Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico in southern Mississippi state, Biloxi is a large coastal city that delivers outstanding seafood and a host of seaside casinos. In August 2005, the city suffered extensive damage at the hands of Hurricane Katrina but has now largely recovered, with beaches and casinos reopening to holidaymakers as soon as a year after the disaster with the aim of making Biloxi bigger and better than before.
Despite a brief halt following Katrina, Biloxi is once again host to more than a dozen casinos and gaming resorts that attract hundreds of thousands of punters year round thanks to the temperate climate. Many of the casinos here occupy the long Mexican Gulf coastline, a picturesque stretch of white sand with warm seas that fills with bathers during holidays and summer weekends.
Despite all the neon lights, Biloxi also delivers on the cultural front, the most notable place of interest being the former home of Jefferson Davis, president of the southern Confederate states during the American Civil War. The building is now a museum open to the public. Visitors to the city should not miss the excellent fresh seafood on offer, particularly at resorts and restaurants along the seafront, which serve up fresh shrimp, crab and fish.
Highlights
Jefferson Davis Home: residence of the former president of the Confederate States that lost the American Civil War. It is now a museum with a host of fascinating artifacts.
Biloxi Beach: the city’s famous strip of white sand is now cleaned up and open for bathers to enjoy. The Gulf of Mexico seas here stay warm through a large part of the year.
Grand Casino: one of the Biloxi heavyweights, this casino reopened following Katrina in August 2006 and is now fully operational with roulette, blackjack and numerous other gambling opportunities on offer.
Biloxi Lighthouse: a survivor of Katrina, the Biloxi Lighthouse is one of the most historic sites in the city, dating back to 1848.