Founded by the French in 1699, Biloxi is one of the Gulf Coast’s oldest settlements and a storied “Playground of the South.” Shrimp boats still work the same waters that built its fortune, while the cast-iron Biloxi Lighthouse stands resilient after hurricanes—a beloved symbol of the city’s grit. Today, visitors come for sugar-white beaches, lively casinos, and a burgeoning culinary and arts scene.

Beyond the beach, you’ll find the Frank Gehry–designed Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, and barrier-island adventures in the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Fresh oysters, Gulf shrimp, and po’boys headline menus, and minor league baseball and live blues fill the nights. Ocean Springs and Gulfport—just minutes away—add galleries, breweries, and boardwalk bites to your coastal circuit.

Practical notes: Spring and fall bring sweet-spot weather; summers are sunny but humid (pack SPF and a hat). Hurricane season runs June–November; check forecasts. A car is helpful for Ship Island ferries and bayside towns, though Beach Boulevard’s CTA buses are handy. Seafood rules the table—try chargrilled oysters, redfish, and a slice of king cake if you’re here in Carnival season.

Biloxi

Biloxi marries beachfront ease with big-night energy. You can coffee-hop to a sunrise over the Gulf, tour a museum mid-morning, then swap sandals for a dinner spot in a historic mansion before catching a show at a casino theater. Frank Gehry’s glimmering pods at the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum and the landmark Lighthouse bookend a shoreline that begs for golden-hour strolls.

• Top sights: Biloxi Lighthouse, Biloxi Visitors Center, Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, MGM Park (Biloxi Shuckers), Beauvoir, Deer Island.
• Classic experiences: Chargrilled oysters and Gulf shrimp, a Ship Island beach day, sunset along Beach Boulevard, live blues at Ground Zero Blues Club Biloxi.
• Fun fact: Ceramic legend George Ohr—“The Mad Potter of Biloxi”—revolutionized American pottery here in the late 1800s; see his wild forms at the Ohr-O’Keefe.

Where to stay: For beachfront convenience and pool decks, consider hotels along Beach Boulevard or a historic stay at the White House Hotel. In Ocean Springs (10 minutes across the bridge), cozy inns and cottages suit art lovers. Compare options on Hotels.com (Biloxi) or browse condos and beach houses on VRBO (Biloxi).

Getting in: Fly into Gulfport–Biloxi International Airport (GPT), 20 minutes from central Biloxi; typical round-trip fares from major U.S. hubs run ~$150–$450. Search fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Rideshares run ~$25–$35 to the beach strip; renting a car is useful for ferries and nearby towns.

Day 1: Arrival, Lighthouse Sunset, and a Flavor of the Coast

Morning: Travel day. Aim for a midday or early-afternoon landing at GPT. If you arrive early, grab a light bite at The District Coffee Company downtown—smooth lattes and house pastries set the tone without overfilling you before dinner.

Afternoon: Check in, then start at the Biloxi Visitors Center to pick up maps and step onto the beach for your first Gulf breeze. Tour or photograph the Biloxi Lighthouse (midday tours often available; climb for panorama views) and walk the beachfront promenade for seashells and pelicans.

Evening: Option 1: Head to the Hard Rock Cafe Biloxi prix-fixe for a fun, unfussy first-night meal—burgers, ribs, and rock memorabilia in the heart of the casino row.

Option 2: Book Mary Mahoney’s Old French House (est. 1962 in an 18th-century home) for crabmeat-stuffed fish and broiled oysters under live oaks. Cap the night with a seaside stroll or light gaming at Beau Rivage or the smoke-free Palace Casino.

Day 2: Museums, Shrimp Boats, and Live Blues

Morning: Fuel up at Le Café Beignet (pillowy beignets and café au lait) or The District Coffee Company if you prefer a lighter roast. Dive into the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum to learn how hurricanes, schooners, and shrimping shaped Biloxi; allow 1–1.5 hours, and don’t miss the restored Biloxi schooners.

Afternoon: Board the popular Biloxi Shrimping Trip (about 70 minutes; demonstrations of net-casting and marine life; typically ~$20–$30 per adult). Grab lunch nearby at the Fillin’ Station—try chargrilled oysters, crawfish étouffée, and a cold Barq’s root beer in a converted service station. Continue to the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art: Frank Gehry’s metallic pods house George Ohr’s delightfully warped ceramics and rotating shows.

Evening: Dress up for White Pillars Restaurant—a revived 1905 mansion serving seasonal Gulf cuisine (think smoked yellowfin tuna dip, local snapper, inventive cocktails). After, catch live blues at Ground Zero Blues Club Biloxi; grab a seat close to the stage and order a nightcap while regional musicians light up the room.

Day 3: Ship Island—Gulf Islands National Seashore Day

Morning: Pack SPF, a hat, and a light beach umbrella. Drive ~25–30 minutes to Gulfport’s harbor for the seasonal ferry to Ship Island (about 1 hour each way; typically March–October, with limited off-season dates). Watch for dolphins en route, then stake out a quiet stretch of powdery sand.

Afternoon: Swim, beachcomb, and tour Fort Massachusetts, the brick 19th-century fort anchoring the island. A snack bar usually operates in season, but a simple picnic plus plenty of water is smartest in summer heat.

Evening: Back on the mainland, tuck into casual coastal fare at Shaggy’s Biloxi Beach (shrimp tacos, Gulf fish sandwiches, sunset views) or The Reef (fried green tomatoes, blackened redfish, and a rooftop bar). Swing by Le Bakery on Oak Street for a to-go dessert—Vietnamese-French pastries or a slice of king cake when in season.

Day 4: Ocean Springs Art Walk + Professional Photos

Morning: Cross the Biloxi Bay Bridge (by car or on the scenic pedestrian path) to Ocean Springs, a charming arts district. Start with coffee at The Coffee House at The Roost, then tour the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, where coastal murals and block prints celebrate Gulf flora and fauna. Don’t leave without a box from the beloved TatoNut Donut Shop—potato-flour donuts with a cult following.

Afternoon: Capture the moment with a Private Vacation Photoshoot with a local photographer—choose backdrops like the Lighthouse, live oaks, or sugar-white beaches for keepsake images.

Enjoy lunch in Ocean Springs: Mosaic for global tapas and a shady patio, or Phoenicia Gourmet for Mediterranean plates and grilled seafood. Browse Government Street’s boutiques and galleries before heading back across the bay.

Evening: Reserve a table at Vestige (Ocean Springs; tasting-menu creativity with Gulf ingredients) or stay in Biloxi for Patio 44 (Southern staples, bourbon list, brick-walled ambience). Sip a sour or gose at Fly Llama Brewing—local craft beers with coastal flair.

Day 5: Kayaks, Oysters, and a Citywide Scavenger Hunt

Morning: Get on the water: rent kayaks or paddleboards around Biloxi Bay or the calm back-bay marshes (outfitters near Point Cadet and the small-craft harbor; plan 2–3 hours). Anglers can book a half-day inshore charter—speckled trout, redfish, and sheepshead are common targets (expect ~$450–$700 per boat for 4–6 anglers).

Afternoon: Lunch at Half Shell Oyster House—go classic with chargrilled oysters, Orleans-style shrimp, and a cup of seafood gumbo. Then hit the Biloxi Blitz Scavenger Hunt, a hosted, app-guided romp through landmarks and quirky challenges—great for families or groups who like friendly competition.

Evening: Choose your casino vibe: Beau Rivage for a polished show and cocktails at the Theatre, Golden Nugget for Morton’s The Steakhouse, or Beau Rivage’s Jia for sushi, ramen, and robata. If you skipped the Hard Rock earlier, tonight’s an easy time to slot in that prix-fixe dinner before catching a set in the casino bars.

Day 6: Day Trip to New Orleans (Private Tour)

Make the most of Biloxi’s location with a customized visit to the Crescent City. The New Orleans Full Day Private Tour from Biloxi handles the logistics (plan ~1.5–2 hours each way by road).

Morning: Roll into the French Quarter to see Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral, then wander Royal Street’s balconies and galleries. Coffee-and-beignets at a classic café set the tone.

Afternoon: Explore the Garden District’s antebellum homes and oak-lined streets; if offered, add a historic cemetery walk. For lunch, ask your guide for a beloved Creole or po’boy spot—gumbo, jambalaya, or roast-beef debris po’boys are can’t-miss.

Evening: Return to Biloxi for a relaxed night: a beach walk at sunset, then a nightcap at Ground Zero Blues Club or a breezy patio seat at Shaggy’s if you want one last Gulf view.

Day 7: Easy Morning and Departure

Morning: Brunch with a view at Fill-Up with Billups (stacked pancakes, biscuits and gravy) or swing back to Le Café Beignet for a final powdered-sugar sendoff. Pop into the Ohr-O’Keefe or Visitors Center gift shops for pottery, local cookbooks, and coastal-made souvenirs.

Afternoon: Depart for GPT (arrive 90 minutes before flight; two hours in peak seasons). If you’re extending your Gulf Coast travel, compare onward flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Safe travels!

Local dining cheat sheet (save this!):

• Breakfast/coffee: Le Café Beignet (beignets, café au lait), The District Coffee Company (espresso, pastries), The Coffee House at The Roost (Ocean Springs; specialty drinks).
• Lunch: The Fillin’ Station (oysters, po’boys), Half Shell Oyster House (chargrilled oysters, gumbo), Le Bakery (banh mi, pastries).
• Dinner: White Pillars (seasonal Gulf cuisine in a historic mansion), Mary Mahoney’s Old French House (coastal classics), Vestige (Ocean Springs; tasting menu), Patio 44 (Southern fare, bourbon).
• Casual beach eats: Shaggy’s Biloxi Beach, The Reef.
• Nightlife: Ground Zero Blues Club Biloxi (live blues), casino lounges at Beau Rivage/Hard Rock/Golden Nugget.

Where to book: Compare hotels on Hotels.com (Biloxi) or find beach houses and condos on VRBO (Biloxi). For flights to GPT or nearby hubs (MSY/MOB), browse Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

In one week you’ll have tasted Biloxi’s best: sunrise beaches, museum gems, live blues, and a barrier-island day capped with Gulf sunsets. With a curated New Orleans tour and plenty of local eats, this Gulf Coast itinerary balances relaxation and discovery—leaving you planning your return before you’ve even left.