Facing the Gulf of Mexico on America’s south coast, a seafaring heritage has shaped this Mississippi city. Tuck into Gulfport’s legendary charbroiled oysters, spot dolphins on a sunset cruise, paddle board along the waterways, and learn about the man behind the seaport. There’s also fun for kids, from a waterpark to an activity center.
Although its dolphin shows are controversial, the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) remains a popular day out in Gulfport. The non-profit organization conducts marine research, makes conservation efforts and rehabilitates sick marine mammals. You can interact with dolphins and stingrays as you learn about the creatures and, on certain dates (announced on the IMMS Facebook page), take part in a sea turtle release program. Other animals you’ll see here include alligators, snakes and sea lions.
Hands-on fun for kids is taken to a new level at the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center. Inside a 1915-built converted elementary school are a host of imaginative spaces to spark interactive play. The themed rooms include an art studio, a shrimp fisherman’s port, an 1890s hotel, a grocery store and a veterinary complete with toy animals. A climbing structure acts as a central axis for the rooms, linking up the floors through the full height of the center.
Ride on a train at Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum
The Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum is the place to go to feel like a kid again. It has 80 running model trains, including some which you can ride, and a railroad display made from two million LEGO pieces. You can also learn about Mississippi’s 200 years of train and railroad history, with trains dating back to the 1800s forming an exhibition.
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The branding alone is enough to pull you into the Chandeleur Island Brewing Company – its cans of beer are colorful works of modern art. Try Lil’ Miss Sour (the white can with a mermaid emblazoned upon it) for a refreshing sour ale brewed with wheat and tangerines. Pull up a stool in the spacious taproom to sip your way through a few of the craft beers, or book a brewery tour, which includes a beer of your choice and a pint glass for keeps.
Half Shell’s charbroiled oysters are legendary in Gulfport – the delicacy is cooked over an open flame with white wine, butter, garlic and herb sauce, then topped with parmesan cheese. However you like your oysters, this restaurant has got you covered, from rockefeller-style (buttery and topped with breadcrumbs) to bienville, featuring mushrooms, crab and shrimp. Also on the classic Southern comfort-food menu are barbecue shrimp and rib-eye steak, served in a cool setting featuring a double-height ceiling and exposed brick.
The biggest waterpark along the Mississippi coast, Gulf Islands Waterpark is a winner with kids. For small children, there’s a lazy river, wave pool and “Little Pelican’s Bay”, a 200sqft (19sqm) wading area with water-play features. Older children will have a scream on the waterslides – they can race each other on the Riptide Racer, plunging head-first down a 45ft-high (14m) slide on mats, or take to a two-person dinghy on the Master Blaster, which funnels you around 500ft (152m) of twists, turns and slopes.
South Mississippi is a great place for stand-up paddle boarding, thanks to its beaches, rivers and creeks. You can hire a board through Wut Sup, who will give you a 15-minute lesson on technique before you take to the water (and a waterproof pouch for your map and phone). The Gulf Coast has seven water trails, which they call Blueways, including the biggest free-flowing waterway in the lower 48 states: Pascagoula River Jackson County Blueway.
Set sail out onto the Gulf of Mexico, on a private charter. Captain Jim is at the helm of this six-passenger sailing yacht, and he’s happy to share his wealth of knowledge as you take in the views. A sunset cruise is the most romantic type of charter – especially as you might see pods of dolphins leaping beside the boat. You can also bring your own refreshments on board, including alcohol, for a toast with the backdrop of an orange sky.
A piece of Italy in Mississippi, Salute Italian Restaurant is a favorite with locals. Grab a shady table on its shrub-lined patio, which overlooks the Gulf (time your meal for sunset for an extra-special view). The menu’s highlights include grilled shrimp skewers, oysters, shrimp scampi bruschetta and blackened seared tuna. There’s also a martini bar, hence the logo of cocktail glass and olive. Treat yourself to the Godiva Truffel-tini – it’s a delicious chocolate martini made with Smirnoff vanilla vodka.
Atop a carved granite plinth is the life-sized bronze statue of Joseph T Jones, facing the harbor the benefactor created. Jones (1842–1916) was an American entrepreneur who co-founded Gulfport, having funded Mississippi’s Gulf and Ship Island Railroad and developed the seaport. On the face of the plinth are a sailboat and steam train, together with the words “vision” and “courage”.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips,Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
