For more than 250 years, Biloxi has been a Mississippi summer vacation spot with even more of a breezy vibe than nearby New Orleans. Just 90 minutes northeast of the Big Easy, the city may now be better known for its casinos than its beaches, but the best things to do in Biloxi still include swimming, fishing, and boating. If you prefer to keep your feet dry, the “Vegas of the South” also claims a great cultural scene, world-class dining, and an abundance of activities like golfing, go-karting, and, of course, gambling.
Biloxi’s peak tourist season is between May and August, when visitors flock to the coast—and the casinos—to let their hair down. If you prefer smaller crowds, lower prices, lower temps, and lower humidity, then late autumn to spring (November to April) may be a better time to visit. It’s probably worth giving fall in Biloxi a miss, though; September and October are the most at-risk months of the year for hurricanes.
While most travelers to Biloxi will probably have a car, having your own wheels isn’t essential in this coastal city. The local Coast Transit Authority (CTA) runs regular beach trolley trips up and down the coast between Biloxi and Gulfport as well as a seven-days-a-week Casino Hopper bus service. Visitors can also take taxis, splurge on limousines, and even jump on boat trips to go fishing or visit nearby islands.
Biloxi’s world-class casinos may be the main draw these days—with some featuring rooftop water parks, baseball stadiums, and golf courses (along with regular replays of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville)—but this Mississippi Gulf Coast city has plenty to offer beyond glitz and glam. Other local highlights include Beauvoir, the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, the Maritime & Seafood History Museum, the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum, Biloxi Lighthouse, Gulf Islands Waterpark, and Biloxi West Beach Boardwalk.
