A Weekend Getaway To Ocean Springs

By no means heard of Ocean Springs, Mississippi? Neither had we! However it caught our eye on round-ups like Southern Dwelling’s 15 Most Lovely Small Cities and USA Immediately’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 really thought of detouring by way of 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. In reality it reminded us A LOT of Cape Charles, the little Virginia seashore city the place we renovated two properties. Each locations are tremendous walkable, have a bunch of enjoyable outlets and eating places, and sit on a quiet bay with shallow water for teenagers to play in.

We visited Ocean Springs in late November throughout our youngsters’ Thanksgiving break, so we didn’t spend time on the seashore (though it did get into the low 70s every day). However even with out having fun with the water, we discovered a lot to do in Ocean Springs.

The place is Ocean Springs, Mississippi?

Ocean Springs is situated on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, proper throughout the Biloxi Bay from, nicely, Biloxi. It’s about 3 hours west of our residence 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, outlets, eating places, toy & sweet shops, and – after all – poked round some charming neighborhoods too. It was the right laid-back, slow-paced household getaway.

The place to Keep In Ocean Springs

Ocean Springs has numerous short-term leases in addition to boutique lodges and B&Bs, so there are a number of lodging choices – together with fashionable ones like the trendy cabins on the Beatnik Motel.

We stayed at a dog-friendly Airbnb proper off of one of many principal 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 somewhat loud from some adjoining eating places, however there have been some very charming areas south of Authorities Road that we’d choose to remain in subsequent time. This one known as Gaslamp Home is somewhat dear, but it surely at all times catches my eye!

However once more, there’s additionally no scarcity of cool lodges. We walked by The Roost Boutique Lodge, which appeared like an up to date previous farmhouse. The pool space seems to be superior on the web site too!

Barely nearer to downtown is The Springs Lodge, which additionally homes a cool floral and reward store known as Palmette (extra on that later). That’s why Sherry is marching so determinedly into the lodge beneath!

I stayed exterior with the canine, however Sherry received to sneak some peaks of the within of the lodge whereas buying. It was tremendous nicely designed!

I imply, simply take a look at the toilet!

We have been undoubtedly pleasantly stunned by the extent of lodging choices in Ocean Springs.

We additionally ate an incredible brunch on the Fats Spoon Cafe, however didn’t take any photographs!

Woman Could

We beloved Woman Could a lot that we ate there twice – as soon as for dinner after which the subsequent morning for brunch. That they had an incredible patio and the menu had crowdpleasers from flatbread pizzas and burgers to omelets and waffles.

Glory Certain Gyro Co

Our first dinner was at Glory Certain Gryo Co which, we later discovered, 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, but it surely was SO GOOD we nearly ate there the second evening (however ended up at Woman Could as a substitute).

Pop Brothers

After a protracted stroll, we handled ourselves to some connoisseur popsicles at Pop Brothers. It’s situated 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 Cones, which 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 Cottage, which is correct subsequent door to Woman Could. It had TONS of customized chocolate creations, plus the standard favs.

What To Do in Oceans Springs

The seashore is actually a giant draw for Ocean Springs, however even in November we discovered a lot to maintain us busy out of the water. Principally it concerned strolling round, exploring, dropping into outlets, and taking within the lovely neighborhoods.

A whole lot of Historic Downtown Ocean Springs seems to be just like the streets pictured above and beneath. Cozy sidewalks, huge oak timber, and enjoyable little outlets, parks, and houses alongside the best way.

Ocean Springs appears to have a vibrant artwork scene too, with one well-liked cease downtown being the Walter Anderson Museum of Artwork. Lots of people additionally discuss Shearwater Pottery, however we sadly didn’t make it there throughout open hours.

The following block down is the aforementioned Springs Lodge, which can also be residence to a floral and artwork store known as Palmette.

I stayed exterior with Penny whereas Sherry and the youngsters shopped. Primarily based on the period of time spent, I might inform it was one among their favourite stops!

Sherry purchased this brass tiger pendant there and loves it endlessly.

I don’t bear in mind the identify of each little retailer we stopped into, however that was form of the enjoyable of it. There was at all times one thing fascinating to see.

My solely want is that Ocean Springs had a neighborhood bookshop (we love testing impartial bookstores on trip). We did come throughout a number of Little Free Libraries, so I assume that was an in depth second!

It was additionally enjoyable being downtown as issues have been beginning to get decked out for the vacations. We even received to see the toy retailer actively hanging theirs!

Along with buying the downtown, we additionally loved strolling down a number of the neighborhood streets to admire the properties. I’ve by no means thought a lot about what a “quintessential coastal Mississippi” neighborhood would possibly seem like, however one way or the other Ocean Springs is precisely that. It undoubtedly had a number of New Orleans vibes, with lovely previous properties, native outlets, and tree-lined streets.

There have been numerous sprawling porches, picket fences, and big mossy oaks.

Probably the most effective half about our go to to Ocean Springs is that we left wanting to come back again. Whereas I feel we hit a number of highlights in our quick go to, it appears like we might use extra time to soak it in, totally loosen up into its laid-back vibe, and perhaps bike round city or hang around on the seashore on a summer time day.

Oh, and I really need a type of snow cones from the prepare caboose.

Ocean Springs, Mississippi: A Recap

For those who’re searching for 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

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