8 Gulf Coast Towns Where Time Stands Still
With the hectic pace of modern life leaving people constantly on edge, everyone needs an occasional escape to a relaxing location where time stands still. Although one may find such therapeutic spots in other regions of the United States, nothing beats the Gulf Coast, especially with its dreamy coastline, warm waters, and palpable sense of nostalgia. Think of hammocks and breezes, forts and museums. You can feel soft sand between your toes and charter a boat for epic dolphin-watching adventures! Not sure where to start? Continue reading to discover 8 towns on the Gulf Coast where time slows down.
Port Aransas, Texas
Port Aransas is a tiny coastal town on Mustang Island known for plenty of outdoor fun, from deep-sea fishing to dolphin watching. Before its present reputation as a resort town loved for its wide beaches and abundant recreational opportunities, this Texas jewel was a small fishing and grazing community known as Ropesville and later Tarpon before adopting the name Port Aransas in 1911. With its delightful scent of wood shavings, Farley Boat Works is a living museum where skilled folks demonstrate the craft of boatbuilding.
The Tarpon Inn has been around since 1914. To mingle with friendly seafaring mammals, both the Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventure and Dolphin Docks Deep Sea Fishing run scenic cruises that are well worth booking. Alternatively, you can sunbathe at Port Aransas Beach or explore the Port Aransas Museum, which offers exhibits about fishing and local history.
Apalachicola, Florida
Apalachicola is in the Northwest Florida Panhandle on Apalachicola Bay, about 59 miles south of Panama City. It was founded about 1828 as West Point, before being renamed Apalachicola in 1831. It subsequently emerged as an important cotton-shipping port, but a blockade during the American Civil War brought trade to a halt. In the 1840s, a local doctor invented a refrigeration apparatus to cool the rooms of yellow-fever patients. Today, the John Gorrie State Museum celebrates his life and work.
Other unmissable attractions include the Ionic-columned Trinity Episcopal Church, which was built in the 1830s with wood shipped from New York. Also, Orman House Historic State Park is a 19th-century mansion offering guided tours. You will enjoy the adjacent botanical garden, especially with its beautifully set picnic tables.
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Bay St. Louis lies along the Mississippi Sound at the entrance to St. Louis Bay, about 58 miles northeast of New Orleans. It was once a resort for wealthy planters and, later, for tourists arriving after the New Orleans, Mobile, and Chattanooga Railroad was completed in the years after the Civil War. Later, casino gambling became the main draw, attracting people from far and wide. Bay St. Louis was named for Louis IX of France, the most popular of the Capetian monarchs.
From sailing with Mississippi Gulf Coast Boat Tours, which offers cruises from morning to evening, to lounging on the dog-friendly Bay St. Louis's beaches, there's so much to enjoy in this relaxed Mississippi location. You can cast a line for a fresh catch at Jimmy Rutherford Fishing Pier, amble through the Bay St. Louis Mardi Gras Museum, which displays Mardi Gras costumes and memorabilia, or enjoy live music at 100 Men Hall, a historical landmark that showcases beautiful artwork.
St. George Island, Florida
Although some inland spots can be incredibly relaxing, islands are where time truly slows down. St. George Island, a 22-mile barrier island with some of the most serene beaches on the Gulf Coast, is one such place. Turpentine harvesting and cattle raising were once major activities on St. George Island. Therefore, it should not be surprising that the regionally famous Dr Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park has the oldest stand of slash pine found on a barrier island. Also, most of the old pine trees show evidence of turpentine harvesting. Visitors often enjoy miles of uncrowded beaches for sunning and shelling, clear Gulf waters for swimming, and much more.
Keep in mind that Cape St. George Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse with fabulous views over the island and bay, while St. George Island State Park, a principal attraction that defines the outdoor recreational scene, features 3.5 miles of nature trails for bike riding, many different bird-watching opportunities (look out for osprey and bald eagles), and 60 campsites with electricity, water hookups, and a nearby dump station. Regatta Park, a small but pretty park on the bay front, is a lovely spot to see dolphins swimming and enjoy the constant chirping of exuberant shorebirds.
Dauphin Island, Alabama
Flip flops pad down the streets. The gentle breeze brushes against your skin. The landscape is soft and dreamy. That's part of what to expect in Dauphin Island, a 15-mile-long stretch at the entrance to Mobile Bay off the southwest coast of Alabama. Dauphin Island was visited in 1699 by the explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville, who had instructions to establish a base for French colonization of Louisiana. It was originally called Massacre Island (because of human bones found on the shore), before being renamed in 1707 for the title of the heir to the French throne.
This area is a bird-watcher's paradise. The Audubon Bird Sanctuary, a serene environment with nice walking trails, boasts a huge abundance of bird life. Alternatively, Indian Shell Mound Park is a subtropical beauty known for its prehistoric shell mounds, ancient trees, and, of course, abundant birdlife. Meanwhile, Dauphin Beach offers warm Gulf waters and a long stretch of sand. That said, history nerds will want to check out Fort Gaines, a brick fort built in the 1800s that was used during the Civil War.
Steinhatchee, Florida
Steinhatchee is an “Old Florida” small town connected to nearby Jena by a small two-lane bridge crossing the Steinhatchee River. Back then, the surrounding area was known simply as "Deadman's Bay,” ostensibly because residents once found several white men floating in the Steinhatchee River. Steinhatchee was explored by Andrew Jackson and later by Zachary Taylor during the Seminole Wars. In the 1930s, the town was named "Steinhatchee" after the river on whose peaceful banks it sits. Anglers will want to start their adventure at Sea Hag Marina, which offers a large fleet of rental boats and fishing charters. It also has beautiful rustic cabins perfect for a fishing or scalloping stay.
In terms of food, Fiddler’s Restaurant is a riverside establishment worth a visit for the seafood and prime rib buffet, weekly live music, and fascinating history. You can watch the flow of the Steinhatchee River and enjoy the water’s rippling sound, then spend a peaceful night at Camp SeaFour, which has tons of amenities and a first-rate host.
Port St. Joe, Florida
Port St. Joe is on St. Joseph Bay in Northwest Florida, about 23 miles east of St. George Island. In the 1830s, St. Joseph was selected over Tallahassee as the site of Florida's first Constitutional Convention, making it poised to become the territorial capital. It appeared centrally located and had a deep natural harbor. Unfortunately, the dream did not come to fruition. Two hurricanes, a devastating wildfire, and yellow fever virtually wiped out the town soon after the historic convention. The Constitution Convention Museum at Constitution Convention Museum State Park, steps away from where the Constitutional Convention took place, displays artefacts about Florida's road to statehood.
On Monument Avenue, Sand Dollar Cafe is a phenomenal hole-in-the-wall that whips up some of the most delicious Southern comfort food in the world. Plus, the atmosphere is like sitting at your grandparents' house. There's Cape San Blas Lighthouse, which offers beautiful bay views from the top and a cute little gift shop. Not to be outdone, Frank Pate Park is a nice park to watch the sunset or fish from the pier.
Gautier, Mississippi
Gautier, pronounced GO-chay or GO-shay, is a Jackson County gem located west of Pascagoula and east of Ocean Springs, with a population of approximately 19,000. The town got its name from an enterprising family from Lyons, France, which owned a business called Fernando Gautier and Sons Sawmill, then the largest in the area, with its own railroad stop. In the 1940s, Gautier began to grow as shipyard workers from Ingalls began moving to the area. Today, it offers a relaxing atmosphere and a delightful range of recreational activities.
You can go camping at Shepard State Park, a 395-acre expanse of forest and wildflowers; explore trails at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, which protects the wet, pine-filled habitat and the animals that call it home; or go on a charter fishing trip with Pier Pressure Charters, known for a knowledgeable and helpful crew. The Sound Amphitheatre, a quaint venue for shows, is known for its phenomenal sound system.
So, next time you want to escape modern civilization’s hectic pace, the endless rushes and high-decibel sounds, consider an escape to the Gulf Coast. Many small, charming towns that dot this ethereal stretch offer sugar-white sand, nautical charm, and an incredibly relaxed atmosphere.
