to check with individual businesses on any potential changes to their availability and/or hours, but rest assured Coastal Mississippi is working diligently with our partners to ensure your safety and health is…

Virtual Scavenger Hunt

By Natalea Thomson on May. 01, 2020

How well do you know your way around Coastal Mississippi? Browse our context clues of secret facts and Google Maps images to discern which coastal icon is which. Challenge a friend to determine who knows Coastal Mississippi best! CLICK HERE During the summers of 1951 - 1957, the King of Rock 'n' Roll Elvis Presley stayed at this hotel in Ocean Springs. In addition to the accommodations, the grounds are popular for golf enthusiasts! CLICK HERE This Coastal Mississippi icon is almost 200 years old! It's also notable for having several female…

Micro-Vacations: How to Stretch Your Travel Dollar—and Your PTO

By Natalea Thomson on Apr. 14, 2020

As we begin to consider future travel plans, we're keeping the health and safety of our family top of mind. Moreover, we're especially mindful of budget, potential time off from work, experiences suited to the entire family, and perhaps most of all, a destination with room to roam. Enter the micro-vacation, a travel model becoming more popular with families to take full advantage of their vacation time. In a nutshell, it involves taking more, shorter, less expensive vacations. The micro-vacationer typically builds trips around a weekend to…

Coastal Cravings: Find the Best Boiled Crawfish

By Natalea Thomson on Feb. 14, 2020

Crawfish, Crayfish, Crawdads, Mudbugs...different names for the same delicious food. Here in Coastal Mississippi, we like our crawfish boiled, served by the pound, with an extra set of napkins; spicy or mild; with potatoes, corn, and often times sausage, onions, peppers, and the occasional green beans and brussels sprouts. As soon as crawfish season opens in mid-March, lines form out the doors of restaurants with hungry mouths waiting to "pinch the tails and suck the heads" of the bright red crustaceans. To let you in on one of our secrets…

The Ultimate Guide to the Crawfish Music Festival

By Natalea Thomson on Feb. 14, 2020

Heading to the Crawfish Music Festival? A five-dayfestival with more than a dozen acts can be a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry, we’ve listed everything you need to know beforehand to make sure you have an awesome time enjoying headline entertainment, hot boiled crawfish, and exciting mid-way rides at Coastal Mississippi’s premiere spring event…

Bring Your Group Spring Break to Coastal Mississippi

By Natalea Thomson on Feb. 10, 2020

White-sand beaches, uniqueattractions, vibrant nightlife opportunities, and a diverse culinary scene produce the perfect backdrop for your group Spring Break getaway. From beautiful accommodations to off-the-beaten path activities, every member of your group will have a memorable experience in Coastal Mississippi. Call your crew and pack your bags because we have your Spring Break itinerary booked…

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