If I’m being 100% honest, the moment I found out we were moving to Mississippi I opened Google Maps and started figuring out where we could easily visit. The gulf coast was #1 on my list.

Two weeks after we signed on our house and a week after our stuff arrived via PODS, we stuffed our limited unpacked items into suitcases, ignored the stacks of boxes, and hit the road for the coast.

Biloxi is about a 3 hour drive from the Jackson, MS area. It took us more like 4 1/2 because of two potty breaks and one oops-mom-didn’t-pack-pajamas stop.

In the morning when we stepped out the hotel and onto the gorgeous white sand we were sure it was worth the drive.

A Weekend in Biloxi with Kids

Here are our suggestions for a fabulous weekend in Biloxi.

Friday
PM: Check into your hotel. We stayed at The South Beach Biloxi Hotel We had a King Suite. A bedroom, huge living space with living room and kitchen, one and a half bathrooms, and a patio. It was the perfect amount of space for the four of us.

DINNER: Find Some Seafood
We ate on the way down, because we left after the workday on Friday and had several unscheduled stops, but there is an abundance of seafood available in this area. Shaggy’s Seafood was located close to our hotel and looked fun and child-friendly.

Saturday
AM: Go to the Beach. I assume this is why most people take their family to Biloxi. The Gulf Coast of Mississippi is the longest man-made beach. It is peppered with yellow umbrellas set on gorgeous beaches with shallow (albeit slightly muddy) water that is perfect for little ones.

Note: If you are planning to spend time away from the beach on your weekend, I suggest doing it on Saturday. Most things (the children’s museum, the marine education center, the NASA museum, art museum, etc are all closed all or most of Sunday)

LUNCH: Pack a lunch so you can stay at the beach a little longer.

read also: 20 best things to do in jackson with kids

PM: Visit the shops in Ocean Springs, MS. This is a charming little town a little further down the gulf coast from Biloxi. Our twins especially liked the Miner’s Big Stuff Toy Stores.

DINNER: We loved the delicious pasta at Al Fresco’s  in Ocean Springs. We realize we should have probably taken better advantage of the fresh fish and headed for a seafood joint, but it was my birthday weekend and I crave Italian food constantly. We sat on the patio by the little water fountain and enjoyed a nice long meal with delightful service. Children’s menu was equally diverse and delicious and our son’s dairy allergy was easily and pleasantly accommodated.

Sunday
AM:  A morning at the beach. Despite how much time you may or may not have spent at the beach yesterday. This is the morning to savor the sea breezes, sunshine, and soft sand. Search for hermit crabs, build sand castles, play pretend fish and shark in the water, etc.

LUNCH: Lookout Seafood and Steaks offered delicious and reasonably priced food. It was also child friendly and we were able to find several options for our son despite his dairy allergy.

PM: Jones Park Splash Pad and Playground in Gulfport, MS.  Watch the boats at the Marina, maybe meet a fisherman or two, and cool off in the splash park.

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