Mississippi
Trip Ideas|Small Towns

The Pirate Themed Playground In Mississippi That’s Oh-So Special

Fort Maurepas Park in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, features a pirate-themed playground and scenic views, making it a perfect family destination.

Published Dec 19, 2022

Written by 

Jackie Ann

On the hunt for a playground in Mississippi for your kids to enjoy? There’s an awesome one over in Ocean Springs, a coastal little town that’s filled with beautiful scenery and ample space to sprawl out. Ocean Springs has a population that hovers around 17,000 people, but it still gives off those small-town vibes that make it such an appealing place to spend a few days. Ocean Springs was even named one of the friendliest towns in the country by USA Today! More on that later. For now, let’s check out this pirate-themed playground in Mississippi.

Located at the site of a centuries-old garrison, Fort Maurepas Park is a lovely little slice of paradise for families to enjoy.

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Walter H./Google

The area has an interesting history. It was around here that French explorer, Pierre Le Moyne D’Iberville first colonized the area in 1699. Unfortunately, the colonists weren’t the best at agriculture, so it never become self-sustaining. The original fort burned down in the early 1700s and was never reconstructed, so the exact location isn’t known, though it’s believed to be somewhere in the back bays between Biloxi and Ocean Springs.

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The current Fort Maurepas was rebuilt in the late 2000s and now is a local park for all to enjoy.

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Jayne Jackson/Google

The pirate-themed playground is always a hit with kids.

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Mr. & Mrs. Peyregne/Google

Buccaneers of all ages will have a blast steering the ship, searching for treasure, and during the warmer months, running through the splash pad.

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Erica Estep/Google

And the pavilion provides much-needed shade on those hot Mississippi days.

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Jiovanni Dominguez/Google

The pavilion has plenty of seating and is right next to the playground, so you can keep an eye on your little ones easily.

The views from the pavilion are mesmerizing.

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Sabine Lebaileaux/Google

Go ahead and walk the plank! Well, the pier, at least.

The pier is a popular fishing spot, and you might just find yourself alongside a hungry heron looking for a tasty snack.

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Robert Johnson/Google

It’s also a great spot to watch the sunset.

Ocean Springs is a great place to spend a few days exploring. It was even recognized as one of the friendliest towns in the country! Here are some of our favorite things to do in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

If You Only Have One Day to Visit This Small Town in Mississippi, Here’s Everything You Absolutely Can’t Miss

Bay St. Louis is a small town in Mississippi located right on the Gulf of Mexico that's perfect for a day trip.

Published Sep 15, 2024

Written by 

Jackie Ann

Mississippi’s small towns are the heartbeat of the state. While I love visiting bigger cities like Jackson, Oxford, and Hattiesburg, there’s just something special about all of our small towns in Mississippi. 

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Bay St. Louis is one of my favorite small towns in Mississippi, though every time I visit it gets bigger! The population of Bay St. Louis hovers just north of 10,000 residents, which I think is the perfect size for a small town. You’ll still have all of the best parts of a big city without the fast-paced atmosphere. 

Plus, it’s on the water, and waterfront towns are always charming. 

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Marty B./Flickr

Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, is a coastal town right on the Gulf Coast. Whether you’re hoping to sink your toes in the sand or set off on an epic fishing excursion, you’ll love spending a day in Bay St. Louis. 

There are plenty of restaurants in Bay St. Louis. Start your adventure at the Mockingbird Cafe, one of our favorite places to eat in Bay St. Louis. The cafe was established in 2006 and resides in a building that dates back to 1868. 

The cafe offers a fabulous breakfast/brunch menu, as well as a tasty cocktail menu if you want to kick it up a notch. 

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Marty B./Flickr

For lunch, swing by The Ugly Pirate and grab a slice of pizza. It’s only about a block from the beach, so feel free to walk over. The restaurant is as casual as you want it to be, and also kid-friendly. 

For dinner, head over to Blind Tiger. This regional chain is the go-to spot for delicious seafood and has a sensational waterfront view. 

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Marty B./Flickr

There are plenty of things to do in Bay St. Louis. The Bay St. Louis Historic L&N Train Depot is one of the town’s most popular attractions. There are a few different exhibits here, including the Bay St. Louis Mardi Gras Museum and the Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum. This is also where you’ll find Hancock County Tourism. 

Of course, a visit to Bay St. Louis isn’t complete without a beach stroll. Bay St. Louis Beach may not have the Caribbean blue water that you’ll find further East along the Gulf Coast, but it’s just as pretty. While you’re at it, wander along the Washington Street Pier.

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Marty B/Flickr

Buccaneer State Park is only six miles from the Bay St. Louis Beach. Even though it’s technically in Waveland, you can easily sneak it into your Bay St. Louis day trip. 

End your day trip to Bay St. Louis with a sunset cruise on the water. The tour leaves Bay St. Louis about an hour before sunset and sails off to the best place to watch the sun go down. The tour typically lasts 2.5-3.5 hours, so plan accordingly!

If you're planning a day trip to Bay St. Louis, be sure to check out our Ultimate Road Trip Guide where we reveal the best things to pack for a road trip. Safe travels!

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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

The One-Of-A-Kind Fabric Store In Kentucky That You Could Spend Hours Exploring

Are you a lover of textile arts? If so, you have to visit the biggest fabric store in Kentucky, located in the small town of Paducah.

Published Aug 26, 2024

Written by 

Andrea Verschuyl

At Hancock's of Paducah, a plain, gray exterior belies the world of color inside. If you love textile arts, then visiting this fabric mecca should be a must-do item on your Kentucky bucket list. This small-town institution is renowned for its selection of high-quality fabrics and everything else an artist needs to make their next creation a reality. It's also the biggest fabric store in Kentucky, so be prepared to be there all day!

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Located in beautiful Paducah, Kentucky, Hancock's features prominently in a vibrant local quilting culture. In fact, Paducah is known as Quilt City, hosting international quilting events and acting as home to the National Quilt Museum. This significant role in preserving the tradition and craft of textile arts has earned Paducah recognition as a UNESCO Creative City.

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Edward Pazden/Google Reviews

Sprawling over 60,000 square feet, Hancock's is a paradise of gorgeous fabrics. With so much to choose from, visitors are guaranteed to find something that meets their tastes, needs, and price points. And with nationwide shipping and the ability to ship to 72 countries, Hancock's ensures all textile aficionados find something they'll love.

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But Hancock's wasn't always such a phenomenon. The company had humble beginnings, starting as a small venture between husband-and-wife team Dorothy and William Hancock in 1952.

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Hancock's of Paducah/Google Reviews

They saw the need for a store to supply textiles and notions to their small town, Batesville, Mississippi. The family-focused theme would continue with William's brother joining the business three years later, bringing visions of a nationwide chain.

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Kathi Polz/Google Reviews

But tragedy struck, and William passed away as the result of a car accident. Dorothy Hancock would continue to develop the business that was their shared dream, raising her sons to run it themselves. Dorothy's life was endlessly fascinating, and she left an indelible mark on textile arts in America and the eventual Hancock's base, Paducah.

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Meghan Jordan/Google Reviews

Today, thousands of customers visit Handock's every year, spending hours pouring over the dazzling array of carefully curated fabrics and notions. Make sure to allot some time for the cutting table, where lines wind back and forth like ribbon.

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Gail Lithgow/Google Reviews

And it isn't just the human visitors who leave pleased. According to customers, pets are quick to identify fresh bolts of fabric from Hancock's as prime spots to nap.

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INFP Me/Google Reviews

If you love textile arts, visit the biggest fabric store in Kentucky. You'll find this cavernous haven in what I think is one of Kentucky's most charming communities. An excursion here could put the perfect button— pun intended— on a trip to Paducah, America's Quilt City. So set aside a weekend and let your creativity run wild in this one-of-a-kind town!

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