Snowbirds love the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the winter months (as well as the rest of the year). Snowbirds arrive from Canada, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, New York, and states where it’s just cold during the winter. Seeking out warm weather and the best destinations takes some research. The Gulf of Mexico specifically the Mississippi Gulf Coast with its white sand beaches is your cold weather destination.
Ocean Springs and Bay St. Louis have been named the best cities and best places along the coast for a few years. You have choices for your winter escape, the West Coast, East Coast, or the West Coast. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is the West Coast.
You may ask, how is the weather on the Mississippi Gulf Coast? Last year it was 74 degrees in January. The weather is usually very comfortable during the Fall and Winter season. The beaches, restaurants, casinos, and other venues were all open.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
- What can you do on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in winter –
- Walk the beach
- Enjoy gambling at casinos
- Eat some great Cajun, Creole, and Southern Food (even Sushi)
- Visit the Aquarium
- Stroll through the many art galleries
- Shop in downtown Ocean Springs and Bay St. Louis
- Attend an event e.g. Jones Park Christmas lights, boat parade, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s parade, and much more
- Go to one of the entertainment events held at casino resorts
- Fish, winter is a great time for some species of fish
- Walk around at the Gulf Islands National Seashore and see Alligators
- Take a day trip to New Orleans and visit the WW2 museum
- Drive to Mobile for the day to see Bellingrath and the Battleship Alabama
- Take a kayak tour of Old Fort Bayou
- Try the Betsy Ann Riverboat cruise
- Walk around the old towns at night and enjoy a drink and meal, Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Ocean Springs all have lively areas where you can drink in public. Take your beer from one place to another.
- Much, much more
- Where do snowbirds go in Mississippi? – They go to the Mississippi Gulf Coast
- Where can I stay on the Mississippi Gulf Coast when visit?
- The best place is a vacation rental particularly if you stay for a while. ChristiesGulfBeachRentals.com has properties that can accommodate motor homes and towed vehicles. Even one property that has an RV hookup outside of the 1900s home with a view of the beach
- Hotels are everywhere
- RV parks are scattered throughout the area
- Casino hotels
- Where is the cheapest place to be a snowbird on the Gulf?
- Not Florida, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is by far the reasonably priced area
- Stay in a single-family house with a view of the beach or walk to the beach Gulfport, Long Beach, and Waveland are bargain locations in the winter
- Which is better for snowbirds Florida or Mississippi Gulf Coast?
- Mississippi Gulf Coast is better because it is less expensive and far less crowded
- More availability of things to do other than watch TV. See the question above.
- Florida is further and gas is expensive. Mississippi has one of the lowest prices for fuel
- What are the best small towns for snowbirds?
- Gulfport, Waveland, and Long Beach are the best small towns for snowbirds there are more accommodations at short-term vacation rental properties
- What are the best places to spend winter months? – The Mississippi Gulf Coast and the many small cities.
- What is the best snowbird rental website? – ChristiesGulfBeachRentals.com
- Best places to spend winter months in the USA
- Gulfport, Waveland, Long Beach, Ocean Springs, Pass Christian, Bay St. Louis
- What are the best places for young snowbirds?
- Mississippi Gulf Coast – Ocean Springs, Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, and Gulfport all have venues for young people. 12 casinos all with entertainment. Many local pubs and restaurants entertain. Young people love to fish and rent jet skis.
Winter weather is mild
The Mississippi Gulf Coast is not your typical popular tourist destination. Florida’s Gulf Coast is crowded with people who don’t spend the time to learn about the lower prices and easy access to everything on the Mississippi Gulf Coast fast becoming one of the US’s top snowbird destinations.
Let’s discuss the weather. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is about 40° warmer on average during the winter months than any northern city. Our winter temperatures are considered mild. The chart below indicates the temperature in colder climates compared to Gulfport on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. When residents start wearing jackets and pants it’s time for Snowbirds to find their ideal place at an affordable price along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
I thought it comical to see new snowbirds wearing shorts and t-shirts in the winter as they eat in an outdoor restaurant. At the table alongside is a local all bundled up. We tend to feel cold when the temperature drops below 70°.
Did I mention outdoor activities? If you love to golf, you need not brush off the snow to hit a few balls around. Our golf clubs are open in the winter. There are several golf courses so why not try them all? Taking a boat out to fish is a great option. Bring your chair to the beach and sit for a while. There is plenty of fresh air here, and no pollution to deal with.
The scenic beauty of the Mississippi Gulf Coast rivals any of those areas on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Take a boat trip to a barrier island, and see a pre-civil war fort. Visit the Mississippi Aquarium or one of our many art galleries and museums. Visit historical sites and enjoy our peaceful environment.
Beaches in winter are never crowded
Winter (or snowbird season) is one of the best times during the year for people to visit. The area is never really crowded but in winter months there is time for quiet enjoyment and lots of nature. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is truly one of the best cold-season hideaways. The crowds tend to visit our neighbors to the East where costs are higher and there are far fewer things to do. You are fortunate, you found this website and blog so now you know the good news.
Humidity is low except for the occasional fog in the morning. Fishing is excellent, some species of fish are available now because of the low tides in the bayous and bays. You can catch fish from piers or boats or even fish from the shore. No need to cut a hole in the ice (no ice) to fish. Leave your heavy jackets at home. Please do bring your sunglasses, the sun is shining most days.
Canadian Snowbirds come each year
We see the various license plates from out of state all year but more from the North during the winter. My wife and I play a game when we are driving on Beach Blvd or going to a casino. We look at the plates and try to one-up the other about which came from the furthest distance. My wife spotted Alaska more than once. Watching the people coming from down North is like waiting for the Canada Geese to migrate. We truly do see a wide range of winter visitors from cold states.
People who come to the Gulf Coast during the winter have their pick of vacation rental properties to stay in. Some come in RVs park them at the vacation rental and live inside the vacation rental for a week or sometimes a couple of months. Of course, retired people have the time to relax here without any need to return so soon. Some come for the Mardi Gras parades which are held in all of the Mississippi Gulf cities.
The weather gets a bit colder here in February. When I say it gets colder, I mean for those of us who are acclimated to the weather here. When it dips to 65, locals start getting their long-sleeved shirts on and putting away shorts. If you are coming from a Northern state where the weather is minus something, you will think it is positively tropical here.
What about North Carolina, South Carolina, and Fort Walton Beach?
In marketing 101, I was taught that you never mention your competitors because the very mention may cause some to consider them. In this case, I assume that readers are looking for a place to stay with natural beauty, historical sites, white-sand beaches, and more. For one, you won’t see the crowds you will find at Daytona Beach or in Fort Lauderdale.
Our beaches are beautiful and we have more than 40 miles of them to enjoy without highrise buildings. The Alabama coast would be nice if you could see the beach from the street or find a restaurant that was not crowded. Our outdoor activities are many but the thing they don’t have is casinos and the number you will find on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We have 12 to choose from.
Other popular snowbird destinations do not have the amenities that you will find on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and those that you do find elsewhere will be more expensive. A great option is to stay at one of our vacation rentals or bring your RV and stay at one of the several RV resorts such as the Cajun RV Park on U.S. 90 across from the beach. If you like the snowbird lifestyle, enjoy it on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Looking for a vacation or permanent home
Some Snowbirds visiting the Mississippi Gulf Coast decide to buy vacation, second homes, or seasonal homes here or perhaps even relocate permanently. More than a few homes here are owned by people who live in colder states and visit when they can. Some may be fortunate enough to buy in an area zoned for vacation rentals and they rent them when they are not here. Real estate prices on the Mississippi Gulf Coast are among the lowest in the country.
Lots on the beach are still available for building but they will not last long. I mean building on or near the beach. New home builders such as D.R. Horton are building developments fast as well.
A bonus at this time is that many people who purchased homes to rent on the short-term vacation market are selling them fully furnished at discounts. An excellent time to buy a fully furnished home at a bargain. While the short-term rental market is very slow now due to an abundance of properties, it’s time for you to buy that second home. If you want to list it for extra income when you are not here it can help you make the payments. This is a good time to cash out of lower-return investments and pay cash for a property.
You can get a loan for a second home with as little as 10% down. Select a house on the beach or near the beach on a bayou. The selection now is good. Buying in the winter often comes with discounted prices as it’s the low season for buying. Contact Logan-Anderson Gulf Coastal Realtors, visit their website here.
We see lots of former military members come here in the winter because they were stationed here at some point in the past. They remember the weather and come back to visit. Some stay for good.
Health Concerns, you are covered
While our beautiful beaches with white sands attract Snowbirds, those who have been here in the past know they can receive great medical care here. As people get older, things start to break down and I do not mean your car. Visitors with health concerns need not face Mississippi Gulf Coast is blessed with excellent medical care and a variety of hospitals and clinics to choose from. The VA hospital is here for veterans. No need to worry about finding a place to get your prescription filled or to see a doctor on fairly short notice.
There is no shortage of fine dining. Local favorites include Felix’s, Mary Mahoney, Patio 44, The Rack House, and many more. For casual dining, just drive down U.S. 90 and stop by any restaurant you see. The casinos have national chain restaurants such as Mortons, Ruth Chris, and more. You must try the local food and in particular gulf shrimp locally caught. One of my favorite restaurants is McElroys located in one of the Biloxi marinas.
Crawfish and Oysters for Snowbirds
Crawfish and locally caught oysters are available at lots of restaurants in the winter. The price for oysters here if you look around is much less than at chain restaurants in other areas. Locally owned restaurants often specialize in oysters in season. If you are fond of oysters, winter is the time to come down and grab a dozen on the half-shell. There is even a restaurant here called Half Shell.
Did I mention that fuel costs here are among the lowest in the nation? When you drive home, you can fill up and save money for the first few hundred miles. You can save money driving around while you are here. Speaking of taking a drive, New Orleans is just a short drive West and Mobile is just a short drive East. There are many things you can do while you are here including these short drives.
Be sure to take a trip down a bayou where you can see alligators. Visit the new aquarium in Gulfport. Take your kids to Margaritaville for day fun. Of course, casinos are a good place to go as well. The Beau Rivage, Treasure Bay, and Island View still have buffets open. There may be others so check when you arrive.
Fire pits and relaxing
Now is the time that I mention Christie’s Gulf Beach Rentals where you can rent a whole house or a room in a historic house while you are here. Some of Christie’s properties have fire pits and they are well-used during the winter season. People often just come here from those frozen states to relax. They come without an agenda and are not interested in sightseeing, just relaxing.
Sitting around a fire pit in the evening cooking marshmallows and having a glass of wine in good weather is worth the trip for some. Walking on the sand is relaxing. The city of Biloxi completed an extension to its beach boardwalk last year. It’s a very nice walk, my wife and I go there on occasion. There are seats available for taking a break.
Biloxi Boardwalk
Along the boardwalk, you will find several restaurants where you can get a snack and a drink or eat lunch looking at the Gulf. This is one of our favorite areas to take guests from out of the area.
Accommodations consist of RV parks scattered throughout the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Vacation rental properties, and hotels. Of course, the casinos have accommodations at their adjoining hotels. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is an ideal location for your motor home or renting a vacation rental property for an extended stay.
Did I mention affordable prices for accommodations on the Mississippi Gulf Coast? The MS Gulf Coast is just a collection of smaller communities that love tourists. Our area is becoming one of the most popular snowbird destinations. Snowbirds visiting the Mississippi Gulf Coast will not only have their choice of accommodation but as mentioned at excellent prices for longer-term stays.
Well Snowbirds, have we gotten your attention?
Forget expensive Florida or other crowded places this winter. Take a chance that you will love the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Unfortunately, there are no lines of traffic to follow here. You will have to plan a driving trip or fly into either Gulfport Airport GPT or New Orleans airport to get here.
You could sail your boat through the Great Lakes and down the Atlantic Seaboard, around Florida, and up here but why not just fly or drive? The Mississippi Gulf Coast is just a great place to spend the winter. You never know, you just may find that the Mississippi is one of your favorite winter spots.
Thanks for visiting our site. Please read one or both of our most popular articles here: “Why I decided to retire in Ocean Springs, Mississippi” and “ Why you need to retire on the Mississippi Gulf Coast”.
Christie’s Gulf Beach Rentals for vacation rentals on the Mississippi Gulf Coast (Snowbirds: special rates for longer stays)
Where to Stay
How about the 16th floor of a beachfront condo complete with a swimming pool? Walk to restaurants and the shopping mall. Casinos are just a few miles away.
Staying at a vacation rental property is the most cost-effective for longer stays. If you stay for 90 days, Mississippi state and local taxes do not apply. A 12% savings. Check out more vacation rentals by clicking on the button below:
