The Mississippi Gulf Coast has a temperate climate, making outdoor activities such as fishing, golfing or sailing possible all year long. Museums of art, history and nature for visitors of all ages provide more sedate activities. The area has 26 miles of white sand beaches, some of which are reserved as nesting areas for endangered Least Terns. Visitors will also find casinos and resorts in both Biloxi and Gulfport.
The Beau Rivage Resort and Casino is in Biloxi and consists of a hotel, casino, spa, salon and arcade. The Fallen Oak Golf Course, designed for Beau Rivage guests, is a par-72, 18-hole course. Guests can attend concerts, major productions and intimate nightclub performances by headliners as well as promising newcomers. Shopping is available at the Promenade, located next to the hotel lobby, which features boutiques, jewelry stores and a pro shop. Two restaurants for fine dining, four casual establishments, four clubs and three snack shops provide guests with dining options. The hotel offers rooms and suites, ranging from 400 square feet to 1,200 square feet. All rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows to optimize the view. Guests can rent a vehicle at the on-site car rental agency. The resort is approximately one-quarter mile from the Biloxi Lighthouse, built in 1848, which is open for tours during the morning hours Monday through Thursday. The lighthouse parking lot is the departure point for the Biloxi Tour Train, a 90-minute tour of Biloxi's historical district. Access to Biloxi Beach is about 500 feet from the lobby door. Guests who wish to rent or charter a boat for an excursion can do so at the Beau Rivage Marina next to the hotel.
Beau Rivage Resort and Casino
875 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, MS 39530
888-567-6667
beaurivage.com
The Grand Biloxi features a hotel with 500 guest rooms, a casino with more than 800 slot machines and a spa and salon that encompasses 16,000 square feet. Guests can play 18 holes on a Jack Nicklaus course, the Grand Bear Golf Course, nestled in the DeSoto National Forest. Dining choices include LB's Steakhouse, which features an extensive wine list, a buffet and a pool bar. The Asian Café is open around the clock, and the Grand Café serves coffee, pastries, salads and wraps. Biloxi Beach is just across the road from the hotel lobby, and guests will find vendors on the beach to rent jet skis, beach umbrellas and chairs. Approximately one block from the hotel is the Schooner Pier Complex that houses the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum. Two replica schooners are anchored there and are available for day cruises or charters. The scheduled route encompasses the Biloxi coastline and barrier islands.
Grand Biloxi Casino Hotel and Spa
280 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, MS 39530
800-946-2946
grandcasinobiloxi.com
The Hard Rock combines a hotel, casino, spa and live entertainment venues with fine and casual dining and lounges. Guests are treated to live music at the Vibe every Friday and Saturday night as they enjoy cocktails or wine, steaks, seafood or a snack. Concerts and shows at the Hard Rock Café are free, with seating offered on a "first come, first served" basis. The action at the Road House Live gets underway at 11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday (in 2010) and offers live country music. Headliners appear in the auditorium, but since shows may sell out, it is advisable to reserve tickets well in advance. During the summer months, Hard Rock hosts the Detox pool party featuring live music, games and specialty drinks. For those whose gaming tastes run to poker, free lessons are available upon request, and guests in the poker room can request beverages and food brought to the table. Access to Biloxi Beach is approximately one-half block from the hotel. Visitors who prefer to spend time on the water can find boat tours departing from the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor, with exact offerings and schedules changing by season. Options include the Northstar Sailing Charters, which offers private cruises and sailing lessons, and the Biloxi Shrimping Trip, during which the crew deploys its nets and then educates guests on what they catch.
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
777 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, MS 39530
877-877-6256
hardrockbiloxi.com
Island View offers a casino with more than 8,000 slot machines and 47 table games. Restaurants at the resort include a 24-hour coffee shop, a buffet that is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a steak house. Live entertainment is available in The View Bar, or guests can enjoy a quiet drink in The Center Bar. Island View's Windance Country Club features an 18-hole golf course, pro shop and Olympic pool. Golf lessons, a locker room and driving range are also available. The hotel features 560 rooms and suites, with room service available around the clock. Families might enjoy a visit to the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, an interactive children's museum that offers free after-hours admission each Friday night. Gulf Islands Waterpark offers a wave pool, slides and two coasters that run uphill. For those who prefer the beach, the best in the area is on Ship Island, where guests can swim, hunt shells or sunbathe. The ferry leaves from the Gulfport Small Craft Harbor, and passengers frequently spot dolphins along the way. Vendors on the island can provide food as well as umbrella and chair rentals.
Island View Casino Resort
3300 W. Beach Blvd.
Gulfport, MS 39501
877-774-8439
islandviewcasino.com
