Looking for a fun and unique day trip from New Orleans that your whole krewe will love? We took a family trip to Ship Island, about 11 miles south of Gulfport, Mississippi, and it was the perfect mix of family beach time, learning a bit of history and adventure!
The journey begins with a one-hour ferry ride with Ship Island Excursions from Gulfport. Parking at the dock is free and they recommend you purchase your boat tickets online to secure your spot. The ferry ride is definitely a highlight for the kids, and the perfect time to start hydrating, apply sunscreen and relaxation for the parents. The boat is very kid-friendly with indoor and outdoor seating, restrooms, a snack bar, and even the chance to spot Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins along the way. Our kids were thrilled!
Once you disembark and make your way to the island, you'll find Fort Massachusetts, a historic brick fort built in 1884, that offers free guided tours from knowledgeable National Park Rangers. The optional 45 minute tour is a cool and educational break from the beach, and a great way to sneak in a little learning. My son’s favorite part is walking up the spiral staircase to a grass covered roof with huge cannons. I highly recommend it!
The hardest part of the entire trip, at least for those carrying all the beach stuff, is getting to the Gulf side of the island. There is one-third mile scenic boardwalk that leads to the beach where you can rent chairs and umbrellas.There is also a snack bar, restrooms, showers, drinking water fountains, and two large picnic pavilions. A ranger station is located next to Fort Massachusetts. Once you get to the beach area, it’s easy sailing!
It’s also important to note that bag and gear restrictions are enforced: no wagons or oversized beach chairs. We were allowed to bring a foldable umbrella stroller, which made the trip much easier with a three year old that wanted to run on the boardwalk so we used the stroller for a heavy beach bag.
As always, I’m on the lookout for family fun near New Orleans, testing it out myself to make sure it’s a good fit for our readers. Ship Island is a day trip we’d definitely recommend! Check out this FAQ page for more useful information.
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Author's note: I am sharing this information because I love this family outing. I have not been compensated for this article by Ship Island Excursions.
