If you have been to guess the trendiest Gulf Coast getaway proper now, you’d in all probability guess Florida, proper?
Wrong.
It’s Mississippi.
Formerly, we might’ve instructed you it is fairly actually the complete Mississippi Coast aside from a couple of unknown gems we dug up.
Other than that, whether or not it is the commonest touchdown spot of Gulfport, the seasonal paradise of Ship Island, and naturally, Biloxi, the South has certainly risen once more within the “Magnolia State” — a minimum of for the coast.
But a brand new native report claims there’s one city particularly seeing the largest rise in tourism and locals are torn.
Known for being probably the most hospitable states the place each meal begins with a “how ya doin’?” and ends with “have a blessed day”, one can solely marvel if the same old southern appeal has soured.
With a buzzing new Amtrak route far surpassing expectations, resort rooms generally bought out, and white-sand seashores drawing greater crowds by the day, the unknown city of Bay St. Louis is, properly, not so unknown anymore.
Let’s dive in to see if it is value visiting, or in case you ought to enterprise elsewhere within the South’s most sought-after seashore state proper now.
The ‘Mini Destin’?
Southern locale. Gulf waters. White sand. And what else?
Bay St. Louis has been dubbed a “mini Destin”, which is not any brief feat, being certainly one of Florida’s most famous seashore locations.
You see, the comparability truly is not a praise. Locals are complaining that guests are being disrespectful to what’s sometimes an etch-in-time city boasting bygone-era storefronts and classic vibes galore.
But now it is keg stands and “untz-untzing” on what’s usually blissful shores and livin’ it up on boats as an alternative of the same old fishing charters.
It’s not that Bay St. Louis is not fairly, however calling it Destin is extra like me making an attempt to persuade you my hometown of San Diego is not costly to go to — there’s simply no method round it.
Even although this small city hideaway is seeing a brand new kind of crowd — the shameless variety — there is not any denying its attraction because it’s much less hectic than close by Biloxi and arguably a lot safer too.
In reality, to our shock, Biloxi is not seeing the perfect safety scores proper now on our real-time security index.
Amtrak’s Biggest Success In Ages Puts BSL On The Map
As in style as Amtrak could also be, it truly does not launch many new routes.
So, when it was introduced they have been reviving a route for the primary time post-Katrina, information unfold like butter on a heat biscuit.
Numerous studies declare Amtrak had no concept simply how large their Mardi Gras route would grow to be, but it surely’s grow to be probably the most handy and reasonably priced approach to discover the attractive Gulf with out setting foot in Florida.
Taking you from New Orleans to Mobile and 4 Mississippi stops in between, Bay St. Louis has been probably the most in style, given the thriller in comparison with family names just like the aforementioned city sprawls.
Travelers aren’t simply getting off and heading on to the following city; they’re staying some time, and it is remodeling Bay St. Louis from a postcard townscape to a bona fide vacation spot.
Those fill observe 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 supply have been quoted as saying that Bay St. Louis is “no longer the little quiet waterfront town” that captured them.
It will not be as quiet, but it surely’s definitely not a rowdy resort rager like Biloxi, both, the place slots are at all times jingling, and drinks are at all times pouring at Margaritaville.
So, what is the enticement for Bay St. Louis proper now?
Simple: it nonetheless seems like an enthralling, walkable waterfront city with artsy soul, nice seafood, and straightforward seashore entry — simply with much more individuals lastly catching on.
The storied inns and Mom ‘n Pop outlets nonetheless stay, the domestically sourced seafood continues to be impeccable, and the white sand is not gleaming any much less.
What all of it comes right down to is your tolerance for crowds — and once we say crowds for such a small city, we’re simply speaking about much less area on seashores, extra time to search out parking, and possibly a well-liked restaurant has longer wait instances.
It’s not sardine-level crowds of Coachella, simply extra individuals sharing the identical blissful expertise of this beloved coastal retreat.
With that mentioned, Pascagoula is our prime various. Jimmy Buffett’s hometown has but to catch the identical fireplace as Bay St. Louis, and it is on Amtrak’s Mardi Gras route, too.
