Bay St. Louis is located in Mississippi. NASA’s Stennis Space Center is near the city. Bay St. Louis combines an Old Town that is more than 300 years old with art in the historic Depot and the Municipal Harbor. Its many highlights range from historic buildings and collections to harbor and event life.
Old Town and Historic Bike Tour
The Bay St. Louis Historic Walking & Biking Tour is a self-guided bike tour through Old Town and the Depot District. Historic stops include the Hancock County Courthouse, the Alice Moseley House, and the Masonic Temple Building. The more than 300-year-old Old Town provides the historic setting for the tour.
The Old Bay St. Louis Historic District covers 504 acres and includes 681 contributing resources, including four cemeteries and two religious shrines. This scale distinguishes the broader historic context from the individual stops on the bike tour. If you’re planning to take the tour, ask locally about current route materials and check whether printed materials are available before relying on pickup details.
Art at the Depot and in Old Town
The Historic L&N Train Depot houses a visitor center, the Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum, and the BSL Mardi Gras Museum. The Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum is on the second floor of the historic depot and honors folk artist Alice Latimer Moseley (1909–2004). The collection includes more than 100 original paintings by Moseley; the museum also has a gift shop.
Another art destination is Gallery 220 Main, located in a historic Art Deco building at the corner of Main Street and Toulme Street in Old Town. The cooperative has 25 local artists as members, and their art is on display in a diverse collection at the gallery. The gallery and artist participation may change over time.
Harbor and Events
Bay Saint Louis overlooks the Bay of St. Louis and the Mississippi Sound. The Bay St. Louis Municipal Harbor gives locals and visitors direct access to downtown after docking their boats. In the back of Bay St. Louis, restaurants line a park area.
On the second Saturday of each month, businesses in Bay St. Louis host the Second Saturday Celebration. Locals and visitors can shop and dine, with live music and special promotions on the program. The Old Town Merchants Association presents the event as a local tradition. If you’re planning your stay around this date, check the latest event details before you arrive.
Cultural History in South Mississippi
In South Mississippi, the 100 Men Hall served as a center of social life and entertainment for the African American community. Its program of live music events, innovative programs, and artistic expression aims to make this African American landmark accessible to visitors of all ages. Individual event dates vary.
Discover more destinations: Diamondhead.
Go to the main travel overview: Hancock County.
