Mississippi's Gulf Coast: miles of sand, glitzy casinos, and a touch of the Old South make the state's booming shoreline an odds-on favorite

Travel America, July-August, 2003 by Jackie Sheckler Finch

MOONLIGHT CASTS A SILVERY glow on the sandy beach, adding shimmer to a small pink-hued shell, a gift from the sea. Stooping for a moment, a solitary stroller slips the shell into his pocket, a memento to be enjoyed long after this day is gone.

Many people come to the Mississippi Gulf Coast searching for treasure. Some are drawn by the lure of easy riches at the Vegas-style casinos. For others, it is the promise of times past, a chance to walk in historic footsteps. Some come seeking shopping thrills in this paradise of unique boutiques and artistic creations. Still others heed the siren call of the sea and the marvelous natural wonders that provide a huge array of outdoor recreation. Whatever the reason, many who once follow the path to the Mississippi Gulf Coast are sure to come back again and again for the gems that can be found in this enchanting haven.

Stretching 26 miles from east to west, the Mississippi Gulf Coast offers something for everyone--12 casino resorts, 22 golf courses, 237 restaurants, and 42 cultural attractions. With clear blue water, pristine beaches, and a mild winter climate, the Mississippi Gulf Coast combines the charm of the Old South with modern-day excitement and entertainment.

Since dockside gaming was legalized in 1992, casino resorts have sprung up like neon flowers. Slot machines and baccarat and blackjack tables resound with the joyful whoops of jackpot winners. Top-name entertainment never stops in glitzy nightclubs, comedy clubs, and lounges.

A scrumptious feast of gourmet foods awaits, ranging from down-home Southern classics to caught-fresh-this-morning seafood. Nibble from a barge-sized buffet of boiled shrimp, crab, crawfish, shucked oysters, and steamed crab legs at the Grand Casino Biloxi or try Uncle Floyd's world-famous barbecue at the Copa Casino. The Take Maku at Biloxi's Beau Rivage Resort Casino delights all the senses with a flamboyant preparation of Japanese specialties.

Watch the sunset over the gulf from a luxurious balcony mom or beachfront suite. At the President Casino Broadwater Resort, more than 500 hotel room are set among ancient live oak trees overlooking beautiful Biloxi beaches. The Treasure Bay Resort is rich in a shipload of amenities and a fun-filled pirate theme for an unforgettable fantasy stay. Or lake a Caribbean getaway at the Isle of Capri Biloxi with its indoor waterfalls, fountains, and palm trees. Area bed and breakfasts invite guests to mosey into the kitchen for a fresh-baked blueberry muffin and cup of specialty coffee before a pre-breakfast walk on the beach. A gracious inn with a palm growing out of its front stairs, the Father Ryan House in Biloxi has whirlpool baths and delicious breakfasts, along with a great view of the gulf.

With one of the world's best fishing holes its a playground, the Mississippi Gulf Coast invites visitors to join the tradition of local fishermen and hit the waters in search of a whopper--or a fish story--of their own. Charter' vessels offer some of the greatest saltwater sport fishing found anywhere in the world. Don't be surprised to see playful bottle-nosed dolphins fop lowing along. Scuba and snorkeling also are favorite water adventures and the white sand beach beckons for lounging, swimming, hunting seashells, and building sandcastles.

History and culture buffs will enjoy the many museums and galleries that dot the coast. Foremost among these is Beauvoir, the final home of Jefferson Davis, the only president of the Confederate States of America. Carefully maintained to appear as it did when Davis retired here, the 1853 Biloxi home offers a moving presentation of his story and final years, along with Davis' death mask and fascinating library of memorabilia.

Consider taking the Biloxi Walking Tour to visit the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art, where more than 250 works of George E. Ohr, the "Mad Potter of Biloxi" are on view. (A new Ohr-O'Keefe museum complex designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, now under construction, opens in 2005.) Save time for the Mardi Gras Museum, housed in the pre-Civil War Magnolia Hotel, with its breathtaking gowns and props used during annual Mardi Gras festivities.

Not long ago, Biloxi was known as the Seafood Capital of the World. Families can learn about this heritage in such attractions as the Seafood Industry Museum at Point Cadet, which details the hurricanes that have battered the coast and the stories of sailors who braved the waters to fish with their small boats. The 1848 Biloxi Lighthouse sits right in the middle of Highway 90 in town and has an interesting history of female lighthouse keepers. Also in Biloxi, visitors can view marine life at the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center and take the Biloxi Shrimping Tour, a 70-minute excursion featuring all sorts of catches brought in during an actual shrimping expedition. Bustling Gulfport is home to the Marine Life Oceanarium along with a fascinating 25-minute train tour that shows off Gulfport and the banana terminals where most of North America's bananas arrive.