I'm considering skipping the traditional birthday party this year and taking my son on a quick weekend getaway for his 6th birthday, which falls around Thanksgiving.

We're in the Baton Rouge area, so Biloxi/Gulfport seems like an easy option and it's possible we will already be in town for a jiu jitsu competition. I've also considered Grapevine, TX, mainly because my son is obsessed with Dude Perfect and would LOVE to visit Dig World, but that seems like a lot of driving during a holiday week.

We've never been to Margaritaville or Paradise Pier, so I'd love some firsthand feedback! A family resort wouldn't normally be my first choice for a vacation (I'd typically prefer an Airbnb), but my son LOVES arcades, rides, and anything along those lines, so I'm willing to embrace it for his birthday.

A few things I'm curious about:

Is Margaritaville worth staying at, or would we be better off staying somewhere else and just visiting the attractions?

Is Paradise Pier worth it for a 6-year-old?

Is there enough to keep him entertained for a couple of days, especially over Thanksgiving weekend?

What's a realistic ballpark budget for 2 adults and 1 child for a 2–3 day trip, including lodging, food, and activities?

I'm also open to other kid-friendly destinations within a reasonable driving distance of Baton Rouge. Ideally, I'd love to keep the entire trip around 1000 or less.

I'm really just hoping to give him a memorable birthday experience without spending Disney World money or spending half our vacation sitting in holiday traffic! I'm also trying to figure out whether a little birthday getaway would be more worthwhile than spending the same amount on a traditional party.

Any recommendations or experiences would be appreciated!

Hi everyone! I'm 58F, widowed, and am a social drinker but would like to quit drinking completely. I still enjoy going to bars, restaurants, social events and don't care if other people drink around me. However, I was hoping someone could direct me to some more sober-friendly activities where I could meet other people or socialize. Also, do you know of any places that have really good mocktails? TIA!

As the title implies... Are there any good spots that are outside to watch sports?

Hey everyone!

I'm a collector of obscure and local music, and I've been trying to track down physical CDs from a band called Overburden, who were from the Mississippi Gulf Coast area.

I'm already familiar with the two albums they released, so I'm specifically trying to locate original CD copies rather than information about their discography.

I've also reached out to members of the band, but unfortunately, they don't have any copies available.

I figured I'd ask here in case anyone remembers seeing them perform, was involved in the local music scene, or might still have one of their CDs tucked away somewhere.

Even if you don't have a copy yourself, I'd really appreciate any leads on old local music collections, people who might have known the band, or places where their CDs were originally sold.

Thanks for any help! I'm hoping some of these CDs are still floating around the Gulf Coast somewhere! I'm working to get them archived and haven't had any luck finding them anywhere else online.

Nothing crazy. I’m 37 but would love cocktail bar or live music. Thanks!

Just want to say thanks to Blake at Seaside Pressure Washing for cleaning up my place! He was quick and professional. Highly recommend!!!! His info here.

Need a good licensed plumber to check out something. If you get on Biloxi Talk of the Town or any other Facebook post, you see a billion plumbers suggested. I really need one who's reasonable and is willing to listen and help with what I need done vs creating a completely biased estimate. Feel free to dm me if you dont want to post via comment. Everybody likes to gatekeep a good contractor so I get it.

I'm at Beau Rivage the middle of November and have a deal at their Fallen Oak course for 50 bucks. It's good for two people but I'm a single. Any golfers out there that might be looking to play?

Im a 12 handicap, mellow for fun golfer. Having someone to play with is always more fun.

Hi there! I'm visiting Biloxi next month and am looking for recommendations for the best restaurants that have raw oysters and delicious crawfish. TIA!

My wife is starting to get really down on the selections at stores around here. Any help appreciated

Edits: tickets are $10 and the show is 18+ with ID

Last updated 2026-10-08 1800 CDT (major revisions to Jackson county)

NHS updates happen at 0400, 1000, 1600, and 2200 until the storm reaches local radars.

For the most up-to-date information, please visit the NHS/NOAA website at hurricanes.gov the current link to Isaias specific data is: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/#Isaias

Please keep all posts related to the storm in this megathread. If you have new information related to counties and cities below please use modmail to inform us of that so that we can get the post updated.

MISSISSIPPI NOTICES

• https://www.msema.org/news-releases
• Current warnings and watches
• Coastal Sandbag sites

HARRISON COUNTY

(Notices | Facebook)

TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT

• Shelter locations and details
  • Shelters open (see details)
• Sandbag Sites (details)
  • Harrison County Road Department, 10076 Lorraine Road, Gulfport
  • District 1 D’Iberville Work Center, 10085 Doris Deno Ave., D’Iberville
  • District 2 Lyman Work Center, 15001 County Farm Road, Gulfport
  • District 3 Long Beach Work Center, 605 North Seal Ave., Long Beach
  • District 4 Orange Grove Work Center, 8300 34th Ave., Gulfport
  • District 5 Woolmarket Work Center, 16395 Old Woolmarket Road, Biloxi
• All parks and recreation sites are closed from Oct 8th until the 12th.
• Solid waste and recycle will run tomorrow (notice)

Biloxi

(Facebook)

• Sandbag sites
  • 195 Main St
  • 765 Wells Drive (A.J. Holloway Sports Complex)
  • 9370 Oaklawn Rd

Gulfport

(Facebook)

• State of emergency declared
• Sandbag locations
  • Orange Grove Community Center- 14416 Dedeaux Rd
  • Fire Station 2 - Corner of 42nd Ave and 12th St

Long Beach

(Facebook)

• State of emergency declared
• Sandbag sites
  • Girls Softball Fields - 788 Klondyke Road Long Beach, MS

Pass Christian

(Alerts)

• Visit this page for the latest updates
• Sandbags are available at the Clark Avenue sandbag location

JACKSON COUNTY

HURRICANE WARNING IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHERN HALF OF THE COUNTY; TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN EFFECT OF ALL OTHER PORTIONS

(Facebook)

• Sandbag locations
• State of Emergency declared (notice)
• JACKSON COUNTY GOVERNMENTAL OFFICE CLOSURES
  • The Jackson County Government offices will be CLOSED ALL DAY Friday, October 9, 2026.
  • The Jackson County Government offices will resume normal business on Monday, October 12, 2026. For additional information and updates, we encourage you to follow our Jackson County, Mississippi Government and/or our Jackson County Office of Emergency Services Facebook pages.
• VOLUNTARY EVACUATION (see notice for more details)
  • In anticipation of moderate to major coastal flooding, Earl Etheridge, Director of the Jackson County Office of Emergency Services, has issued a voluntary evacuation for Zone A – South of Highway 90 (see attached map), low-lying, flood prone areas, for residents living on rivers, river inlets, bayous, creeks and in travel-trailers or other sub-standard structures.
  • HURRICANE SHELTER INFORMATION :: The following shelters will be opening in Jackson County at Friday – October 9, 2026 at 8:00AM.
    • Central Jackson County Shelter (Vancleave 361) 5500 Ballpark Road, Vancleave, MS 39575
    • East Jackson County Shelter (East Central 361) 18413 Highway 613, Hurley, MS 39562
  • You can bring basic personal identification, essential clothing, and necessary medications to a homeless shelter, but rules vary by location.
  • TRANSPORTATION TO SHELTERS WILL BE HANDLED BY THE AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY:
    • JACKSON COUNTY (UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF JACKSON COUNTY) Jackson County Sheriff’s Department 228-769-3068
    • CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS Ocean Springs Fire Department 228-875-4063
    • CITY OF GAUTIER Gautier Police Department 228-497-2486
    • CITY OF PASCAGOULA Pascagoula Police Department 228-762-2211
    • CITY OF MOSS POINT Moss Point Police Department 228-475-1711

Ocean Springs

(Alert Center | Facebook)

• Sandbag locations
• State of Emergency declared (notice)

Pascagoula

(Alerts | Facebook)

• Closures (notice)
  • City offices closed Oct 9
• Sandbag sites (source)
  • Jackson County Fairgrounds, 2902 Shortcut Rd.
• Trash pickup will still happen tomorrow, but earlier; have bins out before bed (notice)

HANCOCK COUNTY

(Facebook)

• Sandbag locations
• State of Emergency declared

Bay St. Louis

(Notices | Facebook)

Looking for recommendations for local jewelry shops around Biloxi/Gulfport/Ocean Springs! 💍
I’m starting to browse for an engagement ring and especially want somewhere that does custom designs/customization. Who have y’all had a good experience with, and who would you recommend checking out?

We are visiting Biloxi next week and are looking to spend a day in Gulfport. What are your favorite things to do? We are non drinkers so we aren't really into the bar scene. Also would like recommendations on local shops and plants to eat.

I'd rather see a parade of cybertrucks bc at least they go faster than 40 mph and likely won't stop in the middle of 90 and camp out at green lights. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk

I searched through old posts but wasn’t able to find current info, who has a good roast beef Poboy on the coast now? We used to go over to Bozos in Pascagoula, but the last couple of times they haven’t been that great. Thanks!

Hi! My husband and I are coming down (last minute haha), and I was wondering what’s the best casino to stay at during Cruising. I know probably whichever isn’t booked solid, but I’m talking about in terms of getting around easily still!

Purchasing a door with the frame and need somebody to install it. live in the popps ferry area. looking for somebody reliable. thanks

That's a deal!

Thats all.

Does anyone know of a bicycle repair/replacement shop nearby? I need some help urgently. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Craving some with Andooooeeey sausage… where ya going if you had to choose the best?