Ocean Springs is the perfect day trip from New Orleans — close enough to visit in a day, different enough to feel like a genuine escape. The drive east on I-10 takes about 90 minutes, and what you find at the end of it is a small town with world-class art, excellent seafood, beautiful beaches, and a charming character that is completely different from the French Quarter.

Here's how to make the most of a day trip from New Orleans to Ocean Springs.

Distance: 90 miles
Drive Time: 1.5 hours via I-10 East
Route: I-10 East from New Orleans to Exit 50 (Ocean Springs/Biloxi), then south on Washington Avenue to downtown Ocean Springs

Departure Time: Leave New Orleans by 8:00–8:30am to arrive in Ocean Springs by 10:00am and maximize your time in town.

Gas: Fill up before leaving New Orleans or in Slidell. Gas prices on the Gulf Coast are comparable to New Orleans.

Park on Washington Avenue or Government Street and start exploring the downtown area. The town's compact, walkable downtown is lined with galleries, shops, and restaurants in beautifully maintained historic buildings.

Shearwater Pottery — the legendary pottery studio founded by Peter Anderson in 1928, still operated by the Anderson family. The studio produces beautiful hand-thrown pottery in the distinctive Shearwater style. The showroom is open to visitors and the prices are reasonable.

Walter Anderson Museum of Art — the finest museum on the Gulf Coast, celebrating the extraordinary work of Walter Anderson — Ocean Springs' most famous artist, whose paintings, drawings, and murals celebrate the natural world of the Gulf Coast. The museum's collection is extraordinary; allow at least 1 hour.

Ocean Springs has more than 20 galleries in its compact downtown area — one of the highest concentrations of galleries per capita in the South. The galleries range from fine art to folk art to photography, and the quality is consistently high.

Key Galleries:

• Shearwater Pottery Gallery — the Anderson family's gallery, with excellent pottery and prints
• Mockingbird Café & Gallery — a beautiful gallery and café with excellent local art
• The Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art — a beautiful museum in a Frank Gehry-designed building, celebrating the work of George Ohr (the "Mad Potter of Biloxi") and other Gulf Coast artists

Ocean Springs has excellent restaurants for every taste and budget.

Casual: The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint is a beloved Gulf Coast institution with excellent smoked meats and a lively atmosphere.

Seafood: Germaine's on the Bayou has excellent Gulf Coast seafood in a beautiful waterfront setting.

Upscale: Vestige is the finest restaurant in Ocean Springs, with exceptional farm-to-table cuisine that celebrates the best of the Gulf Coast.

Drive south to the beach on the Mississippi Sound for an afternoon swim or walk. The Gulf Islands National Seashore — accessible by boat from Ocean Springs — offers excellent beaches and snorkeling on the barrier islands.

Fort Massachusetts (Ship Island) — a beautiful Civil War-era fort on Ship Island, accessible by ferry from Gulfport. The ferry ride and the fort tour are excellent for history enthusiasts.

Return to downtown for a final walk through the galleries and shops. The town's independent bookstores, antique shops, and artisan food producers are excellent for gifts and souvenirs.

Leave Ocean Springs by 5:00pm to arrive back in New Orleans by 6:30–7:00pm — in time for dinner in the French Quarter.

Arrive Early: The Walter Anderson Museum and Shearwater Pottery are most enjoyable in the morning, before the day-trippers arrive.

Check the Festival Calendar: If visiting during the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival (first weekend of November), plan accordingly — the town is extremely busy and parking is limited.

Bring Cash: Many of the galleries and artisan shops prefer cash.

Wear Comfortable Shoes: The downtown area is compact and walkable, but you'll cover several miles over the course of the day.

Overnight Option: If you want to experience Ocean Springs more fully, consider staying overnight. The town has excellent bed & breakfasts and small hotels, and the evening atmosphere — with the restaurants and bars in full swing — is completely different from the daytime experience.

For more Ocean Springs adventures, see our Ocean Springs Weekend Guide, Best Restaurants in Ocean Springs, Ocean Springs Arts & Culture, Ocean Springs Outdoor Activities, and Best Time to Visit Ocean Springs.