Say “beach trip” and, for most, Mississippi rarely makes the shortlist. The Magnolia State is better known for Elvis’s hometown, Ole Miss and the birth of American blues than for sandy shores.
But here’s the insider tip: the people skipping it are missing out.
Mississippi has 62 miles of coastline — nicknamed the Secret Coast — dotted with a dozen towns full of personality and natural beauty. Stretching from Waveland in the west to Moss Point in the east, these communities offer a quieter, cheaper alternative to South Florida or Myrtle Beach. If you want to actually unplug without ever being bored, these three towns deliver.
Bay St. Louis
“Bay St. Louis blends coastal beauty, artistic energy and the warm hospitality of a small Southern town,” says Maggie Kirkland, public and media relations executive for Play Coastal Mississippi. Funky and creative, this community has a walkable Old Town packed with shops and restaurants. It’s the kind of place where a morning coffee run turns into an afternoon of browsing, and where you don’t really need a plan to have a good day. Cast a line from Jimmy Rutherford Fishing Pier, or check in to boutique hotel The Pearl and hang out in a cabana by the pool.
For a change of scenery, Buccaneer State Park in nearby Waveland has a 4.5-acre waterpark, nature trails and a disc golf course — enough to fill a whole day with kids in tow. Head to Waveland Beach for white sand, swimming and blissfully few crowds. Don’t leave without seeing the Angel Trees — dead tree trunks transformed into striking sculptures — along the shoreline.
Ocean Springs
This small town has a dining and cultural scene that rivals many cities. Art fans get the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, Shearwater Pottery and a collection of galleries clustered close enough that you can hit several in an afternoon. Outdoorsy types get easy access to Gulf Islands National Seashore for boating and fishing, with plenty of room to spread out on the water.
And food lovers will want to book a table at James Beard-nominated and Michelin recommended Vestige, which serves elegant tasting menus out of a historic house. Lodging runs the gamut, from colorful cottages to boutique hotels like The Roost and The Springs Hotel, so you can match the trip to your budget.
Rent a bike and roll through downtown under a canopy of giant oaks — it’s the best way to get a feel for the place. Two small public beaches, Front Beach and East Beach, offer white sand and calm water, even if the shoreline is narrow.
Pass Christian
“Pass Christian combines historic charm, waterfront beauty and a relaxed pace of life,” says Kirkland. Surrounded by water on three sides, this tiny town also has knockout sunset views. It’s an ideal destination for travelers chasing small-town quaintness and uninterrupted beach time — the sort of weekend where the biggest decision is when to walk down to the water. Golfers, take note: Pass Christian Isles Golf Club is right here, tucked into the same small footprint as the beach and the harbor.