1. Walk Bay St. Louis Beach and Stay for Sunset

A beach date does not need much planning. Bay St. Louis has a sandy shoreline along the Bay, with public pedestrian access along Beach Boulevard and a beach next to the municipal harbor. The city also lists miles of beach access among its outdoor recreation options. 

Bring sunscreen, water, sunglasses, and something light to sit on if you plan to stay awhile. Summer afternoons can be hot, so going later in the day will usually be more comfortable.

• Cost: Free
• Time: About 1-2 hours
• Best time: Late afternoon through sunset
• Good pairing: Dinner or cocktails in Old Town afterward

For a very simple date, this is hard to beat. There is nothing to reserve, no schedule to follow, and you can stay ten minutes or two hours depending on the weather and your plans.

2. Take a Sunset Cruise or Tiki Cruise Together

If you want one activity to feel like the centerpiece of your couples trip, put a boat ride near the top of the list.

Cruisin’ Tikis Bay St. Louis runs public and private cruises from the area. As of now, its regular Bay Cruise costs $60 per person and lasts 1.5 hours. Private sunset cruises are listed at $375 for up to six people. 

That gives couples two very different date options. The public tiki cruise is social, casual, and music-friendly. A private booking gives you more space if you are celebrating an anniversary, birthday, or another occasion.

There is also a quieter sailing option. Mississippi Gulf Coast Boat Tours lists private 2.5-hour trips aboard a 47-foot sailboat, departing from Bay St. Louis Municipal Harbor. The company says cruises are limited to six passengers and include light food and beverages. Current Tripadvisor listings show the tour is still active, though booking availability and rates should be checked directly before your trip. 

Tip: Keep your phone number current when booking because departure points or times can change with weather and sunset timing. 

3. Wander Through Old Town, Galleries, Antiques, and Boutiques

Old Town is one of those places where you can start walking without a strict plan and still fill a few hours.

Second Street and Main Street have independent shops, galleries, gifts, vintage finds, cafés, and places to stop for a drink. The Shops of Century Hall at 112 South Second Street house art, antiques, home pieces, gifts, and several small businesses inside a historic building. Antique Maison on North Second Street has vendor booths filled with furniture, records, jewelry, collectibles, books, art, and home décor. 

You can also stop at shops such as Social Chair, Baytique, or one of the small businesses inside Century Hall. Old Town's merchant directory shows how concentrated the shops are around Main and Second streets. 

• Cost: Free to browse
• Time: Around 2-3 hours
• Reservation: None

Tip: Many Old Town shops close in the late afternoon, so shopping works better earlier in the day than after dinner.

Save the waterfront for the end of your walk, and you can move naturally from shopping into sunset, drinks, or dinner.

4. Plan a Date Around Brunch, Dinner, and Drinks

Food deserves more than a quick restaurant list in Bay St. Louis. You can easily build part of the day around brunch, dinner, and drinks, with each stop giving the date a different feel.

• Start with brunch or coffee: Mockingbird Café at 110 South Second Street is an easy Old Town starting point. It serves coffee and brunch daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and does not take reservations. The café is two blocks from the beachfront, so you can move from breakfast into shopping, galleries, or a walk by the water.
• Plan dinner around the mood: 200 North Beach gives you a good idea of local pricing. Sandwiches and lighter dishes start in the mid-teens, and seafood entrees run into the $30s, and steaks can reach the $40s. You can keep dinner casual with seafood or choose something more polished near the waterfront.
• Finish with a drink: Hen House on Blaize Avenue serves wine, cocktails, beer, and small bites, with live music on many nights. The Loft on South Beach Boulevard has cocktails, wine, charcuterie, and balcony seating overlooking Beach Boulevard, the harbor, and the water.

A good food date can be as simple as brunch and coffee in the morning, seafood at dinner, and one cocktail with a view later on. You do not need to fit every stop into the same day.

5. Catch Live Music and Enjoy a Night Out

Bay St. Louis gets more fun after dinner, particularly when there is live music on the calendar.

One place to know is 100 Men Hall at 303 Union Street. Built in 1922 by the Hundred Members’ Debating Benevolent Association, the hall became an important gathering place for the local African American community and later a stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit. Artists associated with its long history include Ray Charles, James Brown, Etta James, Sam Cooke, B.B. King, and others. Today it still hosts concerts and community programs.

Old Town bars and restaurants also host local musicians, so you do not always need a formal concert ticket. Check the event calendar before dinner, then decide whether you want music all evening or just a place to stop for an hour afterward.

Tip: For a more relaxed date, do dinner first and treat the music as the second stop, rather than rushing through both.

6. Visit During the Second Saturday or a Local Festival

If your dates are flexible, check the Old Town calendar before booking your trip.

Second Saturday takes place on the second Saturday of each month. Businesses from Downtown to Depot Row take part with music, shopping, local events, and activities around Old Town. It is a good fit for couples because you can wander instead of staying in one venue all evening. 

Bay St. Louis also has recurring seasonal events that give each month its own personality. The Old Town Merchants Association's 2026 calendar includes the Dolly Should Festival in January, Souper Mudfest in March, Frida Fest in July, Witches Walk in October, and Santa Stroll in December. These dates change each year, so check the current calendar rather than planning around an old schedule. 

Most of the fun of Second Saturday comes from simply being in town while things are happening. Food, drinks, shopping, special tickets, and event merchandise are separate expenses.

• Cost: Often free to attend, with purchases and some ticketed activities extra
• Time: 2-4 hours or longer
• Best plan: Arrive before evening so you can shop before stores close, then stay for food and music

Tip: Book dinner and lodging sooner for larger event weekends.

7. Visit the L&N Train Depot and Local Museums

For a quieter date or a break from the heat, spend part of the day exploring Bay St. Louis's history and art.

The historic L&N Train Depot at 1928 Depot Way dates to the late 1920s and is a Mississippi Landmark. The Bay St. Louis Mardi Gras Museum remains inside the depot, with costumes, masks, memorabilia, and displays tied to Gulf Coast Carnival traditions. Coastal Mississippi includes the depot and Mardi Gras museum among its free attractions.

There is one recent change to know before you go. The Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum is no longer inside the depot. It moved in early 2026 to a temporary Old Town home at 105 South Toulme Street, where more than 100 original works by Moseley are displayed. Admission remains free. 

That actually makes it easy to split this activity between the Depot District and Old Town instead of expecting everything to be in one building.

8. Take a History, Food, or Ghost Walking Tour

Walking around Old Town on your own is easy, but a guide can add the stories you would otherwise miss.

The Coastal Stroll Walking Tour currently runs for about two hours and starts at the historic train depot. Its listed price is $39 per adult, or about $78 for two. The route covers Old Town and the Depot District, with optional chances to buy coffee, food, or a drink along the way. 

For an evening date, the Spirit Ghost Walking Tour is also listed at $39 per person. It lasts about 90 minutes and visits Old Town sites such as Cedar Rest Cemetery and the Hancock County Courthouse while mixing local history with ghost stories. 

Food-focused tours and themed tours may also be available depending on the date. Mystic Ghost Rides currently lists ghost, eco, and themed options, with reservations required for its tours.

• History walk: Better for daytime sightseeing
• Ghost walk: Better for an evening date
• Current benchmark: Around $78 for two
• Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, water, and bug spray for evening tours
• Book: Yes, rather than assuming space will be open when you arrive

9. Paddle, Kayak, or Go Fishing Together

If you would rather spend part of the day on the water, Bay St. Louis gives you several options, from a short paddle session to a longer fishing trip. Driftwood Motel’s local partners also make some of these activities easier to arrange.

• Paddleboarding: ‘Sip Paddle Rental delivers paddleboards and beach gear around the area. Current pricing is $50 for six hours or $65 for 24 hours per board. Driftwood Motel guests can rent one paddleboard and get the second one half off, bringing two six-hour rentals to about $60 at the current rate.
• Kayaking: The city has public water access, including the Cedar Point kayak launch. Bring your own kayak or check current rental options before heading out.
• Windsurfing, wing foiling, or kite surfing: Bending Pines Watersports offers lessons and rentals for different experience levels. Driftwood guests currently receive a discount on lessons and rentals.
• Fishing charters: Old Bay Outfitters offers fishing trips for first-time anglers and more experienced guests. 

Paddleboarding works well if you want a shorter, lower-cost date, while a fishing charter gives you a longer planned outing. Partner rates and guest discounts can change, so check the latest details before booking.

10. See Bay St. Louis by Golf Cart or Bike

A golf cart can be useful if you want to move between shops, restaurants, and stops around town without getting back into a car every time.

Current rates at Bay St. Louis Golf Cart Rentals start at $100, with the exact price changing by cart size, season, and rental length. The company recommends reserving ahead during summer and event periods. 

There are rules to follow. The City of Bay St. Louis requires carts and low-speed vehicles used on public streets to meet city registration requirements, and the city says carts are permitted in most residential areas rather than on every road. Rental operators also say carts aren't allowed on Highway 90. 

If you prefer two wheels, bikes are an easy fit for shorter outings around flatter parts of town. Some local stays also make bikes available to guests, which can save you from arranging a separate rental.

Best Time to Visit Bay St. Louis for Couples

The best time to visit Bay St. Louis depends on the kind of trip you want, from water activities and outdoor dining to quieter days around Old Town.

Spring and fall are usually the best choices for couples who want to spend plenty of time outside without peak summer heat. Summer suits beach and water-focused trips, while winter works better for a slower weekend centered on food, shopping, art, and indoor activities.

Coastal weather can change quickly, so check the National Weather Service forecast for Bay St. Louis shortly before your trip for current temperatures, rain chances, wind, and weather alerts.

Where to Stay in Bay St. Louis for Couples

Where you stay matters more on a couple's weekend than it might on a longer trip. 

Driftwood Motel is about a mile from downtown Bay St. Louis and the beach. Its retro motor-court setup gives couples an easy place to come back to between Old Town, the water, dinner, and evening plans.

Here are a few things that make Driftwood Motel a comfortable base for two: 

• Rooms for two: Driftwood Motel has comfortable room options for couples, with queen-bed accommodations, private bathrooms, and simple in-room features for a relaxed stay.
• Pool and outdoor space: Guests can cool off in the pool, relax around the center island, use the grill, or play badminton between outings around town. 
• Useful guest extras: The property offers Wi-Fi, weekend breakfast, coffee and espresso, a common kitchenette, free onsite washer and dryer facilities, and courtesy bikes. 
• Easy parking: The motel keeps the classic motor-court setup, so you can park near your room. That is handy if you are coming back from the beach, changing before dinner, or carrying bags and water gear. 
• Local activity connections: Driftwood works with nearby businesses for paddleboards and beach gear, golf carts, watersports lessons, fishing charters, jet skis, and beach accessories. That connects naturally with many of the activities covered earlier in this guide.
• Driftapalooza: Driftwood Motel also hosts Driftapalooza, a weekend event with live music, local art, food trucks, and vendors. Couples can spend time by the pool or on the lawn while enjoying the music and local scene. 

Ready to plan your Bay St. Louis stay? Book directly with Driftwood Motel or reach out at +1 228-497-0800 with any questions. 

The Bottom Line

A couple's trip to Bay St. Louis works best when you leave a little room in the schedule. Pick one bigger activity, such as a sunset cruise, fishing charter, or guided tour, then fill the rest of the day with Old Town, food, the beach, art, and whatever catches your attention along the way.

You can keep the trip inexpensive with free beach time and museum visits, or spend more on a private outing on the water. 

The point is not to fit everything in. Pick the dates that sound like you, book your stay, and let Bay St. Louis fill in the rest.

FAQs About Things to Do in Bay St. Louis for Couples



Is Bay St. Louis Good for Couples?

Yes. Bay St. Louis is a good fit for couples who want beach time, Old Town, good food, art, boat trips, and live music without needing a packed schedule. You can keep the trip relaxed or add a few planned activities depending on your budget and interests.

What are Some Free Things to Do in Bay St. Louis for Couples?

Free options include walking the beach at sunset, strolling through Old Town, browsing galleries and antique shops, and spending time around the harbor. The Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum, Bay St. Louis Mardi Gras Museum, and historic train depot also offer free admission.

What Can Couples Do in Bay St. Louis When It Rains?

Move the day indoors rather than canceling it. Visit the Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum, stop by the Mardi Gras Museum, browse antique shops, have a long brunch or lunch, or spend part of the afternoon over coffee or cocktails.

How Much Do Activities in Bay St. Louis Cost for Two?

Costs vary by activity. Many things are free, while walking tours are around $78 for two and public cruises start at about $120 for two. Fishing charters and other private outings can cost several hundred dollars. 

Where Should Couples Stay in Bay St. Louis?

Driftwood Motel is a perfect choice for couples who want a smaller retro stay with a pool and useful guest amenities. It is about a mile from downtown Bay St. Louis and the beach, making it easy to reach Old Town, restaurants, water activities, and evening spots.