This Affordable Beach City Is The South’s Most Underrated Spring Getaway

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Right here at Travel Off Path, we’re proud to have the very best of the most recent journey developments. The reality is, 2026 is a game-changer as increasingly vacationers are scoping out the lesser-known as an alternative of family names.

On this case, at the same time as Florida continues on a record-setting tear, it is not simply Orlando and Miami anymore main the way in which.

Conversely, neighboring states are plucking vacationers away as effectively, with Gulf Shores’ pretty new airport and Mississippi’s rise to stardom as a prime 5 most visited state (sure, actually!).

However the place are folks actually going?

One such metropolis could be confused for a gateway, however it’s actually a getaway, as the one industrial airport alongside Mississippi’s gleaming white shoreline, anchored by flashy Biloxi amongst up-and-coming, charming coastal cities.

To get right here, you both must fly into Gulfport (GPT) and hop aboard Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras route — and we’re right here to inform you this isn’t only a springboard — it’s the vacation spot.

The Gulf’s Most Handy White-Sand Escape

Like crowds? That query all the time ends with a tough “no”.

That is one in every of many explanation why Gulfport is so interesting.

With GPT (not AI) connecting quite a few main U.S. airports and being a significant cease for Amtrak, there is no purpose to maintain Gulfport on the down low anymore (do children nonetheless say down low?).

There are finances airways like Breeze and Solar Nation (now owned by Allegiant) and all the large canines of the trade that fly right here, possible whisking passengers to close by Biloxi and even Mississippi’s latest waterfront resort in little-known Move Christian.

Gulfport, although? It is largely disregarded for neighboring seaside cities, but it presents just about crowd-free seashores, impeccably recent seafood eats, a number of casinos, and extra metropolis vibes with an underrated arts scene like Fishbone Alley.

Straightforward to achieve and arguably extra gratifying since you possibly can snag a seat at a slot machine or a barstool at a local-favorite seafood shack, you possibly can put Siesta Key and Destin within the rear-view mirror and provides Gulfport an opportunity with its personal miles-long stretches of vibrant shores.

Gulfport Will not Dent Your Financial institution Account

Irrespective of your occupation, Gulfport is a worthwhile trip that may be budgeted for all earnings ranges.

With low-cost airways to get right here, Amtrak’s $15-and-up fares, and affordability on arrival, this metropolis is really a gem by way of worth.

Wanna know what I’m most jealous of as a Californian?

Each downtown parking and seaside parking are solely free!

Are you aware what number of quarters I’ve burned via?

However that is solely scratching the floor. Irrespective of when you go to one in every of downtown’s quite a few museums, dine at a hole-in-the-wall seafood restaurant like top-rated Shrimp Basket, or e-book a room below $100 at Gulfport’s posh Island View Casino Resort, you possibly can breathe a sigh of aid understanding vacationing is feasible with out sticker shock.

In accordance with the professional staff at Islands, they crunched numbers and located:

• Lodging common $123 to $146
• Meals prices 4.6% under the nationwide common
• Transportation prices 7.7% under the nationwide common

Moreover, Gulfport’s value of dwelling is considerably decrease than the remainder of the nation, simply in case you’re keen on this metropolis a lot and turn out to be tempted to pack up a U-Haul and transfer right here.

What Are Gulfport’s Seashores Like?

by now, Gulfport boasts stunning white sand that makes your photographs pop, however what in regards to the water situations?

That is the lone destructive mark for Mississippi’s sprawling coast.

There is not any seaside right here that rivals Florida’s Caribbean blue or emerald inexperienced waters, as they’re extra tea-colored hues, but nonetheless appropriate for swims and sunny days to unwind in a lounger.

That mentioned, lots of Gulfport’s seashores nonetheless obtain rave critiques. A beachgoer from final spring acknowledged, “Completely attractive. This was my first time visiting Gulfport, and I’ll undoubtedly be again. The seashores listed below are beautiful, and the view is dreamy.”

Whereas brackish waters aren’t precisely a promoting level, there’s one exception in March: Ship Island.

One among Gulfport’s hottest excursions carries vacationers by ferry roughly 12 miles offshore to a barrier island operated by the Nationwide Park Service for even whiter sand, clear water, and historic excursions of Fort Massachusetts.