Top things To Do in Ocean Springs MS: Free and Paid!

Are you looking for things to do in Ocean Springs MS?  What about free things?  Well look no further because we’ll be discussing both paid AND free things to do in Ocean Springs right here!

Ocean Springs is a quaint little town in coastal Mississippi, with an adorable and busy downtown area.  There are shops and restaurants but there are also bayous and beaches.  So whatever you are looking for, we’re going to cover it in this article.

Let’s start with where Ocean Springs even is!  

Location

Ocean Springs, Mississippi is a small coastal town with a population of about 19,000 people.  This area of Mississippi was discovered in 1699 by French explorers, but it didn’t become an official city until the 1890s.  

Just an hour and a half from New Orleans, and 1 hour from Mobile, AL, this little section of Mississippi isn’t to be skipped!  With beautiful beaches, bayous to explore, and a bustling downtown scene, you won’t want to miss Ocean Springs.

But what is there to do in Ocean Springs?  Let’s start with free things!

Free Things

Let’s be honest, things are expensive, and things to do in Ocean Springs MS are no exception.  So what if you’re traveling on a budget?  Here are a few things to get you started that are free to you and your whole family!

Gulf Islands National Seashore (Mississippi Side)

First up is the Davis Bayou area of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.  This area has a fishing pier, a picnic area, a few walking trails and a great visitor center (perfect for your kiddos to explore and touch the exhibits).  There is also an attached campground if you are the camping type!

Check out this link for all of the things you can do and see in the Davis Bayou area.  And unlike the Florida side of the national seashore, this area is free to enter.

Walk Around Downtown

Next up on our things to do in Ocean Springs MS is to walk around the downtown area.  Now, we all know eating out and shopping aren’t free, but it’s free to walk around!  

There are dozens of adorable shops to explore and plenty of restaurants to fit any budget.  Plus there are some great murals and the general environment is a cute and bustling small town.  Here is the walking map that you can use to direct your exploration.

Walk and Explore Front Beach (Ocean Springs Beach)

Front Beach is the perfect (and flat) place to take a walk and enjoy the beauty of the beach.  These white sand beaches are a great place to enjoy calm waters with a view of the Biloxi Bay Bridge and the Ocean Springs Harbor.  

BONUS: Along the Front Beach walking path, there is the Fort Maurepas City Park where kids can enjoy the playground and even a splash pad in the summertime.  

Ride One of the Bike Routes

Did you know Ocean Springs has 15.5miles of Bike Trails?  If biking is your thing, check out this Bike Trail Map for a quick glance at the 3 routes throughout the town.  

But after this bike route, you might be kinda hungry!  So let’s check out some of the restaurants in Ocean Springs.  

Where to Eat

Of all the awesome things to do in Ocean Springs MS, you have the most amount of choices when it comes to bars and restaurants.  There are dozens of restaurants in Ocean Springs, including 6 Seafood restaurants to choose from!

Truly, there are more restaurants here than I could ever possibly try, so for all the information about restaurants in Ocean Springs and nearby, I’ll refer you to the Coastal Mississippi website.  

You can use the filters to look for the type of cuisine as well as select the coastal town you are looking for.  EXAMPLE: if you are looking for Seafood in Ocean Springs, select these 2 filters and it will give you your options.  

Cheap Snacks

Now, if you’re on a budget, you’ll probably want to skip the big expensive meals.  But if you can spare a few dollars, you have to try The Tato-Nut Donut Shop!  These were some of the best donuts I’ve ever had and we ate there twice!

There is also the French Kiss Pastries shop that has delicious and affordable treats. There are also coffee shops and ice cream shops right in the downtown area that won’t break the bank.  

Breweries

If you’re looking for a couple of places to try a local beer, you’ll want to check out Hops and Growlers or Lost Springs Brewing.  Both are in Ocean Springs and both have home-brewed beers on tap!

We really love to find a local beer when we are in a new place, so if you are like us, be sure to check out these local spots.  

Paid Things

Now, if you aren’t on a tight budget, there are lots of paid things to do in Ocean Springs MS.  From Museums to Adventures, you will find just about anything you could want in Ocean Springs.

Walter Anderson Museum of Art

First up is the Walter Anderson Museum of Art.  This historic museum was inspired by the artist Walter Anderson as he created art that was in harmony with nature.  The museum opened in 1991 and was expanded in 2012.  

For just $10 per person, this museum comes highly recommended by locals and fellow artists.  From murals to ceramics, you’ll love exploring this museum if you appreciate and enjoy art.

Take a Slow Ride Pedal Tour

Ocean Springs is now offering Slow Ride Pedal tours for groups of 8 to 14 people.  This 2 hour tour is a fun way to get around the city with your friends while also enjoying your favorite beverage.  

These tours are a little on the pricey side, but if you’re traveling with a group of friends, the price comes down per person.  We did one of these in Nashville and had a blast, so I can only imagine how fun it would be in this adorable town.

Rent EBikes to Explore Ocean Springs and Biloxi!

Another thing you can do to explore Ocean Springs a little bit more is rent an EBike from Biloxi Bicycle Works.  While yes, this is in Biloxi (the town just west of Ocean Springs) you’ll be able to ride these bikes all over, including the recommended Ocean Springs.  

You can rent these bikes at this link for a comfortable ride around Ocean Springs and Biloxi.  

Walking Tour in a Swamp

We all know about the swamps and bayous of Louisiana, but Mississippi also has swamps and bayous where you can see great wildlife and even gators!  If you are wanting to do a guided walking tour of one of these swamps, go explore a little nature while in coastal Mississippi.  

You can head over to Pearlington, MS and take a guided walking tour with Gulf Coast Eco Tours while visiting Ocean Springs to see a different side of coastal Mississippi.  

Nearby

And while we’re discussing heading out of town to explore more of the area, if you are still looking for things to do in Ocean Springs MS, there is a nearby town you should check out too!  

Biloxi

Just across the bridge is the town of Biloxi, MS and this is another town you won’t want to miss.  

They have a 2 mile boardwalk that allows easy access to the beautiful and calm Biloxi Beach.  There are a few beachfront restaurants here and a great souvenir shop called Sharkheads.  

Biloxi also has a cute historic downtown area with several murals and cute shops.  There’s even a free historic walking tour with QR codes placed throughout the historic buildings in the area.  

If you are looking to spend more time across the bridge in Biloxi, be sure to check out this post of Things to do in Biloxi MS for a starting point!

Ship Island

Technically, Ship Island tours operate out of Gulfport, but this island is protected by the above mentioned Gulf Islands National Seashore.  This little coastal island contains the historic Fort Massachusetts that was built in the 1850s and saw combat during the US Civil War.  

This island is only reachable by boat from March to October.  There is also a snack stand and swimming area on Ship Island if you are looking to enjoy a different view.  

Now, what about ways to stay in the Ocean Springs area?

Hotels and B&Bs

There are dozens of things to do in Ocean Springs MS, but what about where to stay?  There are nearly 100 hotels and Bed & Breakfasts.  No matter your budget or type of vacation, there is something for you. You can choose to stay in a Casino Hotel in Biloxi, or a tiny historical B&B.  

Whatever you vibe (or budget) is, you can search this Coastal Mississippi website to find the perfect place for you!

Cheapest Way to Stay!

If you are looking to explore and find things to do in Ocean Springs MS then I have a great affordable place to stay.  Just how cheap?

How does $22 per night sound?

And the place is Davis Bayou Campground.  Davis Bayou is just 12 minutes from the bustling downtown area of Ocean Springs, MS.  The campground has 52 sites with water and electric hook-ups and a clean bathhouse.  So while this isn’t the life of luxury, it’s a great way to save some money.

Conclusion

There are a plethora of things to do in Ocean Springs MS, in fact I barely scratched the surface of this busy little town!  Hopefully this post gives you a place to start as you check out Coastal Mississippi!

With dozens of hotels and restaurants and shops, there are plenty of ways to stay and enjoy your time in Ocean Springs, MS.