Gulfport–Biloxi
Around Gulfport–Biloxi
Photo: Unnamed photographer for Detroit Publishing Co · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Mississippi · 426k people
Gulfport–Biloxi
Locals say The Mississippi Gulf Coast · “The Coast”, “Playground of the South”
Gulfport · Biloxi
Where the water meets the welcome
Athletic GoldNavy Blue
Welcome to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where the water is warm and the shrimp are fresh. Whether you're here for the casinos or the beaches, you'll find a laid-back vibe that's all our own.
Clubs for Gulfport–Biloxi
No clubs for Gulfport–Biloxi yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Gulfport–Biloxi. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Gulfport–Biloxi. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Biloxi Lighthouse Historic lighthouse on the beach, a symbol of the coast.
- Beau Rivage Resort & Casino Iconic casino on the Biloxi waterfront.
- Mississippi Coast Coliseum Hosts concerts, shows, and sporting events.
- Gulf Islands National Seashore Barrier islands and beaches, great for nature.
- Walter Anderson Museum of Art Celebrates the art of Walter Anderson, local legend.
- Ocean Springs Downtown Walkable streets with galleries, shops, and cafes.
- Outdoors Swim at Biloxi Beach
- Outdoors Take the ferry to Ship Island
- With kids Visit the Mississippi Aquarium
- With kids Ride the Ferris wheel at Gulfport Harbor
- Evenings Casino shows and lounges
- Evenings Live music in Ocean Springs
- Locals love Seafood shacks
- Locals love Casino buffets
Through the year
- Biloxi Blues Festival June Local blues musicians and regional acts.
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Seafood Festival September Celebrating local shrimp, oysters, and more.
- Ocean Springs Arts Festival November Juried art show with live music and crafts.
- Pascagoula Riverfest Spring Riverfront celebration with food and family activities.
- Gulfport Art in the Park Spring Outdoor art market and live demonstrations.
Hot, humid summers and mild winters, with the Gulf breeze keeping things comfortable. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are perfect for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “the coast”
- The local area
- “gulf shrimp”
- Local shrimp
- “comeback sauce”
- A tangy local condiment
- “coastie”
- A resident of the coast
Getaways
- New Orleans, LA Big city culture, food, and music.
- Mobile, AL Historic downtown and USS Alabama.
- Hattiesburg, MS College town with parks and breweries.
- Slidell, LA Gateway to Louisiana's seafood and swamps.
Local flavour
Teams
- Biloxi Shuckers Southern League
- Mississippi Sea Wolves Federal Prospects Hockey League
Eat and drink
- Gulf shrimp Fresh from the Mississippi Sound
- Oysters on the half shell Served raw or chargrilled
- Shrimp po'boy A local staple
- Mississippi comeback sauce A tangy, slightly spicy condiment
- Stuffed crab Crabmeat and breadcrumbs, a Gulf Coast classic
Where people go
- Casinos Biloxi's famous gaming resorts
- Seafood shacks Casual spots serving fresh catch
- Beaches Sandy shores along the Gulf
- Marinas Boat docks and fishing charters
- Fishing piers Popular for angling and strolls
- Lighthouses Iconic Biloxi Lighthouse and others
- Barrier islands Like Ship Island, accessible by ferry
Heritage and traditions
The Mississippi Gulf Coast is proud of its deep French and Spanish roots, its resilient seafood heritage, and its vibrant arts community, especially in Ocean Springs.
This time of year in Gulfport–Biloxi
- Cruisin' the Coast October Classic car show and cruise on the beach highway.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — About to do something
Festivals
- Mardi Gras February or March Coastal Mardi Gras with krewes and parades, a tradition since the 1700s.
- Blessing of the Fleet June Greek Orthodox blessing of shrimp boats for a safe season.
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic May A major offshore fishing tournament.
- Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival December Holiday lights and festivities at the harbor.
- Peter Anderson Festival November A juried arts and crafts festival in Ocean Springs' historic district.
- Biloxi Crawfish Festival April Celebrating crawfish with music and food.
Landmarks with a story
- Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Historic Catholic cathedral, mother church of the diocese.
- Beauvoir Last home of Jefferson Davis, now a museum.
- LaPointe-Krebs House Oldest building in the Mississippi Valley, dating to 1757.
- Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art Dedicated to George Ohr, the 'Mad Potter of Biloxi'.
- Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum Preserves the history of shrimping and seafood.
- Old Biloxi Cemetery Historic burial ground with French and Spanish graves.
Food traditions
- Shrimp boils In summer, families boil shrimp with corn and potatoes, a coastal tradition.
- Oyster roasts In fall and winter, oyster roasts on the half shell are a social event.
- King cake During Mardi Gras, king cake with a baby inside is shared at parties.
- Gumbo A hearty seafood stew with okra and filé, reflecting Cajun and Creole influence.
- Fried shrimp Local shrimp are often fried and served with comeback sauce.
Music and arts
- Biloxi blues scene A historic blues tradition with local musicians.
- Ocean Springs arts community A colony of painters, potters, and craftspeople.
- Pottery tradition from George Ohr Ohr's innovative ceramics inspire local potters.
- Mardi Gras brass bands Brass bands and parades during Carnival season.
A little history
- 1699 Biloxi founded by Pierre LeMoyne d'Iberville.
- 1857 George Ohr born in Biloxi.
- 1900s Shrimp industry booms.
- 1969 Hurricane Camille devastates the coast.
- 2005 Hurricane Katrina destroys much of the coast, leading to a massive rebuild.
Rivalries
- Gulfport vs. Biloxi Friendly argument over which city is the true coast hub.
- Ocean Springs vs. Biloxi High school football rivalry that splits local families.
- Mississippi Gulf Coast vs. Louisiana Seafood and gumbo bragging rights.
- Game day Biloxi Shuckers minor league baseball games
- Game day Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic
- Outdoors Crabbing for blue crabs in the sound
- Outdoors Sailing in the Mississippi Sound
- With kids Visit the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum
- With kids Take a shrimp boat tour
Locals speak with a Southern accent, often saying 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. Coastal terms like 'coast' refer to the region, and place names like Biloxi are pronounced 'bih-LUK-see'.
Only here
- The Biloxi Lighthouse is one of the few cast-iron lighthouses in the South.
- The Blessing of the Fleet is a Greek Orthodox tradition brought by immigrant shrimpers.
- The coast has a unique seafood culture with a strong shrimping heritage.
- The name 'Biloxi' comes from the Biloxi tribe.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce Biloxi as 'bih-LUK-see' and Pascagoula as 'PAS-kuh-goo-luh'.
- Be ready for hot, humid summers and hurricane season (June-November). Have a plan.
- Try the local seafood: oysters, shrimp, and the comeback sauce.
- Take a ferry to Ship Island to see the barrier islands.
- Learn about the local Mardi Gras - it's a big deal here.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaPicayuneMississippiWhere the pines meet the PearlNorthshoreLouisianaLake breezes, piney woods, and good food.BogalusaLouisianaWhere the piney woods whisper Louisiana stories.New OrleansLouisianaWhere life moves to a jazz beatMobileAlabamaWhere the bay meets the river, and the party never ends.HattiesburgMississippiPine-scented streets, Southern hearts.Daphne–FairhopeAlabamaWhere the bay meets the GulfHammondLouisianaSmall‑town charm, big strawberry flavor.
Gulfport-Biloxi, MS. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.