Part of our Mississippi guide.
This Gulfport Travel Guide collects two articles: one on 12 local art scenes to immerse in and another on 6 unforgettable experiences. Each piece below gives specific places and activities you can find in this coastal city.
12 Local Art Scenes To Immerse In Gulfport, Mississippi
Gulfport’s art scene includes galleries, studios, live performances, and community events. Visit the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art, which showcases ceramics and the work of George Ohr. The Lynn Meadows Discovery Center offers hands-on art activities for families. The Gulfport Art Walk, held monthly downtown, features local painters, sculptors, and musicians. The Island View Casino Resort hosts rotating art exhibits in its lobby. The historic 1902 Depot, now a community center, displays works by regional artists. The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park campus has a gallery with student and faculty shows. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Symphony performs at the Saenger Theatre in nearby Biloxi. The Gulfport Little Theatre puts on community plays year-round. The Art of the South Gallery specializes in contemporary Southern art. The Coastal Arts Guild holds workshops and open studio events. The Creative Arts Center offers classes in painting, pottery, and photography. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues Festival celebrates the region’s musical heritage; for deeper context, explore the state’s blues history and landmarks in Mississippi.
6 Unforgettable Experiences In Gulfport, Mississippi
Gulfport offers beaches, dining, entertainment, and history. Start at Gulfport Beach, a public beach with soft sand and calm waters along the Gulf of Mexico. Visit the Mississippi Aquarium, which opened in 2020, featuring marine life from the Gulf and rivers. Walk the Harbor Square Marina to see fishing boats and charter options. Eat at Shaggy’s Gulfport Beach location, known for oysters and Gulf seafood. Explore the Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival, held from November through December, with over a million lights and a Ferris wheel. Tour the historic Biloxi Lighthouse, built in 1848, located just east of Gulfport. For nightlife, check out the nightlife spots to experience in Biloxi, Mississippi, which include casinos and live music venues. The area also has several resorts to stay in Gulfport, Mississippi, such as the Courtyard by Marriott Gulfport Beachfront and the Holiday Inn Resort Gulfport Beach.
