Ah, Mississippi. I have to admit, you were one of those states that I wasn’t sure how I was going to visit. I never knew much about you besides Jackson, and even then I knew practically nothing about that city. But lo and behold, I discovered the beach towns of the Gulf Coast and found it to be the perfect place to cross off state #29.

I grew up taking family vacations in Gulf Shores, AL and Destin, FL, which are also on the Gulf Coast. It felt very nostalgic when visiting Biloxi, as they are all pretty similar. While staying in New Orleans, this charming beach town was only a 1 1/2 drive, so it made for an easy day trip! The best thing about Biloxi is that it can be a week-long vacation or just a one day deal, depending on what you want to do there. So, with that being said, here’s my guide on the perfect 24 hour trip to Biloxi!

Take the Scenic Route….Trust Me!

This can depend on where you’re coming from to get to Biloxi, but if you are coming East or West-bound, it is well worth the few extra minutes to take Highway 90, which follows the shoreline…. it’s absolutely stunning! And not only will you see the ocean, but the mansions lined across the other side of the road!

Visit the Mississippi Aquarium

Okay, I’m cheating just a little bit here since this aquarium is in Gulfport, but it’s only a 30 minute drive away! It’s fairly new and is located right across from the ocean. What I love that’s different about it is that one half of the exhibits are inside, while the other half are all outside. I mean, it’s pretty neat to get to see some sea creatures while you can see the actual ocean right behind them! Plus, they have dolphins!! I had never seen any at an aquarium before, but it was a really neat experience.

Sip Some Cocktails and Enjoy Lunch by the Beach at Shaggy’s

Is it just me, or is having an ocean view practically mandatory while eating out at the beach?? Or, at least I try. I wasn’t sure where all the hot spots were in Biloxi, but after doing a little research, Shaggy’s seemed to be the place to go if you’re looking for a restaurant right on the sand. It’s got that tropical vibe that most beach joints do, and if you’re lucky like we happened to be, you can get a table with the perfect view of the water! They’ve got all kinds of different things on their menu, as well as a substantial list of frozen cocktails!

Take a Walk on Biloxi Beach

I’m not sure if it’s because we visited in October, but Biloxi Beach is much more quiet than other Gulf beaches I’ve been to. It’s a bit unique, having pipes that drain storm water into the Mississippi sound popping out of the water. But I’ll take quiet over crowded any day!! While on your walk, you’ll pass by many shops, restaurants and hotels, so there’s plenty to explore.

Place a Bet at One of Biloxi’s Beachside Casinos

I’ll admit, I do not typically care to go to casinos while traveling. Biloxi is known for having many big, fancy ones so I felt that it was necessary to at least check one out! A couple noteworthy ones would be the Beau Rivage, which is a sister to the Bellagio in Las Vegas, and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which is where we went. It was pretty fun to make a few extra bucks to pay for our cocktails!

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at Sugar Factory

Sugar Factory is a chain that can be found in big cities and hot tourist spots, but don’t let that stop you from indulging in some sweet treats here! Located in the Hard Rock Casino, you can order all kinds of fancy cocktails, which are mixed and matched with different candies and flavors. They also have some interesting food items on the menu, too!

After a day of doing all of the above activities, we felt pretty successful in getting to know Biloxi in such a short period of time. Whether you’re doing the 50 state challenge and are unsure how to cross off Mississippi, or just happen to be near the Gulf Coast, Biloxi is worth the stop in!