First settled by French Colonists, Biloxi is one of two county seats of Harrison County, Mississippi; and part of the Gulfport-Biloxi Metropolitan area. The beachfront area of the city is right on the Mississippi Sound, on the Gulf of Mexico is the home of the 81st Training Wing and the 403rd of Keesler Air Force Base. Get ready for hot and humid summers and wet, yet mild, winters. If you aren’t a fan of snow the Keesler is the place for you!
Keesler Air Force Base was built as part of the WWII build up, and Army Air Corp Station 8 was officially commissioned in 1941. The Tuskegee Airmen were trained there and thousands of African American soldiers were stationed there by 1943.
Today you will find families from all branches of the military living, working, and training with over 4,000 of them being students. If you’re a student in training at Keesler, you might be looking for some good places to study. Sure you can sit at your kitchen table, or hang out on the couch, but sometimes a change of scenery can get the gears going. Here at Military Crashpad we’ve got you covered with three great ideas.
Coffee
You can bet that any good list of places to study is going to have a few coffee shops on it. And while you can always head to your local chain coffee shop, finding a local shop is always preferable in our book. You support local and small business, and make a connection and with the community in a special way. Plus, in Louisiana, you can get some really good Beignets at your coffee shops without even trying.
The Grind Coffee & Nosh {934 Cedar Lake Rd}
The Grind is so much more than coffee. You can find all three meals there and even order to bring home! The Grind is also the perfect place to meet up with friends, a study group or get some serious studying done in one of their overstuffed leather chairs. Sit in front of the huge stone fireplace or in one of their floor to ceiling windows.
Le Café Beignet {124 Lamuese St}
In a decidedly very French Café environment, you can find all the food that one would come to expect living in Louisiana. This place has charm in spades, and you can grab an assortment of coffees, teas, pastries, as well as lunch items.
Roasted Bean {Beau Rivage Resort – Promenade Shops – 875 Beach Blvd}
Located inside the Promenade Shops in the Beau Rivage Resort, you can find beautiful seating in a greenhouse-style area. Modeled after European sidewalk cafes, you will find a quaint feel here at the Roasted Bean. You’ll find just enough distraction here, with the hustle and bustle of those shopping and walking around the resort.
Biloxi Public Libraries
Sometimes a good old-fashioned library is just what you need when it comes to studying. With nine libraries in the county, you can find one no matter where you are choosing to live. Margaret Sherry Memorial Library has extended hours on Mondays if the work week is your best bet for getting some extra studying done. The Jerry Lawrence and Woolmarket Libraries stay open until 6 pm multiple days a week. Most of the libraries are open until 3 pm or 4 pm on the weekends.
Beaches
Being located so close to the beach you might find yourself checking out a quiet spot, or semi-quiet spot to take in the sounds of the ocean as your studying soundtrack. With 26 miles of beachfront along the gulf coast, you are bound to find a place that speaks to you. For a more peaceful spot, you can find Pass Christian Beach or Long Beach. Both of these locations make for a great day-trip as well. Along with studying, spend the day exploring the quaint beach communities that line the towns. You can also Ferry over to Ship Island, named one of the best beaches in the United States by Mississippi Magazine and USA Today.
We hope this list gets you started on your journey to explore your new duty station. We’d love to hear your thoughts on your favorite places to study and visit in the Keesler AFB area. Happy Studying!
Written by: Rheanna Bernard
