Mississippi Coast cities, casinos, restaurants making waves on national tourism charts

Stories by Biloxi SunHerald journalists, with AI summarization

The Mississippi Coast has solidified its reputation as a premier tourism destination in the United States, drawing recognition for a variety of unique attractions and accolades. From being home to one of the top spas in the nation and stellar alfresco dining experiences, to the emergence of hidden gems showcased by acclaimed filmmakers, the region offers an array of options for visitors.

The Coast's affordability in prime beachside living, coupled with its vibrant casino scene featuring top-ranked hotels and restaurants, cements its status as an excellent choice for both leisure and retirement. These distinctions underscore the combination of natural beauty, cultural richness, and hospitality that define the Mississippi coast.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

NO. 1: SEE WHICH BILOXI CASINO IS HOME TO THE BEST SPA IN MS & ONE OF THE 10 BEST IN THE US

The spa rose from top 20 in the country to sixth place in the span of a year. Here’s the list. | Published February 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mona Moore

Coastal Mississippi attracts millions of tourists each year, an industry group says.

NO. 2: NATIONAL SURVEY RANKS MS COAST AS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES IN THE US TO DINE OUTDOORS

If you want to set the scene for the best date, start somewhere on this stretch of the coast. An online dating survey ranked it no. 23 of 150 locations. | Published July 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mona Moore

Brandon Dardeau, president and chief operating officer of Southeast Operations at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, poses for a portrait outside the Beau Rivage in Biloxi on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Dardeau was promoted to the position on Jan. 4 after holding various positions at the casino over the years.

NO. 3: TWO MS COAST CASINOS VOTED AMONG TOP 10 CASINO HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS IN USA TODAY POLLS

The winners of the 2024 casino awards announced by USA Today show voters like Biloxi casinos. | Published September 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

The views from the outdoor patio at Bacchus on the Beach in Pass Christian, Mississippi.

NO. 4: THIS MS COAST TOWN RANKED AS 1 OF THE MOST COVETED RETIREMENT DESTINATIONS IN THE U.S.

Whether it’s for the pristine beaches or manicured golf courses, the Harrison County city’s popularity among the 60-plus set continues to rise. | Published May 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mona Moore

On its annual list of the most affordable beach towns, Realtor.com ranked Pascagoula as the best of the best.

NO. 5: THIS ‘ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO LIVE’ ON THE MS COAST RANKED MOST AFFORDABLE BEACH TOWN IN U.S.

See what a steal it still is to live on the MS Coast and which town had the least expensive homes up for sale. | Published May 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mona Moore

Thirty-Two fine dining restaurant on the top floor of IP Casino Resort in Biloxi is honored for its impressive selection of wines.

NO. 6: PRESTIGIOUS MAGAZINE HONORS 6 MS COAST RESTAURANTS FOR WINE OFFERINGS. SEE WHO STOOD OUT

This year 20 Mississippi restaurants made the list compared to 22 last year. | Published July 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mary Perez

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.