Biloxi Lighthouse is a lighthouse recommended for millions of tourists in Biloxi, Mississippi. It is a historic landmark, which is famous for its rich history, resilience, culture, and symbolism. This popular destination is ideal for adults, older adults, and children. Some are traveling through rental charter bus in MS, whereas some of them opt for other private vehicles for a particular journey. You can enjoy your traveling journey at Biloxi Lighthouse in spring, summer, fall, and winter seasons.
The opening hours for group travelers to visit Biloxi Lighthouse are from 9 AM to 10 AM. It is open for all seven days of the week. The lighthouse features limited amenities in Biloxi. Some facilities, like gift shops, cafes, and public restrooms, are not available in this historical destination. The events held in Biloxi Lighthouse are kid-friendly activities, pet-friendly events, workshops, educational programs, etc. This popular place is ideal for family reunions, school field trips, corporate events, and educational tours.
The charter buses and other vehicles should be parked at the nearby casino & parking lots, Biloxi Transit Center, Lighthouse Park Parking lot, and Beach-Blvd Pull-offs. The nearby casino & parking lots may charge parking fees, whereas others are free for visitors and bus drivers. You can also park your vehicles at the Lighthouse Pier Parking Lot and the Biloxi Visitors Center Parking Lot.
The entry is free for children aged 5 years or below at Biloxi Lighthouse. It is suggested for adults and children above 6 years of age. The admission fee for adults is 5 dollars, and for children it is 2 dollars. If you are traveling with your children aged 6 years or above, then you should pay the admission fees before entering the Biloxi Lighthouse.
Now, in this blog, we will discuss the brief history of Biloxi Lighthouse with its nearby attractions and activities.
History of Biloxi Lighthouse
Biloxi Lighthouse is a historic site that was established in 1848. It was manufactured by James Murray and Henry R. Hazlehurst, who worked as mechanical engineers in the fabrication company in Baltimore, Maryland. This historical destination is recommended as one of the first lighthouses in the southern United States. It was erected along the Gulf of Mexico.
The Biloxi Lighthouse was constructed of cast iron and maintained by a female lighthouse keeper named Maria Younghans. She worked as the official head at Biloxi Lighthouse after the death of her husband, Perry Younghans. Her husband works as the official keeper for only a short period.
Maria Younghans worked for more than 50 years at Biloxi Lighthouse. She retires from the post on 31st December 1918. After her retirement, her daughter named Miranda Younghans, took the responsibility to maintain the Biloxi Lighthouse.
Hurricane Camille and Hurricane Katrina are some natural disasters that occurred near the Biloxi Lighthouse. These storms were recommended as the most devastating hurricanes in the history of the United States. Hurricane Camille occurred in 1969, whereas Hurricane Katrina occurred in 2005. These natural disasters create a negative impact on Biloxi Lighthouse. The number of deaths in Hurricane Katrina is higher compared to Hurricane Camille.
Attractions & Activities You Can Enjoy Near the Biloxi Lighthouse
The attractions and activities you can enjoy at the lighthouse are as follows:
1. Enjoy Water Sports Activities at Biloxi Beach
The Biloxi beach is a beautiful scenic spot suggested for water sports activities. It is a family-friendly destination, which is situated 0.2 km (0.12 miles) from the Biloxi Lighthouse. This spot is ideal for kayaking and boat tours. You can also enjoy other water sports activities like fishing, dolphin cruises, jet skiing, etc.
The beach is open for all 24 hours and seven days a week. You can travel with your friends or family members in the spring and summer seasons. The designated parking areas situated near the Biloxi beach are casino & resort garages, lighthouse pier parking, etc. These parking areas are free for parking vehicles. There are no entry fees for group travelers at Biloxi Beach. You can enjoy your traveling journey without paying the admission fees.
2. Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art
Ohr-O’ Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art is an art museum situated 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) from the Biloxi Lighthouse. It is a vibrant cultural and artistic destination, which was created in memory of George E. Ohr (American ceramic artist). This museum was designed by a renowned Canadian and American artist named Frank Gehry. It was officially established in 2010. The Ohr-O’ Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art is equipped with administrative offices, outdoor spaces, family restrooms, and others. It hosts a variety of events and activities, which makes it more interesting for tourists. The activities can include summer camps, workshops & classes, exhibition program, etc.
This artistic museum opens at 10 AM and closes at 5 PM for group travelers. They can visit the museum from Tuesday to Saturday. The Ohr-O’ Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art is closed on Sunday, Monday, and other federal holidays.
The charter buses and other private vehicles should be parked at the museum visitor parking area, the visitor parking lot, and the public parking area. These parking areas are free for parking vehicles. The museum allows free entry for children under 6 years of age. It is also free for North American Reciprocal Museums (NERM) and Southeastern Museum Conference (SERM) members. They must carry valid credentials before entering the art museum.
If you are 6 years old or above and entering with a school or college ID, then you should pay the admission fee of 5 dollars. The entry fees for adults and senior citizens are 10 dollars and 8 dollars, respectively.
3. Gulf Island National Seashore
The Gulf Island National Seashore is a protective barrier island for locals, tourists, and family members. It is an American National Seashore located 6.6 miles away from the Biloxi Lighthouse. This scenic spot is famous for its stunning beaches, wilderness beauty, diverse landscapes, and sunrise & sunset views. It is ideal for a variety of recreational activities. You can enjoy events like swimming, sunbathing, paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing, and camping at this beautiful spot.
The group travelers are suggested to visit between sunrise and sunset. They can travel in the spring and summer seasons. There is only one designated parking area available for charter buses and other vehicles near the Gulf Island National Seashore. You can park your vehicles at the visitor center parking lot without making a payment. The boat launch ramp parking is ideal for boaters and kayak users.
There are no entry fees for camping, boat ramping, fishing pier, and other recreational activities.
4. Hard Rock Hotel
The Hard Rock Hotel is a casino gaming resort, which is situated 0.8 miles (1.3 kilometers) from the Biloxi Lighthouse. It is a beachfront resort that features 479 rooms, rock shops, pet-friendly accommodations, etc. This gaming place was established in 1995. It is suggested for several table games, which include Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and so on.
The hotel is open 24 hours and 7 days a week. You can travel with your friends and enjoy table games at any time. The nearby designated parking areas suggested for parking vehicles are on-site garage parking, nearby street & public parking lots, and an RV-friendly parking area. These parking lots are free for visitors. The entry fees for resort and hotel rooms are expensive at the Hard Rock hotel in Biloxi. You can also pay admission charges for extra persons and pets. If the pet is not declared at check-in, then you should be penalized $250.
Conclusion
This blog describes the Biloxi Lighthouse with its brief history, attractions, and activities. It is a place that is recommended for cultural and historical events. Some popular attractions like Gulf Island National Seashore and Biloxi Beach are ideal for family reunions. You can hire charter buses and other private vehicles to travel to Biloxi Lighthouse and other nearby attractions in Biloxi, Mississippi.