Coastal Mississippi is getting ready for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

As the US marks 250 years of independence, the Coast is planning an entire weekend of history, heritage, fireworks, local flavors, and small-town charm. This is the perfect way to honor the past and enjoy the present. Make the most of the holiday with a relaxed, memorable three-day getaway built around the region’s biggest America 250 festivities.

Below is a suggested itinerary for July 3-5, 2026, that blends the best of Coastal Mississippi history, local dining, easy sightseeing, and the signature Fourth of July celebration at Buccaneer State Park.

Coastal Mississippi Day-to-Day Itinerary

DAY 1 Things To Do in Coastal Mississippi

Start your trip in the Bay of St. Louis. This walkable waterfront town is filled with historic architecture, local art, and a friendly atmosphere that immediately sets the tone for the weekend. Begin at the Historic L and N Train Depot, home to the Mardi Gras Museum and exhibits that introduce the rich heritage of Hancock County. From there, stroll through Old Town to browse galleries, shops, and tree-lined streets filled withcharacter.

For lunch, Field’s Steak and Oyster Bar in Bay St. Louis is a casual, bright eatery to enjoy Coastal Mississippi flavors, perfect for all ages.

Spend your afternoon exploring the natural beauty of Buccaneer State Park. The grounds overlook the Mississippi Sound and offer a glimpse into early colonial history, pirate stories, and life along the Mississippi in the earliest days of America. Add a stop at the Hancock County Historical Society to hear more about French and Spanish settlement, early trade routes, and pre-statehood Mississippi.

End the day at Sycamore House with an eclectic menu in a National Register property overlooking historic Main Street. Local Tip: Try the New York-style pizza. After dinner, you can stay in the Bay St. Louis area for live music or walk the waterfront at sunset.

DAY 2 of Coastal MS Attractions

Start your morning in Gulfport at the Gulfport Union Depot, a restored 1904 landmark that once connected travelers and troops to the Coast. Walk the grounds of Fishbone Alley, where the murals tell their own version of Gulfport’s past and present. More local lore awaits at the Gulfport Harbor area, where interpretive markers outline the city’s rise from a small port to a central hub.

For lunch, Half Shell Oyster House in Gulfport serves Gulf Coast staples with the kind of reliability that keeps locals coming back. If you want oysters done right, this is the spot.

AFTERNOON OPTIONS:

#1. MILITARY & MARITIME HISTORY

Spend time at the Gulfport Museum of History learning how the waterfront developed, or visit the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby for a deep dive into the stories of service members from Mississippi.

#2. IMMS & OCEAN ADVENTURES

Visit the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies and Ocean Adventures. You can learn about Gulf marine wildlife, watch trainer presentations, and explore hands-on exhibits that explain the Coast’s ecology.

#3. CENTENIAL PLAZA

Head to Centennial Plaza, a historic 48-acre former military reservation turned waterfront resort district. Walk the grounds, check out the fountain and green spaces, and take in the preserved architecture that tells the story of Gulfport’s early military roots. Once you have had your dose of history, switch gears at Hippie Fish, the on-site mini golf course and arcade.

In the evening, the spotlight stays on the Mississippi Gulf Coast Fishing Rodeo. This Fourth of July tradition turns the harbor into a full-on celebration with weigh-ins, live music, food vendors, and kids’ activities. Glimpse everything from seasoned anglers showing off trophy catches to families cheering onfirst-timers. Stick around as the festival energy builds; the rodeo runs straight into the night’s big fireworks show alongthe waterfront.

Settle in for dinner along Biloxi’s waterfront. Shaggy’s Biloxi Beach leans into coastal comfort food while The Reef offers a big menu with plenty of Gulf favorites.

DAY 3 of Final Coastal Mississippi Activities

Head to Ocean Springs for Coastal Mississippi art and culture. Known for its creativity and small-town warmth, Ocean Springs is an excellent final stop. Begin at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art to appreciate one of the most important American artists ofthe Gulf South. Anderson’s work captures the spirit of the Coast in a way that feels especially meaningful during America’s 250th year. Walk downtown Ocean Springs and enjoy the shops, galleries, and tree-lined streets for leisurely exploration.

Try Eat Drink Love or The Lady May for lunch. Both offer fresh, flavorful menus that reflect the relaxed character of Ocean Springs.

To end your visit, history lovers can visit Beauvoir, the waterfront estate and presidential library of Jefferson Davis, to hear stories of the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. Nature lovers can choose the Pascagoula River Audubon Center to explore the natural history of America’s most extensive unimpeded river system and the Native cultures that lived along it.

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