11 Ideal Gulf Coast Destinations for a 3-Day Weekend in 2025
Winter is nearly upon us, and if you’ve found yourself daydreaming about balmy summer days already, you’re not alone. You can bet your last cent that legions of sun-seeking travelers will descend on the Gulf Coast every winter to escape the chill. And if you’re hoping to be one of them this year, it pays to know the insider tricks.
Whether you’re a resident of the Deep South looking for a local beach getaway or a fleeing North Dakota snowbird, the Gulf Coast is rife with options where you’ll find a high chance of sunshine and a higher chance of charm, character, and a perfect weekend at the seashore.
Anna Maria, Florida
Florida is particularly rich in small-town Gulf Coast escapes, but if you’re not keen on joining the tourist hordes, this lesser-known beachside gem might be more your speed. The seven-mile barrier island of Anna Maria, just off the coast of the town of Bradenton, boasts miles of stunning white-sand beaches and warm, emerald waters.
Like any Florida beach town, the focus in Anna Maria is on the water. For seaside luxury with plenty of Florida charm, base yourself at the Anna Maria Island Inn. Then, hit the beach: namesake Anna Maria Beach is perhaps the most spectacular of the island’s beaches, ideal for swimming and sunbathing alike. Those who’d rather get out on the water can check in with Paradise Boat Tours for a jaunt on the water with “dolphin sightings guaranteed.” Fishing, diving, and snorkeling are all available to fill a long weekend of seaside recreation.
And when you’ve had your fill of the beach, a quick ferry ride to Bradenton offers some worthwhile dry-land diversions. Visit rescued manatees at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature; check out the art installations and colorful homes in the Village of the Arts; and visit the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to learn about the underwater world of the Florida Gulf Coast.
Biloxi, Mississippi
Compared to the tourist-trail beaches of Florida and Texas, Mississippi’s Gulf Coast gems tend to go a little overlooked. But if you enjoy a livelier weekend getaway than a sleepy beach down could offer, wise up and make your way to Biloxi.
Biloxi’s claim to fame are its many waterfront casinos, but non-gamblers will still find plenty to enjoy in this small Gulf-front city. History and seafood buffs alike will want to check out the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, an homage to the town’s deep ties to the shrimping industry. (Don’t worry: you’ll be able to try the stuff just about anywhere in town.) And photographers might find the Biloxi Lighthouse, open for tours and one of the most-photographed Gulf Coast sights, to be the highlight of their trip.
Biloxi’s also got a wider range of accommodation options than your average beach town, so you’ll have options for every budget and style. One longtime favorite is the Beau Rivage Resort, complete with an attached casino.
Bon Secour, Alabama
If you’re tired of high-rise beach resorts, or your idea of a Southern weekend involves gently bobbing shrimp boats and the odd alligator lurking in every waterway, Bon Secour might be your ideal weekend destination.
Bon Secour’s claim to fame is its namesake Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge, a hugely important stopping-off point for migratory birds and a nesting ground for endangered sea turtles. If you’re even a little bit interested in doing some birding, that alone makes Bon Secour worth the visit. There’s also the Swift-Coles Historic House, a graceful historic mansion that’s open Fridays for tours. And be sure to sample local seafood at the Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar for a truly Gulf Coast dining experience.
Although many of Bon Secour’s accommodation options are found a little outside of town, those wishing to stay right around the corner from its top attractions have the option of staying at The Beach Club Resort.
Destin, Florida
Though a bit more popular (and populated) than many of the sleepier towns on this list, Destin is no less worthwhile for being a little better-known. It appeals for its mix of natural and man-made attractions, its miles of white-sand beach, and its warm waters where dolphin sightings are always a possibility.
For nature lovers, Destin has Henderson Beach State Park, where thirty-foot dunes abut the turquoise Gulf. It’s proof positive that Destin is no staid retiree community. It’s also a beacon for anglers thanks to its fortuitous geography: the continental shelf, where the seafloor abruptly drops off into deeper waters perfect for the large species favored by sport fishing enthusiasts, is not far offshore. Fishing charters abound for those who want to try their luck. Those with a very different set of interests, such as history or aviation, may want to check out the Air Force Armament Museum.
Accommodation options are plentiful here as well. Though you’ll find something in any price range with enough searching, those traveling with groups or families may want to consider the condo-style Emerald Grande resort for a little more breathing room.
Fulton, Texas
Away from the spring-breaker bustle of Galveston and South Padre Island, this Texan Gulf Coast gem is a quieter but no less enjoyable option for a weekend getaway. Though it’s more waterfront than beachfront, it is an excellent place for birders, history lovers, and anybody looking for a slow-paced Gulf Coast escape.
Fulton’s star attraction is the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, an important habitat for endangered bird species best known as the wintering home of the last wild flock of whooping cranes. Nearby Goose Island State Park is similarly avian in appeal, but it’s also noted as a fantastic place to fish. In town, you’ll find the ornate Fulton Mansion, a lovely 19th-century estate that’s all the more charming for sticking out from the laid-back atmosphere of most of Fulton.
As to sleeping and eating, your best bet for waterfront views is the Inn at Fulton Harbor. And although you’re on the coast, you’ll also be in barbecue country here in Fulton, so stop by Jim Bob’s BBQ for some of the best hole-in-the-wall Texas barbecue of your life.
Grand Isle, Louisiana
With a great deal of coastline but minimal prime beachfront real estate, Louisiana is rarely included in discussions of the best Gulf Coast destinations. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have anything to offer. Grand Isle, the state’s only inhabited barrier island, is a world away and a cut above for travelers who enjoy fishing, birding, and the quiet life.
While Grand Isle’s beaches are suitable for swimming and sunbathing, it’s the underwater world here that makes it special. Both pier fishing and open-water charter fishing in the abundant surrounding waters are popular - it won’t be hard to arrange an angling excursion if you fancy one. And that also means that Grand Isle’s seafood scene is all but unmatched. Fresh shellfish and oysters abound, and Camardelle’s Seafood is an unbeatable spot for boiled seafood of all kinds. And if you like your outdoor adventures a bit drier, the Lafitte Woods Nature Preserve is a migratory bird hotspot with plenty of walking trails shaded by live oaks for those who aren’t as keen on birding.
Because of Grand Isle’s small population, sumptuous vacation rentals are the norm. If you’re traveling with a group or in the mood for luxury, those will be the way to go. However, if you prefer a more full-service operation, consider the Blue Dolphin Inn & Cottages.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Everyone wants something different out of their beach vacation, and if you’re the sort who likes a little variety, Gulf Shores might appeal. While nearby Orange Beach is a stunner, there are plenty of options - indoor and outdoor - to fill a long weekend.
For land-based outdoor adventurers, Gulf State Park offers hiking, biking, and fishing piers. Families with children who aren’t quite patient enough to look for the local wildlife can check out the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, and the 19th-century military outpost at Fort Morgan is a short ferry ride away.
As a fairly popular coastal retreat for Alabama residents, Gulf Shores’ lodging options are diverse, and vacation rentals are a particularly popular option. Hotel lodging in the area includes the breezy beachside Lodge at Gulf State Park.
Marco Island, Florida
Like so many of Florida’s top Gulf Coast destinations, Marco Island is a barrier island off the state’s west coast. And that makes for a patchwork of developed land spread out behind the protective barrier of its fringing beaches, which is unsurprisingly a favorite destination for getting out on the water. Also unsurprisingly, there are plenty of ways to do that.
Fishing, snorkeling, and dolphin-spotting are all popular Marco Island activities. And another hit with guests, though slightly more unusual, is beachcombing: this part of the Gulf Coast is rich in seashells and makes for a productive hunt. It is, in many ways, the ideal place for a quintessential Floridian beach weekend. Base yourself out of the Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort for easy access to all of those seaside diversions and more.
Navarre Beach, Florida
The town of Navarre Beach bills itself as “Florida’s most relaxing place.” We’ll let you decide whether the place lives up to its motto, but it certainly strives to do so. Like any proper Florida Gulf Coast destination, it’s all white sand and turquoise water. Unlike most of them, it’s a slow-paced town far from the built-up bustle of more popular alternatives. Whether you choose a vacation rental or the beachfront Springhill Suites hotel, Navarre Beach promises you’ll come back refreshed.
If you want to see the full appeal of Navarre Beach, though, you’ll need to dive in. A system of artificial reefs offers visitors a place to snorkel and dive, as well as a habitat for local wildlife. Those who would rather stay on the surface can rent kayaks or paddleboards. Want a total change of pace? Visit the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center to learn a little more about one of this area’s most charismatic species from the surface.
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Part of the extensive Gulf Islands National Seashore, Ocean Springs was once a resort town renowned for its purportedly healing hot springs. Nowadays, it’s better known as the hometown of Gulf Coast painter Walter Anderson, whose namesake Walter Anderson Museum of Art is a local highlight, and for its access to some of Mississippi’s best beaches.
Though a stone’s throw from bigger and flashier Biloxi, you’ll find none of the same energy in Ocean Springs. This, instead, is a place to slow down, wander the beach, watch some birds, and perhaps paddle the Ocean Springs Blueways network of kayak and paddleboard routes, and perhaps take an elegant Southern brunch at Lady May. For even more small-town charm, forego the high-rise scene and book a room at The Roost Boutique Hotel.
Pass Christian, Mississippi
Gulf Coast destinations rightly tend to focus on the beach, but that isn’t this region’s only tourist draw. If you’re not a beach person, that might make Pass Christian the Gulf Coast escape for you: here, it’s all about the stately homes, live oaks, and classic Southern scenery, and you don’t need to get out on the water at all to enjoy a long weekend here.
That’s not to say you can’t get out on the water: fishing charters are as popular here as elsewhere on the Gulf. But there’s also the Oaks Golf Club, a leisurely stroll through town to admire the stately architecture of the Pass Christian Historic District, or a seafood meal at the lively local favorite Shaggy’s Pass Harbor.
So, while you could spend your weekend reeling in a big one, Pass Christian offers much more to the landlubbing traveler. Spend the night at the airy Hotel Whiskey for a touch more local charm.
Your Perfect Gulf Coast Weekend Awaits
Although the bulk of Gulf Coast destinations share many similarities, each still leaves visitors with its own unique impression. And whether you’re a golfer, a gambler, a wildlife-spotter, or a beachcomber, there’s somewhere on the Gulf Coast that checks all of your boxes. So don’t make the mistake of thinking you’ve seen them all once you’ve seen one - there’s so much more out there to explore.
