Biloxi, Mississippi

Biloxi is many things to many people. It's the "Seafood Capital of the World" for those who love fresh Gulf seafood or deep-sea fishing. It's the place to strike it big, with a half dozen major casinos within walking distance of one another. It's a laid-back and historical beach town, where you can sail on a schooner or catch a Shuckers baseball game. Or it's entertainment central where you can see top-billed performances or world-class entertainment. What will you do in Biloxi?

The best place to start is on Biloxi Beach. Head out of the harbor on a sightseeing cruise, a shrimping trip, or charter a fishing boat. Local fishermen and guides can also take you out to the Gulf Islands National Seashore or back into Back Bay for some backcountry fishing. You can book a dolphin-watching cruise or just keep your eyes peeled as you walk the shoreline.

For a quieter time shoreside, check out the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art. You'll learn more about George Ohr, who was known as the "Mad Potter of Biloxi." There's also Beauvoir, the former home of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy. The Davis Presidential Library is on the property, too. If you'd like to learn more about the local history and economy, head over to the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum.

Biloxi has been popular with visitors looking for gaming for decades. You'll see the Beau Rivage, Hard Rock Casino, Harrah's Gulf Coast, and Golden Nugget Biloxi along the beachfront near the harbor. Along Back Bay, you'll also find the Palace Casino, Boomtown, and IP Casino. All are world-class gaming destinations with hundreds of slot machines, dozens of game tables, sportsbooks, and headline entertainment.

The Gulf Coast Coliseum and Convention Center are located on Beach Boulevard in Biloxi. They bring traveling performances and sports competitions to town all the time, so check their website for current events. Everything from live music performances to small theater productions is hosted here. Plane spotters will enjoy the random and impromptu airshows near Kessler Air Force Base. It's a significant part of the community, and the base includes the Bay Breeze Golf Course and Kessler Outdoor Center for active, reserve, or retired military personnel.

All of this makes Biloxi a dynamic and lively community, but it holds on to its quiet beach town roots with ease. Feel the powdery sand between your toes, or leisurely cast a line off the Biloxi Lighthouse Fishing Pier, and it's easy to see the lure of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.