9 Small Towns In Gulf Coast To Visit For A Weekend Getaway
After a long, busy week, the best way to unwind is to go on a weekend getaway along the beautiful shorelines of the Gulf Coast. The Gulf Coast, also known as the South Coast, is the coastline along the Southern United States, where it meets the Gulf of Mexico. This coastline spans across five different states in the country. The area has many pristine beaches and historic downtowns waiting to be explored. Get your weekend bag ready for a fun time in any of these 9 small towns on the Gulf Coast.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Gulf Shores is a small resort town in the southernmost part of Alabama. This town's location on the Gulf of Mexico makes its terrain perfect for various outdoor activities, from swimming in the ocean to watching the sun set behind the water bodies. The town is home to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. This zoo has over 500 exotic animals, including Kangaroos. You can spend time playing with some of the friendly animals. Gulf Shores has several trails for biking, hiking, and bird watching. Visit the Gulf State Park to see the bird species found in this region.
Shop till your hands drop at Pelican's Place at Crafts Farm, a shopping mall on Gulf shores and a tourist hotspot. Try out the amazing seafood dishes on the menus of local restaurants in town. For complete outdoor fun and excitement, you can stay at any of the finest accommodations, like the Luxury RV resort within walking distance of the town's beaches.
Dunedin, Florida
Dunedin is a small historic town in Pinellas County, Florida. This town might be small, but it has a lot of modern amenities to make tourists feel comfortable throughout their stay. Bounded by Clearwater to the South and East and the Gulf of Mexico to the West. This town is home to several beaches, including the Honeymoon Island and the Caladesi Island. With their green-blue waters and white sands, Dunedin beaches have been recognized as one of the best on the planet. South of Downtown Dunedin offers you a breathtaking view of the St. Joseph Sound, Clearwater Beach, and Caladesi Island.
Beer lovers are in for a wonderful time in this charming town. The town is home to several microbreweries, including the oldest microbrewery in Florida. The town has a brewery map to give visitors the best "Pub Crawl" experience. The Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites is your best bet if you are looking to explore the Downtown area and Dunedin beaches.
Tarpon Springs, Florida
In Pinellas County, Florida, is the unique coastal town called Tarpon Springs. This town is believed to be named after the exclamation of an early settler, who saw a fish leap out and exclaimed, "See the tarpon spring." Tarpon Springs had the highest percentage of Greek Americans in the United States as of 2000, which has played a role in the town's cultural heritage. Visit the historic Greek district of this beautiful town and experience what it feels like to be part of a Greek community. Try out some of the exquisite Greek delicacies at any of the local restaurants in this district. Spend the afternoon at nearby beaches watching the Bottlenose Dolphins and spotting shells. You can also try out Sponge Diving while you're in town. Stay at Tarpon Shores Inn or any of the beachside accommodations to wake up to the beautiful ocean view.
Rockport, Texas
Rockport is a small town in Aransas County. The town is on the Live Oak Peninsula, surrounded by Aransas Bay and Copano Bay waters. The town has a colorful ambiance that gets tourists excited about their stay. Rockport Beach is a must-visit for every tourist. Voted number 1 beach in Texas by USA Today Readers. The beach has Picnic Cabanas, Palapas, Fitness trails, etc. Memorial Park has a lot of trails for biking and hiking. The park has ponds and rest benches where visitors can relax after their hikes. There are many accommodation options, from Hotels like the Fairfield Inn and Suites to RV resorts like the Copano Bay RV Resorts.
South Padre Island, Texas
South Padre Island is a small beach town in Texas. This town is found at the southern end of the South Padre Island (a barrier island along the Texas Gulf Coast). This town can only be accessed by the Queen's Isabella Causeway from Port Isabel. This beach town has many adventures that keep visitors' adrenaline pumping throughout their stay. The South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary is unlike anything you have seen. Visitors get to see and learn about the area's birds, flora, and fauna. In the Sanctuary, there is a tower that gives you a spectacular view of the beautiful skylines and the dunes on the island. Go on "The Orginal Dolphin Tour" and have the opportunity to watch a pod of dolphins play in the water. From beach houses to condos, there are many accommodation options in South Padre Island to fit your needs and budget. You can check out the Bahamia Mar.
Pascagoula, Mississippi
Pascagoula is located along the Mississippi Sound on the east side of the mouth of Pascagoula River (Popularly known as the "Singing River"). The name "Pascagoula" means "Bread Eater," it was derived from the Pascagoula people (a native American tribe found in villages around the river). The town has over 300 years of history, and with trails along the important historical sites, you are sure to learn more about this town during your stay. Pascagoula Historic Bike Trail allows visitors to stop at significant places in the town. During your bike ride, you will encounter the La-Pointe Kreb's House, Ingalls Shipyard Iron gates, etc. You can also take long walks along the Katrina Memorial and Walking Trail to see areas of the town that Hurricane Katrina destroyed. You can stay at the Singing River Inn or any other accommodation options available in Pascagoula.
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Bay St. Louis is a small seaside town in Mississippi. This charming old town was named among the "Best Places to Live in Mississippi" by the Mississippi magazine in 2020. The French Colonists have influenced the town's culture. Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum is worth exploring. The interior of this museum is a replica of Miss Alice's House. The museum has original antiques, paintings, and pottery. Join the Beignet and History Walk. This guided tour teaches you a lot about the history of this town while making stops at several historical spots. The Downtown area of this town is a sight to behold. You can shop at any of the antique stores found in this area. You can stay at the Bayfront Cottage or any of the numerous accommodation options in Bay St. Louis.
Venice, Florida
Spend the weekend at one of Florida’s hidden gem towns. Venice is a small town on Florida's Gulf Coast with a population of less than 30,000. This coastal town was initially planned to be a retirement place for members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, but the plan failed due to the stock market crash of 1929.
However, this has not stopped this town and its locals. Venice is the perfect weekend getaway location because it is packed with activities for people of all ages. Downtown Venice is a sight to behold, with moss-covered oaks arranged beautifully along the avenue. This area of the town gives you the “Old Florida” feel. At the heart of this area, you can watch a concert at the gazebo in Centennial Park. After a nice and eventful day of Shark tooth hunting on the shorelines of Venice's pristine beaches, retire to your room at the historic Hotel Venice to enjoy a nice and relaxing evening. The hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in February 1984.
Orange Beach, Alabama
Orange Beach is the easternmost town on Alabama's Gulf Coast. The town is seated on the Perdido key of the Gulf of Mexico. This small resort town has a lot of activities for visitors all year round. One fun and unique thing to do in Orange Beach is spend the day on the "Cruisin' Tikis." Enjoy the ocean view while sipping your freshly made cocktails and dancing to exotic music. You can join the Glass Bottoms Dolphin Tour. The tour boat has four glass panels to view Dolphins that are beneath the boat. You can stay at Beach Getaways or any of the numerous accommodation options in Orange Beach.
The Gulf Coast area is spattered with beautiful beach towns that have activities to keep you busy for the entire weekend. In case you don't know where to start, this list was compiled to get you started. There is no better time to visit these small towns on the Gulf Coast than now; pack your bags and get on the next flight.
