Just across the state line, the coastal town of Ocean Springs, Mississippi packs a surprising amount of art, history and food into a destination close enough for a single tank of gas from the Mobile area.
The heart of any visit is the walkable downtown, where blocks of cottage-style storefronts hold locally owned restaurants and independent shops. The town’s creative reputation centers on the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, which celebrates the work of the famed Gulf Coast artist who made Ocean Springs his home. Nearby, the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce operates out of the community’s historic train station, a good first stop for visitors mapping out their time in town.
Locals will point hungry travelers toward Tatonut, a bakery and eatery so beloved that it is routinely described as a must-visit stop for anyone passing through.
With its quiet residential streets, live oaks and easy access to the water, Ocean Springs has managed to hold onto its small-town coastal character even as it has grown into one of the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s most-visited destinations. For Mobile and Baldwin County residents looking for a low-effort getaway, it remains one of the region’s most rewarding short drives.