6 Of The Most Overlooked Towns In The Gulf Coast
The turquoise surf of the Gulf of Mexico laps up the shores of five southern states. Promising pristine beaches in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida are as different as they come, beckoning with a crowdless feel, each with a star attraction like the fine-as-sugar beaches at Longboat Key in Florida and Orange Beach, Alabama.
Louisiana's lovely old town of Mandeville, on the northern shore of Lake Pontchartrain, blends heritage with modern attractions and natural beauty against the iconic Mandeville Lakefront and its giant live oak trees. Carrabelle is overlooked along the eastern Florida Panhandle, while Port Isabel nestles at the very southern tip of Texas with a waterfront downtown.
Carrabelle, Florida
Just 53 miles southwest of Tallahassee via scenic County Highway 98 and County Road 67, this small town is overlooked along the eastern Florida Panhandle. Visitors can take out a fishing charter into the endless seas and enjoy kayaking down the Carrabelle River right through the heart of town. Nearby, the wind-swept beach evokes something right out of wild fantasy, with soft sands but rugged rocks and stumps, a fringe of palms and conifers, and fiery sunsets. Tate's State Forest is a few minutes' stroll from downtown for a hike, while the beautiful deep-water seaport calls out for a romantic stroll or an adventurous boat trip.
Over a century in the fishing industry, history, food, art, and sunsets are intertwined to enjoy through local bars and restaurants or try your own hand at shrimping and oystering. The cozy downtown, drenched in Old Florida vibes, offers access to two marinas for a day on the water before a dinner at the simple yet elegant decor of The Fisherman's Wife Carrabelle. Facing the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, Carrabelle is a fantastic idea for a crowdless getaway with notable attractions like the World's Smallest Police Station, Carrabelle Bottle House, and Crooked River Lighthouse just down the coast.
Longboat Key, Florida
The sugar-sand island of Longboat Key, just off the Gulf Coast, promotes a relaxing escape with low crowds along its 12-mile stretch of beaches. From waterfront golf to luxury resorts and upscale dining, it is no wonder that this barrier island west of Sarasota and Bradenton is often deemed an escape for the rich. Blending a remote appeal with a laidback vibe, it is accessible for outdoor enthusiasts, families, and retirees alike for a quick getaway or a deserving vacation, with something for everyone's taste. From the crowdless 45 holes of championship golf at the Resort at Longboat Key Club to beachy pleasures, there's literally plenty of various saltwater fish in the sea for anglers, like flounder, sheepshead, and snook.
Separated from the mainland by Sarasota Bay, the deepest bay between Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor, the tempting beaches include Whitney Beach, with the turquoise surf of the gulf, perfect for self-guided kayaking, a dolphin spotting tour, or diving. The famous St. Armands Circle features over 100 stores and restaurants for local seafood and other cuisine along the waterfront, from casual to sophisticated. Here, visitors can enjoy a unique water skiing show by the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees water skiing team after a morning paddle on the nearly 10-mile bike trail across the island, the Longboat Key Bike Trail. Sarasota Jungle Gardens and the nearby Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium delight kids with resident manatees, sharks, and other marine life.
Mandeville, Louisiana
This lovely old town, just behind the Gulf Coast on the northern shore of Lake Pontchartrain, blends heritage with modern attractions and natural beauty. Mandeville is an overlooked shopper's paradise, offering top-notch shopping like boutique interior décor shops, the latest fashions, and memorable restaurants. From local markets downtown to a huge golf course just north, don't miss the famous Pontchartrain Po-Boys, with no better po'boys in a wide radius around. Mandeville celebrates the bi-annual Sip n' Stroll with over 25 restaurants, bars, and shops near the waterfront on a walking excursion, with immediate access to the iconic Mandeville Lakefront and giant live oaks.
Visitors can explore the Mandeville Trailhead, Northlake Nature Center, and Fontainebleau State Park, with a jutting pier for fishing and sailing, rental cabins, and camping nearby the sandy beach. Featuring an 1830s sugar mill and trails like the Tammany Trace hike/bike path, water fans can head straight to the nearby bayous Cane and Castine for kayaking. Locals reel in catch along the seawall on Lakeshore Drive, while Sunset Point Fishing Pier offers the 24-mile-long Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge, which connects to New Orleans across the lake. The unforgettable Light Up the Lake 4th of July Celebration features a sunset concert and firework display over the lake, welcoming tourists to join with picnic baskets and lawn chairs.
Moss Point, Mississippi
Moss Point, one of the most unique locales and towns along the Gulf Coast, is often overlooked as the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. At the junction of two rivers, Pascagoula and Escatawpa, Moss Point is truly a sight to see and experience via fishing, boating, skiing, and swimming year-round. Home to some of the most beautiful and unique natural habitats in the US, the Pascagoula River Audubon Center along the Mississippi offers insights into the largest free-flowing river in the contiguous United States and one of the wildest, as well as self-navigation tips. Kayakers can discover the amazing world of abundant native flora and fauna in coastal Mississippi or join the River, Marsh, and Bayou boat tours.
Offering outstanding playgrounds and recreational centers, Moss Point is literally hidden within a natural embrace from the eyes of the oblivious in stately pines and shade trees like pecan, cedar, maple, and dogwood. Thanks to the rich water environment of Escatawpa River Marsh Coastal Preserve at its heart, the streets are astounding with cascading moss, centuries-old live oaks, and beautiful magnolias. The historic river city is only 38 miles west of Mobile and some 100 miles east of New Orleans—well worth the drive for the flowering shrubs, azaleas, camellias, bridal wreaths, wisteria, and crepe myrtles drowning some beautiful old homes and historic churches.
Orange Beach, Alabama
Located on Wolf Bay, Orange Beach beckons with soft, sugar-white sand beaches. This underrated small gem along Alabama's Gulf Coast is a water sports hub for crowdless fun in the summer sun or anytime getaway to the empty shores. From pier strolls to top-notch golf courses, beautiful resort condominiums welcome couples and families near all the attractions, like Orange Beach sailing cruises into the sea world. Waterfront Park features a fishing pier and picnic areas, while the unexpected encounters along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail delight nature lovers, curious kids, and kids at heart.
Perfect for a stroll or a rental bike ride from town, this picturesque route offers six captivating ecosystems with diverse wildlife, including birds, otters, wild boars, and even alligators. The city offers some of the state's best fishing via an Orange Beach fishing charter to hook a giant grouper, while relic hunters will enjoy Native American sites at the Orange Beach Indian and Sea Museum, which explores the history of fishing. Just west, the Wharf is a scenic dining and shopping strip with a fantastic amphitheater, and to savor all that Orange Beach has to offer, take a sea cruise or a helicopter ride.
Port Isabel, Texas
Renowned for its amazingly diverse geography, the second-largest state in the US astounds in the small town scene, from the rugged mountains in the west to the Gulf Coast, where Port Isabel nestles at the very southern tip of Texas. Located on the banks of Laguna Madre Bay, in between the rolling tides of the sea and Bahia Grande and Laguna Larga nudging at its western side, with Vadia Ancha at its heart, the downtown is completely waterfront. Giving off tropical vibes with a hint of Mexico, visitors can take an eco-tour of all sea creatures and enjoy renowned spots like Joe's Oyster Bar and Dirty Al's at Pelican Station.
The star of the show is the only lighthouse open to the public on the Texas Gulf Coast, while the Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage Visitor Center offers artifacts, memorabilia, and tickets to the lighthouse. Right on the mainland, the towering Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site is hard to miss, with fantastic day and night views. Visitors can enjoy picnics just a short way from the light and annual events on-site like Lighthouse Establishment Cinema, Lighthouse Market Day, and Queen Isabella Market Day. Just south, Long Island Swing Bridge is another historical landmark, while the spectacular Arturo Galvan Coastal Park is north of downtown for a stroll and scenic recreation.
Full of sun, sand, and southern hospitality, all these towns lack crowds along the beaches, making way for relaxation, seaside fun, and adventures. Tangled within the Pascagoula and Escatawpa Rivers, Moss Point is literally drowned in nature to experience via fishing, boating, skiing, and swimming year-round.
Port Isabel is home to the only lighthouse open to the public on the Texas Gulf Coast, the towering Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site. Separated from the mainland by Sarasota Bay, the deepest bay between Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor, the exclusive feel of Longboat Key is accessible to all.
