Long before weekenders discovered Bay Saint Louis, French explorers charted these shores in 1699, naming the bay for King Louis IX. The settlement was later known as Shieldsborough before the railroad transformed it into a Gulf resort in the late 1800s. The Spanish-Revival L&N depot that still anchors the district (built in 1928) speaks to that rail era and even starred in the 1966 film This Property Is Condemned. Today the depot doubles as a visitor hub with the Mardi Gras Museum and the Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum upstairs.

With roughly 10,000 residents, the city feels personal in the best way, easy to navigate, easy to meet people, and easy to stumble into stories. A short stroll from the seawall leads past the “Angel Trees,” chainsaw-carved live oaks tied to a harrowing Katrina survival tale involving three neighbors and a dog who clung to a tree during the storm; the sculptures now dot the cemetery, Beach Boulevard, and Demontluzin Avenue as public art and memory.

Art fuels everyday life here. Second Saturday Art Walk brings gallery openings, live music, and shop specials across Old Town each month, a long-running tradition that turns evening errands into a street-side cultural crawl. On the same depot greenspace, “Wednesdays at the Depot” runs spring through fall with bands, pop-ups, and food vendors, a laid-back mid-week routine locals look forward to when the weather’s right.

Museums at the depot make an easy primer for newcomers. The Mardi Gras Museum displays elaborate costumes and throws light on a local carnival tradition that stretches beyond parade day, while the aforementioned Alice Moseley Museum preserves the joyful folk art of one of Mississippi’s best-loved painters—free to visit, generous with stories.

The dining scene packs far more flavor than a map might suggest. Trapani’s Eatery is a standby for Gulf classics; the paneed trout—pan-sautéed, crowned with shrimp, mushrooms, basil, and a gloss of hollandaise—tells you exactly why regulars bring out-of-towners there first. For a special night, The Sycamore House serves refined, seasonal dishes inside a restored 19th-century cottage, while Thorny Oyster runs a raw bar and modern seafood program that’s earned a devoted following.

Shopping here is an eclectic experience. Gallery 220’s artist co-op fills a 1930s Art Deco corner with work from about two dozen creators and is known for rolling out heaping snack tables on Second Saturdays. A block away, The French Potager blends floristry and design into a studio-shop that’s frequently tapped for weddings and community events. For grazing through many merchants under one roof, the Shops of Century Hall gathers boutiques, art, and home goods across three floors.

Festivals punctuate the calendar with a sense of place. Each July, Frida Fest splashes Old Town with flower crowns, a look-alike contest at Mockingbird Café, and a “5-Kahlo” fun run—equal parts arts celebration and neighborhood reunion. In January, “Dolly Should” returns as a tongue-in-cheek birthday party for Dolly Parton, complete with highest-hair contests and live music. The Our Lady of the Gulf Crab Festival anchors Independence Day weekend with rides and fresh seafood, while October’s Cruisin’ the Coast turns the beachfront into a rolling car show with scheduled music on local stages.

We at Frontier Wildlife Solutions work across this coast, and we know how quickly nature finds its way into attics, crawlspaces, and outbuildings, especially in Bay Saint Louis, where trees, water, and historic structures meet. Our team can inspect, remove the problem humanely, and seal things up so wildlife stays wild and your property stays yours. Contact us today to schedule an on-site visit, we’re ready to help.