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Biloxi
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Biloxi, Mississippi blends Gulf Coast beaches, seafood, casinos, maritime history and historic landmarks with easy access to the Mississippi Sound.

Gulf Coast Setting

Biloxi stretches along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast between the mainland and the shallow waters of the Mississippi Sound, where barrier islands soften the horizon and live oaks shade streets shaped by centuries of maritime life. Its beaches, seafood restaurants and casino resorts draw visitors, but the city’s character reaches well beyond tourism: Biloxi remains closely tied to fishing, boatbuilding, coastal ecology and a complex French, Spanish, African American, Vietnamese and Native American heritage.
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History Along the Water

The area entered European history in 1699, when French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville established a settlement in the Biloxi region. The city’s historic identity is reflected in sites such as the Biloxi Lighthouse, the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum and the Beauvoir estate, the final home of Confederate president Jefferson Davis. The Biloxi Visitors Center provides useful orientation to the coastline and local past, while the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art presents the imaginative work of Biloxi potter George Ohr.

Coastal City Life

Biloxi is best explored at an unhurried pace, combining waterfront drives with museum visits, seafood lunches and walks beside the sound. Casino resorts bring evening entertainment, while the Point Cadet and Back Bay areas reveal working-harbour scenery and access to boat excursions. Storms, especially Hurricane Katrina in 2005, have repeatedly reshaped the shoreline and built environment, making Biloxi a place where resilience is visible in restored landmarks, rebuilt public spaces and the continuing rhythms of the fishing fleet.

When is the best time to visit Biloxi?

Best: April, October–November · 22–27°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January16130
February19120
March22130
April (best)24120
May29120
June33150
July34170
August34180
September33150
October (best)27110
November (best)22120
December18130

Getting to and around Biloxi

How to get there

Biloxi is served most conveniently by Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport in nearby Gulfport, west of the city, with road connections onward to Biloxi and the wider Mississippi Gulf Coast. Travellers driving usually approach via Interstate 10, which runs east-west through the region, or US Highway 90 along the coastal route. Long-distance bus and rail options are more limited than in major American cities, so many visitors arrive by car or combine air travel with a hire car or taxi. The closest major urban hubs are New Orleans to the west and Mobile, Alabama, to the east, both connected by Interstate 10.

Transportation

A car is generally the most practical way to explore Biloxi because beaches, museums, casinos, historic sites and neighbouring Gulf Coast communities are spread along a linear shoreline. US Highway 90, also known as Beach Boulevard, provides the principal coastal route, though traffic and event congestion can affect journeys. Coast Transit Authority operates public bus services in the Gulf Coast area, but routes and frequency may not suit every sightseeing itinerary. Taxis and app-based rides may be available around the airport, casinos and larger hotels. Walking is pleasant around selected waterfront and historic areas, but Biloxi is not a consistently walkable city.

Best attractions in Biloxi

Biloxi’s principal attractions combine Gulf scenery with an unusually strong maritime and cultural offering. The Biloxi Lighthouse, standing beside Beach Boulevard, provides a recognisable introduction to the shoreline, while the nearby Biloxi Visitors Center explains the city’s history and coastal environment. At Point Cadet, the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum traces shrimping, oystering, boatbuilding and the communities that made the sound their livelihood. The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art presents the inventive ceramics of George Ohr alongside contemporary exhibitions in distinctive buildings designed by Frank Gehry. Beauvoir, the preserved home and estate of Jefferson Davis, offers insight into the nineteenth-century South, though its interpretation should be read within the wider context of slavery and the Confederacy. Casino resorts, beach parks and boat excursions add modern entertainment and access to the water, while the Mississippi Sound and nearby barrier islands provide a scenic counterpoint to the developed waterfront.

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Best landmarks in Biloxi

Biloxi’s landmarks record successive layers of coastal history. The Biloxi Lighthouse, completed in 1848, is a brick navigation aid and one of the city’s most recognisable symbols, standing as a reminder of the waterway’s importance to commerce and travel. Beauvoir, the former home of Jefferson Davis, is a nineteenth-century Gulf Coast estate whose historic interpretation is inseparable from Davis’s role as president of the Confederacy and from the history of slavery. The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary reflects Biloxi’s long Catholic presence and diocesan importance, while the Biloxi Visitors Center’s architecture and position on the shoreline make it a useful civic gateway. The Biloxi-Ocean Springs bridge site also carries modern significance: the original bridge was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, and the replacement road connection embodies the extensive reconstruction of the coast after 2005.

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Explore Biloxi on the map

Plan your Biloxi trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Biloxi

Biloxi’s food culture is rooted in the Gulf, with shrimp, oysters, crab, fish and local catches appearing in fried platters, po’boys, seafood gumbo and other Southern preparations. Casual seafood houses, oyster bars, fish markets and restaurants near the waterfront reflect the city’s working maritime economy, while casino resorts offer a broader range of dining styles. Biloxi’s history of migration is particularly visible in its Vietnamese-American community, whose restaurants contribute dishes and flavours that sit naturally alongside Gulf Coast cooking. Crawfish and other shellfish are often associated with the wider Mississippi and Louisiana region, but availability is seasonal and menus change with weather and catch conditions. Visitors will find the greatest concentration of varied dining around the beachfront commercial strip, casino areas and nearby Gulf Coast communities, with bakeries, cafés and family-run restaurants adding less formal alternatives.

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Best bars in Biloxi

Biloxi’s evening scene is shaped by casino resorts, waterfront restaurants, hotel lounges and live entertainment rather than by a single dense nightclub district. The major casinos provide bars, gaming floors, music and staged performances, with activity often continuing later than in the quieter residential parts of the city. Along Beach Boulevard and around the resort areas, visitors can find relaxed places for cocktails, beer, sport and Gulf views, while seasonal festivals and concerts bring additional entertainment to public spaces. The atmosphere varies considerably by neighbourhood: casino precincts are brightly lit and organised for visitors, whereas Point Cadet and other waterfront areas can be subdued outside events. Alcohol service and casino access follow United States and Mississippi age restrictions, and arranged transport is sensible after drinking because distances between venues can be considerable.

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Best nightclubs in Biloxi

Biloxi’s evening scene is shaped by casino resorts, waterfront restaurants, hotel lounges and live entertainment rather than by a single dense nightclub district. The major casinos provide bars, gaming floors, music and staged performances, with activity often continuing later than in the quieter residential parts of the city. Along Beach Boulevard and around the resort areas, visitors can find relaxed places for cocktails, beer, sport and Gulf views, while seasonal festivals and concerts bring additional entertainment to public spaces. The atmosphere varies considerably by neighbourhood: casino precincts are brightly lit and organised for visitors, whereas Point Cadet and other waterfront areas can be subdued outside events. Alcohol service and casino access follow United States and Mississippi age restrictions, and arranged transport is sensible after drinking because distances between venues can be considerable.

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Best shops in Biloxi

Shopping in Biloxi centres on practical coastal retail, regional food products, local art and souvenirs rather than a historic bazaar district. Edgewater Mall provides the area’s main enclosed shopping environment, while the casinos and beachfront commercial areas contain gift shops, clothing retailers and specialist outlets aimed at visitors. Museums and independent galleries are useful places to find ceramics, prints and Gulf-themed work, with George Ohr’s influence lending local relevance to pottery and contemporary craft. Seafood markets and speciality food shops offer another expression of the coast’s identity, although products and opening patterns vary with the season and catch. Nearby Gulf Coast communities add antique shops, boutiques and additional galleries, but these are separate excursions rather than part of one compact Biloxi shopping quarter. Visitors should distinguish locally made crafts from generic imported souvenirs when choosing gifts.

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Biloxi essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD). Credit and debit cards, including contactless cards, are widely used at hotels, restaurants, museums, shops and casino resorts, although smaller seafood businesses, markets or outdoor vendors may still prefer or require a physical card or cash. ATMs are readily found in commercial areas, casinos, banks and convenience stores; casino machines and independent operators may apply their own fees. International visitors should notify their card provider before travelling and retain a small amount of cash for parking, tips or minor purchases. Tipping is customary in table-service restaurants and for many hospitality services.
Safety
Visitors should use ordinary urban and coastal precautions in Biloxi: keep valuables out of sight in vehicles, secure belongings on the beach and remain aware in crowded casino, festival and entertainment areas. Some stretches of the city are quiet after dark, so use well-lit routes and arranged transport rather than walking long distances along unfamiliar roads at night. Gulf weather can change rapidly; pay attention to warnings about thunderstorms, hurricanes, heat and rip currents, and follow beach or harbour instructions. Strong sun, high humidity and mosquitoes can also affect comfort. Highway traffic and coastal flooding require particular care during severe weather.
Emergency Situations
In the United States, dial 911 for police, fire or urgent medical assistance; operators can connect callers with the appropriate service. Give the exact address, nearby landmark or road name and a clear description of the emergency. For non-urgent police matters, use the local law-enforcement contact listed by the city or Harrison County rather than tying up 911. Travellers should carry travel insurance details, prescribed medicines and identification, and learn their accommodation’s evacuation information during hurricane season. In a coastal storm, rely on official alerts and local authorities, as roads, bridges and low-lying areas may become hazardous or inaccessible.
Do's and Don'ts
Greet service staff courteously, observe queueing etiquette and tip appropriately for table service, bartending, taxis and other customary services. Follow posted beach, harbour and museum rules, and do not climb on historic structures or handle artefacts. In casinos, visitors must meet the applicable legal age for gaming and alcohol, and photography or filming may be restricted in some areas. Respect fishing communities, working boats and private property around the waterfront. Avoid driving after drinking, heed weather evacuations and do not assume that swimming conditions are safe simply because the water looks calm. Dress is generally casual, with cover-ups expected away from beaches and pools.
Local Tips
The waterfront is easiest to understand when approached in sections: the lighthouse and Visitors Center offer orientation, Point Cadet shows the relationship between the city and its working harbour, and the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum gives a cultural perspective beyond the casinos. Beach Boulevard is scenic but distances are greater than they first appear, so group nearby stops together. Seafood restaurants and markets reflect the coast’s working traditions, while the Vietnamese-American influence is especially noticeable in local food culture. After heavy rain or a tropical storm, check conditions before travelling towards low-lying roads, bridges or barrier-island access points.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[h-OW-dee]
GoodbyeSee ya[see yah]
YesYeah[yEH]
NoNah[nAH]
Please/You're welcomePlease/No problem[pleez / no PROB-lum]
Thank youThanks[thANKS]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me/My bad[pAHr-dn mee / mah BAHD]
How are you?How y'all doin'?[h-OW y'all DOH-in']
Fine. And you?Fine. How 'bout you?[fAHn. how 'bout yOU?]
Do you speak English?Y'all speak English?[y'all speak ING-lish?]
I don't understandI ain't gettin' it[aihnt GEH-tin' it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu, please[kan ai see thuh MEH-nyoo, pleez]
I don't eat meatI don't eat meat[aih d-ownt eet meet]
Cheers!Cheers![cheers]
I would like to pay, pleaseI wanna pay now, please[ai WAW-nuh pay now, pleez]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help]
Go away!Get outta here![get OWT-uh here]
Call the Police!Call the cops![call thuh cops]
Call a doctor!Call a doc![call uh dok]
I'm lostI'm lost[aim lost]
I'm illI'm sick[aim sik]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[ai WAW-nuh buy...]
I'm just lookingI'm just lookin'[aim just LOOK-in']
How much is it?How much?[how MUHCH?]
That's too expensiveThat's too much[thats too MUHCH]
Can you lower the price?Can ya do any better?[kan yuh doh en-nee BET-ter?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What time is it?[wut time is it]
It's one o'clockIt's one[its wun]
Half past (10)Half past ten[haf past ten]
MorningMorning[mornin']
AfternoonAfternoon[afterNOON]
EveningEvenin'[evenin']
YesterdayYesterday[yestuhday]
TodayToday[tuhday]
TomorrowTomorrow[tuh-MOR-ow]
1One[wun]
2Two[too]
3Three[three]
4Four[four]
5Five[fahv]
6Six[siks]
7Seven[sev-un]
8Eight[ayt]
9Nine[nain]
10Ten[ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[wheres thuh]
What's the address?What's the address?[whats thuh uh-DRESS]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can ya show me (on the map)?[kan yuh show me (on thuh map)]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next (bus)?[whens thuh nekst (buss)]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (to ....)[uh TICK-it (tuh)]

History of Biloxi

Native Coast and French Arrival

Before European colonisation, the Mississippi Gulf Coast was home to Indigenous peoples, including communities associated with the Biloxi people and other regional Native nations whose lives depended on coastal waters, forests and wetlands. In 1699, French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville reached the Gulf and established Fort Maurepas at nearby Old Biloxi, now within Ocean Springs, marking the beginning of a French colonial presence in the region. The settlement was strategically placed to support France’s claims along the Gulf and to connect maritime activity with the wider Mississippi Valley. Although the administrative centre moved elsewhere, the early French presence gave Biloxi a foundational place in the colonial history of the Gulf Coast.

Colonial Rule and Coastal Exchange

During the eighteenth century, the Biloxi area passed through French and Spanish control before becoming part of the United States. The coast’s shallow bays, islands and sheltered waters encouraged fishing, small-scale trade and maritime movement rather than the development of a large inland commercial city. European colonists, enslaved Africans, Indigenous communities and later migrants shaped the region’s economy and culture, while the port connected local activity with New Orleans and other Gulf settlements. Spanish rule left enduring traces in the broader Gulf Coast’s political and architectural history, even as Biloxi remained a comparatively small coastal community whose fortunes depended on access to the water.

American Incorporation and Growth

Biloxi became part of the United States with the transfer of Spanish Florida and adjacent Gulf territories in the early nineteenth century, and Mississippi achieved statehood in 1817. Over the following decades, Biloxi developed as a resort, fishing and maritime centre. Visitors were drawn by the coast’s mild climate, while families involved in shrimping, oystering, boatbuilding and seafood processing established traditions that remain central to the city’s identity. The Biloxi Lighthouse, completed in 1848, symbolised the growing importance of navigation along the shoreline. By the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, rail connections and coastal tourism helped link Biloxi more closely with the wider American South.

War, Reconstruction and Maritime Industry

The Civil War disrupted Gulf Coast commerce and brought military pressure to Mississippi’s coastal settlements, followed by the political and economic upheaval of Reconstruction. Biloxi gradually rebuilt around fishing, seafood processing, tourism and transport. The arrival of immigrant communities, including people from Croatia and later Vietnam, expanded the workforce and added new culinary and cultural influences to the city. Commercial seafood became especially important, with shrimping and oyster harvesting defining both local employment and public identity. These industries relied on knowledge of tides, weather and coastal waters, creating a maritime culture that is interpreted today at the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum.

Tourism, Culture and the Casino Era

During the twentieth century, Biloxi balanced its established seaside-resort identity with the growth of commercial fishing, military activity and cultural institutions. The city became associated with seafood festivals, coastal recreation and the work of George Ohr, an inventive ceramic artist born in Biloxi in 1857. Mississippi’s decision to permit dockside casino gaming in the 1990s transformed the waterfront economy, bringing large resort complexes and new employment while adding a more conspicuous entertainment dimension to the city. Museums, restored buildings and public heritage projects continued to preserve older narratives alongside this modern development.

Hurricane Katrina and Coastal Renewal

Hurricane Katrina struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast on 29 August 2005, causing catastrophic flooding, wind damage and loss of life across Biloxi and neighbouring communities. The storm damaged homes, businesses, historic structures, casinos and maritime facilities, while the destruction of the old Biloxi-Ocean Springs bridge altered travel along the coast. Recovery brought reconstruction of roads, public buildings and visitor facilities, but also renewed debate about coastal protection, evacuation and the vulnerability of barrier-island communities. Biloxi’s present landscape therefore reflects both long-term rebuilding and the continuing need to adapt a low-lying city to hurricanes, erosion and changing Gulf conditions.

Biloxi in Photos

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Discover the charm of Biloxi, Mississippi, with Evendo, the ultimate travel guide app designed to enhance your travel experience. Whether you're drawn to the historic Biloxi Lighthouse, the excitement of the Beau Rivage Casino, or the serene beauty of the Biloxi Beach, Evendo has you covered. Our app provides in-depth information, stunning images, and local tips for all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Biloxi.

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Explore the culinary delights of Biloxi with recommendations for top restaurants like Mary Mahoney's Old French House and The Reef. Dive into the local nightlife at popular spots like The Hard Rock Cafe Biloxi and immerse yourself in the rich history of the area with visits to the Biloxi Visitors Center and the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum. Evendo's curated local tips ensure you experience Biloxi like a true local.

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