Exploring Ocean Springs, MS: A Guide for First-Time Visitors

Have you visited Ocean Springs, MS? If you're within driving distance of this small, artistic, and historical coastal town, it's time to start planning your trip. If you need more convincing, check out where USA Today has awarded the city multiple times for offering some of the best shopping, culture, and art scene in the United States over the past few years.

Photo by: Hanna Ruhoff

So what to do when you get there? Here are all of the must-stops on your trip to Ocean Springs:

Where To Stay

Ocean Springs offers plenty of lodging options for visitors who plan to stay overnight or even a few days in the area. If you're looking for a hotel that provides the atmosphere of a Southern Bed and Breakfast, you will want to book a room at either The Roost Boutique Hotel or The Inns of Ocean Springs. The town also has several residential properties listed on Airbnb if you want an authentic local experience during your visit.

We're Here, Now What?

Downtown Ocean Springs is filled with historical buildings, shopping, museums, restaurants, and breweries, so there is no chance you will be left with nothing to do! Alright, now let's get into the must-see attractions for your visit.

Start your day by grabbing a world-famous treat from The Tatonut Donut Shop. These donuts are guaranteed some of the best sweet treats you'll ever taste. Now that you have a sugar rush, it's time to begin exploring! Your next stop should be the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, where you can experience the Mississippi Coast through the imagination of artist Walter Anderson. Anderson captured some of the Mississippi Gulf Coast's most beautiful drawings and paintings. Although much of his work was destroyed and lost during Hurricane Katrina, you can find remaining pieces and historical facts in the museum today.

Photo by: Kayla Mitchelle Smith

Next, explore the many boutiques in downtown Ocean Springs before heading to The Lady May for lunch. Here, you can eat delicious cuisine inspired by Southern cooking and Italian Catholic family recipes. I highly recommend the Crawfish Flatbread!

After lunch, visit the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Arts Center for two more art galleries. The Mary C hosts many different events, classes, theatrical performances, and more, so check out their website for a complete list of upcoming events that may be taking place while you're in the area.

Then, head over to the Ocean Springs-Biloxi Bridge Mosaic Mural. This piece of art spans 120 feet wide, making it the longest mosaic in the state. While there, I recommend driving across the bridge to visit the beautiful St. Michael's Catholic Church to see the unique architecture designed by my late cousin, James T. Canizaro.

Photo by: Coastal Mississippi

Back in Ocean Springs, I recommend making reservations at Maison De Lu, another local staple. After dinner, head over to Hops and Growlers microbrewery and try a few handcrafted beers on tap.

Photo by: Visit Mississippi

After your long day, if you want to return to your hotel, by all means, do so, but don't miss out on the nightlife Ocean Springs offers while visiting. The downtown area has a handful of fun bars to check out, which may offer live music while you're there.

While I'm sure this post doesn't cover all of the local staples, I hope my recommendations offer you a better itinerary of events to do in Ocean Springs. As always, Happy adventuring!