10 Best Small Towns On The Gulf Coast To Visit In 2024
Many enticing features draw vacationers to the Gulf Coast. These include warm, shallow waters perfect for swimming, sugar-white beaches, nautical charm, and magical sunsets. Plus, almost the whole stretch is perpetually on holiday mode, making it ideal for those seeking a calm, tranquil getaway. The trick is to skip big towns, such as St. Augustine, for small, laid-back locales with enough elbow room. Slide into your flip-flops. From Destin, Florida, to Port Aransas, Texas, discover below the 10 best small towns on the Gulf Coast to visit in 2024.
Destin, Florida
Destin is an enticing locale for several fun-packed recreational activities. One can get out on the water to go mingle with dolphins, one of the most sociable and playful sea creatures. There's a nice, white-sand beach that draws crowds from across the country, where one will want to sit or swing. Stroll down the Destin Boardwalk, especially for good views and soft, hair-parting breezes. If tagging kids along, they will have a blast at Fat Daddy's Arcade, especially if you crown the experience with a meal at Fuddruckers. That said, Mimmo's Ristorante Italiano is loved for its delicious garlic knots, along with a delectable line-up of entrees.
Biloxi, Mississippi
Packed to the brim with lots of beguiling attractions, including the uniquely constructed Ohr-O'Keefe Museum Of Art, Biloxi is an amazing place to visit. The museum is a seductive piece of architecture built to dance with the live oaks that encircle it. There is a ton of information on the history of local commercial seafood at the aptly named Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum on the eastern tip of the peninsula — along with videos that capture the devastations caused by several hurricanes, including Camille and Katrina. Looking for a farm-to-table restaurant that serves what is seasonal and local? Check out White Pillars and try their swordfish schnitzel. Of course, Biloxi is right on the water, so don’t miss the white-sand beaches.
Seaside, Florida
The cream of the crop here is Grayton Beach State Park, especially because parking can be a bit of a challenge in downtown Seaside. Grayton is beautiful and pristine — and boasts sugary white sand and turquoise water. Find a rustic cabin here so you can easily explore the delights around, including the trails that snake through the precincts. You may not have time for much else. If you are looking for a beer and a view, make your way to Central Square Records, where you will find tons of music supplies, whether classic rock, jazz, indie, or pop. Great Southern Cafe is right behind, a warm, breezy spot that gives classic recipes a modern spin. Their mojitos and oysters are nothing short of excellent.
Dunedin, Florida
Dunedin boasts the cutest downtown area in Florida, except perhaps for St. Petersburg. The Main Street is walkable and full of charm — and fronted with tasty local restaurants (check out Prohibition Dunedin), cute boutiques, and beautiful palm trees. Craft beer enthusiasts will particularly find Dunedin irresistible. This little charmer has more breweries per capita than probably any other city in the Sunshine State. Dunedin Brewery, for example, claims to be the oldest microbrewery in Florida. Caledonia Brewing, located in a 100-year-old building, has a cool, trendy atmosphere and fantastic choices of beers. If food is high on your list, Bon Appétit is right on the water and is loved for its beautiful sunset views.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Other than taking the ferry to Dauphin Island, you will want to spend a lot of time in Gulf Shores, mingling with sea turtles at the long, scenic pier, swimming or fishing at Lake Shelby, or enjoying the midnight glow of the moon at Gulf State Park Campground. Enjoy the most delicious grouper in the world at The Beach House Kitchen — or red beans and rice at Original Oyster House Boardwalk — probably the best waterfront seafood restaurant on the Gulf Coast. Outdoor spots to hit include the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, one of the largest undeveloped parcels of land on the Alabama coast. You may come up and close with Peregrine Falcons here, the fastest member of the animal kingdom.
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Nestled about an hour from New Orleans, Bay St. Louis is the quintessential beach destination, a quaint, refreshing Neverland that does not get the acclaim it deserves. But don't spend all your time at the beach. Bay St. Louis is an artsy town. Places such as Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum display reasonably priced reprints and magnets. Avid fishermen will have a good time at Jimmy Rutherford Fishing Pier — amid yummy, laid-back views on every side. Stroll through Old Town if you don't want to venture out, and enjoy its endearing feel and eye-swaying attractions. How about eating on the patio at a cool waterfront place? The Blind Tiger, in the heart of downtown Bay St. Louis, is definitely what you have in mind.
Fairhope, Alabama
Fairhope is a charming seaside town with a nice, walkable downtown area. Start with some locally roasted coffee and handcrafted donuts at the Warehouse Bakery on Nichols Avenue, especially if well-made croissants tend to serenade your tongue. The downtown area is dotted with specialty stores that travel the whole gamut, from Ole Bay Mercantile (for lovely gifts and accessories) — to Fairhope French Quarter, which features a beautiful cobblestone courtyard. Walk down to the pier and linger a bit for a heart-stirring sunset, or venture out to the Eastern Shore Trail for some lung-filling exercise and views. A hair out of town, there is the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, Alabama’s largest wetland.
Grand Isle, Louisiana
Among the features contributing to Grand Isle’s prominence is the fact it is the only barrier island in Lousiana. Therefore, you do not have to go to Jekyll Island, especially if seeking the unspoiled allure of island destinations. Although the boardwalk at the Grand Isle State Park is closed at the moment because of the damage caused by Hurricane Ida, one can still see dolphins playing while lounging on a clean beach, or spending the night in a dark, well-patrolled campsite. Yum's serves unbelievably delicious po' boys, while Meagan's Snowball Stand is loved for its flavors of snowballs and ice cream.
Sanibel Island, Florida
Sanibel Island is a beautiful barrier island ideal for relaxing and spending some downtime. Although still reeling from the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian in September 2022 — and not fully back on its feet — there are delightful spots to enjoy. Also, Hurricane Milton swept through the town but caused little damage, nothing to make one avoid the island. You can bike through "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, stopping at the panoramic lookouts and enjoying the tasty coastal views. Stroll down to the Lighthouse Beach Park, especially if seeking an eyeball-to-eyeball encounter with dolphins and other marine wildlife, including manatees. Catch a romantic sunset at Bowman's Beach, enjoy the calm and clarity of the Sanctuary Golf Club — or lick your fingers at Rosalita's Cantina, loved for its melt-in-the-mouth margaritas.
Port Aransas, Texas
Rounding off the list of Best Small Towns on the Gulf Coast to Visit in 2024 is Port Aransas, Texas, a sleepy, charming town of less than 4,000 residents. There is Roberts Point Park with its nice walking paths and observation tower. This 50-acre waterfront park is an awesome place for a quiet evening by yourself — or a romantic slow-down with a special other. There is Port Aransas Beach, with its miles of sugar-white sand, where one can swim, surf, or sunbathe. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, although a birder’s paradise, features a boardwalk and tower with panoramic views. Plus, it is not uncommon to run into an alligator while exploring the facility.
The Takeaway
Picture a small, charming town with red-brick sidewalks, swaying palm trees, and beautiful architecture. The breeze is gentle and soft, and the glint of the ocean sways your eyes from a distance. Restaurants serve scrumptious, locally sourced oysters, while quirky rooftop bars offer well-brewed drinks, whether beer or cider. In the evening, you swing in a hammock as you watch the sun go down. There is no hassle in the world. Everything is slow and laid back. For such, the Gulf Coast provides an experience that is hard to beat. The trick is to pick a small, laid-back town, whether Destin, Florida or Grand Isle, Louisiana.
