Where to stay between Gulfport and Mobile??

[Leigha]

My family and I will be traveling from the top of Mississippi to the Gulf. I was going to stay at Pass Christian at a condo on the beach but I've read reports on here that it is brown water because it is near the Mississippi River. Where can we go without having to go around to Mobile that is clean, near fun things to do, and on the Gulf without having to cross a road??

 

[cheer25mom]

Pretty much nowhere. It is only an extra hour and a half to 2 hours to get to Gulf Shores and the really nice beaches. There honestly isn't anywhere in the stretch between Gulfport and Mobile that I would recommend over going on to the Gulf Shores area. What about taking the ferry over to Ft Morgan? There are some really nice condo complexes on that end of Ft Morgan Rd.

 

[Leigha]

I'll check it out! We're only going for a couple of nights so we don't want to drive too far. What about Dauphin Island?? Anybody been there??

 

[cheer25mom]

I'll check it out! We're only going for a couple of nights so we don't want to drive too far. What about Dauphin Island?? Anybody been there??

We don't swim at Duphin island. The rip currents are too unpredictable, and we are confident swimmers who have been swimming in the ocean since we could walk. They beaches are nice, but it is a smaller community. Not a lot to do other than beach or the room.

 

[Southernmiss]

I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The water is brown because of the Mississippi river and the barrier islands skirting the coast. The islands hold the silt in and do not allow it to be flushed out into the wider gulf. This creates a wonderful nesting ground for our seafood and why we are known for Gulf fresh seafood. The water is not polluted, but brown because of the sediment.

Most locals either boat to the barrier islands for the blue water or go over to Dauphin islands in Alabama or Destin Florida. There is a daily passenger boat to Ship Island from Gulfport Miss where the water is beautiful and dolphins often swim alongside of the boat.

There are several attractions on the coast. Infinity science center (museum on space exploration), Gulf islands waterpark, minigolf, local shops especially in Pass Christian, Bay St. Louis and Ocean Springs. Wonderful local restaurants all across the coast. Ohr Okeefe and Walter Anderson Art museums and Beauvoir home and Biloxi visitor's center (free and wonderful) for history. Can't forget the Lynn Meadows Children's museum in Gulfport, a class act with amazing treehouses that are handicapped accessible! Also the Biloxi and Bay St. Louis bridges have walking paths with beautiful views over the Gulf A nice free activity my family enjoys.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast is a laid back destination and it's attractions are a bit spread out in different communities but there's plenty to do for a long weekend.

Most hotels on the beach, Highway 90, are across the road except for casinos. But there are many lights allowing pedestrians to easily cross the highway.

 

[twinsmom]

I too am from the MS Coast, specifically Pass Christian. If you stay here on the Coast I would take the Ship Island Excursion and the water is clear there. We have some great casino hotels: Beau Rivage and Hard Rock being 2 of them. I don't gamble but do go to them for shows and meals. They both have great pools and views of the Gulf.

 

[ArmyWife7]

I'm another one from the MS Gulf Coast. I completely agree with everything mentioned already. If you want blue water without driving to Gulf Shores, your best option would be to take the excursion to Ship Island. There are also lots of free splash pads along the Coast that the kids love. Besides the casinos, the only hotel on the south side of Hwy 90 is South Beach Hotel in Biloxi.

And I work for one of the casinos listed so I'm glad to know it is considered one of the top 2.

 

[Leigha]

Thanks for all of the great information MS folks!! You represent well!! I've seen the South Beach Hotel on the listings but it is a bit expensive as areher the casino hotels. They do look nice but is there a discount for them I'm missing?? They seem to be a bit expensive!! THANKS!!

 

[luvsJack]

From MS too!

I just wanted to add that although the water isn't the beautiful blue you see in other areas, its just fine for swimming. We love going to the beach on our beloved MS gulf coast. DD and friends will stay in the water all day.

They have gone to Ship Island but she would just as soon stay at the beach in Biloxi or Gulfport.

And we do go to Gulf Shores, Pensacola and Destin too.

 

[Shagley]

We go to Dauphin Island about every year. We love it there, but the water is not clear. Some days it is a little clearer than others, but depending on the weather, it can get pretty brown. I also agree with the others that say that there is not a lot to do on the island. There are a few shops and restaurants, but if you are a person who likes to do a lot other than spend time on the beach, there isn't a lot else to do on the island. We like the slow pace of the island, but I can see how others would be totally bored there. What we like best about Dauphin Island is that we can rent an entire beach house on the beach for about the same prices as a condo in other places. We like having a house with a huge deck that is right on the beach, and the beach area out front is all to ourselves and not shared by a ton of other people.

 

[Leigha]

Can anyone recommend a 2 1/2 or 3 star hotel along the coast? The hotel recommended is not available. THANKS!

 

[twinsmom]

Did you check all of the casinos? Hard Rock, Beau Rivage, Island View all have specials I know mid week. Sometimes as low as $49. Look on their websites and look for special offers tab. There is a Courtyard Marriott on the Beach in Gulfport as well as a Holiday Inn in Long Beach that are nice being right on the beach.

 

[Southernmiss]

Can anyone recommend a 2 1/2 or 3 star hotel along the coast? The hotel recommended is not available. THANKS!

Since I am local, I don't really stay at our local hotels. I can tell you not to stay at the Motel 6 on the beach in Biloxi unless they have had a major renovation in the last two years. Our teens at church stayed here 2 years ago and I found it dirty and smelling like cigarette smoke. I stayed at the Quality inn on the beach in Biloxi in March as I have with our teens from church several times. It's next to the coast coliseum and on the beach. Beauvoir home is within a block. Clean, Free breakfast and pool good service. Would need to drive for food or more than the beach. Quality inn is not in an extremely busy area of Biloxi unless theres a big event at the coliseum. It's at the intersection of highway 90 and beauvoir roads. If you want to scope out the area.

The hotels on the beach in Biloxi will be in a busier touristy area (because most of the casinos are in Biloxi and keesler air force base is right there with a lot of airmen going to the beach on the weekends) and the hotels on the beach from Gulfport west will be in a quieter area and most all hotels on the beach anywhere are new or have been renovated since Katrina in 2005.

If you see a specific hotel or area you'd like to know about ask and I will tell you what I know abt the area.

 

[Leigha]

I knew you all would have the best answers!!! THANKS!! I'm going to check out the hotels you've suggested!!

 

[kmccain]

Since I am local, I don't really stay at our local hotels. I can tell you not to stay at the Motel 6 on the beach in Biloxi unless they have had a major renovation in the last two years. Our teens at church stayed here 2 years ago and I found it dirty and smelling like cigarette smoke. I stayed at the Quality inn on the beach in Biloxi in March as I have with our teens from church several times. It's next to the coast coliseum and on the beach. Beauvoir home is within a block. Clean, Free breakfast and pool good service. Would need to drive for food or more than the beach. Quality inn is not in an extremely busy area of Biloxi unless theres a big event at the coliseum. It's at the intersection of highway 90 and beauvoir roads. If you want to scope out the area.

The hotels on the beach in Biloxi will be in a busier touristy area (because most of the casinos are in Biloxi and keesler air force base is right there with a lot of airmen going to the beach on the weekends) and the hotels on the beach from Gulfport west will be in a quieter area and most all hotels on the beach anywhere are new or have been renovated since Katrina in 2005.

If you see a specific hotel or area you'd like to know about ask and I will tell you what I know abt the area.

Thanks so much Southernmiss! i will be traveling there from PA next April for a wedding. I will check them too. I was also thinking about camping. Do you know anything about Cajan RV Park? It says it is across from the beach.
Thanks again!

 

[Southernmiss]

I don't know much abt the Cajun RV park. The location is ok and is on highway 90 which is the beach road and you can walk across the highway to get to the beach. It is a 4 lane highway but manageable. It is closer to the busier area of Biloxi and has been there for a long while. It is not too far from railroad tracks that run parallel to the beach for the whole length of the coast. So if camping I don't know if train noise will bother you. I grew up really close to the same tracks and we got used to the train noise but of course we were in a brick house. The website says RV park so it seems that there's not tent camping.

April is usually a beautiful month weather wise. Temps are warming up but not crazy humid. Be aware that there is a weekend of heavily promoted college spring break for the biloxi gulfport area which brings a crowd and slowed bumper to bumper traffic. The exact date varies and I can't find the dates for 2014.

Sorry I can't give specifics but ask if you have other questions.

 

[kmccain]

I don't know much abt the Cajun RV park. The location is ok and is on highway 90 which is the beach road and you can walk across the highway to get to the beach. It is a 4 lane highway but manageable. It is closer to the busier area of Biloxi and has been there for a long while. It is not too far from railroad tracks that run parallel to the beach for the whole length of the coast. So if camping I don't know if train noise will bother you. I grew up really close to the same tracks and we got used to the train noise but of course we were in a brick house. The website says RV park so it seems that there's not tent camping.

April is usually a beautiful month weather wise. Temps are warming up but not crazy humid. Be aware that there is a weekend of heavily promoted college spring break for the biloxi gulfport area which brings a crowd and slowed bumper to bumper traffic. The exact date varies and I can't find the dates for 2014.

Sorry I can't give specifics but ask if you have other questions.

Thanks so much! You gave me some good information!

They dont have a date yet. They were thinking the middle of the month in think. I might go east more so i can walk my dogs on the beach.

 

[Southernmiss]

Ocean Springs is a lovely little city. Charming, walkable and quieter. We love to go to their town festivals (one almost every weekend in the spring) and make a stop at Tato Nut donut shop and browse Minor's Toy store. Lots of restaurants and the Walter Anderson art museum and walking the bridge.

 

[kmccain]

Ocean Springs is a lovely little city. Charming, walkable and quieter. We love to go to their town festivals (one almost every weekend in the spring) and make a stop at Tato Nut donut shop and browse Minor's Toy store. Lots of restaurants and the Walter Anderson art museum and walking the bridge.

How long does it take to get from Biloxi to Ocean Springs?

 

[Southernmiss]

How long does it take to get from Biloxi to Ocean Springs?

They are right next to each other across the Biloxi/Ocean Springs bridge over the Gulf of Mexico. Takes all of 20 minutes in easy traffic to go from west Biloxi east to Ocean springs. If traffic on highway 90 happens to be heavy then longer, of course.