Missippi in February instead of FL? (Gulfport, Biloxi: where to stay, house, casinos)

[sheena12]

Hi!

I live in OH and most Februarys we spend two or three weeks in Florida because by that time, the novelty of a "White Christmas" and the "First Snow", have worn out their welcome. Winter here, is brutal and unrelenting. By the 27th snow, sipping hot cocoa by the fireplace gets old.

This year we are looking for a change. We've been every place in the Sunshine State, and although we both have family their, (or maybe because we do) FL is getting boring.

I have an adventurous spirit, and I was wondering what area of Mississippi would be best to visit? We love the beach, good music or many types, sea food, prepared well, history, and friendly people. I don't care if the area is a little touristy - I am a tourist, after all. I imagine any place in MS would be less touristy than almost anywhere we would visit in FL, however, I'd like to have an authentic experience.

Would the weather be warm in MS in Feb? If so, how warm? What type of temperatures can we expect? I know most of MS is not as warm as most of FL is, but is cold weather common in Feb? By cold, I mean weather below 60F.

Any advice about where to stay?

We are debating MS and Alabama. The poster Grandview Gloria has piqued my interest in MS. I am also a fan of Southern literature. We enjoy friendly locals.

Thank you in advance for any advice or recommendations.

[southernnaturelover]

I’m going to recommend Fairhope, AL since you say you like the beach and literature. February is typically cold, though not by OH standards. Usually around 25-35 degrees at night, and anywhere from 50 to 70 degrees during the day.

[Mississippi Alabama Line]

Bay St. Louis, done.

Food is best in Mississippi, hands down. Alabama has mid-grade beaches down at Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, and the Fairhope area is nice but super snobbish (no real beaches there). If you want beaches, honestly you should go to Destin area, those are the best in the country.

Bay St. Louis also has all that New Orleansy type stuff going on too.

[Listener2307]

Originally Posted by sheena12

Hi!

I live in OH and most Februarys we spend two or three weeks in Florida because by that time, the novelty of a "White Christmas" and the "First Snow", have worn out their welcome. Winter here, is brutal and unrelenting. By the 27th snow, sipping hot cocoa by the fireplace gets old.

This year we are looking for a change. We've been every place in the Sunshine State, and although we both have family their, (or maybe because we do) FL is getting boring.

I have an adventurous spirit, and I was wondering what area of Mississippi would be best to visit? We love the beach, good music or many types, sea food, prepared well, history, and friendly people. I don't care if the area is a little touristy - I am a tourist, after all. I imagine any place in MS would be less touristy than almost anywhere we would visit in FL, however, I'd like to have an authentic experience.

Would the weather be warm in MS in Feb? If so, how warm? What type of temperatures can we expect? I know most of MS is not as warm as most of FL is, but is cold weather common in Feb? By cold, I mean weather below 60F.

Any advice about where to stay?

We are debating MS and Alabama. The poster Grandview Gloria has piqued my interest in MS. I am also a fan of Southern literature. We enjoy friendly locals.

Thank you in advance for any advice or recommendations.

Start in Bay St Louis. Ease on over to New Orleans, and if you still feel like exploring take a look around New Iberia, LA and the other small towns in Louisiana.
Stop at a convenience store for lunch and try some boudin. Sit outside and eat, and have yourself a beer or a margarita from one of the drive-through daiquiri joints. Talk to the people. Live an actual life, and stay out of Florida.

[jhadorn]

It depends on your interests. Beaches on the Mississippi coast are good, but the water is brown and without many waves because of the Mississippi river dumping into the gulf and the barrier islands. For clear water and waves take the ferry to Ship Island, which is also part of Mississippi.

Food on the Mississippi coast is really good. I would recommend Taranto's, Shaggy's, The Reef, Mikey's on the Bayou, Rosetti's, and for breakfast McElroy's Harbor House (they have good beignets).

Spend a couple days in Mississippi and play it by ear. You may want to go to New Orleans for a day or two as well.

The site below has restaurants and things to do on the coast.

https://www.gulfcoast.org/

Oh, I forgot weather. February is iffy. It could be in the 60's some days, but then it could be kinda cold on others.

[RocketDawg]

The entire coast of Mississippi, Alabama, and the panhandle of Florida have pretty cool, and sometimes cold, winters. Many not familiar with the area think of the region as being tropical, but it's not. You won't be hitting the beach in a swimsuit on too many days. Temps below 60 will be common at night, but 60 won't be terribly unusual in the daytime.

[sheena12]

Originally Posted by RocketDawg

The entire coast of Mississippi, Alabama, and the panhandle of Florida have pretty cool, and sometimes cold, winters. Many not familiar with the area think of the region as being tropical, but it's not. You won't be hitting the beach in a swimsuit on too many days. Temps below 60 will be common at night, but 60 won't be terribly unusual in the daytime.

First, thank you all for your thoughtful replies.

Second, I do want to visit MS out of curiosity, but it might not be as warm as I'd like. Sixty is fine. Even not being able to go in the water is OK, as long as it's warm (to me, 70 or above) and the sun is shining and strong.

It's really hard to describe how "sun deprived" people in northern locations become by the middle and end of winter. I am already dreading it and it isn't even cold yet.

Would March be better? What is the actual best time to visit?

[viverlibre]

It sounds like money is not a huge issue to the OP (based on a 2-3 week vacation). Start on 30A and stay a night or two, for shopping hit Destin Commons and eat breakfast at the Donut Hole, then have a nice dinner at Clemenza's (low key Italian) in Fort Walton. From there ease over to Fairhope for a day or two. Leave Fairhope and head toward the 'Sip, stopping at Felix's in Mobile for a seafood lunch. Spend a day or two in Ocean Springs (considered by most to be the nicest city in the State, but the bar is low) and explore downtown and Government Street. Leave OS and head toward Bay St Louis stopping at Half Shell in Gulfport for lunch. Spend a couple of nights at a B&B in BSL and enjoy the nice scenery and any of several good restaurants. If you are into gambling, then test out any of the casinos, many consider the Buea Rivage in Biloxi one of the best. Finish your trip out with a few days exploring NOLA.

It will be too cold for "beach time" in February.

[viverlibre]

Originally Posted by sheena12

First, thank you all for your thoughtful replies.

Second, I do want to visit MS out of curiosity, but it might not be as warm as I'd like. Sixty is fine. Even not being able to go in the water is OK, as long as it's warm (to me, 70 or above) and the sun is shining and strong.

It's really hard to describe how "sun deprived" people in northern locations become by the middle and end of winter. I am already dreading it and it isn't even cold yet.

Would March be better? What is the actual best time to visit?

May is just starting to get warm enough for beach weather, but no one comes to the 'Sip to "go to the beach." Beach time is for the coast in AL and FL. February is as good a time as any.

[southernnaturelover]

70 in February? I suppose anything’s possible, but it’s not likely.