At the very bottom edge of Mississippi is the beach town of Biloxi.
With a front-row seat to the Gulf Coast, the popular destination is known for beaches, seafood, and even casinos.
Not to mention, there’s quite a bit of history here.
Biloxi is also home to the most visited beach in the region.
In total, Biloxi Beach is a 26-mile strip with plenty to keep you entertained.
How about the children?
There’s actually a lot for kids to do in Biloxi, too!
So, grab your swim trucks and follow along with us as we talk about the best things to do with kids in Biloxi!
10 Things to Do in Biloxi With Kids
1. Escape Family Entertainment Center
It would be seemingly impossible to not have fun inside a 55,000-square-foot area.
However, you might be wondering why you’d be inside when there’s so much to do outside.
Well, there are always rainy days and times when you’d like dry fun for once.
So, what’s inside all of that space?
Rock climbing, an arcade, bowling, a ropes course, and virtual gaming are enough to keep the whole family busy all day.
If that sounds like a place your child would love, the center also hosts birthday parties.
No need to leave or stock up on food, you can eat in-house.
2. Infinity Science Center
If you have a budding scientist in your midst, Infinity Science Center is a great place to spend the day.
Every exhibit and activity is geared toward a different area of science in an effort to inspire the next generation.
Fun fact, Astronaut Fred Haise is from Biloxi and there is an exhibit dedicated to him at Infinity.
Coming to Biloxi is a great opportunity to check the events calendar.
Quite often, there is some sort of activity happening that might be perfect for your child.
Top the day off with a 3D immersive movie experience that will leave a lasting impression.
3. Gulf Islands Waterpark
Sure it might seem a bit odd to have a water park next to the ocean.
Just like having a hotel on the beach with a pool that is mere steps away from natural water.
However, you know what’s not fun to always experience?
Sand.
Gulf Islands Waterpark gets that and offers a sand-free but water-full day of adventure.
Within the 18-acre park, you’ll find water slides, a lazy river, the water activity pool, and even the Gulf Coast’s water coaster.
Just be sure to eat before you go because you aren’t allowed to bring food or drink into the park.
You can, however, purchase some from the café.
4. Lynn Meadows Discovery Center
Over a century ago, this place was a children’s museum.
After a few changes over the years, the old schoolhouse was transformed into Lynn Meadows Discovery Center.
Named after a college student who died tragically young, the center now provides 15,000 indoor square feet of interactive exhibits.
There are often themed days, such as Sensory Sunday, and a calendar full of activities to keep you coming back.
Classes available like Cooking are for both children and adults.
Want a great excuse to come back to Biloxi in the summer?
Lynn Meadows offers summer camp!
5. Biloxi Lighthouse
Before he became a traitor and led the confederacy during the Civil War, Jefferson Davis was a responsible representative of Mississippi.
One successful piece of legislation he pushed through was the creation of three lighthouses on the coast.
The year was 1847 and ships needed some light.
Actually, the lighthouse was ahead of its time as more women worked here than any other lighthouse in the US.
At 65 feet, visitors are allowed to not only tour the grounds but hike all the way to the top.
Don’t rush, the upward climb can be a bit much, but the views are definitely worth it.
6. Coastal Mardi Gras Museum
Many Americans associate Mardi Gras with New Orleans but Biloxi should not be left out.
If you’re a fan of the celebrations, Coastal Mardi Gras Museum would be a treat.
The building on Howard Avenue has some Mardi Gras history of its own to share.
This place takes you back through 300 years of celebrating.
Inside, you’ll find clothes that are from way back and now, photos, decorations, artifacts, and plenty of insider info on how Fat Tuesday is done in Biloxi.
7. Biloxi Beach
While you can’t fake being on the coast, you can make the beach more than it was.
At least that’s what the city government did in Biloxi.
Non-native sand was brought in to improve the area and make a proper beach out of it.
Not only did that improve the looks of things, it ushered in an era of growth thanks to tourism.
Biloxi Beach is open for swimming, water sports, fishing, and eating at any number of on-the-beach restaurants.
8. The Salvation Army – Kroc Center
This is a community center in select cities across the US.
The idea was started by Joan Kroc who donated $90 million to build the first location in California.
In her will, she left funding for future Kroc Centers.
Biloxi just so happened to be lucky enough for one.
The center serves as a gathering place for children to partake in sports, aquatics, camp, education, and even help out with senior citizens.
9. Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum
Are there any future conductors in the house or anyone you think might be interested in trains?
Kids not only get to learn about the history of a locomotive, but they also get to play with one.
Displays are both inside and outdoors.
Of course, you can also take a model train home with you.
10. Margaritaville Resort Biloxi
Who says you need to even leave the hotel when on vacation?
In Margaritaville, you are free to chill and take advantage of the resort.
After all, who needs to load up and head to the ocean when there’s a whole water park on campus?
If you do want some sun, step outside onto Paradise Pier for rides and a variety of food.
Biloxi Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Biloxi Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Biloxi?
It depends on what you’re trying to accomplish while there and how you feel about crowds.
If you’d like to get in some swimming, April through early June would be when the heat is not sweltering and the ocean feels just right.
It’s possible you’d run into some late spring breakers or early summer vacationers but not nearly as many as July through Labor Day.
That brings us to another good time frame, Labor Day through the beginning of October is probably the optimal time to get your last swim in for the season before a chill spreads.
Coming to enjoy the town?
The best rates are from November through March when the weather is cooler and fewer people are hanging around.
Swimming isn’t an option but going to the beach still is.
What is Biloxi known for?
There are a few fun things, aside from tourism, that stand out in Biloxi’s history.
For one, about a century ago, Biloxi was referred to as the Seafood Capital of the World.
Having over 20 miles of shoreline had to help with that achievement.
Not much has changed on that front, the seafood is most definitely the highlight of any visitor’s trip.
In fact, well over half the shrimp we eat in the US comes from Biloxi.
Another notable is Biloxi is home to the longest manmade beach in the world.
That was clearly a wise investment since the tourists have never stopped coming by.
Lastly, perhaps most importantly, the town is named after a Native American tribe who inhabited the area.
The name means “first people.”
What are the best restaurants in Biloxi?
Naturally, the most well-known and best-received restaurants in town are focused on seafood.
There are plenty of cheap and luxury restaurants that are chains and have delicious food.
We’re going to focus on places that you can only find here in Biloxi.
For starters, Shaggy’s Biloxi Beach.
This is a kid-friendly restaurant with patio ocean views so fresh you’d think you were in the sand.
Technically, there are a few of these but the only place they are located is along the Gulf.
Since we know kids can be super picky, the menu has plenty of pint-sized options that aren’t seafood.
Another great option, one with a more adult vibe, is The Reef.
It’s a bar and food place with a second floor for added beach views.
Lastly, Mary Mahoney’s Old French House is a high-end eatery that would be perfect for date night.
How safe is Biloxi?
Biloxi is a sad example of a place that is safer for tourists than locals.
The areas that are most likely to be frequented by visitors are way more heavily guarded than the rest of the town.
Don’t let that be a false sense of security, though.
It’s still smart to take precautions and not bring with you jewelry or large stacks of cash.
Biloxi has one of the highest crime rates not only in Mississippi but in all of the US.
Theft is 240% higher here than at the national average.
Local authorities have made efforts to ramp up security for the city, especially as it expands from tourism, but not enough has changed yet.
So, while you might get swept away by the views, you wouldn’t want to move here.
Came here last summer with the kids, and they had a blast, great pace to visit and the costs are very low for us as we come from San Diego – which was a big plus!