Never heard of Ocean Springs, Mississippi? Neither had we until it started appearing on lists like Southern Living’s 15 Most Adorable Small Towns and USA Today’s 10 Best Coastal Small Towns, where it ranked at the top. A few months ago our family decided to visit, and it did not disappoint. We almost stopped here on a weekend trip to New Orleans a couple of years ago, but we’re glad we saved Ocean Springs for a full visit instead of a quick detour.
Ocean Springs really lives up to the “adorable, small, historic town” description. It reminded us a lot of Cape Charles, Virginia: both are highly walkable coastal towns with charming shops, restaurants, and calm shallow bays where kids can play.
We visited in late November during our kids’ Thanksgiving break, so we didn’t spend time at the beach even though daytime highs reached the low 70s. Still, there was plenty to do in town beyond swimming.
Where is Ocean Springs, Mississippi?
Ocean Springs sits on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, just across Biloxi Bay from Biloxi. From our home in Northwest Florida it’s about a three-hour drive west and roughly 90 minutes east of New Orleans.
We spent most of our time walking around the historic downtown and waterfront. Renting an Airbnb in a walkable area meant we didn’t use the car once. We explored parks, shops, restaurants, toy and candy stores, and quiet neighborhoods — the ideal relaxed, family-friendly getaway.
Where to Stay In Ocean Springs
Ocean Springs offers a range of lodging: short-term rentals, boutique hotels, and charming B&Bs. Trendy options include modern cabins at the Beatnik Motel, and there are several well-reviewed boutique hotels in and near downtown.
We stayed at a dog-friendly Airbnb right off a main street. The place was clean and well-stocked, but it was a bit noisy from nearby restaurants, so it wasn’t our top pick in retrospect. There are charming areas south of Government Street that we’d choose next time, and a few standout properties always catch our eye.
There are also appealing small hotels close to downtown. The Roost Boutique Hotel has an updated farmhouse look and a tempting pool area, while The Springs Hotel sits near shops like Palmette and blends a stylish interior with easy access to the main streets.
We peeked inside The Springs and enjoyed the well-designed interior — even the bathrooms were stylish. Overall, the variety of lodging made our stay easy to plan and enjoyable.
We were pleasantly surprised by the lodging options in Ocean Springs — everything from modern boutique hotels to cozy rentals.
Where To Eat in Ocean Springs
Food is central to most vacations for us, and Ocean Springs delivers plenty of family-friendly dining. In 48 hours we enjoyed breakfasts, brunches, dinners, and treats. Highlights included:
- Bright Eyed Brew Co
- The TatoNut Shop (donuts)
- Fat Spoon Cafe
- Lady May
- Glory Bound Gyro Co
- Pop Brothers (popsicles)
- Candy Cottage
Bright Eyed Brew Co.
Bright Eyed Brew Co is a popular morning spot, often with a line out the door. The coffee is excellent and there’s even a one-room Airbnb behind the shop. The shop’s mural and relaxed vibe make it a great start to the day.
TatoNut Donuts
The TatoNut Shop is a charming donut and coffee spot just a few streets from where we stayed. We tried the oversized Katrina and Praline donuts and wished we’d returned to sample more of their specialty flavors.
We also had a great brunch at Fat Spoon Cafe. Lady May was a favorite — we ate there twice for its patio and broad menu that ranges from flatbreads and burgers to omelets and waffles.
Glory Bound Gyro Co
Glory Bound Gyro Co, a sister restaurant to Lady May, serves gyros with many topping options along with burgers, salads, and pizzas. It’s casual but very satisfying.
Pop Brothers
For a sweet walk-through treat, Pop Brothers in Cash Alley offers artisan popsicles in dozens of flavors. Cash Alley is decorated with colorful umbrellas and sidewalk art, and you can pay a bit more to get your popsicle dipped in chocolate — highly recommended.
We missed Caboose Cones, a seasonal New Orleans-style snow cone spot, because it was closed for winter. We did, however, enjoy browsing novelty chocolates and candy at Candy Cottage, located near Lady May.
What To Do in Ocean Springs
Beyond the beach, Ocean Springs is perfect for walking, shopping, and soaking up local character. Historic downtown is lined with cozy sidewalks, oak trees, independent shops, parks, and picturesque homes.
The town also has a lively arts scene. The Walter Anderson Museum of Art is a popular downtown stop, and Shearwater Pottery is another well-regarded local destination (we missed it during our visit). The Springs Hotel’s Palmette shop is a lovely place to browse flowers, gifts, and art.
Shopping was a highlight for us — Palmette was a favorite, and Sherry left with a brass tiger pendant she loves. There are many small boutiques and galleries to discover, plus Little Free Libraries tucked around town for book lovers.
Strolling the residential streets is rewarding too. Ocean Springs perfectly captures a coastal Mississippi aesthetic with historic homes, sprawling porches, picket fences, and moss-draped oaks — a setting with definite New Orleans vibes.
We left Ocean Springs wanting to return — there’s more to savor, whether biking around town in warmer weather or spending a lazy day at the beach.
And yes — I’m still thinking about that snow cone from the train caboose we missed.
Ocean Springs, Mississippi: A Recap
Here’s a quick summary of spots we enjoyed during our visit.
Where to Stay:
- Beatnik Motel
- The Roost Boutique Hotel
- The Springs Hotel
- Airbnbs in walkable downtown neighborhoods
Where to Eat
- Bright Eyed Brew Co
- The TatoNut Shop (donuts)
- Fat Spoon Cafe
- Lady May
- Glory Bound Gyro Co
- Pop Brothers (popsicles)
- Candy Cottage
Where to Shop & Browse
- Palmette
- Crooked Coast
- Walter Anderson Museum of Art
- Shearwater Pottery
- Ocean Springs Mercantile
- Local boutiques and galleries
More Family Trips We’ve Taken
If you enjoy family-friendly travel stories, you may also like our write-ups from trips to New Orleans, Palm Springs, Charleston, Sedona, St. Petersburg, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Cape Charles, and other favorites.