Fun things to see and do in our Second Favorite Small Gulf Coast Town
Bay St. Louis recently made USA Today’s list of 10 Top Coastal Small Towns (coming in at number 2) offering “unpretentious and affordable seaside fun without the crowds.” We agree. We first discovered Bay St. Louis and its’ historic Old Town district when we stayed at Buccaneer State Park, located in the neighboring village of Waveland, 6 miles West along the gulf coast.
Like the popular gulf resort town of Biloxi, Bay St. Louis also offers an extensive sand beach stretching for miles along the gulf. But unlike Biloxi, there are no high rise hotels lining the beach. Other than the Hollywood Casino and Resort (which is located in the inland Bay, not on the gulf itself), your lodging choices are inns, cottages, and B&Bs. Many of these places to stay are located in older, historic structures that have been lovingly restored.
Old Town Bay St. Louis
Old Town’s oceanside bars, grills, and restaurants overlook the city marina. The main public beach, bath house, and parking area is about a few blocks West of the center of Old Town.
Old Town Bay St. Louis was first settled in 1699 and incorporated as a city in 1818. It is full of quaint cottages and historic buildings, many of which now host shops, galleries, and neat places to eat and drink. Places like the Parrothead Bar & Grill and the Loft, located along the waterfront offer live music and comedy shows. You get a taste of the arts and entertainment of New Orleans without the crowds plus the fun of being on the beach.
Your first stop when visiting Old Town Bay St. Louis should be at the 1928 mission-style old railroad depot. In addition to housing the Hancock County Tourism Bureau, it also is home to the Mardi Gras Museum and the Alice Moseley Folk Art & Antique Museum.
Old Town Bay St. Louis Places to Eat and Drink
There are several decent cafes, restaurants, bars and grills in the Old Town area, several along the waterfront overlooking the gulf. Most recently we enjoyed a seafood basket overlooking the waterfront at the Blind Tiger. There are several more bars and cafes within walking distance of the beachfront. Among them is Murky Waters who in addition to some great BBQ dishes, offers craft beers and live blues music.
Old Town Historic Walking and Bike Tour
If you don’t have your own bikes, like us (we biked to Old Town from our RV campsite at Buccaneer State Park), you can rent bikes or golf carts at Bodega Rentals to enjoy touring around Old Town exploring everything it has to offer, including getting a map and touring its’ most significant historic buildings. If you don’t ride a bike or golf cart, you can walk as most of these historic places are within a few blocks of the waterfront.
Slide Show – A few Old Town Historic Buildings
Download Historic Walking Tour here.
Bay St. Louis Beach & Pictures
Old Town’s oceanside bars, grills, and restaurants overlook the city marina. The main public beach, bath house, and parking area is about a few blocks West of the center of Old Town.
One of the features of Bay St. Louis we most enjoyed is the paved Bay St. Louis-Waveland biking/walking trail runs along the beach from Old Town to within a few blocks of Buccaneer State Park.
Old Town Bay St. Louis Shopping Galleries and Antique Shops
Unique clothing, antiques, art, funky gifts, jewelry, home furnishings are among the interesting things to see and buy touring Old Town’s shops.
Links to more attractions Old Town Bay St. Louis and the Gulf Coast
- Lodging Bay St. Louis
- RV Camping Bay St. Louis – Buccaneer State Park
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Things to see and do
- Biloxi MS Visitor Center
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Campgrounds & RV Parks
- Interesting Places along Mississippi Alabama Gulf Coast Drive
More Links Gulf Coast Scenic Drive
Another Gulf Coast Favorite – What to See and Do in Cedar Key, Florida
Interesting Stops along the Mississippi Alabama Gulf Coast Drive