Fodor's Names BSL Favorite Beach Town

One of the world's top travel companies, names Bay St. Louis as one of America's 25 Favorite Beach Towns.
- photos by Ellis Anderson 

In the article, subtitled “It isn’t summer without a trip to the beach”, Bay St. Louis is listed along with world-renowned beach destinations such as La Jolla, CA, Key West, FL, and Hanalei, HI.

Milton Segarra, CEO of Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast says that “Bay St. Louis plays an extremely important role in tourism on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The arts, sense of community, unique dining opportunities, local downtown shops, beautiful sprawling beaches, and stunning bay views all make for a highly desirable destination, which is reflected in the decision to include Bay St. Louis in this list of phenomenal beach destinations.

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“This is a phenomenal opportunity to showcase everything that Bay St. Louis has to offer, which will in turn benefit the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast as a destination,” said Segarra. ​​

Nikki Moon, owner of Bay Town Inn on Beach Boulevard in Bay St. Louis, also serves on the Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast board.  

"For Fodor’s to list Bay St. Louis amongst so many incredible beach destinations across the US is a real honor," said Moon.  "I am thrilled to see this wonderful, resilient Mississippi Gulf Coast town garner such widespread attention.

​She continued.  "As a community, Bay St. Louis strives to create the perfect coastal atmosphere for visitors and locals alike, and it looks like our efforts are paying off, as we gain momentum in terms of media exposure, accolades and visitation."  

Local businesses receiving shout-outs in the article are the Starfish Café, Bay-tique, The French Potager and Gallery 220. The Mardi Gras Museum in the historic depot was also spotlighted. 

Here's what Fodor's had to say about Bay St. Louis:  

Katrina hit this Gulf town hard in 2005, but it’s come back strong. Old Town, overlooking the marina, bay, and white-sand beach, thrives with buzzy restaurants (Starfish Café) and artsy shops (Bay-Tique, The French Potager, and Gallery 220, representing local artists).

​Instead of cars, many people get around town by golf cart, on foot, by bike, or even by kayak. Whatever your mode, keep an eye out for the town’s “Angels in the Bay,” created by chainsaw-wood sculptor Dayle Lewis from live oaks that died in Katrina’s wake.

The free Bay St. Louis Mardi Gras Museum features beautiful Mardi Gras costumes, and provides information on the history of Mardi Gras on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

See the other towns on the Fodor's Travel website. 

This photo of the Sycamore House Restaurant on Main Street by Ellis Anderson was selected by Fodor's to run with the article.