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Biloxi, a city in Harrison County is a premier travel destination located on the Gulf Coast in Mississippi. Recognized far and wide for its seafood and maritime history, Biloxi abounds with awesome tourist attractions, scenic beaches, world-class resorts, abundant eateries and numerous museums. There are many attractions in or near Biloxi that are family-friendly. A notable item about Biloxi is that it is home to Keesler Air Force Base, one of the largest training centers in the Air Force. Keesler'a training focus is on high technology with a primary emphasis in electronic specialties. Currently, Keesler training center includes training for the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corp, Coast Guard, and other military and civilian federal agency personnel. Keesler is home to the 403rd Wing, which is known as the Hurricane Hunters. Let's dive into this post by looking at 18 Family-Friendly Things to do in or near Biloxi, Mississippi. biloxi 1. Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum Go by and check out the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum at 115 East 1st Street in Biloxi. The museum, one of Biloxi’s cultural tourist attractions, is a must-see adventure that offers maritime history as it pertains to Biloxi and the surrounding Gulf Coast. The museum’s many exhibits include replications of 65-foot schooners, artifacts, photographs, an art gallery, and more about the history and life of those who live, work and travel by sea. The local fishing industry in Biloxi is illustrated through the museum’s interpretive exhibits showcasing shrimping, oystering and recreational fishing. The museum highlights wetlands, along with interests specifically geared toward marine life including resources, blacksmithing, net making, and machinery. They have a Heritage Hall of Fame that showcases those who have made substantial contributions to Biloxi's local maritime and seafood industry. 2. Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, located at 386 Beach Blvd in Biloxi houses the ceramic artwork of the “mad potter of Biloxi,” artist George E. Ohr. Ohr’s art pieces on display include his pottery, clay, rock, and ceramic works. Many of his photographs and artifacts are also shown. The museum provides artistic exhibits of other local artists of the Gulf Coast. Browse inside the museum’s gift shop, and take home a reminder of your visit. Their offerings include posters, artwork by local artists, books, and much more. Grab some lunch at the Trinity Café by Joshua that is located inside the Ohr- O’Keefe Museum of Art’s Welcome Center. 3. Biloxi Bay Bridge Mosaic Mural biloxi bay bridge mosaic biloxi bay bridge mosaic seagull biloxi bay bridge mosaic front view biloxi bay bridge mosaic fish biloxi bay bridge mosaic boats biloxi bay bridge mosaic beach Located on the east end and foot of the Biloxi Bay Bridge on Highway 90, is the Bridge Mosaic Mural. This mosiac mural is the longest mosaic in Mississippi at some 120 feet long. This magnificent piece of artwork is composed of 4 large mosaic panels, with its artwork illustrating the natural charm and beauty of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The mosiac was designed by Elizabeth Veglia, with artistic contributions by 4 local artists. 4. Walter Anderson Museum of Art walter anderson museum sign and building walter anderson museum front sideview walter anderson museum front glass door entrance walter anderson museum outside artwork walter anderson museum outside art walter anderson coastal learning garden Travel over the Biloxi Bridge minutes away from Biloxi to Ocean Springs and visit the nationally accredited Walter Anderson Museum of Art! The day I went to the museum, it was closed for remodeling but I took some amazing photos of the building's front exterior including some exterior artwork. Walter Anderson lived from 1903 to 1965 and is one of Mississippi’s most admired artists. The museum, founded in 1971, celebrates his works as well as those of his two artistic brothers, Peter and James McConnell Anderson. Peter Anderson, founded Shearwater Pottery in 1928 and James McConnell Anderson was a painter and ceramist. Some of James’s murals are in downtown Ocean Springs. The Walter Anderson Museum of Art includes Walter’s drawings, murals, paintings, writings, and much more. The museum is located at 510 Washington Avenue in Ocean Springs. 5. Shearwater Pottery Don’t leave Ocean Springs until you make Shearwater Pottery your next adventure! Peter Anderson, Walter’s brother, founded Shearwater Pottery in 1928 with the assistance of their parents. Peter’s Shearwater Pottery is a world-renowned company known for its amazing ceramic art. Its pottery is shipped across the world. I enjoyed talking with Peter's grandaughter who gave us a background of the family business. It is not hard to see why Shearwater Pottery is so widely recognized! Peter Anderson died in 1984, but the work at Shearwater Pottery continues on to this day. Peter’s descendants still turn out amazing pottery one piece at a time. Check out their beautiful work! 6. Go to a Shuckers Baseball Game Batter up! Everyone likes a baseball game, Right?! Go to a baseball game! Watch the “Shuckers,” Biloxi’s AA Minor League Baseball Team play when at home at MGM Park at 105 Caillavet Street in Biloxi. MGM Park, has an amazing facility with a seating capacity of nearly 7,000 fans and a approximate 1,500-square foot scoreboard! How neat is that! The massive scoreboard can accommodate any fan in the park to keep up with the game and its action! A renaming of MGM Park might be in the works soon as MGM is giving the naming rights back to the city of Biloxi. 7. Big Play Entertainment Center Big Play Entertainment Center bowling and more Big Play Entertainment Center sign Big Play Entertainment Center Big Play Entertainment Center raceway Big Play Entertainment Center lazer tag Big Play Entertainment Center hurricane coaster and bumper cars Located at 1842 Beach Blvd in Biloxi, the Big Play Entertainment Center is an outdoor and indoor entertainment amusement center for the whole family to have fun. One of the center’s biggest draws is its huge 12-lane bowling alley! An indoor arcade features dozens of new and older retro games with opportunities to win cool prizes. Other indoor attractions include laser tag, a laser maze, and more. The center’s outdoor attractions include the Big Play Raceway, bumper cars, an 18-hole mini-golf, mining sleuth and the Biloxi Beach Hurricane roller coaster. After you’ve worked up an appetite, the center’s full restaurant serves up burgers, pizza, appetizers, and more. 8. Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum Experience Mardi Gras at the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum at 792-A Howard Avenue in Biloxi. This museum focuses on Biloxi’s history of Mardi Gras and the contributions of those who were instrumental participants of the local Mardi Gras celebrations. The museum has artifacts and a large arrangement of past costumes worn throughout the Mardi Gras celebrations in Biloxi up to the current time. Artifacts also include photographs, and local memorabilia. The museum has a nice small gift shop. The museum has a small theatre that shows a documentary on the history of Biloxi’s Mardi Gras. 9. Enjoy a Wide Variety of Eateries Biloxi and its municipal neighbors abounds with some of the best restaurants on the gulf coast serving delicious cuisines including seafood and barbeque. While there are many awesome restaurants to choose from, here are 3 that serves up awesome food without breaking your trip’s budget. Kingjaks Barbeque kingjaks barbeque kingjaks interior football flags kingjaks inside deck kingjaks deck outside gulfview kingjaks deck kingjaks gulfview Noted for its southern barbeque stop by and try Kingjaks Barbeque. With its wide variety of food selections, from barbeque to seafood to chicken tenders to tacos to sandwiches, they have a mouthwatering cuisine to fill up any hungry belly! kingjaks menu I ordered the pulled pork plate and it was outstanding! It was some of the best barbeque I've eaten and Kingjaks gives a large portion, so much that I had to ask for a carryout container. my kingjak pulled pork plate Try them out at 1785 Beach Boulevard on Restaurant Row! Reach out online for current hours and their menu. You’ll be glad you did! Hardrock Café The Hardrock Café, known for its rock’n roll atmosphere is a fun place to sit down, relax and enjoy delicious meals. Located next to Biloxi Small Craft Harbor and in the Hardrock Hotel at 777 Beach Blvd, they have a wide variety of food options including a wide selection of Hardrock’s famous classic juicy burgers, salads, baby back ribs, steaks, fajitas, and chicken. The walls are lined up with rock’n roll memorabilia and there is a gift shop that is a must see while you are there. The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint the shed entrance the shed front entrance the shed front outside the shed south side view the shed dining area the shed drive entrance Referred to as “The Shed” this family owned and operated restaurant is noted for its mouthwatering good ole southern barbeque. They have been featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” Not your typical brick and mortar structure, “The Shed” lives up to its name being made from reclaimed tin roofing, rusted signs and just about anything else that can be reclaimed to use. The inside walls are covered with vintage license plates and memorabilia giving a creative fun atmosphere to enjoy delicious food with a fun atmosphere listening to blues music. Located in Ocean Springs off the beaten path at 7501 Highway 57, reach out to them online. They are open 7 days a week from 10 am to 9 pm. Dial them up at 228-875-9590. 10. Stay at some of Biloxi’s Best Resorts Biloxi has a wide variety of resorts with many amenities. Here are 2 for your consideration when visiting Biloxi. Beau Rivage Beau Rivage Resort Beau Rivage, located at 875 Beach Blvd is an upscale premier waterfront resort that features many amenities including pools, spa, golf course, fitness center, arcade, shopping, and 8 restaurants for its guests. Beautiful views of the Mississippi gulf coast and downtown Biloxi can be viewed from its commodious rooms. Hard Rock Hotel Hard Rock The Hard Rock Hotel at 777 Beach Blvd is a music-themed resort which offers super amenities including a pool, spa, entertainment, 11 eateries with a variety of menu options, and amazing sightseeing opportunities. 11. Go on a Biloxi Shrimping Trip Biloxi Shrimping Trip Take a 70-minute Living Marine Adventure Cruise into the Mississippi Sound and experience a shrimping expedition. For rates and times reach out to them online. 12. Biloxi Beach biloxi beach Soak up some sun, relax to the calming sound of the incoming waves, enjoy water sport activities, swim, watch seabirds, build sandcastles and more at Biloxi Beach! Enjoy a relaxing day and fun day at the beach. 13. Biloxi Lighthouse Biloxi Lighthouse Biloxi Lighthouse Pier Parking The Biloxi Lighthouse located at 1050 Beach Blvd, is a historic 64-ft. cast-iron lighthouse, built in 1848 with funds allocated by the U. S. Congress. The Biloxi Lighthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places and is an official Mississippi Landmark. The lighthouse is situated in the center median of U.S. 90 aka Beach Blvd. The Biloxi Lighthouse is the only lighthouse in the median of a United States highway. There is no way to miss it! 14. Statue of Apollo 13 Astronaut Fred Haise astronaut marker astronaut fred haise statute Astronaut Fred Haise, a native of Biloxi is one of 24 people in the United States who has flown to the moon and the first Mississippian in space. He was the Pilot for the Lunar Module on Apollo 13 on April 11, 1970. The 8-foot statue of Fred Haise and its rocket base was commissioned by the City of Biloxi to celebrate the accomplishment of Astronaut Haise. The statute is in the parking area of the Biloxi Lighthouse and the Biloxi Visitors Center at 1050 Beach Blvd. The Apollo 13 launched on April 11, 1970, but an oxygen tank exploded causing severe damage to the spacecraft as it was enroute to the moon, and threatened the lives of the 3 astronauts on board. The 3 astronauts were commander Jim Lovell, Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise and Command Module pilot Jack Swigert. The mission failed to reach the moon, but the astronauts worked with NASA engineers to return to earth safely without any loss of life. In 1995 Ron Howard directed the film Apollo 13 with actors Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris and others. The phrase “Houston, we have a problem” was coined from this occurrence of the Apollo 13 when Command Module pilot Jack Swigert and Commander Jim Lovell informed NASA of the phrase “Houston, we’ve had a problem here” and then “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” 15. Beauvoir and the Jefferson Davis Presidential Library Museum jefferson davis presidential library and museum building jefferson davis statute presidential library Visit Beauvoir, a National Historic Landmark, and the Jefferson Davis Presidential Library Museum located at 2244 Beach Boulevard in Biloxi. Davis was the only president of the Confederate States of America, which existed for 4 years from 1861 to 1865 during the United States Civil War. Beauvoir front view Beauvoir, built in 1852 served as Jefferson Davis post-war home. Beauvoir is a French word for “Beautiful View.” Beauvoir was the home for Jefferson Davis for the last 12 years of his life, from 1877 to 1889. Beauvoir side view beauvior back view jefferson davis personal office and library at beauvior The large estate includes Davis’ personal office and library on the grounds, statues, pavilions, rose flower garden, Tomb of the Unknown Confederate Soldier, and the Confederate Memorial Cemetery, where 780 veterans, wives, widows, and some of Jefferson Davis’ family are interned. His pet dog “Traveler” also is buried there. Beauvoir Confederate Memorial Cemetery Beauvoir's Confederate Memorial Cemetery unknown soldier Traveler Marker The Presidential Library and Museum has artifacts from the Civil War and a very nice gift shop. jefferson davis museum artifacts and wagon jefferson davis presidential library 16. Biloxi West Beach Boardwalk biloxi west beach boardwalk The Biloxi West Beach Boardwalk is a awesome setting to enjoy the scenic views of the Gulf Coast. The handicap accessible ½ mile boardwalk provides a relaxing walk with spectacular views of the Misissippi gulf. https://youtu.be/L2N5ObjFEgI?feature=shared 17. Biloxi National Cemetery biloxi national cemetery with oak trees biloxi national cemetery oak trees and bench Pay your respects at the Biloxi National Cemetery. The Biloxi National Cemetery is located on the grounds of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. It was a solemn reflection to see the miles and miles of grave markers of those who served. Ample parking is available along with benches to sit on. The cemetery, established in 1934, was limited for veterans who died at the adjoining Biloxi VA medical center up to 1973. With the passing of the 1973 National Cemetery Act, interment included all honorably discharged veterans along with their dependents and for active duty personnel and their dependents, regardless of residence and the cemetery became the Biloxi National Cemetery. 18. Mississippi Aquarium Located at 2100 East Beach Boulevard in Gulfport, MS, the Mississippi Aquarium is approximately 12 miles from Biloxi. The Mississippi Aquarium is a must-see when in Biloxi! With its 12 fresh water and salt water habitats, the Aquarium has over 200 species of aquatic animals including bottlenose dolphins, North American river otters, sharks, stingrays and more! Mississippi aquarium north American river otter head out of water penguin encounter mississippi aquarium Aviary colors of fish stingrays school of fish mississippi aquarium oceans habitat tunnel mississippi aquarium oceans habitat Zebra Shark mississippi aquarium Swirl Habitat False Pilchard mississippi aquarium oceans habitat mississippi aquarium Swirl Habitat fish and reef mississippi aquarium oceans habitat Sheepshead mississippi aquarium north american river otter There You Have it! Biloxi, and its neighboring cities are filled up to the brim with family-friendly attractions and things to do! So pack a bag and have fun as you enjoy these attractions! Most of all be safe!