Bay St. Louis is named number four of thirty "Most Beautiful" towns in America in a list curated by Expedia, a leading international travel website.  
​- story and photographs by Ellis Anderson 

You’ve heard being by the water is good for the soul and Bay St. Louis is the perfect place to test it. Surrounded by the bay and marshlands, this pretty little coastal town is a sailor’s delight. 

Stroll to the marina and listen for the sound of sailboats creaking against the dock, or build sandcastle masterpieces on the shore at the end of Main Street. 

You’ll find beauty in touring the quirky Gallery 220 Main art gallery, searching for Dayle Lewis’ angel trees, and watching the neighbors gather for a chat on the porches of shotgun cottages.

Expedia travel writer Chloe Mulliner told the Shoofly Magazine that the Bay's Historic District set against a serene natural landscape was the combination that won her over. 

“Sitting along Mississippi's Gulf Coast, Bay St. Louis is the kind of place you find yourself daydreaming about," she said. "Whether you're kayaking along the bay at sunset, exploring the local flora along Possum Walk Trail, or admiring the historical architecture of Old Town, there is beauty everywhere you turn. 

"It's no wonder Bay St. Louis graces our most beautiful cities list!”
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Other cities that made the list are St. Augustine, Florida, Tyler, Texas, Fairhope, Alabama and Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. 

Southern Living Magazine named Bay St. Louis as #6 in its feature, "15 Affordable Small Towns We Love." Find out why and who else made the list!
- by Ellis Anderson 

Each year, the Hancock Chamber honors top local businesses and ten Outstanding Citizens.  One of the citizens will be selected as Citizen of the Year at the Chamber's annual gala in August.  In the meantime, celebrate the best of Hancock County!  

A new article in Country Living Magazine ranks Bay St. Louis first on the list of 26 "Under-the-Radar Southern Cities for Girlfriend Getaways."
- photograph by Ellis Anderson 

The Bay's already known as one of the Coolest Small Towns in the Country.  Three more recognitions in August only add to our coolness quotient. 
- by Ellis Anderson 

Bay St. Louis brought home what might be called a national trifecta for all-round coolness in August when it was named one of the 10 places in the state "Where Life is Still Simple," and one of 50 top "Hippie" towns in the United States and “One of Safest Beach Towns" nationally.  

One town wag observed that the “Safe” status is probably made possible by the town’s “Simple” and “Hippie” character traits.  That may be true, so to celebrate, we'll don our tie-dyed t-shirts and head down to the beach in the VW van.  

Below are links to the articles and excerpts: 

The Only In Your State website published an article on August 29th naming ten small towns in Mississippi "Where Life Is Still Simple."   Here's why BSL made the grade:

Named one of the “Coolest Small Towns in America” by Budget and Travel Magazine, Bay St. Louis has it all – oceanfront views, a small town vibe, and a hip Old Town area filled with great restaurants, galleries, and more. As if it couldn’t get any better, the art scene is really flourishing thanks to city’s monthly “Second Saturday Artwalk.” The one-day fest includes art shows, live entertainment, and local cuisine.

The popular national men's website, Thrillist, named their choices for the "Best Hippie Towns in the United States."  We're not sure what their criteria was since Fairhope was the representative for Alabama and Key West was Florida's pick, but it just goes to show that we're in good company.  Here's what they said about Bay St. Louis: 

Mississippi is about as known for hippie culture as Oklahoma is for seafood. But once you head south of I-10, it’s an entirely different ballgame. And while the beach culture, casinos, and welcoming attitude of the Mississippi Gulf Coast give the whole region an almost-hippie feel, nowhere is it more prevalent than in Bay St. Louis. Here the old main street is lined with art galleries and antique shops, complete with a fantastic pay-what-you-want restaurant at the Starfish Café. The town feels like California got dropped right at the end of the Mississippi River...  

A national security blog named 12 beach towns in the United States to help readers "Plan a Safe and Secure Summer Family Vacation." The list included heavy hitters like, Gulf Shores, AL, Mystic, CT and Neptune Beach, FL. 

Bay St. Louis, MS
If you live in Mississippi, Bay St. Louis makes a perfect vacation spot. This small community is bursting with southern charm and safe beach spots, since the overall crime rate in Bay St. Louis is 22% lower than the national average. Mockingbird Café is the place to go to experience local twists on classic meals. The vintage venue has been around since 1868 and is only two blocks from the Beachfront, Old Town Bay St. Louis. Spend a day on Ship Island with a Ship Island Excursion. Bring the family, sunblock, and an umbrella to relax on the best beaches in the area. You may even spot a dolphin in the wake of your boat on the way there!

The website Smart Asset listed Bay St. Louis as one of the ten Most Affordable Beach Towns in America. The city's historic district played a big part in helping snag the recognition.  According to the website, BSL made the list because: