20 Best Things to Do in Biloxi, Mississippi

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The Biloxi Lighthouse is a city institution, a symbol of its resolve and strength in the face of the challenges it has seen over time including, most recently, Hurricane Katrina. The lighthouse was built of cast iron in 1848, one of the first of its kind in the American South. Biloxi Lighthouse was a private entity from 1848 to 1939, and it was famous for having been operated by several different female lighthouse keepers. The building was then taken over by the Coast Guard, but later transferred to the City of Biloxi. Hurricane Katrina did significant damage to the Biloxi Lighthouse, as the waves it caused battered a full third of the structure. The lighthouse was restored and reopened to the public in 2010. Guided tours are held daily.

1050 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39530, Phone: 228-374-3105

© Mardi Gras Museum

Biloxi’s Mardi Gras Museum is a tribute to the Fat Tuesday holiday that plays such an important role in the life of the Gulf Coast. The small museum is placed inside the historic Magnolia Hotel, which itself is an interesting example of regional architecture. On display are informational placards that discuss the history of and interesting facts about the Mardi Gras holiday and its celebration. However, the most impressive aspect of the Mardi Gras Museum is its costume display. The outfits shown off here are garish, sequin-covered numbers appropriate for the pomp and excitement that embody Mardi Gras. The facility has a small gift shop.

119 Rue Magnolia, Biloxi, MS 39530, Phone: 228-435-6308

© Biloxi Tour Train

The Biloxi Tour Train is tough to miss on a trip into town, as this open-air train takes passengers on a daily ride throughout the city’s historic district. Formerly known as the Biloxi Shrimp Tour Train and referred to by locals simply as the Shrimp Train, the Biloxi Tour Train has been operating around Biloxi since its establishment in 1961. The tour includes not only a ride around the city’s historic parts, but also a full program of information about Biloxi’s unique culture and historical roots. Highlights of the tour, which is run by city natives, include the Biloxi Lighthouse and the Live Oaks.

PO BOX 1226, Biloxi, MS 39533, Phone: 228-374-8687

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Ship Island is a Gulf Coast island famous for its beautiful beaches and beloved for its close proximity to coastal cities like Biloxi. At a mere 11 miles from the shoreline, Ship Island is easily accessed by ferries, which leave the port at Gulfport at regular intervals. Once on the island, visitors can lounge on the beach under a large umbrella, fish in the salty seas (with the appropriate license), or explore other areas of the small territory. There are chances to enjoy nature with activities like birding, shelling, and hiking, and tours of the island’s historic Fort Massachusetts are also offered by providers.

© Beau Rivage

The Beau Rivage is a prime destination for visitors to Biloxi. This resort incorporates everything one needs for a relaxing and entertaining stay in the area, as it provides not only accommodation, but also a complete complex of dining, gambling, nightlife, and entertainment options. Beau Rivage has a concert and performance venue with over 1,500 seats, where famous musicians and performers regularly make appearances. Smaller events such as trunk and fashion shows are also known to grace the halls of the hotel. Beyond these show-stopping performances and events, Beau Rivage is equipped with a number of bars, restaurants, lounges, and club spaces for guests to party the night away. And for those who have come to Biloxi for its happening casino scene, Beau Rivage features a large, glamorous casino space with slots, table games, a poker room, and a luxury lounge. Next read: Biloxi beach

875 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39530, Phone: 228-386-7111

© Biloxi Brewing Company

Biloxi Brewing Company, with its newly built facility right in the heart of downtown Biloxi, is a Mississippi craft beer brewery that brings the flavor and spirit of Biloxi into each of its unique blends. Biloxi Brewing Co. produces several different varieties of beer, including an IPA, extra stouts, and a blonde brew. Each of its beers celebrates its coastal origins with clever names as well as packaging that honors Mississippi. Visitors and beer aficionados can stop in at the brewery for an informational tour led by an experienced brewer. The trip includes a tasting as well, and each guest (of age) can enjoy six varieties from among Biloxi’s offerings.

186 Bohn St, Biloxi, MS 39530, Phone: 228-273-1636

© Biloxi Shrimping Trip

Running its seaside excursions since 1954, Biloxi Shrimping Trip takes visitors out on a real shrimping expedition on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The 70-minute boat journey is a fully immersive educational experience where one can see how shrimp are caught and even participate in the process. The tour begins with an explanation of the shrimping net and how it is used to catch the shrimp (and the other creatures, such as crabs and pufferfish, who often come along for the ride as well). The net is then dropped and dragged along the Gulf floor, only to be pulled up for an identification session of the catch of the day. The tour is child and pet-friendly.

693 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS 39530, Phone: 228-392-8645

© Biloxi Shuckers Baseball

Many come to Biloxi for the waves and sun, but there is plenty of fun to be had in town on dry land, including at MGM Park. This baseball diamond is the home of the Biloxi Shuckers, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers welcome fans and families to enjoy a day of baseball during their season of games. MGM Park stadium has seating for over 6,000 patrons, making it a friendly yet lively venue. The facility has concessions, a team store, and a lounge. Special events such as fireworks displays, games between innings, and holiday-themed events and contests regularly take place at Shuckers games.

906 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39530, Phone: 228-233-3465

© Grind Coffee & Nosh

Coffee connoisseurs in Biloxi are certain to know the name of Grind Coffee & Nosh, a premier regional destination for fine food and espresso drinks. The baristas at Grind take pride in their coffee, serving only cups that come out perfectly. They serve both traditional filter coffee and espresso-based concoctions, in addition to a full menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner selections. The Grind is best known for its lineup of paninis made in the classic Italian style. A stone fireplace, open seating area, and plush couches make the café a cozy, comfortable place to enjoy a meal or spend an afternoon.

934 Cedar Lake Rd, Biloxi, MS 39532, Phone: 228-392-3305

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Harrah’s has established its brand as a quality casino and accommodation destination, and Harrah’s Gulf Coast maintains this reputation in standout fashion. Harrah’s Gulf Coast has it all in one package—so much more than just a hotel, the resort includes a large casino, pool and spa, several dining options, and even a concert venue. Known as the Great Lawn, this venue faces the coastline and provides an all-ages-welcome space for musical performances by well-known acts each Saturday night. In addition to all this, Harrah’s also has its own 18-hole golf course, which was designed by legend of the sport Jack Nicklaus. Gulf Coast beaches

280 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi, MS 39530, Phone: 800-946-2946

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Hurricane Katrina was an incredibly significant event in the lives of Biloxi citizens. As one of the largest cities along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Biloxi was hit especially hard by this vicious natural disaster. The memorial on Biloxi’s main street is a fitting tribute to this massive tragedy and the impact it had on the community. The Hurricane Katrina Memorial consists of several parts—one plaque describes the devastation the storm brought on the area, while another depicts a map that further illustrates the hurricane’s impact. A second piece of the memorial, which rises a symbolic 12 feet, the height the water level reached during the storm, lists the names of those who died or went missing during Katrina. A case also contains items found by residents from the nearby buildings.

Highway 90 & Main St. - Biloxi Town Green, Biloxi, MS,39530

© Island Time Charters

Island Time Charters is a Biloxi-based charter boat company specializing in light tackle fishing cruises in the waters of the Gulf. The company’s boats are housed at Point Cadet Marina, which serves as a convenient launching point for inshore fishing or trips further out into the Gulf of Mexico. Island Time Charters can accommodate up to four people, and every charter is manned by their professional staff, each one of whom is trained in emergency and safety procedures. Anglers can head out on half or full-days cruises in pursuit of local catches like flounder, speckled trout, and red snapper. For those less enthusiastic about fishing, Island Time also offers sunset and sightseeing cruises.

119 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi, MS, 39530, Phone: 228-217-1313

© Jefferson Davis Presidential Library

The large complex that includes the residence and presidential library of the only president of the Confederate States of America, which existed from 1861 to 1865 during the United States Civil War, is part of a Biloxi estate known as Beauvoir. Beauvoir was Jefferson Davis’s home during his postwar retirement, and today, the entire site is a tribute to the work of this man. In addition to the residential building and the library, the estate also includes several statues and pavilions and even an artificial waterfall. Although it was heavily damaged during Hurricane Katrina, Beauvoir has since been restored and opened to visitors.

2244 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS 39531, Phone: 228-388-4400

© Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum

The Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum is a great introduction to two of the important seafaring industries that have allowed the Gulf Coast to thrive over the years. The exhibits on display at the museum are richly curated and diverse in nature, covering topics such as shell fishing and accompanying pursuits like net repair, shrimp peeling, recreational fishing, and marine protection and conservation. In addition to these exhibits, the museum features a maritime-themed art gallery and a spacious theater. Two full-size replica Biloxi Schooners often traverse the waters just outside the museum, and special events such as the museum’s signature Sea-and-Sail camps and boat shows take place regularly.

115 1st Street Biloxi, MS 39530, Phone: 228-435-6320

© Mega-Bite Fishing Charters

Mega-Bite Fishing Charters sponsors charter light tackle and deep sea fishing trips off the coast of Biloxi in the Gulf of Mexico and Biloxi Bay. Mega-Bite operates all year round and takes pride in its commitment to meeting all the needs of its charter passengers. Up to six guests can join charters, which can be tailored to any event, such as a corporate gathering or bachelor or bachelorette party. On each of its trips, Mega-Bite provides ice, bait and tackle, water, and complimentary fish cleaning. Guests can request local destinations like Deer Island, Horn Island, or Ship Island, and charters can last between 4 and 8 hours.

3366 Bay Shore Drive, Biloxi, MS 39532, Phone: 877-797-0021

© Nauti-Toons Boat Rentals

Nauti-Toons is a pontoon boat specialist offering rentals at Point Cadet Marina in Biloxi. Nauti-Toons has a fleet of three boats that can handle between 10 and 14 passengers, transporting them to a day of fun on the Mississippi Sound and Biloxi Bay. The boats are easy to operate so that even novice drivers can handle them out on the water. Renters can take the boats out to nearby islands, beaches, and dockside restaurants, or park in the water for a few hours of splashing and swimming. Each boat is equipped with comfortable seating and easy access for getting in and out of the water.

119 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39530, Phone: 228-234-6969

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The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art is a phenomenal complex of art, architectural, and historical exhibits that celebrate Mississippi’s own famed potter George Ohr and his unique works. The museum and its surrounding landscape were designed by architect Frank Gehry, and every structure on the campus is a new discovery of bold shapes and patterns. Permanent exhibitions focus on George Ohr himself, the legacy of Hurricane Katrina, and the family of Pleasant Reed, who escaped slavery and later settled in Biloxi. The museum can be explored independently or on group, guide-led tours, and the facility has a wide array of ceramics, pottery, and classes and workshops available to patrons.

386 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi, Mississippi 39530, Phone: 228-374-5547

© Old Biloxi Cemetery

A trip to the Old Biloxi Cemetery is a journey through the history of the town and its residents of yore. Many of the headstones in this cemetery date back all the way to the 1800s, and often they are adorned with intricate decoration and beautiful carvings. Additionally, the Old Biloxi Cemetery is the burying place of many of Biloxi’s most famous residents. They include famed potter George Ohr, local hero and former slave Pleasant Reed, and Brigadier General Joseph Robert Davis, who is actually the nephew of Confederacy president Jefferson Davis. Many enjoy strolling or driving through this burial place and soaking in the historical significance of its tombstones.

1166 Irish Hill Dr., Biloxi, MS 39530, Phone: 228-435-6279

© T&J Island Cruises

T&J Island Cruises is a family-owned provider of boat cruises around the Gulf of Mexico based at the Biloxi Boardwalk Marina. T&J Island sets itself apart from other cruising outlets by offering leisure trips rather than the more common fishing charters. In this way, T&J charters appeal to the entire family, allowing everyone to enjoy the Gulf’s clear waters and coastal islands. Passengers can swim, tan, hang out on the beach, and even look for dolphin sightings, which are common throughout all four seasons. The company operates a fully outfitted yacht with indoor seating, an on-board bathroom, and a kitchenette, offering all the comforts of home. The boat can hold up to six passengers.

200 E 8th St, Biloxi MS, 39530, Phone: 228-217-6147

© Walter Anderson Museum of Art

In addition to being a draw for casino lovers and beachcombers, Biloxi also has much to offer in the way of local culture and heritage. The Walter Anderson Museum of Art, also known as WAMA, is a prime example of the town’s thriving art scene, which focuses largely on American art. In particular, WAMA celebrates the work of its namesake, Walter Inglis Anderson, a Gulf Coast native who is lauded as one of the finest American painters of the 20th century. Anderson is best known for his imagery depicting the natural world and the people of the region in which he lived. The museum features works from different media created both by Anderson and his two brothers, who also excelled in the visual arts.

510 Washington Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS, 39564, Phone: 228-872-3164