More family-friendly attractions opening on the MS Coast. Here’s what’s on the way.
South Mississippi families longed for a big amusement park even before Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and on Friday Paradise Pier Fun Park opens at Margaritaville Resort Biloxi.
It’s the most anticipated opening on the Coast in years, and the amusement park is one of several new attractions and fun spots that are coming to South Mississippi.
Also expected in March are the opening of Sky Zone trampoline Park at Edgewater Mall in Biloxi and possibly the groundbreaking for Buc-ee’s travel center along I-10 in Harrison County.
Hobby Lobby’s new store is open in D’Iberville and Juicy Caboosy is open with lawn games and sunset views in Long Beach.
Here are the details of the fun on the way to South Mississippi:
▪ Paradise Pier Fun Park adds 15 rides to the amenities that also include Escape Arcade, hotel, bars and restaurants at Margaritaville Resort Biloxi.
The 20-story tall observation wheel was the first of 15 rides assembled on the waterfront platform. The Aerobar was among the next, billed as a “bar in the sky” that has its own bartender along for Parrotheads and others who want to chill with a cold drink and a view out into the Gulf and all the way to Horn Island on a clear day.
▪ Sky Zone trampoline park at Edgewater Mall: “Sky Zone tentatively is set to open March 31,” said Terry Powell, manager of Edgewater Mall.
Each Sky Zone location is unique and Powell said the Biloxi Sky Zone will have slides and other play elements that will make it unlike other trampoline parks, along with a party room.
The new attraction is close to the food court, where a new barbecue restaurant will be opening soon, Powell said.
▪ Discovery Alley opened Monday at Waveland’s Ground Zero Museum. A hurricane simulator that demonstrates wind strength of a low-intensity Category 1 hurricane is the first exhibit at the museum geared for kids.
A mural depicting Waveland’s beach and water during a storm has a fun twist to it for visitors and small school groups.
The museum at 335 Coleman Ave. is open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and admission is free.
▪ Buc-ee’s travel center at Menge Avenue is expected to get under way with a groundbreaking in the next month or so, reports Bill Lavers with the Harrison County Development Commission.
The $50 million Buc-ee’s project, like all of the Texas-based Buc-ee’s Travel Centers, will have a huge gift shop, Beaver Nuggets and many other food selections, lots of gasoline pumps and “the world’s cleanest restrooms.” It also brings jobs and $15 million in road improvements to Harrison County.
Big Play Entertainment Center in Biloxi expanded over the winter. Among its new attractions are laser tag played in a foggy arena and a virtual reality arena. The attraction on the Biloxi strip also has bowling, miniature golf, bumper cars and raceways.
▪ Captain’s Wharf Marina opens this spring adjacent to Captain Al’s restaurant on Cowan Road in Gulfport. The marina will have boat slips on Bayou Bernard, a beach with a bar, a place for boat owners to dock plus kayak and boat rentals.
▪ The Sound Amphitheater in Gautier broke ground in February for a 6,600-seat amphitheater designed to bring national music acts to the city and provide a space for large community events. The $6 million amphitheater is being built on the former site of Singing River Mall and is a project between the city and 46 Entertainment and will open in 2024.
Trains — South Mississippi eagerly awaits an announcement that Amtrak passenger train service will begin, connecting from New Orleans to the Coast and on to Mobile.
Meanwhile, Juicy Caboosy opens this weekend in Long Beach. “The beach bar in the caboose car” is a sun-up to sundown place, where friends and co-owners Tomeka Bryant and Ailsa von Dobeneck feature food, drinks and outdoor games for fun.
A multi-million dollar expansion of the Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum in Gulfport is under way and when complete, will be the largest model railroad layout in the country.
Top events
In addition to these new attractions, the list of special events in South Mississippi keeps growing. Here are some of the happenings on the Coast over the next few weeks:
Through March 26 — Gulf Coast Winter Classics Horse Show brings riders and spectators to the Harrison County Fairgrounds, 15321 County Farm Road, Gulfport. Weekend events are free.
Through April 2 — Pinta Replica Tours let people come aboard a replica of one of Christopher Columbus’ boats for a self guided tour. It’s open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the Schooner Pier on U.S. 90 in east Biloxi. $8 for adults, $7 seniors age 65 plus, $6 students (5-16), children 4 and under free
Through Sept. 10 — Visiting Hubble Telescope Exhibit is at Infinity Science Center at exit 2 of I-10 in Hancock County. The exhibit is designed to engage visitors in the “magnificence and mystery of the Hubble mission” and introduce them to the new Webb telescope. Infinity is open Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
March 3-5 — Coastcon sci-fi event at Coast Coliseum, Biloxi.
March 4 — Gulf Coast Beer and Bacon Festival plus chocolate at the Hollywood Warehouse, 3420 Giles Road, Gulfport. More than 40 breweries and restaurants offering beer and cocktail tastings and bacon and chocolate dishes to sample. $50 per ticket or $75 for VIP ticket. 7-10 p.m., with VIP admission at 6 p.m. Benefits Mississippi Heroes
March 11 — St. Patrick’s Parade at 2 p.m. in downtown Biloxi, along with Grillin’ on the Green from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Biloxi Town Green.
This story was originally published February 28, 2023 at 6:50 AM.
