Biloxi: Lighthouse, museums and maritime history

If you’re looking for a hotel in Biloxi, your trip’s themes can be a good starting point for choosing where to stay: the city brings together the history of its lighthouse, museums, a nature trail and activities on the water. The following stops show different sides of Biloxi—from the Lighthouse’s long history to the former importance of the seafood industry.

Biloxi Lighthouse: History and Tours

The Biloxi Lighthouse was built in 1848 and was one of the first cast-iron lighthouses in the southern United States. The history of its keepers is also remarkable: Maria Younghans tended the light for 53 years. This landmark highlights both early construction history and a specific person from its past.

The City of Biloxi offers guided tours daily from 9 to 10 a.m., weather permitting. If you plan to take a tour, check the schedule and weather conditions before your trip. This time slot refers to the available visiting hours; it does not specify the tour’s duration.

An Introduction at the Biloxi Visitors Center

The Biloxi Visitors Center explores the city from several perspectives. Nearly a dozen multimedia exhibits cover Biloxi, its people, the city’s connection to the water and its cultural diversity. A 67-seat theater adds to this overview, screening the ten-minute film “We Are Biloxi” on a continuous loop. The exhibits and film offer different focuses, from a range of topics to a concise cinematic introduction.

The city also offers bicycle rentals at the Visitors Center. If you’d like to include this in your plans, check in advance whether rentals are available on your date.

Nature and a Playground at Biloxi Lighthouse Park

At Biloxi Lighthouse Park, an elevated nature trail follows a ravine that is now considered a bayhead swamp. Native plants and flowers are also part of the park’s landscape. Alongside the lighthouse’s history, the park offers a distinct natural setting. Another specific feature is a children’s playground.

Seafood History and Maritime Heritage

The Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum connects Biloxi’s maritime history with the development of the seafood industry. By the 1890s, Biloxi had become a major center for the industry. Croatian and Slovenian immigrants, people from Bohemia and, later, Louisiana Acadians harvested shrimp and oysters there. This history links the industry’s development with the immigrant groups involved in harvesting.

The museum is home to the two historic schooners “Glenn L. Swetman” and “Mike Sekul.” The museum offers guided tours for groups of 20 or more. If you’re planning a group visit, arrange the tour with the museum in advance.

Art and Cultural Heritage

The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art is dedicated to preserving the unique heritage of Biloxi potter George E. Ohr and the diverse cultural heritage of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This focus adds an artistic perspective to the maritime history: George E. Ohr represents a specific part of Biloxi’s heritage, while the museum also highlights the broader cultural heritage of the coastal region.

Experience Biloxi on the Water

The options for enjoying the water also vary in form. Popp’s Ferry Causeway has kayak launches. The Biloxi Schooners are available for day sailing or charter trips; availability may vary, so it’s worth checking in advance. This lets you choose between a kayak launch and a sailing option without treating the activities as interchangeable.

Discover more destinations: Gulfport, D’iberville.

Return to the broader travel overview: Harrison.