img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}Skip Florida? That’s a hard sell for most.
Believe it or not, hordes of usual Florida visitors (among other popular states) are finding their own slice of paradise in a Southern gem that’s too often been overlooked by its attractive neighbors.
At the very least, most are aware of the small town charm and historical aspects, but the coastline? Nah. That’s been passed up by Gulf Shores, Destin, and countless Florida vacations spots over the years.
Though, a recent report from the Biloxi Sun Herald claims times, they are a-changin’.
Mississippi’s gleaming white coastline stretching from the outskirts of Louisiana to the ‘Bama state line is no longer kept under wraps for locals to enjoy — road trippers from as far as Illinois are making the scenic drive through the tip-top of the Delta all the way down to the vibrant coast, teeming with hidden gems, up-and-coming resort towns, and the razzmatazz of Biloxi.
As hard as it may be to fathom, we at Travel Off Path have covered Mississippi extensively to the point we’re wondering if we should crown this affordable, thriving state as America’s trendiest destination.
What do you think?
Unpacking Mississippi’s Overnight Success
Unpacking Mississippi’s seemingly overnight success is actually a pretty easy task. Thinking back to the dark days of the pandemic, everyone’s sense of wanderlust grew tenfold and then went back to the same-o, same-o spots like Cancun, Miami, and even smaller, yet equally amazing beach getaways, such as Gulf Shores.
Gulf Shores is actually a perfect example as one of Alabama’s few postcard paradises is going through a transformation, opening their airport to the public for the first time ever (and the latest results say it’s a raging success!).
That leaves Mississippi, a state that’s usually the butt of jokes, but has clearly surpassed the backroads redneck notoriety. From personal experience, if a Southern beach town should be the butt of jokes, it’s Galveston — literally.
Last time I was there, I stepped on a dirty diaper on the beach and people shrugged as if that’s the norm.
Other than Florida’s packed beach towns and Gulf Shores’ continued rise to fame, Mississippi is the Gulf’s only true white-sand coast undiscovered by the masses.
As quoted by the Biloxi Sun Herald, one recent out-of-town Mississippi beachgoer said, “We wanted to see something different”. Adding, “It’s laid back. It’s not overrun like Myrtle Beach.”
…And that’s just the coast. Affordability, welcoming locals, far less crowds all factor in to why almost unheard-of inland cities like Vicksburg and Hattiesburg draw millions of annual visitors too.
Busy Biloxi Or Secret Shores: Which Beach Should You Visit?
If there’s one city with a claim to fame, it’s Biloxi. This vibrant coastal city boasts flashy casinos, resorts, and colorful beachside loungers along miles-long stretches of white sand.
While Biloxi is popular, it doesn’t see the level of crowds of nearby Gulf Shores, especially since there’s no airport here.
To reach the Mississippi Coast by air, your best bet is to fly into Gulfport (or New Orleans as Plan B. The state’s second-largest city is a great option for some of the whitest sand in the region, but lacks the small-town charm of numerous coastal hideaways nearby.
You can’t go wrong with crowd-free beaches in towns like Long Beach, Pascagoula, and Mississippi’s newest resort town, Pass Christian.
The highly anticipated Pass Bungalows are anchoring what’s expected to become Mississippi’s beach hotspot, giving Biloxi a breather.
Though if you do decide to give Mississippi’s Coast a chance this summer, there’s one that tops them all, but it’s only open to the public by ferry until October.
Ship Island is undoubtedly the state’s most postcard-worthy vacation spot, though there are no hotels in sight.
Best served as a day trip from Gulfport, Ship Island gives Florida’s top beaches a run for their money with vivid blue waters unlike much of the Gulf’s brackish waters, despite the bright white sand.
New Amtrak Route Cements Mississippi As The South’s New Hotspot
If you’ve stuck with me this far, you likely batted an eye at some Mississippi beach towns you may not have heard of before, most notably Pascagoula and Bay. St. Louis is more of a stuck-in-time getaway rather than a proper beach town.
Pascagoula, though, is ready to prove it’s more than a name on a train route, boasting open white-sand shores and newfound acclaim as ‘America’s most affordable beach town for homebuyers in 2025′ according to Realtor.com — and you know the everyday prices translate to tourists too.
For example, you can grab a Shrimp Sandwich at Brady’s Steaks and Seafood, just outside the revitalized Flagship District, for just $11.
Do you know how much that would cost me where I live in San Diego? Double, if not more!
Amtrak is set to launch the Mardi Gras route August 18th, connecting New Orleans to Mobile with 4 stops in Mississippi:
- Pascagoula
- Bay St. Louis
- Gulfport
- Biloxi
Sam SearsSam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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