Overview
Gulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi.
3 sights · 4 things to do · 2 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Gulfport
Mississippi Aquarium
TrainTastic
Even though this is just like a model train museum, the train did have a major part in Gulfport's founding in 1898 as a means of transport to the port for timber and other commodities.
Island View Casino Resort
This includes over 2,100 slots, 47 table games it also features live entertainment every week and an extensive beer, wine and cocktail menu.
Mississippi Aviation Heritage Museum
About area aviation history, with planes on display.
Gulf Islands Water Park
Institute For Marine Mammal Studies
Little exhibitions and encounters and shows dealing with marine animals and birds and baby alligators (or caimans?).
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 38°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jan and Jul. (climate data from nearby Gulf Coast)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- GPT Gulfport Biloxi International Airport, Gulfport — 0 mi away. Directions
- MOB Mobile Regional Airport, Mobile — 53 mi away. Directions
- MSY Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, New Orleans — 76 mi away (major hub). Directions
Starting at New Orleans you will go east on I-10 for approximately 70 miles, you will cross into Mississippi. Get off I-10 at Exit 34A and merge onto US-49. This trip will take you about an hour and a half.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Mississippi Aquarium, Island View Casino Resort, Mississippi Aviation Heritage Museum
- Lunch Catfish Charlie’s
- Afternoon TrainTastic, Bayou Vista Golf Course
- Dinner The Buffet
- Evening Gulfport Elks Lodge No. 978
Day 2
- Morning Gulf Islands Water Park
- Afternoon Institute For Marine Mammal Studies
- Evening American Legion Post no. 119
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Gulfport is famous for its seafood, fresh seafood is bought from the ports every morning including shrimp, snapper, tuna, flounder and grouper. Gulfport also has many Cajun, Southern and International restaurants that will suit every taste and help make your trip to Gulfport exciting.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
By car
Starting at New Orleans you will go east on I-10 for approximately 70 miles, you will cross into Mississippi. Get off I-10 at Exit 34A and merge onto US-49. This trip will take you about an hour and a half.
If starting at Mississippi's capital Jackson - Get on US-49 S at exit 47 A heading towards Richland/Hattisburg. Then merge onto I-59 S towards New Orleans/Gulf Coast. You will then merge again onto US-98 E at Exit 59, then take the US-49 exit heading towards Gulfport. Merge again onto US-49 S in the direction of Gulfport. This trip will take you about 3 hours.
Get around
To get around Gulfport you could rent a car. There are several car rental businesses at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. Including Avis, Budget, Hertz, National and Thrifty. There are also taxi and limousine services, along with shuttles that will take you to and from your hotel.
Place Coast Transit Authority (CTA)
CTA operates public transportation though Gulfport and along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi to include Biloxi and Ocean Springs.
See
You can go and see the white sanded coastal beaches that look over the Gulf of Mexico. These beaches are viewable from Beach Boulevard (U.S. Highway 90) there are plenty of places along the highway where you can pull over for picture opportunities.
Do
- Ship Island Ferry - Leaves from the Gulfport Small Craft Harbor and takes you to Ship Island. Ship Island was named one of the top ten beaches in the United States by USA Today. This area is the perfect spot for picnics on the beach and for surfing.
Do Bayou Vista Golf Course
This is a public golf course featuring 18 holes on 6,287 yards of green.
Buy
- Crossroads Center, Crossroads Parkway, Intersection I-10 & Highway 49. Crossroads Center is home to Cinemark, Barnes & Noble, Old Navy, 1.50 Golf, and other retailers.
Eat
Gulfport is famous for its seafood, fresh seafood is bought from the ports every morning including shrimp, snapper, tuna, flounder and grouper. Gulfport also has many Cajun, Southern and International restaurants that will suit every taste and help make your trip to Gulfport exciting.
Eat Catfish Charlie’s
Specializes in fried and flaky catfish, their chicken and side dishes are good too. They are known for their down south, family atmosphere.
Drink
Drink Gulfport Elks Lodge No. 978
Lounge and a Friday fish fry.
Sleep
Nearby
Biloxi
City / town · 34 listings · 9 mi away
D'Iberville
City / town · 5 listings · 11 mi away
Ocean Springs
City / town · 3 listings · 17 mi away
Bay St. Louis
City / town · 6 listings · 17 mi away
Waveland
City / town · 4 listings · 20 mi away
Stone County
Rural area · 6 listings · 27 mi away
Gautier
City / town · 2 listings · 28 mi away
Pascagoula
City / town · 6 listings · 32 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.