GIRLFRIEND GETAWAY: BILOXI BOUND

By Jeanni Ritchie

Welcome to the launch of my new series, Girlfriend Getaways. These trips are all about fun, food, and friendship — the kind of adventures that create stories we’ll retell for years. First stop? Biloxi, Mississippi.

Why Biloxi?

My Biloxi getaway was built around a Christian concert — Matthew West, TobyMac, and MercyMe were all performing at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The timing was perfect: just a day after my first-ever cruise docked in New Orleans, Biloxi was only 79 miles away. I pitched the story, grabbed my “girlfriends,” and hit the road.

This time, my girlfriends were my sister, Sherri, and my 22-year-old niece, Emma. Emma and I headed to the concert while Sherri thankfully served as our Uber driver. It took an hour to go ten miles that night, with 11,000 people pouring in from all over to see the show.

The rest of the weekend was a mix of lazy pool days at Margaritaville and beach-town exploring.

Food That Fuels the Fun

No girlfriend getaway is complete without good food, and Biloxi delivered:

Margaritaville Café: We ate most of our meals here — casual, easygoing, and poolside convenient.

The Reef: A local favorite where we kicked off our trip with shrimp baskets and Gulf breezes.

Shaggy’s: The quintessential Biloxi dining experience. Colorful décor, Gulf views, and heaping platters.

Waffle House: Yes, it counts! After the concert, when everywhere else was closed, Waffle House welcomed us with a pecan waffle and a smile. Honestly, no Mississippi coast trip is complete without spotting at least three Waffle Houses on every corner.

Sun, Sand, and Sea Views

Our balcony overlooked the Gulf, giving us front-row seats to endless waves and postcard sunsets. While we didn’t spend much time on the sand itself, the beach was always close — lined with Life’s a Beach jet ski rentals and beach chairs. For us, though, the pool perch at Margaritaville became the main hangout.

Fun Beyond the Beach

Paradise Pier: On our last night, we braved the rides. My sister and Emma went full throttle, while I stuck with my comfort-zone favorites — the Ferris wheel and carousel. But I did try the 100-foot-high Aerobar, which slowly rotates in the air for ten long minutes. My sister tried to assure me that if I died she’d publish my story — until I reminded her if I died on the ride, she’d die too. Everyone on the platform cracked up and joined in her good-natured ribbing!

Escape Arcade: We played two different nights, cashing in tickets from games like Deal or No Deal (where I picked the case with the highest jackpot — thank you very much!), skee-ball, piano keys, and Emma even tackled the rock wall. We capped it off with MaxFlight, a full-motion, high-intensity 4-D roller coaster simulator, with Sherri laughing and me screaming like we were kids again.

Mississippi Aquarium: A highlight was catching their limited-run Mermaid Show — pure magic and the perfect tie-in to Biloxi’s coastal vibe. We also got hands-on at the stingray touch pool and even watched a sloth feeding, which was just as quirky and delightful as it sounds.

Souvenir Shops: We browsed Sharkheads, where my girlfriends stocked up on cozy sweatshirts for the rare three days of “cold” weather back home. At Souvenir City, I joined the fun, picking up shirts, a few trinkets, and even a sweet gift for my mom.

Beau Rivage: From there we swung by the Beau Rivage, where I’ll be spending Christmas this year writing about their holiday offerings (A Christmas Story production and Brunch with Santa) as well as everyday attractions (MGM sports simulator, award-winning restaurants, and shopping). I loved showing Sherri and Emma around the luxury resort I’m swapping family Christmas chaos for this year!

The Attractions Pass Advantage

We also sampled the Coastal Mississippi Attractions Pass, which bundles admission to several popular spots and can be purchased for one, two, or three days. It’s a money-saver and lets you customize your trip. Options include:

Biloxi Lighthouse: A historic coastal icon that’s stood strong since 1848.

Beauvoir, Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library: Step back into Civil War history at the former home of the Confederate president.

Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum: A colorful look at costumes, floats, and the pageantry of Carnival season.

INFINITY Science Center (NASA Stennis Visitor Center): Hands-on exhibits and space exploration history.

Lynn Meadows Discovery Center: A children’s museum with interactive exhibits.

Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum: Dive into the rich history of the Gulf’s seafood culture.

Mississippi Aviation Heritage Museum: Showcasing Mississippi’s contributions to aviation.

Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art: Dedicated to the works of George Ohr, the “Mad Potter of Biloxi.”

Pascagoula River Audubon Center: Trails, birding, and educational exhibits in a beautiful setting.

TrainTastic Model Railroad Museum: Massive model train layouts and interactive displays.

Walter Anderson Museum of Art: Celebrating the life and works of artist Walter Anderson.

Whether you’re into science, history, art, or hands-on fun, the pass offers something for every group and saves a ton of admission fees!

Bottom Line: One and Done? Or Repeat Vacationer?

Biloxi is a city that shines year-round — whether you’re planning family getaway in summer, solo trip in the spring, or a full-on girlfriend escape in the fall. Even winters are gorgeous on the beach! Since this trip came right after our cruise, and because we were exhausted upon arrival, we leaned more toward pool time than city sightseeing. But if you’re the exploring type — as I normally am — the Attractions Pass is worth every penny. Cultural immersion is one of my favorite parts of each travel adventure.

And just for the record: I even spotted Santa on the beach in September, and if it had been up to me, I would’ve stopped for a picture!

For us, this trip was exactly what we needed — sunshine, laughter, and memories stitched together with good food and coastal charm. A girlfriend getaway to Biloxi? Who knew it would end up becoming one of my favorite vacation spots?!