Funworld October 2007

Gulf Coast Tourism: It’s Not Just Casinos

While the Mississippi Gulf Coast as a tourist destination is most well known for its casinos, the region is home to several non-gaming attractions suitable for the entire family—and is poised to add more, officials say. Here is a look at a handful of activities currently available:

Biloxi Schooners
www.maritimemuseum.org
Owned and operated by Biloxi’s Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, these two replicas of turn-of-the-20th-century oyster boats unfurl their gorgeous sails daily from their rebuilt pier on the Biloxi coast. The schooners offer regular educational programs for school groups and can be chartered for adult tours or special events such as weddings, parties, etc. During Katrina, the boats were moved inland and managed to survive the storm; the business reopened in October 2005.

Biloxi Shrimping Trip
www.biloxishrimpingtrip.com
On this entertaining and informative journey on the Mississippi Sound, visitors board the Sailfish shrimping boat for a 70-minute education on not just the shrimp business, but the Gulf Coast ecology in general. Owned and operated by the husband-and-wife team of Corrie and Ginny Eleuterius, Ginny steers the boat while Corrie casts the nets and hauls in a catch. No two trips will be exactly the same, because Corrie’s talk is based on whatever he catches. The Eleuteriuses took the Sailfish to “Hurricane Cove” with about 200 other boats to ride out Katrina; Biloxi Shrimping Trip reopened in December 2005.

Gulf Islands Waterpark
www.gulfislandswaterpark.com
The Mississippi Gulf Coast’s only waterpark opened in July 2005, just weeks before Katrina. Because it is located several miles inland, the park received only about four feet of water, and its overall level of damage was mostly cosmetic (making it a prime location for the region’s federal emergency headquarters until January 2006). Recovery work entailed mostly cleanup, as its structures—built to Florida hurricane code—remained intact. The park reopened in April 2006 and features a Master Blaster water coaster; several water slides; a children’s play area that includes a dumping bucket; and a lazy river that enters and exits the park’s wave pool.

The Lynn Meadows Discovery Center
www.lmdc.org
Open since 1998, Lynn Meadows was Mississippi’s first children’s museum. The center features 13 different areas for children and their parents to explore, both inside and outdoors. Highlights include the museum’s central two-story climbing structure that simulates moving through the ocean; the History Hotel, which teaches children about the hospitality business circa 1898; Wonder-full Wetlands, where young investigators can report on environmental news in a realistic television studio; and the extensive Tree House Village outside. While the center’s main building survived Katrina, its entire first floor was destroyed by floodwaters. Lynn Meadows reopened in June 2006.

Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art
www.georgeohr.org
George Ohr was a local artist born and raised on the Gulf Coast (he died in 1918) who dubbed himself the “Mad Potter of Biloxi.” The museum that now bears his name is a tribute to and showcase for his work; it’s also a haven for local artists and provides several art classes of varying skill levels. Currently housed in one of Biloxi’s historic homes, the museum was in the process of building an expansive new complex along the coast when Katrina struck, destroying much of the progress that had been made. Insurance issues were finally settled this summer, and now the new facility is back on track; its first phase is scheduled to open in late 2009 or early 2010.

Ship Island Excursions
www.msshipisland.com
In operation since 1926, this service takes visitors out to Ship Island, one of the barrier islands located about 11 miles off the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It takes around an hour to reach the island, but guests can entertain themselves by gazing back at the coast or watching for dolphins that swim, jump, and play right around the ship as it motors along. Once at Ship Island, visitors can explore Fort Massachusetts—which saw brief action during the Civil War—before enjoying the wide sandy beaches. It’s worth noting the waves are stronger here, as the barrier islands essentially keep waves from breaking on the Gulf Coast’s shoreline. Ship Island Excursions reopened for business in March 2006 after its pier in Gulfport was rebuilt following the storm. The company also rents its boats out for chartered events.