Biloxi is a city that lies on the Gulf of Mexico in Mississippi, which I first became aware of from the 1988 film Biloxi Blues starring Matthew Broderick.
I’ll confess to being a bit nervous about heading there, given the history of the Deep South. However, I am happy to say the city well and truly captured my heart.
If you are into gorgeous beaches, boating experiences, beautiful architecture and fascinating museums, Biloxi is a place I am sure you’ll love too.
I managed to see a fair bit of Biloxi as I hired a car. So, please allow me to showcase my personal highlights.
Getting to Biloxi
Biloxi is a destination you should easily be able to reach from most parts of the USA. If you are coming from out-of-state, you can easily fly to Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT). Delta Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines all offer regular flights there throughout the week.
Alternatively, you can drive; the I-10 will take you there from New Orleans or Tallahassee, or you can do what I did and take a Greyhound Bus.
I rode it from Pensacola on a route that stopped off at Mobile. Although some people knock it on, I have always loved taking this form of transport. I tend to meet some interesting people and drive through small towns that I might not otherwise see if I was driving my own vehicle.
Things To Do
As I had a car, I managed to see a fair bit of Biloxi. Here are my personal highlights.
Biloxi Beach
Mississippi has 26 miles of gorgeous white sandy beaches, and the section in Biloxi is particularly comely, which was good to see. Apparently, it suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Katrina and the infamous BP Oil spill, and millions of dollars worth of restoration work has taken place since then.
I spent a lovely morning here swimming and sunbathing, which was particularly invigorating after a long Greyhound Bus ride the previous day.
I am not the strongest of swimmers, so I was pleased that the water was calm, thanks to the protection it gets from the barrier islands. However, I did find the sun to be quite strong, so I was glad I was wearing a hat. I also made sure I regularly topped up the sunscreen, which I would advise you to do as well.
The Biloxi Lighthouse
This lighthouse is an iconic symbol of Biloxi and dates back to 1848. It was apparently the first such cast-iron structure built in the South and is now operated by the Coast Guard. It is notable for being maintained by female lighthouse keepers for more years than any other similar structure in the USA, which I think is kind of cool.
I paid $5 for a tour of the 65-foot tall watchtower, which involved climbing 57 steps on a spiral staircase. (It felt like more!). To get into the light room, I also needed to climb an eight-run ladder and enter a trap door. It was a bit of an endeavour, but the views you get from the top of the Gulf of Mexico are spectacular. It is just a share I wasn’t there at sunset.
Visit The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum Of Art
This fabulous museum exhibits almost 200 pieces of Ohr pottery and ceramics. I loved seeing the different designs, which demonstrated a skill and artistic vision I could only wish for.
I came here during the middle of the day, which was good, because the air-conditioning provided plenty of relief from the sweltering temperatures outside.
Paradise Pier
This amusement park was located right next door to my hotel and apparently had only just opened. While I didn’t go on any of the rides (which I am sure kids will love – especially the Aerobar), I enjoyed walking along the Gulf Coast’s biggest pier. The Mississippi Sound looked so inviting that it was all I could do to prevent myself from diving in!
From the lofted vantage point of the pier, I saw dolphins frolicking in the water, which was an amazing sight. I also enjoyed a massive, foot-long corn dog at Captain Charlie’s Salty Snackbar and a rather decadent Oreo Swirl-Sation Sundae at Sweet Shack, which left me feeling rather full.
Try Your Luck at the Casinos
If you are feeling lucky, Biloxi has eight casinos you can visit to try and win your fortune.
While I am not much of a gambler, I did go to the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, as it was not far from the Margaritaville Resort, the hotel I stayed at on Beach Boulevard.
This joint was every bit as dizzying and exciting as the ones I’ve been to in Las Vegas, and I had a lot of fun here. I spent about an hour playing some 1-cent slots (I wasn’t game enough to try the $100 ones!) and was even given a complimentary beer, which I considered a win!
Unfortunately, I didn’t win any hard cash, but I did see someone accumulate a massive pile of chips playing Mississippi Stud. I also spent some time watching people play Three-Card Poker, Pai Gow, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em before heading home.
Visit Beauvoir
Biloxi has some lovely architecture, including the stunning Beauvoir estate, which is situated on Beach Boulevard. When I first saw it, I didn’t know anything about its history. However, I struck up a conversation with a friendly local who told me it was where Jefferson Davis, the former President of the Confederate States of America, once lived. So, I was intrigued to see it.
I booked myself on a tour, which I paid for when I arrived at the Beauvoir Gift Shop. It was led by a bubbly lady called Evelyn, who took my group through various parts of the property, including the Beauvoir Museum, the Presidential Library, Oyster Bayou, Beauvoir Memorial Cemetery, Mrs. Varina’s Garden, and several historical cottages.
Throughout the tour, she was very eloquent and informative, and it provided us with a fascinating portrayal of how the former president lived during the post-war years.
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