Point Cadet Plaza stands at the easternmost point of Biloxi and looks out over the rippling waters of Biloxi Bay. Come for the views, take a walk through the city’s seafood history and find fun activities for children. Point Cadet Plaza became popular in the late 1800s during the growth of the fishing and canning industry. Ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, it is now a laid-back recreation area.
Stroll along the waterfront or sit comfortably on one of the benches and enjoy views of the Biloxi Bay Bridge, which crosses the bay to Ocean Springs. If you have the time, walk for 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) to the end of East Howard Avenue. This road and fishing pier juts out into the bay and offers a great vista back toward the city.
Grassy lawns frame the plaza and are home to ruins from the great hurricanes of 1969 and 2005. Look for interpretive signs that provide information about some of the buildings affected. One was once a Coast Guard Station Barracks, built in 1934 to protect the Mississippi coastline. Another was the Slavic Benevolent Association, a community center used by the Slavs who worked in the city’s oyster and shrimp factories.
Reward yourself with a rest while the kids burn off energy on the climbing frames and slides of the modern playground. A splash pad is perfect for cooling off during hot summer months. Free events often take place at the pavilion. Ask for details at the Biloxi Visitors Center.
Be sure to explore the exhibits at the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum. Through boat displays, fishing machinery, photographs and multimedia exhibits, the museum celebrates the influence of seafaring and seafood on daily life in Biloxi. Charter a bay cruise on a replica Biloxi oyster schooner.
Located in the eastern part of Biloxi, Point Cadet Plaza is less than a 10-minute drive from downtown. Use the ample free parking around the plaza. Also in the area are the Golden Nugget Biloxi and Palace Casino Resort.
