Information
City: BiloxiCountry: USA Mississippi
Continent: North America
Biloxi, USA Mississippi, North America
Overview
Biloxi sits on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, one of the state’s oldest settlements, founded by French colonists in the late 1600s when the air smelled of salt and pine.The city, named for the indigenous Biloxi tribe, grew from a busy fishing and shipping port into a place renowned for its fresh Gulf shrimp, sunny resorts, and, later, a thriving casino scene.You can see the mark of French, Spanish, and American rule in its history-etched into old stone balconies, woven through local festivals, and shaped by the curve of its coast.Biloxi keeps its historic charm alive in landmarks like weathered brick buildings and old waterfront piers.Built in 1848, the Biloxi Lighthouse still stands tall, a weathered beacon that’s outlasted countless hurricanes, even as waves once slammed hard against its base.Climb the winding spiral staircase and you’ll reach a spot where the Gulf of Mexico glitters on one side and the city’s busy waterfront stretches out on the other.Once the home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, the Beauvoir Estate blends its stately mansion with blooming gardens and a museum that tells the story of the Civil War and Southern life.Strolling through Old Biloxi, you’ll pass restored homes with wide porches, brick-paved streets, and cozy little museums that bring the city’s maritime and colonial past to life.The Gulf Coast shapes Biloxi’s character, with miles of soft, sun‑warmed sand, gentle blue waves, and plenty of ways to play along the shore.Biloxi Beach, along with the nearby public waterfront, offers spots for swimming, sunbathing on warm sand, casting a line off the pier, and enjoying family-friendly activities.You can wander the boardwalk, watch pelicans skim the waves, or dig into a plate of fresh-caught shrimp at a cozy beachside café.From sand sculpture contests with towers of glittering grains to lively coastal festivals, seasonal events show just how deeply the city is tied to its shoreline.In Biloxi, you can wander through museums that bring local traditions to life and trace the sweep of history far beyond the city’s shores.At the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum, you’ll see the city’s deep ties to the Gulf come alive through exhibits on fishing, shrimping, and the rumble of old shipyards.The Shrine of Our Lady of Gulf of Mexico, along with other nearby cultural landmarks, showcases Biloxi’s strong Catholic roots and the traditions that knit its community together, from candlelit vigils to festival processions.Downtown’s art galleries and cultural centers showcase contemporary pieces alongside rotating exhibits, highlighting local talent and the salty edge of coastal heritage.Biloxi’s cultural life bursts with music, lively festivals, and food so rich you can smell the shrimp grilling by the waterfront.Live music venues bring Mississippi’s heritage to life with blues, jazz, and coastal-inspired sets-sometimes the saxophone’s warm notes spill right out onto the street.Every year, events like the Biloxi Seafood Festival and Cruisin’ the Coast pull in crowds of locals and tourists, serving up fresh shrimp, gleaming classic cars, and a lively slice of Gulf Coast culture.The local food scene leans hard into seafood, with fresh oysters on ice, sweet shrimp, rich crab, and flaky catfish showing up everywhere from laid‑back cafés to white‑tablecloth restaurants, often served alongside hush puppies and creamy cornmeal grits.Biloxi’s Gulf Coast shimmers with casinos and lively resorts, where slot machines hum and music spills into the night air.Modern spots offer gaming, live shows, dinner by the water, and more, weaving a fresh note into the city’s rich historic and cultural fabric.Despite the new development, Biloxi still feels like a seaside town, with gulls wheeling overhead and neighbors greeting each other by name.In Biloxi, you’ll find neighborhoods that stretch from oak-shaded historic districts with graceful antebellum homes to sleek modern blocks and breezy communities right along the shore.You catch everyday life in the buzz of local markets, the charm of small shops, and the smell of fresh coffee drifting from cafés, while parks, plazas, and lively community events keep neighbors tied to the Gulf Coast’s rhythm and air.Biloxi’s full of contrasts-century-old landmarks stand beside glittering casinos, the salty air from the coast mingles with voices celebrating local heritage, and the scent of fresh shrimp drifts through streets alive with music and festivals.With its rich history, sweeping beaches, and lively streets humming with music, Biloxi stands out as a one‑of‑a‑kind spot on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast.
Landmarks in Biloxi
