Many tourists come to Pascagoula in Mississippi for its peaceful aura.
Pascagoula is a city in Jackson County, Mississippi.
The population was 26,200 at the 2010 census.
It is the seat of Jackson County and is one of two county seats in the state, along with Biloxi.
Pascagoula is a major industrial city in Mississippi, along with Gulfport and Biloxi.
The city’s primary industries include shipbuilding and steel fabrication.
The Pascagoula River runs through the city, and the city is home to the state’s largest river forest.
The city also has several museums and historical sites, including the Mississippi Coast History & Heritage Museum and the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Here are the best things to do in Pascagoula, MS:
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Joseph Simon dit La Pointe built the oldest structure in Mississippi, the La Pointe – Krebs House and Museum, in 1757.
The house is the only French colonial-era structure in Mississippi.
Today, it’s a museum that features exhibits on the history of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The La Pointe – Krebs House and Museum were also known as the Old Spanish Fort.
In 1971, the National Register of Historic Places added the house to its record.
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The Old Spanish Fort is a three-room, one-story building 62.25ft long and 37ft wide, with the framing walls measuring 18in thick.
The structure has a longleaf pine frame, and oyster-shell concrete walls inside the oldest part.
It also has clay and Spanish moss bousillage in the west, along with the latest additions.
The house is in downtown Pascagoula, on the west side of Front Street between Claiborne and Convent Streets.
Admission to the museum is free.
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Downtown Pascagoula is a charming place to stroll around, with brick-paved streets lined with historic buildings.
The area also has several art galleries, shops, and restaurants.
Some notable buildings in downtown Pascagoula include the Krebs House, the Lighthouse Museum, and the Mississippi Coast History & Heritage Museum.
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They also turned an old Firestation and city hall into a restaurant.
Scranton’s Restaurant and Catering is a favorite among locals for lunch or dinner.
The menu features American classics with a twist, such as the shrimp and grits with Andouille sausage gravy and the smoked chicken club sandwich.
Events in Pascagoula Downtown include the Mississippi Songwriters Festival, the Pascagoula ArtWalk, and the Pascagoula Farmers Market.
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Bozo’s Seafood Market is arguably the most famous restaurant in Pascagoula.
Being that you’re already near the Gulf of Mexico, eating amazing seafood that’s caught fresh daily is a can’t-miss experience, and Bozo’s Seafood Market should be atop your list.
They’re known for heaping piles of seafood cooked in various ways, but their most famous is the classic Cajun seafood boils that focus on crawfish.
Bozo’s Seafood Market is also well-known for more dishes, such as their Po-Boys, blue crab claws, and Cajun oysters.
To visit Bozo’s Seafood Market, drive along Ingalls Avenue.
Go Fishing at River Park
River Park is one of the best places to catch blue crabs in Pascagoula, making this a must-visit if you’re an avid angler.
Besides crabs, there’s an abundance of fish here as well.
What makes River Park special, however, is that you don’t need to be a fishing enthusiast to appreciate it, as its scenery alone is breathtaking.
Loaded with fishing piers and docks, this is one of the best ways to experience the Pascagoula River.
It’s a perfect place to do photography and a must-visit if you want to have an Instagram-worthy photo, so don’t miss out on River Park.
You can find it along Clark Street.
Explore Point Park
If Pascagoula Beach Park isn’t enough to satisfy your appreciation of the ocean, Point Park is a great addition to your itinerary.
It’s located much further than the beach park, as it’s right along the southwestern most tip of the city.
This gives Point Park a feeling of awe, as the waves here are typically stronger and there are more rocks, giving it a rustic charm.
Point Park also has a sandy beach and there is plenty of wildlife to see.
To access Point Park, find it at the end of Beach Boulevard.
Have a Blast at Jackson County Fair
If you’re visiting during the third week of October, then participating in the Jackson County Fair is a must.
It’s one of the most anticipated annual events in Mississippi, and it happens at the Jackson County Fairgrounds that’s found along Pascagoula’s Shortcut Road.
Tons of events happen here, such as barn fairs, exhibitions, live music, and gun shows.
Of course, carnivals, rides, and tons of food and drinks are also a mainstay in this event.
One of the best ways to experience the authentic local culture of Pascagoula, don’t miss out on the Jackson County Fair.
Drink and Dine at Brady’s Steak and Seafood
Another restaurant you can’t afford to miss when visiting Pascagoula is Brady’s Steak and Seafood.
They’re famous for their prime ribs and tender steaks, so it’s a haven for carnivores who have a big appetite.
However, as the name implies, the restaurant also has an abundance of scrumptious seafood dishes.
Try their gumbo, blackened mahi-mahi, and classic crab cakes for the pescatarian experience.
There’s a lot more in store for you at Brady’s Steak and Seafood, as they’re one of the most well-rounded restaurants in the city.
This makes them a perfect place for dates and special occasions.
Brady’s Steak and Seafood can be found along Magnolia Street.
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The Gulf Islands National Seashore is a unit of the National Park Service that preserves barrier islands on the coasts of Mississippi and Florida.
Gulf Islands National Seashore stretches for 160 miles along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
You can find this spot in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 24 minutes from Pascagoula.
The Gulf Islands National Seashore includes parts of Ocean Springs, Gautier, Biloxi, and Pass Christian.
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The seashore includes more than 7,000 islands and 32 miles of mainland coastline.
The Gulf Islands National Seashore activities include camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing, kayaking, and bird watching.
There are also several nature trails in the area, allowing you to explore the diverse plant and animal life on the seashore.
The entrance to the Gulf Islands National Seashore in Mississippi is located on Highway 90.
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According to legends, the Pascagoula Indian tribes sang as they crossed the river to avoid engaging in combat with the Biloxi tribe.
The Pascagoula River Watershed covers more than 35,000 acres under public protection.
The watershed includes the Pascagoula River, its tributaries, the bayous, swamps, and marshes.
The river, which flows through the city of Pascagoula, is one of the most beautiful and scenic rivers in Mississippi.
There are also cypress-tupelo wetlands in the watershed.
The Pascagoula River Watershed is home to a diverse array of plant and animal life, including alligators, turtles, snakes, deer, and birds.
The Pascagoula River Watershed is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and explore the natural beauty of Mississippi.
The Mississippi Coast History & Heritage Museum is located in downtown Pascagoula.
The museum documents the history and culture of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The museum features exhibits, including a photo gallery with images of the coast from the late 19th century to the present day.
The museum also has a library with a research center that contains a collection of historical documents and photographs.
The history of the Gulf Coast Heritage Area dates back more than 10,000 years, when Native American tribes from the area started to settle there.
Numerous Gulf Coast Heritage region regional museums remind visitors of the area’s history.
Admission to the museum is free.
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Built in 1859, the Round Island Lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouses on the Gulf Coast.
The lighthouse is octagonal and made of bricks.
It has become a beacon for mariners for the past 150 years.
In 1998, Hurricane George damaged the lighthouse, requiring extensive restorations.
The lighthouse is located on Round Island, a small island off the coast of Pascagoula.
In 1699, the French explorer Pierre d’Iberville named Round Island “on account of its form.”
The views from the lighthouse are magnificent and are a sight to behold.
The Pascagoula Beach Park is a beautiful sandy beach located on the Gulf of Mexico.
You can enjoy activities at the beach, including swimming, sunbathing, and fishing.
The park has accessible locations for grills and picnic tables.
The Beach Park Pier is also just across Beach Boulevard if you want to fish or stroll along the water.
Splash pads are also available for children.
The beach is just a few minutes drives from downtown Pascagoula and is a great place to relax and enjoy the Gulf Coast.
Pascagoula Parks & Recreation features different activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Several parks are located throughout the city, including Beach Park, Live Oak Landing, and Sawmill Point Park.
Parks & Recreation also oversees recreation programs, such as sports leagues, after-school programs, and summer camps.
The department offers 26 parks and recreational amenities spread across about 200 acres.
Pascagoula Parks & Recreation provide the neighborhood with three jogging trails, a Senior Center, 12 tennis courts, 20 lit ball fields, and the Andrew Johnson Recreation Center.
The department also operates several facilities, such as the Pascagoula Recreation Center and the Live Oak Community Center.
Pascagoula Recreation Center is great for enjoying the outdoors and getting active.
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Scranton’s Restaurant and Catering has served Southern delicacies with authentic Southern hospitality since 1982.
The restaurant is located in a prominent structure from the early 1920s that formerly served as the town’s firehouse and city hall.
Scranton’s Restaurant and Catering is known for its delicious seafood dishes, steaks, and burgers.
The dining experience still includes distinct traces of the city’s glorious past.
Guests are allowed to roam around the property, take a look inside the old city’s vault, and eat where the mayor once held meetings.
Likewise, you can touch the bars of the town’s first jail cell, and catch a glimpse of the red roll-top door that previously led to the old firehouse.
The restaurant also has a catering business that serves the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The Beach Park Fishing Pier is a great place to enjoy the sunset.
The pier is located on the Gulf of Mexico, across Beach Boulevard from Pascagoula Beach Park.
Beach Park Fishing Pier is a great place to fish, with a bountiful redfish.
The Beach Park Fishing Pier is also lit at night, making it a perfect place to take a romantic stroll.
The pier provides fantastic views of Chevron and Ingalls Shipyard.
It is also well constructed and should provide hours of entertainment for the people of Pascagoula.
The views from the Beach Park Fishing Pier are breathtaking and well worth the boat ride out to the pier.
The Longfellow House is known for its haunted history.
The Longfellow House is a historic house located in Buffet Beach, which overlooks the Mississippi Sound.
They built the 9,000-square-foot house in the early 1850s, and its haunted stories supposedly date back to the Civil War.
People have reported strange noises, doors opening and closing on their own, and apparitions appearing in the windows.
The three-story building was formerly situated on a sizable parcel of ground with 400 feet of Pascagoula Bay shoreline.
Artisans built the house with local pine and cypress, adding a slate roof with three rooflines and two furnaces at each end.
I.G. Levy Park comprises two separate parks, aptly named North and South.
It’s also a great place to enjoy the outdoors.
The park, with two separate entrances, offers several different activities and is connected by a trail.
The North and South I.G. Levy Park measure 42 acres in total.
The park has a playground, two lighted tennis courts, four softball/baseball fields, two pavilions, three sand volleyball courts, and concession stands.
It also has a one-mile walking/jogging trail.
The north park is another area where dogs can play off-leash, but owners are still in charge of ensuring that their animals behave safely.
Likewise, owners must pick up after their animals.
The south park, however, features the adventure island playground for children.
The Pascagoula Senior Center is a recreational facility for individuals 55 years of age and older.
The center has a variety of activities, clubs, and events available for its members.
The Pascagoula Senior Center features a game room and a fitness room.
The Pascagoula Senior Center also offers a variety of recreational activities such as exercise classes and trips.
The Pascagoula Senior Center is an excellent place for seniors to socialize and stay active.
The Pascagoula River Audubon Center is a nature lover’s paradise.
The river is located in the Mississippi Delta and runs through various ecosystems.
You can find it in Moss Point, Mississippi, ten minutes from Pascagoula.
The Pascagoula River Audubon Center is a great place to hike, bird watch, fish, and canoe.
Visitors can explore nature trails, critter tanks, an art gallery, and a gift shop.
The Pascagoula River Audubon Center also offers a variety of educational programs.
It’s a great place to learn about the nature and wildlife of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The Magnolia Birding Pier is a great place to go bird watching or biking.
The pier is located on the corner of Magnolia Street and DuPont Avenue and is a great place to see various birds.
Visitors will likely see the water-dependent bird when they visit the Magnolia Birding Pier, which looks out over a small tidal marsh and bayou.
The Magnolia Birding Pier is also a great place to take a break from the sun and enjoy the views of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The pier is connected to the Historic Pascagoula Bike Route, a great way to see the city.
Mix business with pleasure as you tee off at the Pascagoula Country Club.
This popular spot among locals and visitors is open to the public for a nominal fee.
The Pascagoula Country Club is a great place to play a game of golf or enjoy the views of the Mississippi Sound.
You will enjoy visiting this beautiful country club, which offers a superb nine-hole golf course, breathtaking landscapes, and luxury amenities.
The club also has a pro shop, clubhouse, and restaurant.
It also has a gorgeous outdoor pool and a spacious outside balcony where you may unwind at your leisure.
You can reserve the banquet space for special events.
Pascagoula is a beautiful city with a lot to offer.
There are various activities to do and plenty of places to explore.
Everyone can find something to do in Pascagoula, whether they want to unwind or be active.
Why don’t you add Pascagoula to your bucket list?
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