Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

By David Hanson
August 24, 2010
Whether you're planning a quick trip or searching for a new coastal town to put down roots, quaint Bay St. Louis has all the charm you're looking for.
Start Slideshow

1 of 7

Meet Bay St. Louis

Beach lovers with a penchant for old architecture and affordable renovation spaces will love this small town city (population 9,408) that's a mix of Southern grace, mystery, and heat. Bay St. Louis located 90 miles east of New Orleans is like a blank canvas at the junction of marsh, river, and Gulf of Mexico beach. Following you'll find a few of its most charming spots.
Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 7

Old Town Has:

Photo: Robbie Caponetto

Eight years ago this town was put to the test when Hurricane Katrina ripped through the heart of the city. But the community rallied, rebuilt, and has regained its artsy, quirky independence.

 

In Old Town, you'll find the local library (Hancock County Library System), an artist co-op (Gallery 220), Maggie May’s art gallery (228/463-1670), and The Buttercup on Second Street restaurant. There's also a yoga studio (Tree House Yoga), and the remodeled Century Hall for art, antiques, and retail shops.

Minutes away from Main Street, the Depot District boasts some of the town's best eateries, shops, and a community theater (Bay St. Louis Little Theatre).

 

 

 

3 of 7

Best Beach Is:

The best sandy spot is right at the end of Main Street on St. Louis Bay—marshland to the north and open bay to the south, east, and west. Take Beach Boulevard's bike/walk path along the wide, sandy beach for three miles from Washington Avenue American Legion Pier in town to the Garfield Ladner Pier in Waveland.

 

 

 

Advertisement

4 of 7

On the Weekend You Might:

Drive less than an hour down Highway 90 across the Rigolets wetlands into New Orleans for the evening. If you want to stay in town, catch live entertainment at the Mockingbird Café or Bay St. Louis Little Theatre.

 

 

5 of 7

Favorite Bar/Restaurant Could Be:

Photo: Robbie Caponetto

The Mockingbird Café is a coffee house by day and restaurant with pub—think burgers, paninis, and salads—at night. Outside the café, quiet streets lined with century-old Craftsman bungalows make a grid and lead toward the long beach (called The Beach) on the town’s southeast corner.

 

The colorfully decorated Rickey's reopened in the Zuppardo's Bay Plaza shopping center six months after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the original building. Luckily, beloved menu items such as the seafood muffaletta also reappeared.

 

 

 

 

6 of 7

Neighbors Are:

In Bay St. Louis, you'll find a community mix of retirees, vacation-home owners from New Orleans, and water-loving families.  One of the town's favorite pastimes is to bike or walk across the new Bay St. Louis Bridge to Pass Christian to fish from the pier.

 

 

 

 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 7

Visiting Bay St. Louis:

Where to Stay: Ellis Anderson’s The Webb School has a 1,200-square-foot rental with high ceilings, a kitchen, back deck, and front porch; 228/493-2107 or webschool.blogspot.com.

Find additional listings at vrbo.com/218850.

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Advertisement
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.coastalliving.com