Old Town Bay St. Louis

Bay St. Louis has long attracted artists, potters, painters, and craftspeople drawn to its light, its affordability, and its easygoing life by the water. Over the years their studios and galleries filled the storefronts of Old Town, giving the district a creative energy out of proportion to its size. Today a visitor can spend an afternoon moving from one gallery or shop to the next, browsing work by local makers and meeting the people who make it.

That artistic spirit comes to a head each month on Second Saturday, when the district throws open its doors for an evening of open studios, live music, food, and street life. The event has become a signature of the town and a magnet for visitors from across the coast and from New Orleans, and it captures the communal, homemade feel that sets Bay St. Louis apart.

The town takes its name and its setting from the Bay of St. Louis, the wide inlet where a river meets the Mississippi Sound, and from the beach that runs along its edge. Old Town sits just up from a quiet stretch of sand and a small-boat harbor, so a walk through the shops can easily end with a stroll along the water, a look at the fishing and pleasure boats, or a rest on the beach.

The waterfront gives the district its rhythm and its views, and the pier and harbor area are natural gathering places at sunset. Between the beach, the harbor, and the walkable streets, the whole of Old Town is easy to explore on foot, which is much of its appeal in an age of coastal highways and parking lots.

Bay St. Louis sat near the center of Hurricane Katrina's landfall in August 2005, and the storm's catastrophic surge devastated the town, sweeping away homes, businesses, and much of the old waterfront. The recovery was long and hard, and it tested the community deeply, but the people of Bay St. Louis rebuilt with determination and a fierce attachment to their town's character.

Much of what a visitor sees today, the restored cottages, the revived Old Town shops, the renewed harbor and pier, is the fruit of that recovery. The town wears its comeback with pride, and its survival is part of what gives Old Town its warmth. Bay St. Louis is a place that chose to remain itself, and that choice is written into every rebuilt block.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast lies in a region long inhabited by Indigenous peoples, among them the Biloxi and the Choctaw of the wider region, before French and Spanish colonists arrived along the shore. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians remains a federally recognized tribe in the state today, centered well to the north near Philadelphia. Bay St. Louis grew from these older layers into a summer retreat and fishing town, and its old cottages recall generations of coast life.

The town makes an easy base or stop on a wider tour of the coast, sitting an hour from New Orleans to the west and a short drive from the beaches, casinos, lighthouses, and museums that line the shore toward Biloxi and Ocean Springs to the east. Its walkable, artful Old Town is the kind of place travelers remember long after the trip.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Old Town Bay St. Louis, in the town of Bay St. Louis on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, is a charming and artistic historic district, a delightful and walkable area of galleries, shops, eateries, and historic character near the waterfront, celebrated for its creative, laid-back spirit. The district features art galleries, boutiques, antique shops, restaurants, and historic buildings along its streets, with a vibrant arts scene and a welcoming, bohemian atmosphere, all a short stroll from the bay and beach. Its charm, art, and relaxed vibe have made it a beloved coastal destination. A charming and artistic district, it delights visitors. With its galleries and charm, Old Town offers a compelling destination in Mississippi.

You can browse the art galleries, boutiques, and antique shops, dine at the restaurants and eateries, stroll the historic streets, enjoy the vibrant arts scene, and take in the charming, laid-back atmosphere near the waterfront. The art galleries, the shops and dining, the historic character, and the creative, welcoming vibe are the draws, making it a delightful destination for strolling and browsing. The galleries and the charming atmosphere are highlights. With its charm and art, Old Town Bay St. Louis offers a rewarding experience in Mississippi.

Old Town Bay St. Louis is known for its arts scene because the charming, laid-back town has long attracted artists and creative spirits, giving rise to a vibrant community of galleries, studios, and shops, along with art walks and festivals that celebrate its creative character. This artistic, bohemian atmosphere, combined with the historic setting and the nearby bay, gives Old Town its special charm. Its creative spirit is the appeal. Understanding this character enriches a visit to Old Town Bay St. Louis in Mississippi.

The milder months of fall through spring are the most pleasant for strolling Old Town and enjoying the shops, galleries, and dining in comfortable weather, avoiding the intense summer heat and humidity, though the district's charm can be enjoyed year-round, and art walks and festivals add appeal at their times. Because it is largely a walking experience, comfortable weather makes it best. For the most pleasant strolling and any festivals, aim for the milder months at Old Town Bay St. Louis in Mississippi.

Old Town Bay St. Louis is in Bay St. Louis on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, within reach of the Bay St. Louis beach and waterfront, the western Gulf Coast, and the routes toward Gulfport, Biloxi, and New Orleans to the west. That makes Old Town Bay St. Louis a compelling stop to combine with the Bay St. Louis beach and waterfront and the other attractions of the Mississippi Gulf Coast on a visit to the state.