Coastal Mississippi
Surround yourself with the warmth of Southern hospitality along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. With 62 miles of scenic shoreline, start your visit by exploring each of our unique coastal communities. Explore over 300 years of history, exciting family-friendly attractions, unique lodging, and authentic, gulf-to-table cuisine, Coastal Mississippi is the ideal destination to stay and play!
Coastal Mississippi’s history is almost as rich as its scenic views. And you can explore both on our daily tours or at a slew of historic sights you’ll see around town.
For starters, take a fun ferry ride to Ship Island for our very own Fort Massachusetts. Construction on Fort Massachusetts began just before the Civil War and…well, we’ll stop here. A park ranger will tell the rest upon arrival. Then swing on by Beauvoir, the retirement estate of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Completed in 1852, it stands on a spectacular 52-acre site overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
For a greater flavor of Gulf Coast history, you can visit the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum. With an array of artifacts, exhibits and extraordinary photos, you’ll savor the experience and then some.
Other must-see history includes beautiful lighthouses, southern cemeteries and The Blues Trail (blues had to start somewhere, and lucky for us, the trailblazing began here.)
Coastal Mississippi also boasts layers of flavor and influence that evolved over our 300-year history. Infused by generations of people and cultures from around the world, the history of those who fished in these waters is as deep and wide as the Gulf itself. The myriad of flavors and fusions coastal cuisine offers keep travelers longing for this distinctive culinary experience.
Our seafood industry has played an integral role in the history and evolution of the regional cuisine with over 200 species of fish and nationally recognized oysters and domestic shrimp. Nourished by the freshwater of our many rivers and the salty waters of the Gulf of Mexico, our abundance of fresh seafood from fish, crab, shrimp, and oysters will have your taste buds swooning with every bite.
From fine dining to casual, toes-in-the-sand eateries, our food scene is a roulette wheel of intriguing palate-pleasing delights. With our temperate climate and fertile landscape, the exceptional local produce found in shops, markets, and restaurants across the region continually adds appeal to our appetizing fare. From Pascagoula to Waveland, Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Pass Christian, and everywhere else in between, our farm-to-table restaurants serve up some of the most delicious dishes using the freshest seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers and producers.
Fun is a small word with big possibilities. With endless attractions and things to do, everyone stays entertained on the Mississippi Gulf Coast! Enjoy our arts and culture, take a stroll around our shops, and test your luck at our beachfront casinos offering 24-hour gaming and sportsbook. Golf lovers, prepare to fall in love with over a dozen courses designed by industry bigwigs. Night owls will appreciate our nightlife scene, brimming with beachside bars, cocktail lounges, and breweries.
From splash pads to hands-on education centers, fun for the whole family is available, with plenty of options for free things to do. Stop by Mississippi Aquarium to be fully immersed in the aquatic wonders that Mississippi has to offer with up-close experiences with dolphins, stingrays, sharks, and more. Continue your day with a visit to Margaritaville’s Escape Family Entertainment Center or get your thrills next door at Paradise Pier Fun Park.
Since the early 19th century, the Mississippi Gulf Coast has been known as a hotbed for entertainment and early gambling. When you’re visiting Coastal Mississippi, the good times roll and roll and roll. With 12 casinos, 24-hour gaming, nonstop entertainment and perfect places to wine and dine, you’ll never run out of opportunities to test your luck in Coastal Mississippi.
Our many casinos boast an array of table games. Not to mention slots on slots, delicious restaurants, relaxing spas, brag-worthy boutiques and beautiful pools.
So come on down and get to enjoying yourself. There’s a table game, cocktail and spa robe waiting with your name on it.
Highlights:
Coastal Mississippi, from Biloxi to Henderson Point, is home to the largest and longest man-made beach in the United States.
When you’re in town, order Barq’s Root Beer. It was invented in Biloxi in 1898.
Craving oysters? French Hermit oysters are farmed locally on Deer Island – and available at White Pillars, Vestige and Thirty-two.
Coastal Mississippi is home to “America’s Largest Block Party”, Cruisin’ the Coast, a festival to celebrate antique, classic, and hot rod vehicles.
Enjoy a warm, sunny day by purchasing a ferry ticket to Ship Island – they typically have two departure times daily.
Coastal Mississippi was once the Seafood Capital of the World. We’re still home to the freshest, gulf-to-table seafood – you'll find anywhere!
Don’t miss out on a Coastal Mississippi sunset! Be sure you're on the beach at sundown to catch a panorama view of our most beautiful sunsets.
Pascagoula is home to Jimmy Buffett, the original parrothead. If you’re in the area, be sure to visit his childhood home and other namesake landmarks: Buffett Beach and Buffett Bridge.
Discover what Coastal Mississippi has to offer:
Visit Mississippi’s Only Chitlin Circuit Venue
Over a century ago, the vision of 12 civic-minded men became a reality when the doors of 100 Men Hall opened in Bay St. Louis. 100 Men Hall is one of the few, rare still-standing – still active – Blues Trail landmarks. It also serves as the only Mississippi venue on the Chitlin Circuit – a collection of performance venues throughout the Southeast and upper Midwest areas of the United States that provided commercial and cultural acceptance for African American musicians, comedians, and other entertainers during the era of racial segregation in the United States through the 1960s.
Discover a Mississippi Artist
Coastal Mississippi is home to many museums honoring local, acclaimed artists from “mad” potters to vibrant, elusive painters. Discover the masterpiece of Coastal Mississippi at one of our local museums. The Walter Anderson Museum of Art (WAMA) captures the natural beauty of the Gulf Coast and frames it for your viewing pleasure. It’s also home to his brother Peter Anderson’s (founder of Shearwater Pottery) pottery collection and brother James McConnell Anderson’s paintings and ceramic pieces.
Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Home to idyllic white sand beaches and mild weather year-round, the Mississippi Gulf Coast beckons you to spread out your beach towel and relax. With bays, blueways, and 62 miles of coastline, your ideal spot for a day of salt or freshwater fishing is an easy find. As nature’s beauty calls for exploration, let us show you around on a sailing charter or riverboat tour led by guides who know the area best.
Discover a New Brew at Fly Llama Brewing
Fly Llama Brewing not only boasts an impressive variety of over 32 different beers, seltzers and non-alcoholic beverages on draft – but they’re home to Mississippi’s only Master Cicerone, David Reese – an esteemed title only held by 28 individuals globally. At Fly Llama Brewing, they’re not merely crafting exceptional brews; they’re pioneering a revolution in the state’s craft beer scene.
Explore Mississippi Aquarium
Opening its’ doors on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Mississippi Aquarium boasts an impressive display of over 300 species of animals! Featuring saltwater, freshwater, and brackish aquatic species, an aviary with birds from around the globe, and a slew of mammals, reptilians, and exotic ambassador animals – MSAQ is a premier, family-friendly attraction for those looking for an awe-inspiring experience.
Check out our Featured Hotels in Coastal Mississippi!
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
4 Stars | Hotel ID: 1098
This resort brings to the Mississippi Gulf Coast a first-class experience defined by casual sophistication, outstanding service, and world-class amenities located just 90 minutes east of New Orleans, Louisiana. This 32-story beachfront resort offers lush southern gardens as well as 1,740 of the most luxurious rooms and suites offered in the southeast and the glamorous diverse attractions.
Palace Casino Resort
4 Stars | Hotel ID: 10123
NO RESORT FEE
Palace Casino Resort is Biloxi’s only smoke-free casino and the premier destination for luxurious accommodations and endless excitement. Whether your client is staying to play or visiting for business, the guest rooms at the resort will give them the comforts of home, luxuries for relaxation, and technology to stay connected.
Hilton Garden Inn Biloxi
4 Stars | Hotel ID: 12104
NO RESORT FEE
This hotel is next to US-90 across from the Biloxi Harbor. The local restaurants of downtown Biloxi are within a 10-minute walk. Biloxi Beach and Lighthouse are a mile away.
Hyatt Place Biloxi
3 Stars | Hotel ID: 7877
NO RESORT FEE
If you’re looking for a laid-back escape in Mississippi, you’ve found your match at this hotel. Located on the white sand shores of the Gulf of Mexico, the hotel offers 114 cozy guestrooms perfect for business or leisure guests. The hotel offers a free breakfast and parking, and outdoor pool with beach views, and an address close to the city’s nightlife scene.
