Biloxi offers several ways to plan a trip. Built in 1848, the lighthouse represents architectural history; museums cover art and maritime topics, and there are also kayak launches and sailing options.
Lighthouse and Park
The Biloxi Lighthouse was built in 1848 and was one of the first cast-iron lighthouses in the southern United States. Maria Younghans tended the light for 53 years. These are two distinct historical details: the year the lighthouse was built and the length of time Younghans tended its light. The city offers guided tours daily from 9 to 10 a.m., weather permitting. Take the time window and weather conditions into account when planning, and check the schedule before your trip.
At Biloxi Lighthouse Park, an elevated nature trail follows a ravine that is now considered a bayhead swamp. Native plants and flowers grow in the park, which also has a children’s playground. The trail, the classification of the ravine, and the plants offer different points of interest if you’re interested in the park’s landscape.
City History at the Visitors Center
The Biloxi Visitors Center features nearly a dozen multimedia exhibits about 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.” The exhibits cover several topics, while the film offers a distinct format with a clearly defined running time. The city also offers bicycle rentals at the Visitors Center; check on this service before your trip.
Art and Maritime History
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. It focuses both on the history of a specific artist and on the broader cultural heritage of the coast.
The Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum includes the two historic schooners “Glenn L. Swetman” and “Mike Sekul.” The museum offers guided tours for groups of 20 or more. Check current visiting conditions before a group visit.
By the 1890s, Biloxi had developed into a major center of the seafood industry. Immigrants from Croatia and Slovenia, from Bohemia, and later Cajuns from Louisiana harvested shrimp and oysters here. The history of the seafood industry also tells the story of the people who did this harvesting work.
Activities on the Water
There are kayak launches at Popp’s Ferry Causeway. The Biloxi Schooners are available for day sailing or charter trips; availability may vary. So, along with a kayak launch at a named location, day sailing and charter trips are other options. Check the Biloxi Schooners’ availability for your planned date.
Discover more destinations: D'Iberville, Gulfport
Return to the parent travel overview: Harrison.
