Gulfport is a coastal city, which is situated in the United States of America. It is recommended as the second-largest city in Mississippi. This place is considered a metropolitan area in the United States. It is known for different attractive places like historical museums, play centers, etc. This destination is the best place for family fun attractions and outdoor activities. The parents can travel with their children during summer vacations and other alternative holidays.
Gulfport, Mississippi Beach is a beautiful scenic beach, which is located along the Gulf Coast. It is a popular destination, which is recommended for sunbathing, swimming, and other water activities. The Gulfport beach provides a calm and relaxed atmosphere to tourists. This place is best suited for family members in the summer seasons or hot weather conditions. The other popular attractions, which are situated near the beach, are the Mississippi Aquarium, Island View Casino Resorts, and others. The tourists are advised to travel budget-friendly since many attractions and activities are free or inexpensive at the Gulfport Beach, Mississippi.
Now, in this blog, we will discuss the attractions and activities to do at the Gulfport, Mississippi beach.
Top Attractions at Gulfport, Mississippi Beach
The attractions and activities, which take place at Gulfport, Mississippi Beach are as follows:
1. Relax at White Sand Beach in Gulfport
The White Sand Beach is located along the Gulf of Mexico. It is a popular traveling destination, which is well-known for its expansive white sand beaches. This place is a popular choice for visitors. It is mainly ideal for swimming, sunbathing, leisurely walks, and beach games. The white sand beach is equipped with showers, picnic areas and restrooms, which allows the guests to feel comfortable and relaxed at the white sand beach. You are suggested to enjoy water activities at this place. These include jet skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, etc.
The visitors are advised to visit White Sand Beach in the summer season. This place is open 24 hours and 7 days a week. There are lots of parking areas available near the white sand beach. These parking spaces are usually recommended for parking vehicles. There are no entry fees charged for group travelers while entering the beach. The ticket cost will be variable depending on the group size.
2. Enjoy Water Sports at Gulf Islands Water Park
The Gulf Islands Water Park is located 3.7 miles away from Gulfport Beach. It is a popular attraction, which is loaded with rides, water slides, and pools. This destination is usually suggested for family fun activities in hot weather conditions. It is recommended for visitors of all ages. There are millions of activities taking place around this water park. It is situated near the southernmost transitional highway in Gulfport city. The Horn Island Blaster is the only water roller coaster, which is recommended for adventure seekers and thrill seekers. It offers a ride with twists, turns, steep drops, and uphill blasts. This makes the attraction memorable for tourists.
The lazy river, body slides, flumes, and tube slides are some other rides that take place in Gulfport Islands Water Park. A pool named Lil’ Pelican Bay is usually recommended for children and young kids. The private cabana rentals in Gulfport Island Water Park are available for guests. The Water park is open on all days of the week. You can travel with your family members during the peak season. The timing for group travelers to visit Gulfport Islands Water Park is from 10 AM to 6 PM. You are suggested to park your vehicles at the designated parking areas, which are available near the water park. The entry fees and ticket costs for tourists will be different for each group size. It might be variable in each season and each year.
3. Explore Mississippi Aquarium
The Mississippi Aquarium is the third most popular attraction for tourists, which is situated near the Gulfport, Mississippi, beach. It is considered a smaller destination compared to larger aquariums. This place is ideal for both indoor and outdoor activities. The Mississippi Aquarium features different species of plants and animals. The animal species include water animals like dolphins, sharks, alligators, sea turtles, and other freshwater fish. The aquarium is wonderful for observation and learning. It is also featured with gift shops and cafes. The activities that are performed in the Mississippi Aquarium are interactive exhibitions, daily educational programs, and other special events.
The tourists are suggested to travel to the Mississippi Aquarium from 10 AM to 5 PM. The designated parking areas are available near this wonderful place for parking vehicles. This destination is usually recommended for group travelers in the summer and winter seasons.
The Mississippi Aquarium offers special discounts to 15-member groups or more. If the members in the group are 50 or more, they will get one complimentary ticket with a 15% discount.
4. Enjoy Water Rides at Gulfport Amusement Park
The Gulfport Amusement Park is a beautiful destination that offers a variety of water rides to tourists of all ages. The rides will be a roller coaster, Camille Cutter, Cat Island Catapult, etc. The kiddie rides also take place in this amusement park, which are designed for young kids only. These activities make the park atmosphere vibrant for children. The amusement park also features food stalls, which offer some delicious treats like cotton candy, corn dogs, etc. The family members are suggested to enjoy eating snacks and watching the rides together. The Gulfport Amusement Park also hosts special events like the Harbor Lights Winter festival, carnival rides, etc. This place is also suggested for sea lion shows and Frisbee dog performances. The celebrity meets and magic shows are also held in this amusement park.
The Gulfport Amusement Park is open from 10 AM to 6 PM daily. You are advised to travel with your group members in the summer season, which lies in May and June. The amusement park offers free on-site parking areas, which are usually reserved for parking vehicles. You can park your vehicles without any difficulty.
The entry fees in the park will be determined by ticket prices, which can be affordable or expensive. As the season passes, the price goes higher for group travelers. The group travelers will get special discounts for traveling in the Gulfport amusement park.
5. Play Casino at Island View Casino Resort
The Island View Casino Resort is the fifth-most popular attraction, which is located near the beach. It is the best place suggested for fun gaming like blackjack, roulette, etc. The casino resort is equipped with luxury amenities, which include an 18-hole golf course, two resort pools, and a full-service spa. It also features 14 distinct restaurants and bars, which are usually recommended for Mother’s Day celebrations and other events. The resort pools are ideal for hotel guests who are above 21 years of age.
The Island View Casino Resort is open 24 hours and 7 days a week. This place is best suited for group travelers in the spring and summer seasons. A multi-level parking garage is available in the casino resort, which is recommended for parking vehicles. There are no entry fees charged in this place. However, the tourists are advised to enter the resort without paying the entry fees.
6. Visit Friendship Oak
The friendship oak is mainly recommended for oak trees, which stand at a height of 59 feet. It is a historical destination, which is situated on a long beach in Mississippi. The majestic tree is more than 500 years old. The Friendship Oak destination is situated 3 or 4 miles away from the Gulfport beach. Visitors are suggested to pass their time on the ground campuses by playing games, watching movies, and communicating with each other. The Friendship Oak destination is ideal for educational and recreational purposes. It is also approved for wedding ceremonies, celebrations, and gatherings. The group members are suggested to capture photos while traveling in this popular spot.
The group travelers are suggested to visit Friendship Oak on all days of the week. The vehicles should be parked at the Hardy Hall parking lot, the tennis court parking lot, and the visitors’ parking. You are suggested to travel with your group members in the spring and fall seasons. If you want to travel in the summer season, then you can travel in the early morning or late afternoon. It is because the summer season is very hot, which leads to discomfort for group travelers.
The admission charges and ticket costs are free for tourists in Friendship Oak. They can enter this destination without paying the entry fees.
7. Enjoy Marina and Waterfront Activities at Jones Park
Jones Park is the seventh-most popular attraction, which is situated along the Gulf of Mexico shoreline. It is one of the loveliest places to visit in the United States. The Jones Park is best suitable for picnicking, strolling, sightseeing, and photography. It is equipped with certain features, which include splash pads, the Barksdale pavilion, a replica White House, etc. The marina and waterfront activities are going to take place inside the Jones Park. These activities are recommended for both children and adults. The Jones Park also hosts events like carnival rides, concerts, food festivals, etc.
The timing for group travelers to visit Jones Park is from 9 AM to 4 PM. They are advised to travel in the spring and summer seasons. The designated parking areas that are available in this place are the west entrance parking and the additional parking. These areas are usually ideal for private vehicles and boat trailers.
There are no entry fees recommended for group travelers inside Jones Park. They can enjoy traveling to this destination without any cost.
8. Explore Lynn Meadows Discovery Center
The Lynn Meadows Discovery Center is situated approximately 1.6 miles from the Gulfport beach. It is a place that is recommended for children’s imagination. The discovery center features certain facilities, which include a Super Colossal climbing structure, art studios, the Dolan Avenue Depot, etc. It offers a variety of indoor and outdoor activities for children and family members. Some activities will be recommended for entertainment, whereas some are used for entertainment purposes. The summer camps and seasonal programs also take place in a discovery center. This place is suggested for hosting private events and live performances.
The Discovery Center is open from 10 AM to 5 PM from Monday to Saturday and 12 PM to 5 PM on Sunday. You are suggested to visit this museum in spring, summer, fall, and winter seasons. The private vehicles should be parked at on-site parking areas, which are available inside the discovery center. The nearby public areas like Jones Park, Beach Boulevard, etc., are also recommended for parking vehicles.
The museum offers special discounts to group travelers. The entry fees will be free for children at Lynn Meadows Discovery Center.
9. Visit Ocean Adventure Marine Park
The Ocean Adventure Marine Park is the ninth-most popular attraction, which is located 1.5 miles from the beach. It is a family-friendly destination, which is ideal for marine and aquatic animals. The marine park offers a variety of features, which are usually recommended for entertainment and education. It hosts events like Sea Lion Shows, Shark Encounters, etc. The educational activities and animal training rides are also suggested for children and family members.
The group travelers are suggested to visit Ocean Adventure Marine Park from 9 AM to 4 PM daily. This place is open for all seven days of the week. The tourists can enjoy traveling in the summer season. You can park your vehicles at the designated parking areas, which are available near the marine park. The entry fees are different but inexpensive for adults and children.
10. Enjoy a Ferry Ride at Ship Island Excursions
The Ship Island Excursions is a ferry terminal destination, which is situated near the Gulfport beach. It is the tenth-most popular attraction, which is well-known for its beautiful beaches. This place is best suited for ferry rides. The visitors are advised to feel relaxed and enjoy their rides in hot weather conditions. They can also enjoy the warm sun at the sandy beaches. The swimming and beach activities also took place on the ship’s island. Ship Island is also recommended for its historical significance. It is featured with Fort Massachusetts, a historical military fort ideal for rich history and the Civil War. The island is best for nature lovers. It is a perfect day trip for a group of friends and family members. The group travelers can travel in Ship Island Excursions between 10 AM and 5 PM. It is the best place to visit in the summer season. The designated parking areas are available near this destination for vehicle parking. The military personnel and senior citizens get special discounts related to ferry tickets.
Conclusion
This blog describes the attractions that are located near the Gulfport, Mississippi, beach. These attractions are usually recommended for hosting different kinds of activities, which makes it more interesting and enjoyable for children. All these activities are primarily useful for school field trips, family reunions, and other educational events. You are advised to rent a charter bus in Mississippi and other modes of transport if you want to enjoy the traveling journey in Gulfport.