Leslie & Jared
Things To Do
Fly Llama Brewing
This is a really great new local brewery! They have delicious beers and great seltzers! Sometimes they have a food truck outside, so check the website!
Fill-Up with Billups
Super delicious breakfast food! It's a bit pricer than Waffle House (which we also love, haha!) but the portions are huge and shareable. We are particularly fond of the Monte Cristo Wafflewhich!
Mugshots Grill & Bar
You could get a burger just about anywhere, but if you want to try our favorite burger, that comes with rotel cheese dip and chili on top? You have to go to Mugshots. It’s called the Gamble, and it’s really too much for one person, in the best possible way. They have plenty of other burgers and nice things to eat here too! I listed the Biloxi location but there is also one in Gulfport and D’Iberville.
Schooner Pier Complex
If cool old sail boats are your thing, you might enjoy a trip on one of the Biloxi Schooners!
Margaritaville Resort Biloxi
This resort is super kid friendly, and features a huge arcade, multiple bars/restaurants, and for resort guests only, a rooftop water playground with waterslides, a lazy river, a ropes course and a swim up bar. This is one of the few resorts in this area of Biloxi that is not a casino.
Biloxi Beach
There are MILES of sand beach in Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs and other nearby cities. If you want some sunshine and extremely mild waves, this is the place. Most areas have easy parking directly next to the sand. In Biloxi and Ocean Springs, certain areas have views of Deer Island, the closest barrier island along the Gulf Coast. Drive along Hwy 90, also known as Beach Blvd, for a scenic beach view drive, or to scope out your perfect spot.
Shaggy's Biloxi Beach
Are you looking for a beach-side bar/grill where you can get some quality seafood and walk directly onto a sandy beach with plenty of outdoor seating and beautiful sunset views? Shaggy's is the most popular spot for a reason! It's nearby several similar places along the newly constructed Biloxi Beach Boardwalk, including The Reef and Lucy's.
Hard Rock Casino
I guess we should mention the Casinos? The truth is, Jared and I don't gamble, but it would be kind of silly not to mention that the Gulf Coast has lots of casinos. The reason I listed the Hard Rock is that I have actually spent the night in this resort, and I have to say the rooms were pretty swanky. There is of course all your standard Hard Rock stuff to see like musical memorabilia, a hard rock cafe, a robot bar, a Dunkin Donuts, a Sugar Factory restaurant, a nightclub or two, a buffet, and of course plenty of gaming, but most importantly to me? They have a Ben & Jerry's. Their next door neighbor, the Beau Rivage is the biggest and fanciest? casino on the coast and THEY have a Haagen Daaz, so tough choices will be made. Be warned that all casinos on the coast allow smoking, except for The Palace Casino in Biloxi, and The Beach View casino (Part of the Island View Casino) in Gulfport.
Keg & Barrel - Ocean Springs
This is a newer bar/restaurant in the area that we like with delicous food and plenty of outdoor seating.
Tri Hard Sports
This is a local bike shop where you can rent a beach cruiser bike. Ocean Springs is a great town to ride a bike in. The downtown area has lots of cute shops, restaurants, bars, bakeries, etc... and the citizens tend to watch out for runners and cyclists in this active community. Most streets are tree-lined with ancient oaks that provide great shade and fresh air even in the heat, and for scenic rides you can ride down two different stretches of shoreline as well as within the Davis Bayou Area of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, where you're sure to spot a gator!
Davis Bayou Area Gulf Islands National Seashore
This is our local National Park! It's the perfect place to take a walk or bike ride, have a picnic in the shade, and spot a gator or raccoon!
Prime Cut
This is the fine dining restaurant in Gulfport's only casino and one of only two smoke free casinos on the Coast. When you drive here, you want to go in the Beach Side Casino for the restaurant, as well as the smoke-free environment. The food and cocktails here are next level and prepared by an award-winning chef. We celebrated our engagement here and have eaten here numerous times and never left without completely overdoing it. Jared's son Gabe works here as an added bonus!
Jelly Donuts & Kolaches ( Gulfport )
No offense to Tato-Nut, it’s still an amazing donut, but our secret favorite is this little Donut shop closer to our home. The donuts are massive and our loving secret name for this place is “Big Fat Donuts.” You can’t go wrong here, but you MUST get a Sausage Kolache! My fave is the jalapeño flavor. Have them heat it up for you. Their chocolate donut is also what dreams are made of. If you get Jelly be prepared for a delicious mess! They are completely overstuffed little pockets of fried dough.
Fleur De Lis Gourmet Bakery
This is Leslie (and most people's) favorite bakery on the coast. Do yourself a favor and stop by for an individual serving of one of their FAMOUS Strawberry Bavarian Cream cakes, or a number of other dreamy baked goods.
Pop Brothers
Looking for something cold, sweet and refreshing? This is a local artisanal popsicle shop. The variety is endless.
Coast Roast Coffee & Tea
Local Gulfport Coffee Shop
Jones Park
Need to get out for a walk, run, or outdoor workout? Check out Jones Park in Gulfport. It has huge grassy areas, long walking/running paths, great views of the beach and the Gulfport Harbor as well as picnic areas. It's right at the water's edge of Downtown Gulfport, with several restaurants, and across the street from the newly built Mississippi Aquarium.
Ocean Adventures Marine Park
Ocean Adventures is part of IMMS, a Marine Rescue and Rehabilitation program here on the Coast. They have saved many turtles, dolphins, and even Pygmy killer whales. Animals that cannot be released for health or safety concerns become part of the show! The dolphin and sea lion shows here are extremely cute and worth a visit.
200 North Beach Restaurant and Bar
Under-appreciated Fine Dining in Bay St. Louis. The food here is high quality, the setting is romantic and the service is excellent.
Butter Cup On Second Street
Quaint adorable spot for breakfast or lunch in old town Bay St. Louis.
The Blind Tiger Bay St. Louis
Lively bar/grill in old town Bay St. Louis.
Ruth's Roots
This is a precious (very instagrammable) little community garden where you can visit with bunnies, chickens, goldfish, sculptures, and more. It's a quiet little spot out of the hubbub.
Cat Island Coffeehouse
Local coffee shop and bookstore.