If you were to guess the trendiest Gulf Coast getaway right now, you’d probably guess Florida, right?
Wrong.
It’s Mississippi.
Formerly, we would’ve told you it’s quite literally the entire Mississippi Coast with the exception of a few unknown gems we dug up.
Other than that, whether it’s the most common landing spot of Gulfport, the seasonal paradise of Ship Island, and of course, Biloxi, the South has indeed risen again in the “Magnolia State” — at least for the coast.
But a new local report claims there’s one town in particular seeing the biggest rise in tourism and locals are torn.
Known for being one of the most hospitable states where every meal begins with a “how ya doin’?” and ends with “have a blessed day”, one can only wonder if the usual southern charm has soured.
With a buzzing new Amtrak route far surpassing expectations, hotel rooms commonly sold out, and white-sand beaches drawing bigger crowds by the day, the unknown town of Bay St. Louis is, well, not so unknown anymore.
Let’s dive in to see if it’s worth visiting, or if you should venture elsewhere in the South’s most sought-after beach state right now.
The ‘Mini Destin’?
Southern locale. Gulf waters. White sand. And what else?
Bay St. Louis has been dubbed a “mini Destin”, which is no short feat, being one of Florida’s most renowned beach destinations.
You see, the comparison actually isn’t a compliment. Locals are complaining that visitors are being disrespectful to what’s typically an etch-in-time town boasting bygone-era storefronts and vintage vibes galore.
But now it’s keg stands and “untz-untzing” on what’s normally blissful shores and livin’ it up on boats instead of the usual fishing charters.
It’s not that Bay St. Louis isn’t pretty, but calling it Destin is more like me trying to convince you my hometown of San Diego isn’t expensive to visit — there’s just no way around it.
Even though this small town hideaway is seeing a new type of crowd — the shameless kind — there’s no denying its appeal as it’s less hectic than nearby Biloxi and arguably much safer too.
In fact, to our surprise, Biloxi isn’t seeing the best safety scores right now on our real-time safety index.
Amtrak’s Biggest Success In Ages Puts BSL On The Map
As popular as Amtrak may be, it actually doesn’t launch many new routes.
So, when it was announced they were reviving a route for the first time post-Katrina, news spread like butter on a warm biscuit.
Numerous reports claim Amtrak had no idea just how big their Mardi Gras route would become, but it’s become the most convenient and affordable way to explore the gorgeous Gulf without setting foot in Florida.
Taking you from New Orleans to Mobile and 4 Mississippi stops in between, Bay St. Louis has been one of the most popular, given the mystery compared to household names like the aforementioned urban sprawls.
Travelers aren’t just getting off and heading on to the next town; they’re staying a while, and it’s transforming Bay St. Louis from a postcard townscape to a bona fide destination.
Those fill track with Amtrak’s official Mardi Gras service, which runs between New Orleans and Mobile with Mississippi stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula.
Is Bay St. Louis Still Worth Visiting?
Locals from our source were quoted as saying that Bay St. Louis is “no longer the little quiet waterfront town” that captured them.
It may not be as quiet, but it’s certainly not a rowdy resort rager like Biloxi, either, where slots are always jingling, and drinks are always pouring at Margaritaville.
So, what’s the enticement for Bay St. Louis right now?
Simple: it still feels like a charming, walkable waterfront town with artsy soul, great seafood, and easy beach access — just with a lot more people finally catching on.
The storied inns and Mom ‘n Pop shops still remain, the locally sourced seafood is still impeccable, and the white sand isn’t gleaming any less.
What it all comes down to is your tolerance for crowds — and when we say crowds for such a small town, we’re just talking about less space on beaches, more time to find parking, and maybe a popular restaurant has longer wait times.
It’s not sardine-level crowds of Coachella, just more people sharing the same blissful experience of this beloved coastal retreat.
With that said, Pascagoula is our top alternative. Jimmy Buffett’s hometown has yet to catch the same fire as Bay St. Louis, and it’s on Amtrak’s Mardi Gras route, too.
