Unveiling The South’s Most Underrated Beach Destination This Winter
The South has risen again; at least one particular state that boasts some truly underrated beach destinations.
Mississippi is not only hard to spell but equally hard to put one finger on just what makes it enticing to visit if you’ve never been before.
Next door, you have Louisiana, where you instantly think of New Orleans’ cultural delights. On the other side, you have Alabama, where Gulf Shores is the next best thing to Florida’s packed beaches.
But what about Mississippi?
Well, according to a new report from a local publication, the Sun Herald, Mississippi should be known for an array of attractions, but perhaps no more than the scenic coastal getaway of Biloxi.
Receiving new hype and accolades for top spas, breezy restaurant patios, fun-filled casinos, and so much more, it’s time to venture down to the ‘Magnolia State’ for an affordable beach vacation with some unexpected treats.
Mississippi’s Sliver Of White Sand Paradise
First and foremost, a geography lesson. Biloxi is located on the Gulf, a popular fishing spot but not so popular for snorkeling.
It’s best not to have false hope, expecting glistening crystalline waters that flash on your screensaver. This isn’t Cancun.
That being said, Biloxi draws rave reviews from vacationers who enjoy having a mix of quiet downtime and lively nights out.
Both are on the table in Biloxi. You can spend blissful days along sunny white sand beaches and come alive at night, hoping to yell, “Jackpot!”.
While Biloxi is more reminiscent of the South’s version of Atlantic City, you’ll likely spend more time on the beach here as winter weather is mild (consistently in the 60’s).
Despite not having the clearest of waters, Biloxi Beach holds an impressive 4.5 star Google rating, where one recent visitor said, “This beach was clean, quiet and very beautiful. We sat in our beach chairs for about 4 hours and loved it!”.
Biloxi is the most notable name along Mississippi’s coast, but Gulfport has been on the up and up too, with Breeze Airways making use of the city’s little-used airport, which is the most convenient entry point to Biloxi rather than flying into New Orleans.
Great Food And High-End Hotels
Biloxi is relatively small. Home to only less than 50,000 people, it’s reasonable to say a huge fraction of that number are seasonal residents and likely influenced to move here from a prior vacation.
Biloxi is a really fun place to visit for all ages, but certain areas are restricted to the 21+ crowd.
Ironically, Margaritaville Resort may be the best option for family vacations as it obviously pleases the aforementioned 21+ crowd, plus a surprising element to keep the kiddos happy.
Here you’ll find two of Biloxi’s top attractions, Escape and Paradise Pier Fun Park, both amusement parks full of thrills, yet the latter is outdoors overlooking the Gulf from the always buzzing pier and even better views from the Ferris wheel.
People come to Biloxi to have a good time in a variety of ways, but most of them are centered around the city’s high-end hotels and casinos.
According to TripAdvisor, these are the top 5 hotels in Biloxi this winter: (based on value)
- Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
- Hotel Legends
- Palaca Casino Resort
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi
- Margaritaville Resort Biloxi
Of course, a visit to the coast without indulging in seafood is a wasted opportunity, especially in a former ‘seafood capital’.
Ask a local where to eat, and chances are you’ll be told to go to Shaggy’s, a beachside eatery that whips up seafood classics and holds a high 4.8 Google rating.
Biloxi’s Latest Accolades
Circling back to the Sun Herald, they published Biloxi’s latest accolades showcasing why this underrated beach city is seeing a spike in tourism.
The Spa at Beau Rivage was recently recognized as one of the best in the U.S. and the best in Mississippi.
Given the nice year-round weather, Biloxi has also been recognized as one of the best destinations to eat outdoors.
With white sand beaches and upscale resorts being the main appeal, USA Today backs the claim by giving Beau Rivage Resort & Casino a top 5 spot for America’s best casino hotels.
Lastly, Mississippi’s coast as a whole has been lauded for its affordability and one of the most attractive places to live, so who wouldn’t want to vacation here?
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.