If I’m being 100% honest, the moment I found out we were moving to Mississippi I opened Google Maps and started figuring out where we could easily visit. The gulf coast was #1 on my list.

Two weeks after we signed on our house and a week after our stuff arrived via PODS, we stuffed our limited unpacked items into suitcases, ignored the stacks of boxes, and hit the road for the coast.

Biloxi is about a 3 hour drive from the Jackson, MS area. It took us more like 4 1/2 because of two potty breaks and one oops-mom-didn’t-pack-pajamas stop.

In the morning when we stepped out the hotel and onto the gorgeous white sand we were sure it was worth the drive.

A Weekend in Biloxi with Kids

Here are our suggestions for a fabulous weekend in Biloxi.

Friday
PM: Check into your hotel. We stayed at The South Beach Biloxi Hotel We had a King Suite. A bedroom, huge living space with living room and kitchen, one and a half bathrooms, and a patio. It was the perfect amount of space for the four of us.

DINNER: Find Some Seafood
We ate on the way down, because we left after the workday on Friday and had several unscheduled stops, but there is an abundance of seafood available in this area. Shaggy’s Seafood was located close to our hotel and looked fun and child-friendly.

Saturday
AM: Go to the Beach. I assume this is why most people take their family to Biloxi. The Gulf Coast of Mississippi is the longest man-made beach. It is peppered with yellow umbrellas set on gorgeous beaches with shallow (albeit slightly muddy) water that is perfect for little ones.

Note: If you are planning to spend time away from the beach on your weekend, I suggest doing it on Saturday. Most things (the children’s museum, the marine education center, the NASA museum, art museum, etc are all closed all or most of Sunday)

LUNCH: Pack a lunch so you can stay at the beach a little longer.

read also: 20 best things to do in jackson with kids

PM: Visit the shops in Ocean Springs, MS. This is a charming little town a little further down the gulf coast from Biloxi. Our twins especially liked the Miner’s Big Stuff Toy Stores.

DINNER: We loved the delicious pasta at Al Fresco’s  in Ocean Springs. We realize we should have probably taken better advantage of the fresh fish and headed for a seafood joint, but it was my birthday weekend and I crave Italian food constantly. We sat on the patio by the little water fountain and enjoyed a nice long meal with delightful service. Children’s menu was equally diverse and delicious and our son’s dairy allergy was easily and pleasantly accommodated.

Sunday
AM:  A morning at the beach. Despite how much time you may or may not have spent at the beach yesterday. This is the morning to savor the sea breezes, sunshine, and soft sand. Search for hermit crabs, build sand castles, play pretend fish and shark in the water, etc.

LUNCH: Lookout Seafood and Steaks offered delicious and reasonably priced food. It was also child friendly and we were able to find several options for our son despite his dairy allergy.

PM: Jones Park Splash Pad and Playground in Gulfport, MS.  Watch the boats at the Marina, maybe meet a fisherman or two, and cool off in the splash park.

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On January 5, 2018 our family started our move from New York City to San Diego.

After school, we loaded up the car, said some final goodbyes, and road across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge out of Brooklyn NY headed to San Diego with tears in our eyes.

New York City is a hard city to say goodbye to, but in truth saying goodbye to any place we’ve lived is always hard.

Our little family kicked off the new year by moving from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Coast. Our 5th move in 7 years.

We were prepared as we could be – my tips for getting kids ready to move are in this post – but moving is hard. Every single time.

This is our story of getting from one coast to the other.

Warning: This is a long one so grab a cup of tea or mug of cocoa before you dive in.

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The Road Trip Plan

This is the map that hung in our kitchen for about a month before our move. It always looks so easy when it’s drawn out on a map, doesn’t it?

This is the longest road trip and most continuous time in the car we have ever attempted with our kids. They have a lot of practice at traveling, but I was still a little nervous when we mapped out our plan.

Due to Google Maps suggestions and Winter in the North, we decided to swing South pretty quickly as we headed West.

Our route took us:

• Ocean to ocean
• Into 13 states
• 45 hours of driving
• 3,097 miles
• and 9 days

Activities for the Car

I had a massive tote bag in the car filled with all kinds of toys and activities and games for us to play in the car. We ended up only using a fraction of what I packed. Below are the items we actually used in the 45+ hours in the car with two six year olds.

• Kids Amazon Kindles with these Headphones
• DVD player, same headphones, and DVDs of Bambi and a few favorite TV shows.
• Melissa and Doug 50 States Game license plate game (We found ALL 50 plates!)
• Melissa and Doug Magic Velvet activity books
• BrainQuest activity books (mostly to make me feel less guilty about all the time in school they missed during the move.)
• National Geographic Road trip activity book
• Coloring books and crayons and colored pencils
• Highlight Magazine
• Mom and Dad listened Ready Player One on audiobook (the Mom’s Nook Bookclub book for January)
• Audiobooks: Our favorite was How to Train a Dragon.

Read Also: Quality, Engaging, and Creative Activity Books to Bring on Family Trips

New York to Pennsylvania

The first day we left immediately after their last day of school and we drove to Harrisburg PA.

There we pulled in around bedtime so we quickly got everything set up and the kids in pajamas. We read them Baby Monkey Private Eye and then all quickly fell asleep.

If you have more time I would highly recommend stopping in Philly for a day or half day.

Cincinnati OH

The next morning we got up early to drive the rest of the way across Pennsylvania. This was when I lost any remaining doubt about our decision to head South soon.

Originally I had pushed to drive straight west and then South. We haven’t been to the western part of the US much yet and I am eager to explore it, but Winter is not the time to drive across the northern part of the country.

Our wiper fluid froze. We had to stop a few times to clear the windows so we could proceed safely. It was frigid cold outside every time we had to stop.

We finally made it to our friends’ home in Cincinnati a little before dinnertime.

We stayed an extra day to enjoy the weekend with friends.

They took us to the Newport Aquarium in Kentucky just outside of Cincinnati. The highlights for us were the touch tank and the shark walk which is one of the oddest things we’ve ever done and yet fascinating to my kids.

Afterwards we had brunch at Taste of Belgium which is incredible. I had the Nutella crepe and it was one of the best I’ve ever tasted – Paris included. Our Dairy Free allergy kiddo had eggs and bacon.

Nashville TN

On Monday morning we headed South through Kentucky towards Nashville. We stopped briefly at Carmichaels Kids in Louisville, Kentucky.

This is such a cozy little children’s bookstore. There is a quality collection of all kinds of books for kids and some games and toys.

We arrived in Nashville to spend the afternoon and evening with dear friends. There are a million family friendly things to do in the area so even if you don’t have people to visit I highly recommend a stop in Nashville.

Jackson MS

In the morning we headed a little further South through Memphis to Jackson MS. This was our home before New York.

We stayed with dear friends near Jackson MS and they gave our kids the best gift – time outside. It was our first rain free few hours and they took full advantage racing around outside. By dinner time they were covered in mud and completely delighted.

Read Also:  20+ Best Things to do in Jackson MS with Kids.

Dallas/Fort Worth TX

We were now about halfway and we turned West towards Texas and the West Coast.

From Mississippi we drove to the Dallas – Fort Worth area.

It is a long, flat drive across Louisiana and into Texas. We’ve made this drive many times because when we lived in MS my Cystic Fibrosis doctor was near Dallas, but that probably only made it a little more dull.

We stopped at a playground near our hotel to run around a bit.

Note to Self: packing a football in the car to throw around was a genius idea. It got us all running around and laughing.

El Paso TX

The next day was one of the longest. We drove from Dallas to El Paso across the rest of Texas.

We saw endless sky and cattle farms and long freight trains and listened to several audiobooks.

That night we all went to bed super early. The time changes were started to catch up with us.

The flip side of the time changes of course is that our kids were waking up SUPER early. The bonus of this is that we got on the road before the sun rose the next day.

We saw this gorgeous sunrise from the first rest stop inside New Mexico. Desert sunrises are now one of my favorite things.

New Mexico was a lot more endless flat desert and big skies, but the drive to Phoenix was quicker.

This was one of my favorite days. The sunrise was spectacular. The drive wasn’t too long and when we got to Phoenix we still had plenty of time to explore.

Phoenix AZ

My sweet friend from high school lives near Phoenix and she recommended hiking at Papago Park. We loved it.

The path itself is pretty easy and gives you a nice view of Tempe and Phoenix. My kids of course “needed” to climb up the rocks so our hike was a little more strenuous, but a ton of fun.

Then we met my friend and her family for dinner at a fun little spot in Tempe called The Lodge Sasquatch Kitchen. The food was good (and had good allergy options) and there were fun things to do on the outside patio for our kids which the grown ups chatted.

finally onto California.

The next day we were up before the sun again and headed West one last time.

This drive was fascinating. We had never driven through this part of the country at all and the hills and rocks and mountains were so cool.

It took us about 6 hours to weave through the mountains and desert, but it felt quicker despite our serious desire to be out of the car once and for all.

Also Read: Family Road Trip from Portland to San Diego

and we have arrived in San Diego CA!

Finally, around lunch time, we pulled into San Diego. We found tacos and walked a few blocks to the beach. We all looked around kind of in disbelief.

We are here.

If you’ve made it all the way to the bottom here – wow. Thank you!

Thanks for reading.

Thanks for all the comments and love on Instagram and Facebook and everywhere as we made our way across the country.

We can’t thank you enough for your support of our little family.

What is there to do in Mississippi with kids?

I remember wondering this same thing before we moved. We were pretty content in the Midwest, so when my dear hubby announced that he had gotten a position in Mississippi I was a little stunned. He cheerfully told me that at least they didn’t have cold weather and started bringing home empty boxes. Two weeks later we found ourselves in Madison, Mississippi where we have been for the past almost two years.

Despite my initial concerns, Mississippi in many ways has amazed us.

The weather is indeed wonderful. Their idea of Winter – if you’re used to northern seasons – is hilarious. This isn’t tropical island weather, but you can certainly get outside year round in Mississippi. This is one of the things I will miss the most when we move again in a couple short months back to the cold up north. 

The best thing about Mississippi however isn’t the weather. The best thing is the people.

We have made fantastic friends that we will miss dearly, but it goes further than that. My favorite thing about Mississippians is how much they adore children. Almost everywhere is child friendly and there are so many, many things that are specifically for kids. The Fall church festival season alone is quite astounding.

So, what is there to do with kids in Mississippi? A ton!

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20+ Best Things to do with Kids in the Jackson MS Area

I went with Jackson and the surrounding area when making this list. Jackson is the major city and where a lot of the bigger attractions are, however it is not a huge metropolis and it is pretty easy to move between the city and the suburbs that surround the city. The list below is divided into indoor and outdoor activities for kids and focuses on places you can go with kids any time of the year.

Outdoor Activities for Kids

Visit a Playground, our favorites include;

• Winner’s Circle Park – Flowood MS
• Liberty Park – Madison MS
• Strawberry Patch Park – Madison MS
• Freedom Ridge Park – Ridgeland MS
• LeFleur’s Bluff State Park – Jackson MS
• Old Trace Park – Ridgeland MS

Ride Bikes along the Reservoir at Old Trace Park

The Barnett Reservoir is one of our favorite spots. About once a week we take our bikes to Old Trace Park. My kids ride and I walk or run and we make frequent stops to explore. The Reservoir is beautiful and the path is smooth and wide. In the summer there are also festivals and various events at the park. Now there is also a playground here which is beyond awesome.  View Website.

Bike Ride or Walk on Natchez Trace Parkway

The Trace is part of the National Park Service and stretches all the way across the state of Mississippi. It is primarily a scenic highway with various historical stops, but there are also some trails and parks integrated along the way. In the Jackson area, primarily near Ridgeland there is a nice spot to park your car and hop on the trail. You can bike ride all the way until you over look the Reservoir and further. This is a lovely shaded spot to run, walk or push a stroller as well. View Website

Clinton Nature Center

This is about a half an hour drive from Jackson, but in my opinion entirely worth it for so many reasons. Once a month they have a preschool program called Nature Nuts which is incredibly well planned and executed by lovely staff and volunteers. The Nature Center also has nice nature trails and an outdoor natural playground which is tons of fun, especially in the warmer months when the water section is turned on. A membership is reasonable and gives you free access to their preschool program and special events. View Website

Jackson Zoo

My kids love the Jackson Zoo, but it is likely more because of the train ride than the animals. It is a smaller zoo so it is easy for little legs to explore. In the summer there is also a fantastic splash pad you can use with admission to the zoo. The zoo also has some fun events throughout the year so make sure to check their event calendar. View Website

Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum

Honestly when we showed up at this one I wasn’t sure what to expect, but my kids loved this museum. The majority of it is outside, but there are some indoor parts as well. It is not the newest museum in town, which is somewhat noticeable if you also visit the children’s museum across the street, but there is a lot to do. There is a small historical town, farm animals, a large indoor model train display, and more. Many special events, including Jazz Fest and Irish Fest are also held on the ground throughout the year. View Website

Mississippi Petrified Forest

If you’re looking for a nice easy hike for young kids, this is a winner. For adults there is also some added history that is kind of fun. View Website

Highland Village 

This is a darling old outdoor mall that my twins love to explore. It is filled with little nooks and funky wall art. I can’t honestly explain how we manage to kill hours walking around but we get lunch and then wander and they love it. In warmer months there is also a monthly storytime in the courtyard near Beagel Bagel – look on Facebook for details. View Website

Play Ball at the Park

Fun often comes in the cheapest of packages. Bring baseball gear or a soccer ball to Liberty Park in Madison and you can have a blast running and chasing and developing gross motor skills on a nice day.

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, MS Children’s Museum, and Art Museum all have outdoor sections.

see details below

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Indoor Activities for Kids

Mississippi Children’s Museum – Jackson MS

We adore the children’s museum and highly recommend a membership if you live in the area. Make sure to check out their calendar for awesome weekly activities and special events. I have been blown away by their special events – their annual New Years Eve party for kids and Book Festival are two of our favorites. There is also an outdoor space for all those lovely weather days. View Website

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

The Natural Science museum has been another of our favorite spots for BOTH indoor and outdoor fun. The indoor part isn’t huge but for kids 0-5 it is perfect. They always have a visiting exhibit and then you can check out the fish tanks and turtle area and other displays. There is also a small preschool play area for children 0-5 that my kids love. Outside there are trails of varying difficulty and length to explore. And DO NOT miss their special events. We have loved them all from NatureFest to Cajun Christmas. View Website

Library Storytime

Throughout the city there are preschool story times at the various libraries. Our favorite is the Flowood Library. They have the best children’s book area in the city, kind librarians, and several storytime options. They are also down the street from Winner’s Circle Park and it’s awesome playground.

Deep South Pops

If you just need to get out of the house for a little bit or what a delightful treat, stop by Deep South Pops in downtown Jackson. The popsicles are amazing (and there are a lot of dairy free options), the staff is friendly, and the shop itself fun. View Website

Barnes and Noble and the Renaissance Mall 

This isn’t unique Mississippi, but it is still a fun way to pass a few hours. This Barnes and Noble has a huge kids area and a little train section for play. Our kids love playing and browsing for books. Check the website for brief storytimes as well. Across the street there are fountains to splash in on hot days and there is plenty of space to wander and run in this outdoor mall. Five Guys and Panera are also conveniently located in the mall. View Website

Mississippi Museum of Art

Truthfully the art museum is on the small side, but if you have preschoolers or early elementary schoolers they have a fabulous FREE event on the third Friday of every month called Look and Learn with Hoot. Someone from the staff reads a story and then the kids get to create something in the art studio. The art museum also has water fountains outside to splash in on hot summer days and a small, but lovely garden to wander through. View Website.

Bouncy Houses

Our favorite is Bounce Palace – mostly because of its convenient location. There is also a Pump It Up in Brandon MS and High Heaven in Flowood MS. These are just fun places to let loose and move wiggly bodies on super hot or rainy days.

Northpark Mall Indoor Playspace

This isn’t huge, but as far as mall play spaces go this is a nice one. It is enclosed on three sides, clean, and quiet on most weekdays. View Website

Lemuria Bookstore

This is a cozy little bookstore in Jackson. There is a section in the back for kids with a great selection of books. It is also housed in the same building as a cute little lunch spot. If you follow them on Facebook you will occassional spot some child friendly events as well. View Website

Panera in Flowood

There are now two Panera restaurants in the Jackson area which I am inexplicably giddy about – but our favorite is the one in Flowood. It has a huge chalkboard and small place space off to one end of the restaurant. Grab lunch or a snack or even just a coffee for you and the kids can play for a bit on a rainy day.

Little Giants Center 

This sweet little playspace in Madison is perfect for the 3 and under crowd. They do have some classes for older kids, but the space is ideal for the youngest set. You can get a membership or pop in for some sessions at low cost. View Website

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