Accommodations

Gulf Coast offers a beach and nature oriented getaway with a variety of condos, vacation homes, hotels, and resorts. Choose an accommodation near any of the Gulf Coast's local attractions that offers comfort while making the most of the beautiful beaches and attractions at affordably priced rates.

View our Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals or Gulf Coast Resorts

Activities

For a bit of naval history, visit Mobile's Battleship Memorial Park. This facility is home to both the battleship USS Alabama and the submarine the USS Drum, as well as an impressive collection of WWII fighter planes. Celebrate 300 years of history with a trip aboard the Ole Biloxi Tour Train and explore the history of one of the oldest cities in the country. Take a ride and let the fresh salt breezes take you to a bygone era as you experience the many historical sites of Old Biloxi, founded in 1699. "Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead!" You can almost hear the command of Admiral David Farragut as he led the fleet into the battle of Mobile Bay. Today Fort Morgan is a testament to the evolution of American coast defense fortifications from 1834 to World War II. It's a history lesson waiting to be explored. NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center is the engine testing facility for NASA.  The visitor center, StenniSphere, has entertaining, interactive exhibits including a Test Control Center, a Shuttle Cockpit simulator that lets visitors pilot the Space Shuttle, a mock-up module of the International Space Station, a futuristic Mars home, and much more.

Events

The Sugar Bowl Game at the  Louisiana Superdome is one of the high points of the New Years festivities for the region, but the Sugar Bowl events also include a prep football classic, a swimming invitational, a sailing regatta, a basketball classic, a pep rally and more. The world famous Crawfish Festival began in 1960 as a spin-off of the Breaux Bridge Centennial Celebration. Every May, thousands of hungry people flock to Breaux Bridge, Louisiana to be part of the festivities. Mardi Gras is celebrated in Mobile, New Orleans and other Gulf Coast cities. This festive event was started in Mobile and according to some accounts, dates back to 1703, where it was originally called Boef Gras (Fat Beef). Don't miss the amazing Biloxi Seafood Festival in September, with seafood, arts & craft, vendors, live entertainment, children’s activities, gumbo contest and much more. The Festival exemplifies what makes Biloxi a diverse and unique community, and highlights the city’s rich history. The Thunder On The Gulf Power Boat Races are based in Orange Beach, where you can enjoy the roar and rumble as offshore racing's finest compete during August. The Race Village will be located at The Wharf where fans can see the powerboats, meet the racers, and purchase race merchandise

Water Sports

The white sand beaches and emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico are perfect for swimming, surfing, or catching up on your tan. You can also find powerboat and sailboat rentals, as well as jetski rentals. The warm Gulf waters are inviting for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Golfing

Lush fairways, manicured greens, and breathtaking views are just a few of the reasons why the Gulf Coast is nicknamed "The Golf Coast." With twenty-two championship courses, there are courses to challenge golfers of all skill levels. An annual average temperature of 68° ensures golfers can indulge in year-round play.

History

The first permanent settlement in French Louisiana was founded at Biloxi in 1699, under the direction of Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville. The settlement was actually across the bay in what is now known as Ocean Springs. The town of Mobile, established in 1702, was the first capital of the territory, before Biloxi became the capital in 1720. This was short lived however, because the capital was moved once again in 1723, after the city of New Orleans was established.

In 1763, France had to cede French Louisiana east of the Mississippi River, except for New Orleans, to Great Britain. At that same time, France sold Louisiana west of the Mississippi, including New Orleans, to Spain. During the next 40 years, the Gulf Coast region changed hands several times between these three countries before the Louisana Purchase in 1803 and the Florida territories were ceded to the U.S. by Spain in 1819. Although all of the Gulf Coast joined the Confederate States during the Civil War, the major towns of the region were captured by the Union forces early in the war to maintain the blockade of the Confederacy.