Maritime culture offers a distinctive way to experience Harrison: in Biloxi, which lies within Harrison County, exhibits and collections tell the story of the city’s connection to the water. On Ship Island, beaches and the history of the fort take center stage. Together, these themes offer different perspectives—from aquatic habitats and historic ships to coastal landscapes and art.

Biloxi: water, city history and maritime collections

The Mississippi Aquarium features twelve freshwater and saltwater habitats and more than 200 species of aquatic animals. Its animal populations may change. The Biloxi Visitors Center offers a different perspective on Biloxi’s relationship with the water: nearly a dozen multimedia exhibits explore the city, its people, its connection to the water and its cultural diversity. The center also offers panoramic views of Biloxi Beach and the Mississippi Sound.

The Biloxi Maritime and Seafood Museum collects and preserves artifacts, photographs, equipment and vessels that reflect Biloxi’s maritime history and culture. The museum also houses the Wade Guice Hurricane Museum and a research library. It offers educational programs year-round. In this way, material evidence and interpretation of the city’s history sit side by side under one roof.

Maritime heritage can also be experienced on the water: the Biloxi Schooners are authentic replicas of early-1900s oyster schooners that sail along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This sets them apart from the museum’s collections: here, historic vessel types are brought to life as sailing replicas.

Ship Island: beaches and Fort Massachusetts

Ship Island offers visitors beaches and a scenic boardwalk. There is also the history of Fort Massachusetts: construction of the fort began in 1859. This date provides a specific historical reference point for the fort’s story.

Ship Island Excursions offers ferry service to Ship Island. The one-hour boat trip includes a tour of historic Fort Massachusetts. Since schedules may change, check current service before traveling. The ferry ride and fort tour thus combine an hour on the water with a closer look at the site’s history.

Art, festival culture and other perspectives

There are also a variety of cultural highlights beyond maritime themes. Beauvoir is a National Historic Landmark. The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art displays ceramics by George E. Ohr and presents modern and historical exhibitions. This combination of a specific ceramics collection and exhibitions from different periods offers a different perspective from museums focused on the city’s history and seafaring.

The Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum invites visitors to discover a century of community tradition and festival culture. The Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi offers live music in a juke-joint-style venue; its program may change. In different ways, both places offer a glimpse into community culture—one through the history of a festival tradition, the other through music.

The Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum uses model trains to explore railroad history in a family-friendly setting. Harrison County is also a destination for seafood lovers. The range of topics thus extends from maritime history and coastal landscapes to art, festival culture, railroads and seafood.

Discover more destinations: Biloxi, Gulfport, D'iberville, Quitman County, Tate County, Scott County, Hinds, Madison.

For the main travel overview: Mississippi.