Local Favorites from our Contributors

By
Christy
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0

This Gulf Coast Moms Blog contributor-approved list of favorites includes some well known and maybe not-so-well known local gems. Whether you’re looking for a new place to take the kiddos or you’re in need of a unique gift idea, you’ll want to add many of these to your summer bucket list. 

Food and Fun

Sea Level in Pass Christian is the perfect place to take your kiddos to have a yummy lunch or dinner and take in the beach scenery and relax while they play in the sand!
– Julie Krohn
 
Sea Level has fantastic food (including the recipe for the old Bay City Grill spring rolls) and a great location. My son wanted a beach party for his last birthday so we did it there. We brought a cake and a few decorations, the beach and their games served as entertainment and we got everyone hot dogs and sno cones. We paid them something like $150 total to do it there and it was the BEST party we have ever had.
– April Lollar
 
Eating at Murky Waters in downtown Gulfport, then exploring the area, and going to Jones Park to play.
– Mariah Johnson
 
The kids love the pirate ship at Shaggy’s in Biloxi.
– Sarah Walsh
 
Strawberry milkshake from Sal & Mookies in Biloxi.
– Katie Levesque
 
Kids’ classes at Gather by Dolce! Check out the Kids’ Pop Art Selfie Class and our Kids’ Cake Decorating classes by visiting www.dolcebakes.net/classes. 
– Christy Elias
 

Custom Shirts

Custom redfish shirt from LoveLeigh Boutique in Long Beach paired with matching seersucker shorts.
– Christy Elias

Custom Disney shirts from R Tee-Hut in Pascagoula.
– Suzanne Rodolfich

Cutesy Stationary

Custom thank you cards designed by Party Girls in Gulfport (because, in the south, your little “writes” thank you cards too.)
– Christy Elias

Windy Day Must-Have

Kite from Kewl Kites in Long Beach. Fly it high at the harbor.
– Elizabeth DiLorenzo

Colorful Cookies and Sweets

Rainbow cookies from Anderson’s Bakery in Pascagoula.
– Suzanne Rodolfich

Berries & Cream pop from Pop Brothers. 
– Elizabeth DiLorenzo

The tiny cakes from French Kiss Pastries in Ocean Springs.
– Amanda Pavlov
 

Love to take the kids for beignets at Triplet-Day Drugstore in Gulfport.
– Sarah Walsh

Personal sized strawberry cream cheese Bavarian cake and key lime pie from Fleur de Lis Gourmet Bakery in Gulfport.
– Kerri Paul

Dolce Bakeshop in Long Beach often does an after-school special: $5 for a cupcake and a coke!
– April Lollar

We like Snow Boogers in Big Level/Perkinston. It’s a bit of a drive from the Coast, but it’s in a really beautiful area, and they have games and places for the kids to play, so it’s more than snow cones (and ice cream). It’s an outing!
– Kelsie Dove

A visit to Coast CandyMakers in Gulfport (next to Island View) for delicious sweet treats!
– Megan Bowser

Parks, Water and Shade

Fort Bayou Estates Children’s Park, it’s the little park behind the Ocean Springs Hospital. No one is ever there, there’s brand new equipment, it’s always maintained, there’s lots of shade, and clean and gated. 
– Lauren Braden
 

The Pointe Cadet Plaza in Biloxi because the spray pad has the soft mulch material and there’s a decent sized covered park area (hello shade). We love just going there to play and it’s also great to host a FREE birthday party!
– Brittany Weidlich

War Memorial Park in Pass Christian has great park, splash pad and walking track!
– Anna Carver

We love the Gulf Islands National Seashore Park in Ocean Springs for an easy hike with the kiddos. Great place to ride bikes with kids too.
– Heather Denison

There is a nature trail in Pass Christian in the Henderson Point neighborhood. There are fairy houses to look for.
– Robin Stevens

Free Fruit

Target has a basket of free fruit at the concession counter! Did anyone know that? You’re welcome!
– Lauren Braden
 

Reading Nook

The children’s wing in the Pass Christian Library. They host a fun storytime on Wednesdays!
– Robin Stevens

Bye-Bye Bugs

We love the Gneaux More Gnaughty Gnats™ spray from Marina Cottage in Ocean Springs! Adults, kids, baby…even dogs!
– Jamie Gatchell

Nursery Time

Potted plants (love ornamental hanging plants, especially the Bougainvilleas) from The Other Shop in Gulfport
– Kerri Paul

Mommy Bag

Scout bags from Heritage House! I can’t make it on vacation or at the beach without ‘em!
– Jennifer Ratcliffe

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Christy
Christy is Co-Founder and Owner of Gulf Coast Moms Blog. She was born in Costa Rica and moved to the United States when she was 6 years old. She vividly remembers flying into New Orleans and knew, in the moments to come, her life would change forever. She grew up in Moss Point and moved to Hattiesburg to attend college at Southern Miss, where she received her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She met her love, Matthew, and they have enjoyed married life for 13 years. They live in Long Beach with their precious children, John Salem and Ann-Michael. Prior to co-founding Gulf Coast Moms Blog, she had a successful 10+ year career in higher education administration, where she developed and spear-headed campus-wide student initiatives and events. Christy is now spending her days as a stay-at-home mom and serves her community through several non-profit organizations. She enjoys making Costa Rican tamales, a fresh margarita from El Aguila, annual sister spa day, collecting random owl things (Hootie Hoo to my Chi Omega sisters), words of wisdom from Irish priests and pool days. She is passionate about connecting women and creating a supportive, nurturing community to empower moms.

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