07/14/2025
RECREATION, ENTERTAINMENT AND OTHER USEFUL LINKS
GULF COAST BEACHES
*Pass Christian Beach. Pass Christian is a coastal town with a charming vibe, offering a great setting for various beach activities. It has the closest beach to the Woodland House. (26 min.)
*Waveland Beach. Waveland is a charming and peaceful coastal town known for its private and serene beaches, offering a unique respite from the busier tourist spots along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. (29 min.)
*Bay St. Louis Beach. Bay St. Louis is a town known for its trendy, artsy atmosphere and beautiful beach. (34 min.)
*Gulfport Beaches. A little further to the East, Gulfport Beach offers wide stretches of sand, perfect for sunbathing and enjoying various water sports and rentals. (35 min.)
NATURE AND HIKING
*Buttercup Flats, Natural wildflower area. (58 min.) https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mississippi/recarea/?recid=28833
*Black Creek Trail, 40-mile natural hiking trail. (63 min.)
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mississippi/recarea/?recid=82488
*Tuxachanie Trail, 12-mile natural hiking trail. (35 min.) https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/regions/southern/TuxachanieTrail/index.shtml
*Jourdan River Blueway. A hiking trail that begins at McLeod State Park. (20 min.) https://www.gulfcoast.org/listings/jourdan-river-blueway-trail/12761/
*Possum Walk Heritage Trail. A 3-mile trail on Bayou Bogue Homa, near the INFINITY center. (38 min.) https://www.gulfcoast.org/listings/possum-walk/6400/
*Enchanted Nature Trail. A short child-friendly interactive and educational trail in Henderson Point. (30 min.) https://msgulfcoastheritage.ms.gov/natural/greenways/enchanted-nature-trail/
OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
*Buccaneer Bay Waterpark. Features a Pirate's Plank (340 ft. enclosed slide), Pirate's Plunge (400 ft. body slide), Lil' Smuggler's Cove (water playground), Pirate's Lagoon ( 17,450 sq. ft. surf pool), plus a food court, 10,000 sq. ft. sun deck and lounge area, and other attractions. (35 min.)
*Buccaneer State Park. Encompassing 343 acres on the beach, features the 4.5-acre waterpark, an 18-hole disc golf course, a 1.8-mile nature trail, and nature-based activities such as birding, crabbing, and kayaking. (35 min.)
*Gulf Coast Fishing Piers. In Pass Christian, Bay St. Louis and Waveland. (29-35 min.) https://www.gulfcoast.org/things-to-do/fishing/
*McLeod Water Park. Playground, trails, swimming, picnics. (20 min.) https://www.facebook.com/mcleodpark.hancockcounty.ms
*Wolf River. Swimming, canoeing. (16 min.) https://paddling.com/paddle/trips/wolf-river-mississippi-2
*Wolf River Canoeing and Kayaking. Wolf River Canoe & Kayak rents boats for 4.5 mile trips just a few minutes from Bayou La Terre Woodland Center. (12 min.)
https://www.gulfcoast.org/listings/wolf-river-canoe-%26-kayak/11/
EDUCATIONAL
*Crosby Arboretum. A 770 acre arboretum in Picayune with a 64 acre interpretive center. (33 min.) http://crosbyarboretum.msstate.edu
*INFINITY Science Museum. Activities center at the Stennis Space Center. It is focused on space, Earth science, engineering and technology, and hosts 60,000 visitors each year. (33 min.) https://www.visitinfinity.com
*Mississippi Aquarium Located in Gulfport, it is a premier institution delivering an awe-inspiring entertainment experience which supports animal research and conservation, inspires learning, and instills a passion for the aquatic world. (36 min.) https://www.msaquarium.org/
CASINOS
*https://www.gulfcoast.org/casinos/bay-st-louis/
*Beau Rivage Casino. 875 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39530 (47 min.)
*Boomtown Casino. 875 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39530 (47 min.)
*Golden Nugget Casino. 151 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39530 (52 min.)
*Hard Rock Casino. 777 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39530 (48 min.)
*Harrah’s Gulf Coast Casino. 280 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39530 (50 min.)
*Hollywood Casino. 711 Hollywood Blvd, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 (34 min.)
*IP Casino. 850 Bayview Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39530 (46 min.)
*Island View Casino. 3000 West Beach Blvd, Gulfport, MS 39501 (35 min.)
*Palace Casino. 154 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39530.(52 min.)
*Scarlet Pearl Casino. 9422 Central Ave, D'Iberville, MS 39540 (45 min.)
*Silver Slipper Casino. 5000 Beach Blvd, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 (36 min.)
*Treasure Bay Casino. 1980 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39531 (51 min.)
RESTAURANTS
*Restaurants on the Coast and at Diamondhead. There are several dozen well-rated restaurants at various levels. (23-34 min.)
https://www.gulfcoast.org/restaurants/
*Nearby restaurants. Restaurants in Kiln and the immediate area, (under 20 min.)
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g43837-c33-Kiln_Mississippi.html
GROCERIES
*Dedeaux Community Grocery. Small convenient nearby grocery. (5 min.) https://www.facebook.com/DedeauxCommunityGrocery/
*Neco's Supermarket. Large supermarket. (10 min.) https://www.necosfamilymarket.com/weekly.htm
SHOPPING
*Bay St. Louis shops and art galleries. (33 min.)
http://www.baystlouisoldtown.com/shop.html
*Old Town. Art galleries, shops, restaurants in Bay St. Louis (33 min.)
http://www.baystlouisoldtown.com
*Flea Market at Menge. The largest flea market on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, every Saturday and Sunday. (20 min.)
https://www.fleamarketatmenge.com
HOSPITAL
*Ochsner Medical Center Ochsner Medical Center-Hancock. Provides hospital, clinic and surgical services in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Since 1960, this facility has been serving the community, offering personal and convenient care. Emergency number:: 228-467-8600 (30 min.)
https://www.ochsner.org/locations/ochsner-medical-center-hancock
