By no means heard of Ocean Springs, Mississippi? Neither had we! Nevertheless it caught our eye on round-ups like Southern Dwelling’s 15 Most Cute Small Cities and USA Right this moment’s 10 Greatest Coastal Small Cities the place it ranked #1. So just a few months in the past our household determined to test it out for ourselves. It did NOT disappoint! We truly thought-about detouring via Ocean Springs on our weekend journey to New Orleans two years in the past. However now we’re glad we didn’t shortchange it with a fast pitstop and gave it a full journey of its personal.
Ocean Springs lived as much as the hype of being an cute, small, historic city with heaps to discover. The truth is it reminded us A LOT of Cape Charlesthe little Virginia seaside city the place we renovated two houses. Each locations are tremendous walkable, have a bunch of enjoyable retailers and eating places, and sit on a quiet bay with shallow water for youths to play in.
We visited Ocean Springs in late November throughout our children’ Thanksgiving break, so we didn’t spend time on the seaside (though it did get into the low 70s every day). However even with out having fun with the water, we discovered lots to do in Ocean Springs.
The place is Ocean Springs, Mississippi?
Ocean Springs is positioned on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, proper throughout the Biloxi Bay from, properly, Biloxi. It’s about 3 hours west of our dwelling in Northwest Florida and nearly 90 minutes east of New Orleans.
We spent most of our Ocean Springs go to strolling round and exploring the historic downtown and beachfront. We actually didn’t get in our automobile as soon as because of renting an Airbnb in an excellent walkable space! We hit up parks, retailers, eating places, toy & sweet shops, and – in fact – poked round some charming neighborhoods too. It was the proper laid-back, slow-paced household getaway.
The place to Keep In Ocean Springs
Ocean Springs has a lot of short-term leases in addition to boutique resorts and B&Bs, so there are loads of lodging choices – together with fashionable ones like the fashionable cabins on the Beatnik Motel.
We stayed at a dog-friendly Airbnb proper off of one of many essential downtown streets, which was clear and well-stocked, however after strolling round many areas there, we wouldn’t suggest that particular spot, so I’m not going to hyperlink it right here. It was just a little loud from some adjoining eating places, however there have been some very charming areas south of Authorities Road that we might choose to remain in subsequent time. This one referred to as Gaslamp Home is just a little expensive, nevertheless it at all times catches my eye!
However once more, there’s additionally no scarcity of cool resorts. We walked by The Roost Boutique Lodgewhich regarded like an up to date outdated farmhouse. The pool space seems superior on the web site too!
Barely nearer to downtown is The Springs Lodgewhich additionally homes a cool floral and present store referred to as Palmette (extra on that later). That’s why Sherry is marching so determinedly into the lodge beneath!
I stayed outdoors with the canine, however Sherry acquired to sneak some peaks of the within of the lodge whereas buying. It was tremendous properly designed!
I imply, simply take a look at the toilet!
We have been undoubtedly pleasantly shocked by the extent of lodging choices in Ocean Springs.
The place To Eat in Ocean Springs
We wouldn’t name ourselves foodies (zero refined palates right here), however by some means our holidays at all times revolve round meals! Ocean Springs had tons of nice restaurant choices which might be each child & dog-friendly. In our 48 hours there, we had 2 breakfasts, 2 brunches, and a pair of dinners… plus some desserts! Right here’s a listing of the place we went, with extra information and pics beneath:
- Brilliant Eyed Brew Co
- The TatoNut Store (donuts)
- Fats Spoon Cafe
- Woman Could
- Glory Sure Gyro Co
- Pop Brothers (popsicles)
- Sweet Cottage
We additionally ate an important brunch on the Fats Spoon Cafehowever didn’t take any pictures!
Woman Could
We liked Woman Could a lot that we ate there twice – as soon as for dinner after which the following morning for brunch. That they had an important patio and the menu had crowdpleasers from flatbread pizzas and burgers to omelets and waffles.
Glory Sure Gyro Co
Our first dinner was at Glory Sure Gryo Co which, we later realized, is a sister restaurant to Woman Could. It additionally had burgers, salads, and pizzas but additionally tons of gyros with completely different topping and sauce mixtures. It wasn’t fancy, nevertheless it was SO GOOD we virtually ate there the second evening (however ended up at Woman Could as a substitute).
Pop Brothers
After an extended stroll, we handled ourselves to some gourmand popsicles at Pop Brothers. It’s positioned in “Money Alley” which is adorned with colourful umbrellas overhead and graphic sidewalk artwork beneath. There are dozens of artisan popsicle flavors to select from (I did Vietnamese Espresso and Sherry did chocolate peanut butter). We extremely suggest paying the additional greenback to have it dipped in chocolate!
Sadly we missed getting a New Orleans-style snow cone at close by Caboose Coneswhich had closed for the winter season. However I think about it’s an iconic place to chill off in the summertime.
We additionally loved some novelty sweet on the Sweet Cottagewhich is true subsequent door to Woman Could. It had TONS of customized chocolate creations, plus the standard favs.
What To Do in Oceans Springs
The seaside is definitely an enormous draw for Ocean Springs, however even in November we discovered lots to maintain us busy out of the water. Largely it concerned strolling round, exploring, dropping into retailers, and taking within the stunning neighborhoods.
Quite a lot of Historic Downtown Ocean Springs seems just like the streets pictured above and beneath. Cozy sidewalks, large oak timber, and enjoyable little retailers, parks, and houses alongside the best way.
Ocean Springs appears to have a vibrant artwork scene too, with one in style cease downtown being the Walter Anderson Museum of Artwork. Lots of people additionally discuss Shearwater Potteryhowever we sadly didn’t make it there throughout open hours.
The following block down is the aforementioned Springs Lodge, which can also be dwelling to a floral and artwork store referred to as Palmette.
I stayed outdoors with Penny whereas Sherry and the youngsters shopped. Primarily based on the period of time spent, I may inform it was one in every of their favourite stops!
Sherry purchased this brass tiger pendant there and loves it endlessly.
I don’t keep in mind the title of each little retailer we stopped into, however that was sort of the enjoyable of it. There was at all times one thing fascinating to see.
My solely want is that Ocean Springs had an area bookshop (we love testing unbiased bookstores on trip). We did come throughout a number of Little Free Libraries, so I suppose that was a detailed second!
It was additionally enjoyable being downtown as issues have been beginning to get decked out for the vacations. We even acquired to see the toy retailer actively hanging theirs!
Along with buying the downtown, we additionally loved strolling down among the neighborhood streets to admire the houses. I’ve by no means thought a lot about what a “quintessential coastal Mississippi” neighborhood would possibly appear to be, however by some means Ocean Springs is precisely that. It undoubtedly had loads of New Orleans vibes, with stunning outdated houses, native retailers, and tree-lined streets.
There have been a lot of sprawling porches, picket fences, and large mossy oaks.
Probably one of the best half about our go to to Ocean Springs is that we left wanting to come back again. Whereas I feel we hit loads of highlights in our quick go to, it seems like we may use extra time to soak it in, absolutely calm down into its laid-back vibe, and possibly bike round city or hang around on the seaside on a summer season day.
Oh, and I actually need a type of snow cones from the practice caboose.
Ocean Springs, Mississippi: A Recap
If you happen to’re in search of all of the issues we talked about in a single spot, right here ya go!
The place to Keep:
The place to Eat
The place to Store & Browse
Extra Household Journeys We’ve Taken
If you happen to’re curious about our tackle different locations or are seeking family-friendly journeys, you may additionally get pleasure from these posts:
