2 MS Coast towns rank among US favorites, World Atlas says. Here’s where, why
Two Mississippi Coast communities are among a list of 11 favorite small towns on the Gulf Coast, according to a recent ranking from World Atlas, a geography-focused publication.
“Big surfing waves are rare on the Gulf, but the trade-off is some of the whitest sand and warmest water in the country,” the outlet notes.
Here’s what to know about the Mississippi towns that made the list.
Ocean Springs
Located about five miles northeast from Biloxi, Ocean Springs is an artsy beach town of just under 20,000. Popular spots in the area include the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, Horn Island and Government Street, according to World Atlas.
The town has earned much recognition recently, including the following awards:
- Best Small Town Cultural Scene by USA Today 10 Best, 2026-2021
- The South’s Best Beach Getaways by Southern Living, 2026
Bay St. Louis
Bay St. Louis, about a 16-mile drive southwest from Gulfport, also made World Atlas’s list for its arts, shops, white-sand beaches and laid-back vibes, according to the outlet.
Popular spots in the area include the Jimmy Rutherford Fishing Pier, Old Town Bay St. Louis and The Blind Tiger, according to the ranking.
Recent recognition for the town includes the following:
- Best Beach Towns in the South by Southern Living, 2025 and 2026
- Runner-up: Best Small Town in the South by USA Today 10 Best, 2024
Which other small towns made the list?
Here’s the full list of Gulf Coast towns ranked among U.S. favorites, according to World Atlas:
- Seaside, Florida
- Ocean Springs, Mississippi
- Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
- Destin, Florida
- Grayton Beach, Florida
- Dauphin Island, Alabama
- Gulf Shores, Alabama
- Grand Isle, Louisiana
- Naples, Florida
- Sanibel Island, Florida
- Panama City Beach, Florida
