Biloxi, Mississippi

Biloxi is located on Mississippi's Gulf Coast, 13 miles (21 kilometers) east of Gulfport and 87 miles (140 kilometers) northeast of New Orleans. It is part of Harrison County, and is home to 50,644 residents.

Biloxi's name came from a Sioux term for "first people," and the city's history stretches more than 300 years into the past. White settlers first moved into the area in the early 1700s, and at that time, Biloxi became the capital of the Louisiana Territory. It is a major seafood canning center, and is now a bustling tourism and gaming destination. Though Biloxi was hard hit by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the city has been actively rebuilding and is well on its way to making a full recovery.

The white, sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast are one of Biloxi's top attractions. You can take a scenic boat cruise, enjoy a variety of watersports, or simply bask in the sun. Fishing enthusiasts can try their hand at both pier-side and deep sea fishing, and the bounty of the Gulf is celebrated each year with the Country Cajun Crawfish Festival in April, and the Seafood Festival in September. Want to learn more about the marine creatures you're seeing? Then check out the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center and Aquarium and their Project Marine Discovery Educational Programs.

On the weekend, you can explore the Gulf Islands National Seashore, a 160-mile-long (257-kilometer-long) park that extends from Cat Island in the Mississippi Sound to Santa Rosa Island in Florida. Fortunately, the district headquarters of the park is only nine miles (14 kilometers) away in Ocean Springs, and nearby barrier islands provide a perfect backdrop for wildlife watching, camping, boating, fishing, hiking, and other activities.

Biloxi's many casinos are another favorite waterfront attraction. Some of the casinos (such as the Beau Rivage and the Grand Biloxi) are actually full-service resorts, and offer golf courses, spas, entertainment, shopping, and dining, in addition to hundreds of slot machines and plenty of gaming tables.

Want to learn more about the city's history? Then jump on the Biloxi Tour Train or go on a walking tour of Main Street. Must-see heritage sites include the Biloxi Lighthouse, St. Michael's Catholic Church, and Beauvoir – the home and presidential library of Confederate president Jefferson Davis.

Local cultural attractions include the Ohr Gallery, which houses an impressive collection of works George E. Ohr, the self-proclaimed "Mad Potter of Biloxi." For a great night on the town, take in the latest concert by the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra or a performing arts event at the newly-restored Saenger Theater.

Offering something to please everyone, Biloxi is a gem of a city on Mississippi's Gulf Coast!

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