This Mississippi Downtown Is Made For Strolling
With shorelines on the Gulf of Mexico, Ocean Springs is known best for pairing small town charm with a relaxed coastal atmosphere. It has many appealing qualities that lure in visitors including quiet beaches and parks, a strong arts scene, shopping and dining opportunities, all of which are easily accessible from within Ocean Springs’ walkable downtown. So, lace up your sneakers and get ready to wander through one of the Gulf Coast’s most charming and family-friendly towns to see if it really is made for strolling.
Fort Maurepas City Park
Fort Maurepas City Park is located on Front Beach Drive and is the perfect place to begin exploring downtown Ocean Springs. The park boasts historical significance, as it marks the site of the first permanent French settlement on the Gulf Coast when it was established in 1699. It is located right on the waterfront, allowing visitors to transition from enjoying park activities to relaxing on the beach. Facilities of the park include a children’s playground, splash pad, fishing pier, picnic areas, covered pavilions, and restrooms.
There is also an outdoor stage which hosts Friday at the Fort, an annual music event. The festival is a free community event that runs on the final Friday of each month between April and September, featuring performances from local musicians and bands. There are also local food trucks present to grab a bite to eat while enjoying the music.
Walter Anderson Museum of Art
From Fort Maurepas City Park, head north up Washington Avenue until you reach Walter Anderson Museum of Art. The museum pays homage to the life and work of Walter Anderson, who specialized in creating work that depicted plants, animals, and people of the Gulf Coast. The museum also features the works of his two brothers, and together their combined collection of watercolors, drawings, oils, block prints, ceramics, and carvings comprises the museum’s permanent collection. The museum includes a fully relocated room of Anderson's private cabin, covered wall-to-wall in swirling paintings.
Additionally, rotating exhibits featuring the works of other artists occur periodically throughout the year. Next door to the museum is the Ocean Springs Community Center, which displays Walter Anderson’s largest mural, a whopping 3,000 square foot panorama of natural imagery.
My Happy Place Gallery of Art
From the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, continue walking up Washington Avenue, turn right onto Government Street, and keep walking until you reach My Happy Place Gallery of Art. This 120-year-old restored building and former home is located in the heart of downtown Ocean Springs, showcasing the works of local and regional artists in a variety of media, including photography, paint, ceramics, wood sculptures, and jewelry. The historic building has retained its rustic aspects, while offering a modern take on displaying art, which makes this gallery stand out from others all over the country.
Pleasant's BBQ
Continue walking further along Washington Avenue, and you will reach Ocean Springs’ oldest restaurant, Pleasant’s BBQ. The restaurant was established in 1982 and has continued to be family-owned and operated ever since, remaining a staple in town. It has withstood the test of time, building a reputation for the best barbecue on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. Highlights of the menu include brisket, ribs, and southern sides served in a casual and relaxed environment. The restaurant set itself apart from other establishments in 1984 when one of the founders developed a signature barbecue sauce. The sauce has been enjoyed by patrons and even sold in bottles for customers to take away with them.
Mary C O'Keefe Cultural Arts Center
The Mary C O'Keefe Cultural Arts Center is a block away from Pleasant’s BBQ, housed in the historic Ocean Springs Public School Building from 1927, and features tiled murals in the lobby. The center hosts a wide range of programs and facilities that support the arts. The center also contains a performing arts center, music studio, culinary kitchen, two art galleries which showcase the works of local artists, and the Ocean Springs History Museum, which is on the second floor and free to attend.
Neighboring Towns
There are several other coastal Mississippi cities within close proximity to Ocean Springs that offer a similar relaxed beach setting. Biloxi is located 3.59 miles west of Ocean Springs and has a similar maritime setting. Furthermore, it has deep historical roots, featuring influences from early French, English, and Spanish settlers. It soon became a major seafood and canning center, and that coastal heritage can be explored at the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum.
Pascagoula is situated 16.5 miles east of Ocean Springs at the mouth of the Pascagoula River, where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Similar to Ocean Springs, it has shops, galleries, and restaurants downtown, as well as city parks overlooking the gulf. Beach Park is equipped with a children’s playground, splash pad for hot days, picnic tables, and a fishing pier.
Mississippi's Most Walkable Downtown
Ocean Springs has an incredibly walkable downtown that allows visitors to bask in breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico while easily exploring a laidback coastal town with a vibrant arts scene and historical relevance. From historical sites like Fort Maurepas City Park to the Walter Anderson Museu of Art, or eateries like Pleasant’s BBQ that have been around forever, you are bound to find something that keeps you exploring this Mississippi town that is made for strolling.
