In America, each desirable stretch of coastline is given a nickname.
For Biloxi and nearby cities, it’s the Secret Coast along the southern Mississippi shoreline between Louisiana and Alabama.
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As a fan of the scenic route in life, I’ve gone through Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast several times between Florida and New Orleans.
As a Floridian living near one of America’s highest-rated beaches (Siesta Beach), my threshold for a good beach is very high.
What I love most about this stretch of beach is the road is right by the water, and you can go to an island beach, a more private beach, or just get your toes in the sand when you stop to stretch your legs.
But the fun doesn’t stop at the beach! Biloxi also boasts an incredible array of entertainment options.
Try your luck at one of the city’s many casinos, catch a show at the Hard Rock Live, or dance the night away at one of the area’s hottest clubs.
Foodies rejoice!
Biloxi is a culinary haven, with everything from fresh seafood to delicious BBQ.
Be sure to sample the local specialties like gumbo, po’boys (my favorite), and fried shrimp.
And with dozens of restaurants to choose from, you’ll never go hungry in Biloxi.
Looking for some history and culture?
Biloxi has that too!
Explore the Biloxi Lighthouse, which has been guiding sailors into port since 1848, or visit the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art to see stunning works from local artists.
It’s also an inspiring tourism stop when you think back to 2005 when headlines rang out that “Biloxi is Completely Flattened” in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and where it stands now – tall and proud – reborn and ready for tourists.
Warnings & Dangers in Biloxi
Safest Places to Visit in Biloxi
GulfCoast.org covers tourism for the entire Coastal Mississippi Region.
If you visit GulfShores.com, that will take you to the website for Gulf Shores, Alabama.
The Coastal Mississippi Attractions Pass helps you plot your itinerary while saving money at some of the region’s top attractions.
One, two, or three-day passes are available.
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A great first stop is the Biloxi Visitor’s Center near the Biloxi lighthouse right on Highway 90.
It’s as much about travel brochures as it is about the history contained within the museum.
A short movie helps you learn about the history, devastation, recovery, and renewal of this region while offering balcony views from the historical home where the center is housed.
Biloxi is home to several historic sites and museums.
The Beauvoir, the last home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, is a popular attraction that offers tours and educational exhibits.
The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art is another must-see, with a collection of ceramics and sculptures by Mississippi artist George Ohr.
The city has eight casinos in addition to several more that span the coastline.
You won’t notice the difference between these casinos and the ones in Las Vegas, with table games, slots, poker rooms, restaurant choices, and entertainment.
Other casinos in the area include the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the Golden Nugget Biloxi, and the IP Casino Resort Spa.
The new Margaritaville Resort offers family-friendly entertainment and a rooftop water park.
Paradise Pier Amusement Park is always expanding with new rides and seaside activities.
Ferry rides are available from March through October to Ship Island, part of the Gulf Coast National Seashore.
This is the main island of six options on the Mississippi coast.
The ride takes an hour, and it’s common to see dolphins or schools of fish along the route.
Once on the island, you can explore Fort Massachusetts, chill on the beach, or take a boardwalk hike.
Tours are also available to go shrimping with a working crew, ride an airboat through a swamp, walk through the marshes, or take a paddle down the Wolf River.
Shoppers can also head seven miles north to the interchange with I-10 to find the open-air Gulfport Premium Outlets.
Places to Avoid in Biloxi
When you’re in Biloxi, you can visually and easily tell if you’re in the wrong part of town.
I actually got turned around during one trip there and ended up stuck driving through different neighborhoods with dead-end streets.
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I didn’t feel unsafe, but there were some rundown and blighted neighborhoods I wouldn’t go back through if I had to do it all over again.
That’s what I get for trying to take a shortcut.
If you stick to the main roads, it’s hard to get lost.
Those exiting from I-10 will find major roadways that take you straight to the coastline in about 10 minutes.
My hotels have been in a less congested part of the city, as I prefer, but it did mean the beaches just outside my hotel didn’t feel safe to explore at night, and I didn’t want to walk the dark sidewalk between the road and the water.
You have plenty of populated and congested places if you like walking around at night.
I cannot stress it enough — avoid this city if a hurricane or tropical storm is headed that way.
Even if a storm is going to hit Louisiana or Florida, it can still leave you on the “dirty side” of the storm, getting heavy rain and flooding.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Biloxi
So… How Safe Is Biloxi Really?
Biloxi Police and surrounding law enforcement agencies have every best interest to keep the community safe since it’s such a growing tourist hot spot.
Violent crime rates are near the national average, but it’s the theft rates that soar 270% higher than the national average.
Just 9% of violent crimes happen against strangers, so don’t let sensational headlines like “Women shot in the face at the grocery store” deter you.
America is dealing with an overall surge in violent crime, and Biloxi has managed to escape the worst of it but is seeing another troubling pattern of juveniles committing more heinous crimes.
“They’ve shown not only the ability but the willingness to commit that crime, and we have to always look out for public safety,” local District Attorney Crosby Parker told local station WLOX.
40% of violent crimes in 2021 happened at or near homes, making the risk for a tourist that percentage lower.
The real concerns here involve severe weather, water/wilderness safety, and petty theft.
The Secret Coast is a secret no more, so don’t be surprised if these numbers change or the attractions expand before your visit.
You can check current crime statistics on the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website and stay in touch with the tourism bureau to ask specific questions.
How Does Biloxi Compare?
CitySafety IndexBiloxi53St. Louis58Los Angeles56Oakland57New Orleans57Baltimore56Boston67Sofia (Bulgaria)73Siem Reap (Cambodia)63Phnom Penh (Cambodia)61Niagara Falls (Canada)87Calgary (Canada)82Buenos Aires (Argentina)60
Useful Information
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Biloxi Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
Mississippi – Safety by City
CitySafety IndexBiloxi53Canton45Gulfport58Hattiesburg85Holly Springs72Jackson42Natchez68New Albany83Pascagoula45Pass Christian78Southaven74Tupelo68Vicksburg56
Source: https://t-tees.com
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