The Mississippi Gulf Coast is full of fun and quirky attractions for every local or visiting road warrior. Honestly, you could park your car in Ocean Springs or Bay St. Louis and simply walk around and effortlessly take in endless art, music, history, and delicious food. However, if you’re looking for some unique and photo-op worthy moments, look for these 10 quirky coastal attractions:
1. The World’s Largest Rocking Chair
This 35-foot high rocking chair was the world’s largest (allegedly) in 1995. It was literally knocked off its rockers by Hurricane Katrina ten years later but was quickly restored and still stands in Gulfport today!
World’s Largest Rocking Chair: 11451 Canal Rd, Gulfport, MS 39503
2. Massive Shark Head Entrance
A massive shark head entrance decorates the front of Biloxi’s Sharkheads giftshop. This toothy beast is 32 feet tall and 26 feet wide! Oh, and while you’re there, just down the road, you’ll find a giant “Walk-in” Gator Mouth too! Walk through a giant, snarling, cartoon-like alligator to get into Biloxi’s Souvenir City. Hurricane Katrina destroyed the original gator in 2005, but a bigger, stronger reptile was built in its place.
Sharkheads: 1703 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS
Souvenir City: 2026 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS
3. Massive Pig on a Station Wagon
Are you looking for a giant pig on top of a station wagon? Look no further than Slap Ya Mamas’s BBQ in Biloxi. This giant, pink pig statue stands atop a 1950s station wagon just outside of the restaurant. Oh, and be sure to grab some delicious BBQ while you’re at it!
Slap Ya Mama’s: 1785 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39531
4. Real Life Palestine Gardens
The scaled replica of the Holy Land brings the Bible to life and attracts visitors from all around the globe.
Palestine Gardens: 201 Palestine Garden Rd., Lucedale, MS
5. “Crooked Feather”
Created by local sculptor Thomas King, “Crooked Feather” was designed to replace the original sculpture that stood in this spot, which Peter Toth carved. Standing at 30 feet tall, the prominent Indian statue sits on your right as you enter Ocean Springs and represents the area’s early settlers.
Crooked Feather: 300-398 Bienville Blvd, Ocean Springs, MS
6. Ohr O’Keefe Museum of Art
What would a road trip be without some art? Take a walk and admire the museum’s distinctive architecture, designed by Frank Gehry to “dance” with the surrounding landscape. Live oak trees, and other gorgeous coastal landscape indeed looks like it is dancing with these buildings.
Ohr O’Keefe Museum of Art: 386 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39530
7. Gulf Coast Gator Ranch
Are you looking for an actual swamp and gator experience? Park your car and take an authentic gator ranch tour!
Gulf Coast Gator Ranch: 10300 US-90, Moss Point, MS
8. Giant Watermelon
Watermelon, anyone? Just north of the coast, in Seminary, stands a gigantic roadside watermelon. It once advertised a store called the Watermelon Patch, which is. now rebranded as a boutique named Sole Sisters. Climb inside the watermelon for some fun Instagram-worthy selfies!
Sole Sisters: 248 US 49, Seminary, MS
9. Angel Trees
Take a drive through downtown Bay St. Louis and see the “Heavenly Carved Wooden Angels,” once beautiful live oaks that are now a work of art. Chainsaw sculptor Dayle K. Lewis from Indiana transformed the tree trunks into “Angel Creations.” Take yourself on your own angel tour.
Angel trees can be found in Cedar Rest Cemetery, in front of Our Lady of the Gulf Church, on the first block of Demontluzin Avenue, and near Century Hall
10. The Biloxi Lighthouse
The historic Biloxi Lighthouse was built in 1848, survived Hurricane Katrina, and remains Biloxi’s top landmark as it serves as a symbol of both strength and resilience.
Biloxi Lighthouse: 1050 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS
What’s your favorite? Did we miss any? Tell us in the comments below or on Facebook.
