Gulf Coast Recommendations

[BOBOT]

We'll be leaving New Orleans in a couple of weeks & driving east along the gulf, probably no further than the Destin, FL area before turning north. We'd like to stay in a couple of places along the way, not necessarily populous areas, but with nice accommodations, good beaches & great seafood. Resort type setting ok but not required.

Any ideas?
Thanks==

 

[Car-Guy]

Biloxi MS

 

[grasshopper]

Ocean Springs MS, quaint artsy town on the water.

| About Ocean Springs

For real southern dining.

http://www.marymahoneys.com/

Unless you ate at.

http://www.commanderspalace.com/

 

[Bamaman]

Try to find a bed and breakfast around Magnolia Springs, Alabama or Foley, AL--just north of Orange Beach/Gulf Shores.

 

[oscar1]

Seaside, FL - Watercolors Resort

Loved this place. Not cheap but very nice. Poured a scotch and water about 3 minutes after reaching my room and headed straight for the beach.

 

[sanfanciscotreat]

Head farther east and check out the small towns, Apalachicola, Panacea and so forth; the Forgotten Coast.

 

[JPatrick]

Ft Walton beach has all you seek, and is very quiet this time of year. When you set your dates, I'd check to be sure Spring break has not started..

 

[Pajaro]

I'm a big Biloxi fan. The hot seafood place these days is the Half Shell:
Biloxi, MS Location

Very reasonable prices and they don't fry everything. I recommend the charbroiled oysters.

Also, you can buy shrimp right off the boat at the city harbor every morning (behind the Hard Rock Casino). Jumbo shrimp are normally between $2.5 and $4 per pound.

Finally, Biloxi is a big gambling town. Even if you don't gamble, there are lots of shows and restaurants.

If driving from NOLA, you need to drive on US 90 from Bay Saint Louis to Ocean Springs. Lots of beautiful old houses and oak trees right on the Gulf.

 

[ohyes]

Ft Walton beach has all you seek, and is very quiet this time of year. When you set your dates, I'd check to be sure Spring break has not started..

Should you decide on Ft Walton Beach and want to stay a few nights, let me know. DH and I stayed in a wonderful/economical vrbo place last fall. Can highly recommend it. Wish we were going back soon.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[AndyS]

I've lived here on the Emerald Coast for about 3 years now. The sugar-white sand beaches go from Appalachicola to Orange Beach. (the sand here is white because it's quartz sand washed down from the Appalachian mountains and enters the gulf at the Appalachicola River ... coastal currents then spread it along the beaches to the west all the way to Mobile Bay.)

A few restaurants we like:
PegLeg Petes, Flounders, and Hemingways on Pensacola Beach.
McGuires in Pensacola.
Cactus Flower (cali-mexican food) in Pensacola or there's one in Navarre.

Check VRBO for condos for Gulf Shores; Orange Beach; Pensacola Beach; Navarre Beach; Fort Walton or Destin; or Panama City. Spring Break season is upon us so rates are probably going up from winter-rates right about now.

If you're looking for peace, quiet, and beauty on the water, I'd recommend Navarre Beach. There's not a lot of commercial development (clubs, restaurants, tourist traps) & the spring breakers tend not to go there. Get a sound-side place & you'll save a lot of money. The beach is just right across the street from the sound & there's plenty of access. (close to military facilities also in case you're a mil retiree)