Biloxi, MS Road Trips

An area across Biloxi Bay from the city, called Old Biloxi, was first visited by French explorer Pierre LeMoyne d'Iberville in 1699. The explorer, who was looking for the mouth of the Mississippi River, was instructed by the King of France to claim the coastal region. D'Iberville sailed into Biloxi Bay with a small group of men and established Fort Maurepas and a similar colony on the east shore, now the site of Ocean Springs. The word Biloxi means "First People" and was the name of a local Native American tribe met by d'Iberville and his men when they explored the land. Since its discovery, eight flags have flown over the city including the French, English, Spanish, West Florida Republic, Mississippi Magnolia, Confederate State, Mississippi State, and that of the United States. In 1719 Fort Louis was founded on the site of the present-day city, which served as the capital of French colonial Louisiana from 1720 to 1722. In 1783 Biloxi was taken over by the Spanish, who merely collected tariffs, while the area retained its strong French influence. The Spanish maintained their rule until 1810, when a rebellion occurred and the area was seized by American insurgents. At that time, Biloxi became part of the Republic of West Florida. Although petitions for statehood were denied, the Biloxi region became part of the Territory of Orleans (which had been part of the Louisiana Purchase). Two years later, in 1812, Biloxi became part of the Mississippi Territory. In 1814 a British attempt to capture New Orleans failed, but the British remained on nearby Ship Island until 1815.

1 Beauvoir (Jefferson Davis Presidential Library and Museum), 2244 Beach Blvd, ☏ +1 228-388-4400. 9AM–5PM daily. One of the post-war homes of the only president of the short-lived Confederate States of America (1861–1865), this shrine to Jefferson Davis is now an antique site displaying rather antiquated views about slavery and the Lost Cause, as decreed by his youngest daughter when she sold the property to a pro-Confederacy organization in 1903. It was built using slave labor and local craftsmen between 1848 and 1852. This summer home was bought by Jefferson Davis more than a decade after his rebel government lost the American Civil War. It is now owned and operated by the United Sons of Confederate Veterans, which, among other activities, puts Confederate flags on all the graves in the adjacent Confederate Memorial Cemetery. Docent-led tours on the hour. The museum store sells a variety of neo-Confederate books and items featuring the Confederate seal and flag. $12.50. (updated Jul 2023) 2 Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art, 386 Beach Blvd, ☏ +1 228-374-5547, [email protected]. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. Features George Ohr's pottery works. George Ohr is called the "Mad Potter" of Biloxi. The five-building museum omplex was designed by architect Frank Gehry to "dance" with the ancient live oak trees on the site. Adult $10, senior (60+) $8, student (6-17 and college w/ ID) $5, child (under 6) free. (updated Jun 2020) 3 Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, 115 1st St, ☏ +1 228-435-6320.

Biloxi has long been known for its casino-based tourism industry. Each year, about 16 million people visit these casinos. Biloxi has nine casinos. 1 Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, 875 Beach Blvd, ☏ +1 228-386-7111, toll-free: +1-888-567-6667, fax: +1 228-386-7414. A 85,000 ft² (7,900 m2) casino with 93 table games; 2,100 slot machines; and a 16-table, two-tiered poker room. Beau Rivage is rated as one of the finest casinos in Biloxi. Beau Rivage means "beautiful shore". Boomtown Biloxi, 867 Bayview Ave, toll-free: +1-800-627-0777. The theme of the casino is cowboys and the Wild West. It might be one of the smallest casinos in Biloxi; however, it gets a lot of visitors. The tables for gambling here are comparatively cheaper than most casinos there. 2 Harrah's Gulf Coast, 280 Beach Blvd, ☏ +1 228 436-2946, toll-free: +1-800-946-2946. (updated Jun 2020) 3 IP Casino Resort Spa, 850 Bayview Ave, ☏ +1 228 436-3000, toll-free: +1-888-946-2847. (updated Jun 2020) 4 Palace Casino Resort, 158 Howard Ave, toll-free: +1-800-PALACE-9 (725223-9). Non-smoking. Has a spa and golf course. (updated Mar 2025) 5 Treasure Bay Casino and Resort, 1980 Beach Blvd, ☏ +1 228-385-600, [email protected]. The theme is Pirates of the Caribbean. (updated Jun 2020) 6 Hard Rock Casino Biloxi, 777 Beach Blvd, ☏ +1 228-374-7625 (front desk), toll-free: +1-877-877-6256 (reservations), [email protected]. A hard rock and live music theme. It has exhibits of clothes that were worn by celebrities from Michael Jackson to Madonna. Rock music blasts around the property.

There are cafes, seafood, and fine dining offering a wide variety of food in downtown Biloxi. For Vietnamese food, there's Kim Long Restaurant, Henry's Bakery, Le Bakery (Huong Que). The casinos also offer all you can eat buffets, with prices varying. 1 Mary Mahoney's Old French House, 110 Rue Magnolia, ☏ +1 228-374-0163. Historic seafood restaurant in one of the oldest houses in the city. (updated Dec 2017) 2 Patio 44, 124 Main St, ☏ +1 228-207-2628. Serving Creole cuisine. (updated Dec 2017)

Adventures Pub & Spirits, 789 Vieux Marche, ☏ +1 228-435-9558, fax: +1 228 465-1758. Su-W 11AM-4AM, F Sa 11AM-6PM. A friendly late night atmosphere located on historic Vieux Marche in the heart of Old Down Town Biloxi. (updated May 2021) Fly Llama Brewing, 186 Bohn St, ☏ +1 228-207-7757. Taproom with 18 craft beers and hard seltzers. (updated May 2021)

Days Inn by Wyndham Biloxi Beach, 1768 Beach Blvd, ☏ +1 228-207-6504. Free danish. Best Western Oak Manor, 886 Beach Blvd, ☏ +1 228-435-4331. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Outdoor pool, WiFi, and breakfast included. No smoking or pets. Air Force Inns (Keesler), ☏ +1 228-374-0088. Econo Lodge Biloxi Beach North, 1776 Beach Blvd, ☏ +1 228-374-7644. Rebuilt after Katrina; tennis court. 1 Margaritaville Resort and Family Entertainment Center, 195 Beach Blvd, ☏ +1 228-271-6377. (updated Jun 2020) 2 The White House Hotel, 1230 Beach Blvd, ☏ +1 228-233-1230. A revamped historic hotel, located in a 1890s Victorian mansion. (updated Dec 2017)

The closest major airport is Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. Further access must be by car. The next closest airport is the Mobile Regional Airport which is in Mobile, Alabama. It is about 45 minutes away from Biloxi. Visitors can rent cars from car renter services and drive to Biloxi. Access to Biloxi is primarily by Interstate 10. It is between New Orleans and Mobile. Greyhound, 820 Dr Martin Luther King Jr, ☏ +1 228 436-4335. Provides full service to Biloxi from New Orleans and Mobile. Biloxi is served by Amtrak via its twice daily Mardi Gras Service between New Orleans and Mobile. 1 Biloxi railway station, 860 Esters Boulevard. (updated May 2025)

Like most American cities, personal vehicle provides the best travel options. Main roads are Interstate 10 across the north, US-90 along the beach, and I-110 connecting them and crossing the sound. Taxis and local bus service are available, but still somewhat unreliable. Moreover, Biloxi lacks a mass transit transportation system. A very low percentage take the bus system in Biloxi. The Coast Transit Authority operates several bus routes that travel around Gulfport, Biloxi, Long Beach, and D'lberville. For tourist visiting Biloxi, there are Hopper cars that are provided by the casinos that could take the visitors from one casino to the next free of charge. The CTA Casino Hopper circles around the Biloxi casinos. Everything is very easy to get to in Biloxi.