8 Best Gulf Coast Towns For A Weekend Trip
The Gulf Coast of the United States runs along a string of working towns that meet the Gulf of Mexico by way of estuaries, white-sand beaches, and tidal bays. Across Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas, some of these towns developed around seafood processing plants, while others flourished as river ports before turning into resort cities. Shrimp boats still dock near fuel stations, and oyster shells pile up behind restaurants that have stood for generations.
From festivals frying up omelettes enormous enough to feed an entire town to exotic traditions introduced by migrant communities, it's the eclectic culture and Southern hospitality that round out this vibrant coastal experience. As you shift between saltwater and freshwater, stroll across town squares, and taste delightful seafood, a weekend on the Gulf Coast offers everything.
Palacios, Texas
Palacios is a settlement on the Texas Gulf Coast where Tres Palacios Bay meets Matagorda Bay, earning its nickname as the "Shrimp Capital of Texas" through decades of commercial fishing. The City by the Sea Museum is housed in the restored R.J. Hill building, dating back to 1910, featuring exhibits covering pre-Texas history up to the modern fishing industry, while the Fisherman's Memorial pays tribute to Vietnamese immigrants who arrived in 1975 and established blossoming shrimp operations, marked by a granite statue facing Matagorda Bay.
South along the peninsula, Oyster Lake Park and Fishing Hole attracts anglers to cast for redfish and speckled trout near Matagorda Beach, which also happens to be one of Texas’ most shark-infested beaches. For fishing in town, you can head to the pier that extends into Tres Palacios Bay. For accommodations, The Peaceful Pelican features Victorian architecture with a wraparound porch and lounge dating back to 1910, and now operates as a bed and breakfast, only minutes away from the museum and the shops downtown.
Crystal River, Florida
Less than 100 miles from Orlando’s Walt Disney World, Crystal River flourishes in wild foliage along the eponymous river that creates one of Florida's most unique wildlife experiences. Kings Bay is fed by a spring system that welcomes the largest gathering of manatees in North America in the Big Bend Coast. It also makes it the only place in the United States where swimming with manatees is permitted legally. The small town is replete with nature's abundant wonders, and Crystal River Preserve State Park is top among them, featuring the Eco-Walk Trail that traverses coastal habitats where salt marshes meet hardwood forests.
Kayaking through Crystal River’s narrow waterways takes paddlers past cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, and the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge protects Three Sisters Springs, where manatees congregate from November through March seeking thermal refuge from cold Gulf waters. Additionally, the Crystal River Archaeological State Park explores a complex of Native American burial mounds that offer glimpses into Florida's Indigenous peoples, as well as their culture and traditions. Crystal River features no shortage of hotels right downtown. One good choice is Hampton Inn on North Suncoast Boulevard, just a short drive from Kings Bay and the springs. Guests here are also close to shops, restaurants, and kayak launch points for manatee encounters.
Pascagoula, Mississippi
Pascagoula is one of Mississippi’s most charming towns, where the Pascagoula River cuts the landscape to separate it from neighboring Gautier. Legacies take center stage in Pascagoula, starting with Round Island Lighthouse. Built in 1859, it once stood offshore before Hurricane Georges toppled it in 1998. The restored structure was relocated in 2010 and restored, and it now welcomes visitors on the mainland.
La Pointe-Krebs House Museum dates back to 1757 and is the Hospitality State’s oldest structure, as well as the oldest confirmed building in the entire Mississippi Valley from the French Colonial period. Further south, Jimmy Buffett's Childhood Home on Roosevelt Street is also commemorated with a historical marker, while Pascagoula Beach Park's fishing piers extend into the Mississippi Sound, where families gather for recreation and coastal views. When it's time to call it a night, Grand Magnolia Ballroom & Suites, a Queen Anne mansion in downtown, offers river-view accommodations within walking distance of dining options.
Magnolia Springs, Alabama
Magnolia Springs is a neighbor to larger tourist destinations like Gulf Shores and Fairhope, but this idyllic village leaves its impact on the map through something no American town can claim. This unique feature is a year-round mail delivery service via boat along the Magnolia River. Jesse's Restaurant specializes in casual fine dining in a historic building that has been a local landmark since 1922. The dining room was the original post office, and the old mail slots with names still visible serve as the wait station.
The Magnolia River becomes central to weekend activities, whether paddling past waterfront homes with mailboxes on their docks or watching the postal boat make daily rounds, and the Weeks Bay Estuary in nearby Fairhope boasts boardwalks through diverse wetlands. Not to be outdone, Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast is housed in an estate originally built in 1897 and puts guests within easy reach of both river activities and dining, making this an ideal base for genuine Southern hospitality.
Abbeville, Louisiana
In Louisiana's Vermilion Parish, where the eponymous Vermilion River runs through downtown before flowing into the Gulf to the south, Abbeville connects bayous, lagoons, and small islands that adjoin the southern Louisiana coast. The city's subtropical spirit truly manifests during fall festivals, including the Giant Omelette Celebration around Thanksgiving. Over 5,000 eggs are cracked into a 12-foot skillet to create a massive omelette for this extravaganza that also includes live music, traditional dancing, and plenty of family-friendly activities. For history buffs, the Louisiana Military Museum showcases military artifacts and local veterans' stories through exhibits chronicling service from the Civil War through modern conflicts.
A few miles south, Bancker Grotto Memorial Park along Bayou Vermilion offers the chance to explore a restored grotto, and the surrounding wetlands, particularly in and around Palmetto Island State Park, are replete with palmetto and remnant colonies of the rare Abbeville red iris (Iris neslonii). Together, this ecosystem creates a pleasing experience for birdwatchers who come in search of migratory species, like the Prothonotary Warbler and Swainson’s Warbler, along routes linked to America’s Wetland Birding Trail. The Ducote-Williams House from the late 19th-century Arts and Crafts period functions as both a historic site and a unique opportunity for accommodation, while other lodging options include downtown Abbeville's Caldwell House, another vintage estate with luxury suites, as well as Days Inn by Wyndham Abbeville for more modern amenities.
Apalachicola, Florida
The Florida Panhandle's Apalachicola distinguishes itself among the Sunshine State's other Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast towns through its working waterfront. This small fishing village used to produce some 90 percent of Florida’s oysters and 10 percent of the nation’s oyster harvest, until the oyster industry collapsed in the early 2020s due to environmental strain and regulatory closures. Nonetheless, there is still plenty to awestruck visitors, from waterfront views to resort amenities. The John Gorrie Museum State Park honors the physician who invented mechanical refrigeration while practicing in Apalachicola during the 1840s. On the other hand, the Raney House Museum features rooms furnished with 19th-century pieces, family heirlooms, and Civil War-era artifacts, offering a window into Apalachicola’s mercantile past.
For regional culinary authenticity, Owl Cafe’s Gulf seafood stands out, while its vintage structure also dates back to the early 20th century. More adventures await at St. George Island in the Gulf of Mexico, a few miles across the bridge, where multiple beaches promote Gulf swimming and beachcombing. At Battery Park Marina along the Apalachicola River, you can find fishing charters departing daily from Apalachicola Charters and RC Fishing Charters. Both provide a range of fishing trips, along with sunset cruises and eco-tours. The Gibson Inn, built in 1907 and fully renovated, maintains period rooms with wraparound porches overlooking the bay, putting guests directly in the heart of the Apalachicola Historic District.
Bayou La Batre, Alabama
Bayou La Batre has earned its title as the Yellowhammer State’s "Seafood Capital" after shrimp canneries began opening more than a century ago. This fishing village gained greater recognition as the inspiration and backdrop for the shrimping scenes in Forrest Gump. On South Wintzell Avenue, Catalina Restaurant has built its reputation over more than sixty years, largely due to a menu rooted in Gulf tradition. The spirit of Bayou La Batre comes through in royal red shrimp, fried oysters, crab claws, and whole flounder, as the staff serve warm hospitality, generous portions, and unmistakable local flair.
Those interested in the region’s history can explore the University of South Alabama's Doy Leale McCall Rare Book and Manuscript Library in Mobile, about 30 miles north. For accommodations, Bayou Inn & Suites hosts guests less than seven miles from Theodore’s preeminent Bellingrath Gardens and Historic Home, a 65‑acre estate of terraced gardens and fountains in the neighboring town, boasting a 15‑room house built with handmade brick, ornamental iron lacework, and views of a mirror lake. Meanwhile, Dockside RV Resort & Alabama Gulf Coast Campground sits directly by coastal waters for visitors seeking a premium yet grounded experience along the shoreline.
Golden Meadow, Louisiana
Golden Meadow cascades across Bayou Lafourche in the lower reaches of Lafourche Parish, west of New Orleans, where the bayou flows through marshlands toward the Gulf of Mexico. Here, services like Midnight Blue Bowfishing Charters also offer guided trips through shallow waters, where participants target species such as gar and carp with bows and arrows. The unincorporated community of Leeville extends further south, where Grand Isle, one of Louisiana's most cherished attractions and its barrier island beaches, becomes accessible.
During the holidays, the Annual Golden Meadow Christmas Boat Parade transforms Bayou Lafourche into a dazzling spectacle where decorated vessels, illuminated with thousands of lights, cruise past cheering crowds lining the banks. On the other hand, the advent of summer is welcomed via the Boulettes & Balloons Festival at Oakridge Community Park, featuring hot air balloon launches and Cajun meatball competitions. Southern Breeze Lodge offers waterfront stays in cabins along the coast, with tidal grasses and scattered islets composing its quiet backdrop.
Dive Into The Subtropical Corners of the Gulf States
Along America's Third Coast, a weekend trip will take you through everything from galleries to museums and historic inns. Each of these Gulf towns spotlights a different part of the shore's timeline. While some are tied to logging or boatbuilding, others stood resilient through hurricanes. All in all, a weekend here makes it clear that the Gulf Coast offers not only an abundance of memories to treasure but something distinct and entirely unique.
