Biloxi, MS

Biloxi, Mississippi sits in Harrison County along the Gulf of Mexico, with a population of approximately 46,000 residents. The city carries a relaxed coastal character shaped by white-sand beaches, a long seafood tradition, a cluster of waterfront casinos, and a deep, sometimes complicated history that includes both antebellum landmarks and the lasting impact of Hurricane Katrina. Biloxi is best known as the main urban anchor of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and as a gateway to the barrier islands of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. It lies about 90 miles northeast of New Orleans, a drive of roughly an hour and forty-five minutes, and just to the west of Mobile, Alabama, which is about 65 miles away.

The Biloxi Lighthouse is one of the city's most photographed landmarks and one of the earliest cast-iron lighthouses erected on the Gulf Coast. Standing since the 1840s at the edge of the beachfront, it remains a defining symbol of the town and a popular stop for visitors exploring the coastline.

A short drive west of downtown, Ship Island offers a classic Gulf Coast day trip and is part of Gulf Islands National Seashore. Ferries depart from nearby Gulfport, roughly twenty minutes from Biloxi, and take visitors to a stretch of protected beach, historic Fort Massachusetts, and calm Gulf waters that are well suited for swimming and shelling. It is widely considered one of the more accessible natural escapes in the region.

History-minded travelers are drawn to Beauvoir, the last home of Confederate president Jefferson Davis, located just west of the city center. The preserved estate, museum, and surrounding grounds provide context on nineteenth-century Southern history and the personal life of Davis after the Civil War. The site also sits close to the beach, making it easy to combine with other coastal stops in a single day.

Back in town, the Biloxi beachfront stretches for miles and is the main artery connecting the city's casinos, hotels, and restaurants. The Beau Rivage, Hard Rock, and IP Casino resorts line the sand, alongside a growing number of locally owned seafood houses that have been serving oysters, shrimp, and crab for generations. A walk down Highway 90, often called the Beach Boulevard, ties these venues together and gives visitors a clear sense of how Biloxi's identity blends gaming, dining, and Gulf-side scenery.

For short-term-rental owners, Biloxi offers an appealing combination of year-round mild weather, a steady mix of regional road-trippers, casino visitors, and beach-goers, and quick access to both New Orleans and Mobile. Its compact layout, walkable beachfront, and proximity to Ship Island and other coastal attractions make it a flexible base for guests looking to explore the Mississippi Gulf Coast.