Location: Ocean Springs
Top Things to do in Ocean Springs
- 1. Walter Anderson Museum of Art
- 2. Biloxi Visitors Center
- 3. Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort
- 4. Gulf Islands National Seashore - Mississippi District - Davis Bayou
- 5. Biloxi Bay Bridge
- 6. Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial
- 7. MGM Park
- 8. Front Beach
- 9. New Palace Casino Point Cadet
- 10. Fontainebleau Nature Trail
The 10 Best Things to Do in Ocean Springs, United States
Ocean Springs is a city in Jackson County, Mississippi, United States, approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Biloxi and west of Gautier. It is part of the Pascagoula, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 17,225 at the 2000 U.S. Census. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the city of Ocean Springs had a population of 17,442.
Restaurants in Ocean Springs
1. Walter Anderson Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 196 reviews
This museum displays a collection of Anderson's paintings, sculptures and pottery.
Reviewed By Nellie858 - Minneapolis, Minnesota
I once had a t-shirt that said "troubled genius" which would be appropriate for this artist. We skipped the introductory film at the entrance which we later regretted but had a fortuitous meeting with a man who is an art teacher and gave us the story behind the artist and that really helped bring him to life. A real unique soul with a great gift which he shared with everyone. The exhibit space is small so they rotate works 4 times a year. I wish we lived here so I could see more.
2. Biloxi Visitors Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By 46749 - Fayetteville, Arkansas
This is a beautiful building in and of itself. The staff went way beyond for us. They were just so cordial, friendly, and helpful giving us the names of people that could help us with some paper work. We couldn't have asked for any thing more. They gave us that Southern hospitality. Thanks.
3. Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 127 reviews
Reviewed By Charles P - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
We enjoyed their new casino. It has high ceilings, is well lighted and didn’t smell like cigarette smoke and seemed to have many choices of slot machines.
4. Gulf Islands National Seashore - Mississippi District - Davis Bayou
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 260 reviews
Reviewed By auragle3 - Huntsville, Alabama
While the staff here was very nice and tried to be helpful ,it was rather disappointing. The “museum “ was more geared to elementary age children. Which is fine unless you want something more intellectually stimulating. The paths really gave little to view except trees and underbrush.
5. Biloxi Bay Bridge
Overall Ratings
5 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By The_Loup_Garou - Phoenix, Arizona
On our February visit to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, we probably crossed the Biloxi-Ocean Springs Bridge 8 times. Though we were staying in Biloxi (and then Gulfport), we visited Ocean Springs, and then the Gulf Hills, and D’Iberville areas a few times.
This is the fourth bridge between Biloxi and Ocean Springs, that I can recall, from growing up on the MS Gulf Coast. It is new, since Hurricane Katrina destroyed the previous bridge. Two others were also damaged by hurricanes, but were also in different locations. One can still be seen, as it is now a fishing pier, somewhat parallel to this new bridge. The first, that I recall, was very close to that alignment. Back in the 1950's, Hwy 90 turned north at Point Cadet, and met up with Howard Ave, making a sharp right turn, to the bridge. That bridge was a narrow, two-land affair, with a turntable section, over the channel into Back Bay Biloxi, to allow the commercial fishing boats, and sailboats to pass. It was a scary little structure, with but a tiny walkway, on the outside – just wide enough for one to fish, but with cars passing only feet away. That span was replaced in probably the late 1950's, with the span that one can still see – the dedicated fishing pier. The alignment was still from about Howard Ave. Then, in the late 1960's, or early 1970's (after the destruction by Hurricane Camille), Hwy 90 was realigned, in both Biloxi and Ocean Springs, and a new bridge was constructed in the same location, as the current bridge. Hurricane Katrina destroyed that bridge, and now, we have a lovely, six-lane span, without an opening, that allows traffic to flow easily across Back Bay. There is also a separate walkway/bike path, for the entire length – a far cry from that only narrow walkway, where one almost had to walk, with one foot directly in front of the other, and you could not cast your line into the Bay, without making sure to not hit a passing auto. This bridge is both functional, and beautiful, in its simplicity.
On this visit, besides driving over the bridge several times, we also explored it a bit more, at both ends. In June, I had explored the Biloxi side a bit, from Point Cadet Plaza, but we spent more time on this visit. We also explored the bridge, from the Ocean Springs side, which we had never done before. I was surprised to see a mini-park on the Ocean Springs side (just behind the Ocean Springs Yacht Club), with a mosaic mural, benches and plantings. I never knew that was there.
We still have not walked, or biked the bridge, so we have at least one more visit ahead of us. We have also not seen the evening lighting, so something to look forward to.
6. Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
VietnamReviewed By A TripAdvisor Member
First, don't follow trip advisor directions, use GPS. This is a fitting tribute to our veterans, while the name indicates Vietnam vets, it is for all veterans, back to 1812. Other reviews gave the details, make sure you walk the third mile track, and read the stories of our Medal of Honor veterans
7. MGM Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By Bnbiloxi
Beautiful, new baseball park across from the Beau Rivage Casino and the Biloxi beach. There is not a bad seat in the stadium! Plenty of free parking on the premises. It has a really nice concession stand with a good variety of food and beer. The Biloxi Shuckers' games are so fun to watch. There are also high school tournaments played there from time to time..
8. Front Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By P M - The World
First of all, the picture above is not Front Beach, it's Biloxi Beach looking east toward the Beau Rivage from Sharkshead gift shop.
Front Beach is fine for watching sunsets, in fact it has world class sunsets. It is not a beach for swimming, though you can, but very few people do. There are nice sidewalks for walking (though watch your step because not everyone cleans up after their dogs and when it's been raining a lot, as it frequently does here, there are lots of puddles that have algae growing in them and are very slippery) and a couple of piers for fishing (yes, you need a license). I gave it an average rating because it's pretty typical for Mississippi beaches but compared to beaches in other places, it's just not that nice. If you want to set up a chair and watch the sunset, it's fine. If you're looking for a place to swim with deep water and lifeguards and snack bars and restrooms (other than portapotties and one at the park across the street) this is not the place for you.
9. New Palace Casino Point Cadet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 376 reviews
Palace Casino Resort is the only smoke free casino on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the premiere destination for luxurious accommodations, superior guest service and endless excitement. Nestled along the beautiful Gulf of Mexico and Biloxi’s Back Bay, the resort offers newly renovated hotel rooms and suites with stunning views, award winning restaurants, non-stop gaming, championship golf at The Preserve Golf Club and amazing amenities to complement your stay.
Reviewed By Brent E
My wife and I visited over the weekend. We stayed at another hotel near by, but we like to come visit here every trip. Being smoke free is refreshing, and the dealers and servers are all very nice and friendly. When my grandparents went to Biloxi, they always stayed here. I can see the appeal because they didn't like the smoking allowed at other places.
We mostly play blackjack and I'm not sure how the comps really work here compared to other hotels near by, but I have never had any offers for rooms like I have at other places, so maybe people playing table games here don't get comped as well as slots players.
10. Fontainebleau Nature Trail
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By jwright01 - Ocean Springs, Mississippi
This tract used to be part of a vast longleaf pine savanna. Now some parts are grown up as mixed forest and some restored to savanna, with a peaceful bayou winding through. Easy walking trail with one loop less than a mile, the other longer. Wildflowers (including carnivorous plants) and abundant wildlife make the trail very scenic, and informative signs make it educational, too. Several nice overlooks and benches. One of our favorite walks in all seasons.
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