Follow our Biloxi, MS Travel Guide for tips on casinos, resorts, beaches, restaurants and more. From the bright lights and excitement of the casino resorts to the peaceful and relaxing white sand beaches, Biloxi has it all. You’ll find fun and entertainment in Biloxi whether you spend a day or a week. We recently spent five nights there and had a blast! Biloxi is a long time favorite vacation destination and we could see why. We found plenty of things to do in Biloxi and the surrounding area to keep us relaxed, well fed and entertained during our five day vacation. Check out this Biloxi, MS travel guide for information on things to see and do in and around the Biloxi area.
And for a review of all 8 Biloxi Casino Resorts, check out our post titled Biloxi MS Casinos • EIGHT First Class Resorts!
Biloxi, MS Travel Guide Outline
- Where is Biloxi, Mississippi?
- Things to See & Do in Biloxi, Mississippi
- Relax on the Beach – Fish From the Pier
- Try Your Luck at the Casinos & Enjoy Their Many Amenities
- Tour the Inside of the Biloxi Lighthouse
- Visit the Biloxi Visitor Center
- Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Biloxi
- Driving & Bicycling Tour of Historic Biloxi
- Visit the Historic Old Biloxi Cemetery
- Stay in a Historic Boutique Hotel
- Watch a Beautiful Sunrise Over the Waters of Biloxi!
- Where to Eat in Biloxi?
- Biloxi Transportation
- What to See & Do Near Biloxi?
Inviting Biloxi beach and city view
Colorful shrimp boats docked for the day
Biloxi, Mississippi is a small city located on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. The beachfront here lies directly on the Mississippi Sound (part of the Gulf of Mexico). Scattered off the coast of Biloxi and into the Gulf of Mexico are many barrier islands. The city of Gulfport is Biloxi’s close neighbor to the west, while bordered to the north and east by the city of D’Iberville. It is situated 62 miles west of Mobile, Alabama and 90 miles east of New Orleans, Louisiana. Fresh Gulf oysters, shrimp and fish are a daily specialty in Biloxi. We saw many shrimp boats like the blue one in the photo on the right throughout the waters surrounding Biloxi. This Biloxi, MS travel guide can help you plan your trip to Biloxi, MS with interesting things to see and do.
Stroll along the Mississippi Sound on the Biloxi boardwalk
View of the Biloxi pier
With it’s soft, white sand beaches and calm waters, it’s easy to see why Biloxi has been a long time favorite vacation destination. Enjoy a quiet walk along the shores of the Mississippi Sound. It is also the perfect spot for relaxing on the beach, water sports and fishing from the pier. From April to October, the water temperature near the Biloxi beaches is between 71 and 85 degrees making these beaches family friendly and the perfect temperature for swimming.
There are dozens of miles of sandy shoreline here to enjoy. Some favorite beach areas are between Harrah’s and Hard Rock and just west of the Beau Rivage. Rent beach chairs, umbrellas, aqua cycles and wave runners from a beach shop which is open from late spring to early fall. Parking is free. Be sure to bring your own beverages and food as there are no food stands along the beach. The beaches of nearby Gulfport are also a popular destination. Be sure to check them both out and follow this Biloxi, MS travel guide for more tips on Biloxi and the surrounding area!
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino Biloxi
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi
Visitors come to Biloxi to try their luck at the numerous casino resorts and enjoy the many lavish amenities the resorts have to offer. You’ll find eight first-class casino resorts in Biloxi. We played the slot machines for hours at each of the casinos during our five day vacation here. We won some and lost some but all in all we had fun. The free drinks offered while your playing really do add to the fun!
For special perks, we joined the Players Club in each casino resort that we visited. Members services in the casinos will explain how membership in their Players Club works. Most casinos will give you a certain dollar amount of credits added to your account after you have accumulated a certain number of points. Some will also give you a dollar amount in food credits to be used in one or more of their restaurants in this way too. Be sure to join, it’s fun to be rewarded while playing. And hopefully you’ll be a winner at whatever game you choose to play at the casinos! You’ll also find special drawings, half price lunch or dinner buffets, bonus points offered on certain games and other promotions offered by the casinos.
We picked up a copy of the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s Observer magazine at the Biloxi Visitor Center. It’s full of great information on perks offered by the Casinos as well as information on restaurants and entertainment in the area. Be sure to stop by and pick up your copy! Several resorts offer championship golf courses as well as top-name entertainment. Spend your time relaxing at the pool or enjoying one of the lavish spa/salons that the resorts have to offer.
Try the Bayview Café at the IP Caino & Resort for a delicious lunch;
or a tasty dinner!
And don’t forget about the resorts delicious buffets and fine dining you will have to choose from. These, along with many other amenities, await you at the casino resorts in Biloxi, Mississippi. The resorts offer a great way to spend an evening after enjoying a relaxing day at the beach in Biloxi. Check here for Casino Resort rates and availability.
Biloxi Lighthouse
The Biloxi Lighthouse, standing 65’ tall, is an iconic and historic sight in the city of Biloxi. It is located in the center of US Highway 90 across the street from the Biloxi Visitor’s Center. It is the only lighthouse in the United States to stand in the middle of a US highway. It’s definitely a landmark that can’t be missed. Dating back to the mid-1800s it is made of cast iron and is one of the first of its kind in the region.
After surviving hurricane Katrina, the lighthouse was restored and opened to the public for tours in 2010. Inside the lighthouse, blue lines are painted on the wall to mark historic storm surge levels. The blue lines range from 14 feet to an incredible 21 feet marking the record level at which hurricane Katrina crested. Daily guided tours take place (weather permitting) between 9am and 9:30am.
Visitors Center in Biloxi, MS
Biloxi, MS Visitor Center Sign
Visit the Biloxi Visitors Center located across the street from the lighthouse. We found the staff here to be very friendly and helpful. They gave us information on guided tours of the lighthouse and other interesting things to see and do in the area. There are also exhibits and a short movie on the history of Biloxi which we found to be very interesting. Tons of brochures full of local information and a nice little gift shop. We picked up a copy of the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s Observer magazine here. It’s full of great information on things to see and do in the area.
Address: 1050 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS
Historic Biloxi walking tour sign describes “The Brides of La Baleine”
Stop #20 Colonial Revival style home the Redding House
Look for these markers. They point out the location of the stops along the Historic Downtown Biloxi walking tour
The walking tour of historic downtown Biloxi begins at the Katrina Memorial on Biloxi Town Green. Its location is Highway 90 & Main Street across from the Hard Rock Casino. There are 21 stops on this walking tour. One of the stops on the tour, number 20, is pictured above. This is the Redding House located at 770 Jackson Street. This house is one of the finest Colonial Revival houses remaining in Biloxi. It was built for Charles Redding, a prominent businessman in Biloxi.
For a video tour of the sites you will visit during your Historic Downtown Biloxi Walking Tour click here: Biloxi Walking Tour
Biloxi Driving & Bicycling Trail Sign
Lighthouse Park Stop #29 on the trail
The driving & bicycling tour of historic Biloxi is divided into an east and west route. Both routes begin at the Biloxi Visitors Center located at 1050 Beach Blvd. Each will take approximately two hours to complete. Stop #29 on the west tour, pictured above, is the Biloxi Lighthouse Park. The park is located next to the Biloxi Visitor Center. Take a stroll around the boardwalk or have a picnic under the pavilion. There’s also a small children’s playground at the park. Spend the day discovering Biloxi’s history and all it has to offer.
For a video tour of the stops along the Historic Driving & Bicycling Biloxi Tour click here: Biloxi Driving & Bicycling Tour.
Old Biloxi Cemetery – 300 years of history
Ancient oak trees stand guard over the Old Biloxi Cemetery
The grounds of the Old Biloxi Cemetery are covered with sprawling oak trees towering over the grave sites. The cemetery has many 19th century above-ground monuments and barrel-vaulted crypts. This type of interment is necessary due to the high water table in Biloxi.
A restoration program to repair hurricane damage throughout the cemetery is underway
Take the time to stole or drive through this historic cemetery to learn of the famous and not so famous people that are laid to rest here. This 300 year old cemetery is rich and diverse in history.
Hurricanes Camille and Katrina caused extensive damage to the area, some of which is still evident in the broken markers and tombs located throughout the cemetery. A restoration program is currently underway to repair the damage caused by recent hurricanes.
For a video tour of the sites you will visit during your Historic Old Biloxi Cemetery Tour click here: Old Biloxi Cemetery Tour
Old Biloxi Cemetery Address: 1166 Irish Hill Dr, Biloxi, MS 39530
The White House Hotel offers a beautiful beachfront location
The White House Hotel is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
The historic White House Hotel is one of Biloxi’s most popular hotels. Beachfront views, relaxing lounge areas with a large outdoor pool make this boutique hotel a favorite of new and returning visitors. The grounds of the hotel are surrounded by towering shade trees giving this hotel the look of old world charm. And, scenic beachfront views are enjoyed from the furnished rooftop terrace. For rates, reviews and more photos of the historic White House Hotel click here.
Sunrise over Biloxi, Mississippi
Sunrise in Biloxi was amazing! This was our spectacular view every morning during our five night stay at the IP Casino Resort in Biloxi. It was something we looked forward to each day. Enjoying our morning coffee and being greeted with a glorious sunrise was a great way to start the day! Follow this Biloxi, MS travel guide for more things to see and do in Biloxi.
Shrimp boats head out to the Gulf of Mexico for their daily catch of fresh seafood
Biloxi and the Gulf Coast are famous for their fresh, delicious seafood and you’ll find plenty here to choose from! We watched the shrimp boats with their nets, pictured above, leave the docks each morning and return each afternoon with their fresh catch. Seafood doesn’t get much fresher than that! Check out this Biloxi, MS Travel Guide for suggestions on where to eat in and around Biloxi.
There’s the usual places to eat in Biloxi but then there’s a whole lot more to enjoy as well. Don’t forget about the casino restaurants and the fine dining they have to offer. The casino resorts have some of the best menus and ambiance in town. Not to mention the lavish buffets you’ll find in most resorts. The IP has the AAA Four Diamond-rated Thirty-Two Restaurant. Located on the 32nd floor of the IP Casino Resort it offers delicious steak and seafood dishes along with a spectacular view.
Half Shell Oyster House Restaurant
Outside of the casino restaurants, Biloxi has many other options to choose from. Some top favorites include Half Shell Oyster House for southern seafood, Cajun/creole. Le Café Beignet for local southern breakfast, lunch/brunch.
McElroy’s Harbor House for seafood, breakfast/brunch, Fuji Sushi House for Japanese, Asian & Sushi. This is just a short list of great restaurants to choose from in the Biloxi area. Be sure to check them out and let us know which ones were your favorites in the comments below.
Le Café Beignet Restaurant
McElroy’s Harbor House Reataurant
Fuji Sushi House Restaurant
Located in Gulfport, the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport serves the city of Biloxi. The airport is less than a 30 minute drive to Biloxi. Use either route US 90 E along the Gulf Coast or I-10 E to Biloxi.
US 90 (Beach Boulevard) is Biloxi’s main highway. It runs along the beach and by many of the casino resorts. Heading west, US 90 connects Biloxi to it’s neighboring city of Gulfport. While heading east on US 90 will take you to the cities of Ocean Springs and Pascagoula.
Interstate 10 runs through the northern sections of Biloxi and heading west 85 miles to New Orleans and east 60 miles to Mobile, Alabama.
A great way to see and enjoy the Gulf Coast is to hop aboard the Casino Hopper Bus. This scheduled bus travels a fixed route on US 90, Caillavet Blvd and Bayview Ave. on the Biloxi Loop. It is a comfortable way to ride to casinos, attractions and businesses. The Casino Hopper provides service 7-days a week, every 25 minutes.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 5:30am-9:20pm (last stop) and Sunday 8:30am-7:00pm. (last stop)
Admission charged: $1.50 per ride (no transfer privileges), $6.00 day pass for unlimited rides.
Exact change required, cash only.
Jackson Square in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana
Near Biloxi, in New Orleans you’ll find the French Quarter district. Celebrated for its world renowned restaurants, colorful nightlife and its historic buildings, it is rich in history and diverse in culture.
Ironwork in the French Quarter is beautiful
This historic district with its elaborate architecture, decorative ironwork balconies and romantic walled in courtyards is a must see when near New Orleans.
We saw many romantic courtyards on our walk through the French Quarter
Horse-drawn carriage ride in front of Jackson Square
To make your visit even more memorable, take a horse-drawn carriage ride. You’ll enjoy seeing the sights and landmarks of the French Quarter in comfort along with some entertaining storytelling from your guide. See landmarks such as Saint Louis Cathedral, Napoleon House, Jackson Square and more.
Enjoying beignets & café au lait at Cafe Du Monde
Domilise’s yummy shrimp & oyster Po-Boy sandwich
Be sure to stop by Cafe Du Monde, the original coffee stand since 1852, and enjoy a cup of dark roasted café au lait along with their famous beignets. Beignets are square French-style doughnuts that are generously sprinkled with powdered sugar, yum!
We drove to the famous Domilise’s Po-Boy and Bar to try their acclaimed po-boy sandwiches while we were in New Orleans. A po-boy sandwich is a traditional sandwich originating from New Orleans. It almost always consist of roast beef or seafood and is served on crusty French bread. Domilise’s is located at 5240 Annunciation St, New Orleans. We ordered the half & half oyster and shrimp sandwich. The sandwich was good, not too long of a wait but we thought too far to drive from the French Quarter for us to do again. Next time, we’ll try a po-boy sandwich in the French Quarter.
Distance from Biloxi: Taking I-10 West you will be in the French Quarter of New Orleans in about 1 hour and 25 minutes. The route is approximately 85 miles.
Entering Gulf Islands National Seashore – Davis Bayou Area
We visited the Gulf Island National Seashore Davis Bayou location. It was one of the day trips we took during our 5 night stay in Biloxi. The park is part of the National Park Service and is located east of downtown Ocean Springs. Taking US Highway 90 from Biloxi the 10 mile route took us 20 minutes.
View of the bay area at the Davis Bayou location
There’s a large fishing pier in the park
We found the park to be very scenic and a great place for hiking, biking, picnicking, boating, fishing and nature photography. Hiking the Davis Bayou Trail will take you through a coastal forest and over two local bayous. You may see an alligator or two while there. We spotted several turtles sunning themselves on a log but no alligators this time.
A boat launch and fishing pier are also available. A small 52 site campground is available year round and is located adjacent to a salt water marsh. The William M. Comer Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Turtles out sunning themselves on a chilly day
This hiking trail meanders through the coastal forest and over the bayou
Park location: William M. Colmer Visitor Center 3500 Park Road Ocean Springs, MS 39564
Park Hours: Year-round 8:00 a.m. to sunset
We hope you enjoyed reading our Bilxoi, MS Travel Guide and that it helps you plan your trip to Biloxi.
Have you been to Biloxi or are you planning a trip there soon? Let us know about your favorite things to see and do in Biloxi in the comment
We’d love to hear from you!
