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If you were to guess the trendiest Gulf Coast getaway right now, you’d probably guess Florida, right?
Wrong.
It’s Mississippi.
In the past, we would have told you that this is literally the entire Mississippi coast, with the exception of a few unknown gems we unearthed.
Beyond 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 offshore.
But a new local report claims there is one city in particular that is seeing the biggest increase in tourism and locals are torn.
Known as one of the most hospitable states where every meal starts with a ‘how are you?’ 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 exceed expectationshotel rooms that are often sold out, and white sandy beaches that draw bigger crowds by the day, the unknown city St. Louis Bay is, well, not so unknown anymore.
Let’s see if it’s worth visiting, or if you should venture elsewhere in the South’s most sought-after beach state.
The ‘Mini Destin’?
Southern location. Gulf waters. White sand. And what else?
Bay St. Louis has been called a “mini Destin,” which is no small feat considering it is one of Florida’s most renowned beach destinations.
You see, the comparison isn’t actually a compliment. Locals complain that visitors show no respect for what is typically a period town, with bygone storefronts and vintage atmosphere in abundance.
But now it’s barrels and “untz-untzen” on what are normally blissful coasts and life on boats instead of the usual fishing charters.
It’s not that Bay St. Louis isn’t beautiful, but by calling it Destin it’s more like I’m trying to convince you that it’s not expensive to visit my hometown of San Diego – there’s just no way around it.
While this small town attracts a new kind of crowd—the shameless kind—its appeal is undeniable, as it’s less hectic than nearby Biloxi and arguably much safer.
To our surprise, Biloxi is not currently seeing the best safety scores on our real-time safety index.
Amtrak’s biggest success in a while puts BSL on the map
As popular as Amtrak may be, it’s actually not launch many new routes.
So when it was announced that they would be reviving a route for the first time after Katrina, the news spread like butter on a hot cookie.
Numerous reports claim that Amtrak had no idea how big their Mardi Gras route would become, but it has become the most convenient and affordable way to explore the beautiful Gulf without stepping foot in Florida.
Taking you from New Orleans to Mobile and four stops in Mississippi, Bay St. Louis is one of the most popular, given its mystery compared to household names like the aforementioned urban sprawls.
Travelers don’t just get off and head to the next city; they stay for a while and Bay St. Louis goes from a postcard cityscape to a bona fide destination.
These fill the track with Amtrak’s official Mardi Gras service, which runs between New Orleans and Mobile with a stop in Mississippi Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula.
Is Bay St. Louis still worth a visit?
The locals from our source said that Bay St. Louis is “no longer the small quiet town on the water” that won them over.
It may not be as quiet, but it’s certainly not a noisy resort like Biloxi, where the slots are always ringing and the drinks are always flowing. Margaritaville.
So, what’s the temptation for Bay St. Louis right now?
Simple: It still feels like a charming, walkable waterfront town with an artsy soul, great seafood, and easy beach access—only now that many more people are finally moving in.
The legendary inns and Mom ‘n Pop shops are still there, the locally sourced seafood is still impeccable, and the white sands are no less gleaming.
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 the beach, more time to find parking, and maybe a popular restaurant has longer wait times.
It’s not sardine-sized Coachella crowds, but more people sharing the same blissful experience of this beloved coastal retreat.
That said, Pascagoula is our top alternative. Jimmy Buffett’s hometown hasn’t yet caught the same fire as Bay St. Louis, and it’s also on Amtrak’s Mardi Gras route.
