Discover Biloxi: Lighthouse, Museums and Waterfront

Biloxi brings together maritime history, museums, and waterfront experiences. A landmark starting point for exploring the city is the Biloxi Lighthouse: built in 1848, the cast-iron lighthouse was one of the first of its kind in the southern United States. The people behind the landmark also have a story of their own: Maria Younghans tended the light for 53 years. If you’re interested in this past, you can include the lighthouse and the city’s museums in your travel plans.

The Lighthouse and Park as Experiences in Their Own Right

The City of Biloxi offers guided tours of the Biloxi Lighthouse daily from 9 to 10 a.m., weather permitting. This time slot is a useful guide for planning your day; however, the tour is subject to weather conditions. Biloxi Lighthouse Park also has a children’s playground. This lets you take different interests into account when planning, without focusing your stay on a single cultural theme.

The park’s elevated nature trail follows a ravine that is now considered a bayhead swamp. Native plants and flowers shape the park’s natural character. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you’ll find a different perspective on Biloxi here than you would on a museum visit.

Biloxi’s Stories at the Visitors Center and Museums

At the Biloxi Visitors Center, nearly a dozen multimedia exhibits offer insights into Biloxi, its people, the city’s connection to the water, and its cultural diversity. The 67-seat theater continuously screens the ten-minute film “We Are Biloxi.” If you’re looking for a concise introduction to the city, you can factor the exhibit and film into your travel plans. The city also offers bicycle rentals at the Visitors Center.

The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art is dedicated to preserving the unique legacy of Biloxi potter George E. Ohr and the diverse cultural heritage of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum has a different focus: it offers guided tours for groups of 20 or more. The museum includes the two historic schooners “Glenn L. Swetman” and “Mike Sekul.” For groups interested in maritime history, this tour is a distinct item to consider when planning.

Water, Seafaring, and Local History

Water-based activities are also among the experiences Biloxi has to offer. Popp’s Ferry Causeway has kayak launches. The Biloxi Schooners are available for day sailing or charter trips. This gives you the choice between launching a kayak and going for a sail if you’d like to make the water a bigger part of your stay. The different options let you choose based on your interests without requiring them to be part of a shared itinerary.

Maritime history is also linked to the development of the local economy. By the 1890s, Biloxi had developed into a major center of the seafood industry. Immigrants from Croatia and Slovenia, Bohemia, and later Louisiana Acadians harvested shrimp and oysters there. This history complements museum visits with insight into the work and cultural influences that shaped Biloxi’s connection to the water.

Choose Biloxi for Your Vacation

Whether your priorities are lighthouse history, art, maritime culture, nature in the park, or activities on the water, Biloxi’s different attractions can help you choose a destination that suits your travel interests. When looking for a vacation rental, consider which of these experiences you want to shape your trip.

If you’d like to explore other places, you can also find D'Iberville and Gulfport here.

For the broader travel overview: Harrison.