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We've said it once and we'll say it again until every inch of the map is covered – sometimes the best destinations are right here in our own backyard.
With enormous stretches of coastline in every direction but north, the U.S. is a phenomenal place to take a well-deserved beach vacation.
Yet, there are still regions relatively undiscovered by mainstream travelers. Take Alabama, for example. This southern state has long been a fun beach getaway, but it's just now gaining popularity.
As travelers pack the globe, it's only natural for lesser-known gems to make a name for themselves.
And now it may be Mississippi's time to shine. Right now, one of the cheapest beach vacations in the U.S. is the underrated beach city of Biloxi.
Why Biloxi?
With incredible beaches across the nation from California to Florida, it's fair to ask, “why Biloxi?”.
There are multiple reasons, but the first, and perhaps most important, is that it is dirt cheap right now.
Without having to sacrifice luxury, travelers willing to give this beach city of roughly 50,000 residents may be surprised by how much they enjoy this off-the-radar gem.
We're not here to tell you Biloxi rivals the Maldives or any tropical island; we're just saying it's a fun and blissful beach escape, even if it's just for the weekend.
Affordable Name-Brand Resorts And Casinos
Seeing as some of the most popular beach destinations right now are in Mexico, travelers to Mississippi's Gulf Coast don't need a passport and can put their travel budget worries to rest.
@sharondalikesit Family Resort in Mississippi. #Resorttravel #visitmississippi #thingstodoms #resortsforkids #gulfcoast #biloximississippi #magaritavillebiloxi ♬ Dance For Me – Angel Cintron
Vacationers don't have to stay in some off-brand floozy motel to enjoy a nice beach getaway here in southern Mississipi. Familiar luxury names are at your fingertips, and they don't break the bank.
Although, it's up to you how lucky you feel rolling the dice at the plethora of high-end casinos. Biloxi is certainly no Vegas, but perhaps taking on the moniker of ‘The Atlantic City of the South' might do it justice.
In actuality, their nickname is “The Playground of the South”, which it undoubtedly lives up to.
Some of the household names travelers are surely familiar with in Biloxi are:
- Margaritaville Resort Biloxi (under $130 nightly)
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi (under $120 nightly)
- Harrah's Gulf Coast (under $120 nightly)
- Golden Nugget Biloxi (under $100 nightly)
@gulfcoastfavorites Meet Hotel Legends in Biloxi! https://linktr.ee/gulfcoastfavorites #fyp #foryoupage #placestovisitinmississippi #mississippivacations #coastalmississippi ♬ I Think I Like When It Rains – WILLIS
These April rates are just the tip of the iceberg as there are many more familiar chains, as well as equally nice hotels but without the name-brand recognition, such as Hotel Legends.
One Of The Cheapest Beach Vacations This Spring
The best deal we found honestly seems to good to be true, but it's the real deal. Flights from all over the U.S., such as Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and more is under $300 round-trip, including a stay at the 4-star Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort.
Biloxi does have an international airport (GPT), but the best flight options arrive in nearby New Orleans (MSY) just over an hour away.
@micheleparker76 I think I’m going to start doing room tours when I travel for work so I don’t forget the opportunities I’ve been given. #scarletpearl #biloximississippi #worktravel ♬ original sound – Michele Parker
A small to sacrifice to pay when you're hardly paying anything at all for a fun vacation. The cheapest fares are various 3 to 4 days stays in April by searching on Kayak.
Mississippi Has An Island?!
Many resorts in Biloxi overlook the calm waters of the Gulf, but it's not typically Biloxi where tourists spend their beach days.
Partly because vacationers are having too much fun at the resorts and the city's new amusement park, Paradise Pier, located near top hotels.
@jsteele2012 Paradise Pier in Biloxi, MS‼️ #tiktokpartner #lifeontiktok #biloxi #gulfcoast #southernaccent #traveltiktok #beachfront #mississippi #margaritaville ♬ rain on me pesotalk – pesotalk
The Mississippi Gulf stretches for miles and miles, so it's not challenging to find your perfect beach. What is challenging is continuously spelling “Mississippi” without a typo.
More popular for sun-soaked sandy days is the neighboring beach city of Gulfport, the state's second-largest city., along with a handful of other smaller beach towns nearby, like Ocean Springs.
Even more impressive is Mississippi's Ship Island – an official National Park, by golly. Tucked away about 12 miles off the shores from Biloxi and it's surprisingly stunning!
A quick ferry ride will get you to one of the South's top hidden gems packed with white sand, clean waters and even the nearly two-centuries old Fort Massachusetts.
@divinerearrangement Spent the day on Ship Island being healed by the elements 💖🤟🏽 #healing #manifestation #island #shipisland ♬ _Cute – Gabe Lost
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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.