Need a weekend getaway before the weather turns colder? Southern Living says “the most charming coastal town you’ve probably never heard of” is on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
This seaside community has lots of options for either a fun weekend with friends or a family trip. You can hang out along white sand beaches, shop or visit historic sites.
What’s the Mississippi beach town you should visit?
“Located about 20 miles east of Biloxi, Pascagoula is the quintessential laidback beach town with everything you need for a perfect vacation,” Southern Living wrote.
New Gulf Coast Amtrak line makes getting there easy
The coastal city is a stop on Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras service that runs from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama, making it an easy destination.
According to Southern Living, the train station is in a walkable downtown area that has plenty of shopping options.
Get up close with nature
Check out the beach on the Gulf Coast. Beach Park has a 1,000-foot pier, trails and other amenities in a 14-acre area. Or get close to nature along the Pascagoula River.
There’s also the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Pascagoula River Audubon Center in nearby Moss Point.
More: These 5 homes are some of the oldest in Mississippi (Some pre-date the Revolutionary War!)
Take a walk through history
Pascagoula has several historic sites to visit, including the oldest building in Mississippi and a picture-perfect lighthouse.
The LaPointe-Krebs House is the oldest modern building in the state. Build in 1757, it’s made from “tabby,” a material similar to concrete made from burned oyster shells that were then dissolved and added to sand, ash and more shells. Now, you can catch a tour at the LaPointe-Krebs House & Museum on weekends.
The Round Island Lighthouse was built in 1859 and moved to its current site on the mainland in 2010. It’s been open to the public for a decade. It’s open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where should I eat in Pascagoula?
Bozo’s and its two spinoff locations have Gulf seafood. Southern Living says the overstuffed po’boys are a local favorite.
“This popular hangout is part sushi bar, part juke joint, part taco spot, and all about great eats and excellent live music,” Southern Living said of Jack’s By The Tracks. It also gets a high ranking among customer reviews on TripAdvisor.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Southern Living says you ‘definitely need to visit’ this MS beach town