9 Prettiest Gulf Coast Towns for 2024
The Gulf Coast spans from southwest Florida to the southern Texas coast. The seaside towns along the coast are full of natural beauty and unique attractions. They attract many visitors yearly for their remarkable beaches, some of which are prime Spring Break party spots like Panama City Beach and Padre Island. Most Gulf Coast beaches have white, sugary sand from erosion-resistant quartz and azure-colored waters.
The towns are also family-friendly and have several parks and nature preserves. The stretches of beach are often uninhabited or at least have restrictions on what is allowed to be developed to preserve the natural scenery. While each town has similar surroundings, each one has unique attractions that make them endearing to so many. Here are the ten prettiest towns to visit on the Gulf Coast.
Padre Island, Texas
Padre Island, Texas, is divided into two geographical designations: North and South Padre Island. The National Seashore and Preserve is on the island's north side near Corpus Christi, while the south end near Brownsville is a resort town with hotels and shops. This designation makes Padre Island one of the more unique Gulf Coast towns because it is like visiting two places at once.
Though North Padre is known for its nature preserve and South Padre is known as a Spring Break destination, the south end has preserves, too. The 18-mile-long Mustang Island State Park is popular among kayakers and includes a paddling trail and close to 100 camping sites. The island is popular among visitors because of its proximity to state aquariums, museums, and natural scenery.
Port Aransas, Texas
Port Aransas is a small beach town on Mustang Island, Texas. It is popular for its white sandy beaches and is home to the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center. The birding center has a natural pollinator garden near the front and two boardwalks that cover 1,225 feet above freshwater wetlands. The main draw for many visitors is the 18-mile uninhabited public beach that is routinely voted as one of the best beaches in the country.
The town is Texas's "fishing capital, " offering prime surfing, kayaking, and boating adventures throughout the bays and channels. There is also a thriving art scene with many galleries like the Port Aransas Art Center and live theatre at Port Aransas Community Theatre. The Chapel on the Dunes is a must-see attraction for anyone looking for a tranquil setting. It is on the highest point on the island in Old Town and faces the ocean. The serene setting was built in the 1930s by poet Aline Carter and is available for historic tours through the Port Aransas Museum.
Fairhope, Alabama
Fairhope is on the eastern side of Mobile Bay, Alabama, and has always been a famous resort town. The Fairhope Museum of History highlights how early visitors traveled from Mobile via boat to stay in cottages and hotels. There are also exhibits and artifacts from Native American culture. There are many iconic landmarks in Fairhope, including the French Quarter. The charming French Quarter section has cobblestone sidewalks, quaint shops, and Alabama's largest Crepe Myrtle.
Other notable sites are the Eastern Shore Art Center and the historic Grand Hotel, built in 1847. Fairhope is the main drag and leads to the historic site of the Fairhope Pier. The original structure was built in 1894 and was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The replacement was installed in 2006 and stretches 1,448 feet into Mobile Bay. This is one of the most charming towns along the Gulf Coast and one of the best to explore on foot.
Orange Beach, Alabama
Orange Beach, Alabama, is a charming beach community popular among anglers and boating enthusiasts. It is also home to one of the most famous beach bars in the world, the Flora Bama. The bar opened on the county line with Perdido Key, Florida, in 1964 and now includes five stages that draw in thousands of visitors yearly.
Cultural attractions include the Orange Beach Indian and Sea Museum and The Wharf. The museum features local Native American and fishing artifacts and exhibits. The Wharf is family-friendly and has many things to see and do, including an amphitheater with live music throughout the year. It is easy to spot; just look for the tallest Ferris Wheel in the Southeast, which offers panoramic views of the gorgeous beaches and small community.
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Ocean Springs, Mississippi, is a charming coastal town with beautiful beaches, cultural sites, and nature preserves. Front Beach, which stretches from Biloxi Bay Bridge to Ocean Springs Harbor, is one of the biggest draws for visitors. Another outdoor attraction is the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which has slat marshes, long stretches of sand, and azure-colored water.
The Walter Anderson Museum of Art is a great place to cool down after a warm day at the beach. There are eclectic exhibits and guided tours with docents and volunteers. Downtown is one of the coolest shopping hubs on the coast, filled with boutiques like Charisma and The Bay Collection. Ocean Springs is an excellent town to explore on foot or spend the day sunbathing and relaxing on the beach. It offers the best of both worlds.
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Bay St. Louis is a spirited town in Mississippi that draws many visitors to its casinos. It also has a gorgeous coastal beach. The Bay St. Louis Beach has a nice walking path that stretches for miles past restaurants, a marina, and shops. There are cultural and artistic places to visit, like museums and a charming downtown area.
The Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum has a wonderful backstory and interesting exhibits. Alice Moseley started painting at 65 years old while she cared for her mother, and her work is shown at the museum. There is lively nightlife in town, as well as events like the Historic Ghost Cemetary Walking Pub Crawl. Several bars and nightclubs are downtown, including Stella, Blues, and BBQ.
Grand Isle, Louisiana
Grand Isle is Louisiana's only inhabited barrier island and a popular hunting and fishing location in southern Louisiana. Grand Isle State Park is part of its allure, a natural beach ridge created by the crashing waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Onshore adventures include the Grand Isle Birding Trail, which winds through a dense oak forest, and Grand Isle Beach.
The Butterfly Dome is home to over 100 species of butterflies and is a great way to spend an afternoon after a morning at the beach. The adventurous will love Wake Side Cable Park. The terminus is an inflatable water playground with wakeboards, slides, and training classes. Grand Isle is hard to beat for unspoiled beauty, fun, and adventure, which makes it one of the prettiest towns on the Gulf Coast.
Panama City Beach, Florida
Panama City Beach, Florida (PCB), is a popular Spring Break destination and one of the nicest beaches on the Gulf Coast. The famed beach has white sand that meets the blue, almost clear water of the Gulf of Mexico. There are family parks like Shipwreck Island Waterpark and Ripley's Believe It or Not, as well as a vibrant nightlife for adults. Natural preserves are also prominent in this region.
St. Andrews Shell Island is popular among nature lovers, swimmers, and beachcombers. The pristine coastal preserve has a ferry that runs to Shell Island, which includes a four-hour Dolphin Swim Tour. Gulf World Marine Park is another interactive park where visitors can experience marine mammals in their natural habitat. PCB is a rare gem with something for everyone, from natural beauty to well-maintained parks and thriving entertainment venues.
Anna Maria Island, Florida
Anna Maria Island, Florida, is a pristine barrier island off Sarasota's coast known for its tropical scenery and laidback atmosphere. The resort has several historic features, including a wooden pier built in 1911 and a 1920s beach cottage. The Belle Haven cottage is part of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum and was originally built on the pier. The museum has gone through many iterations as a garage and a sea turtle hatchery and now showcases the island's history.
The seven-mile-long island is also a popular shopping destination. Pine Avenue and Bridge Street have many boutiques, galleries, and restaurants like The Waterfront Restaurant and The Sandbar on the beach. Just over the bridge is the Bradenton-Sarasota area, with museums, art galleries, and historical sites. Anna Maria has the "old Florida" vibe and is one of the most visited islands in Florida because of its serene setting.
The Gulf Coast spans five states and has some of the prettiest beaches in the US. The small coastal towns along the way all have a unique charm and gorgeous scenery, which is a big draw for many visitors. Barrier islands like Grand Isle, Louisiana, and Anna Maria Island in Florida are largely unspoiled, which allows their beauty to shine through.
Padre Island, Texas, and Panama City Beach, Florida, are Spring Break destinations for the college crowd but have much more to offer. The natural preserves and marine protection habitats are fascinating studies into nature and marine life. Whether looking for a secluded beach and downtime or a vibrant party scene, these are the ten prettiest towns on the Gulf Coast.
