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If you’ve been looking forward to Amtrak’s exciting revival of the New Orleans—Mobile route, you’ll still be able to hop aboard this summer, but there have already been some hiccups.
Due to ‘construction issues’ , the highly anticipated route has been pushed back until an undisclosed date in late summer (think July or August).
Travelers know New Orleans and Mobile all too well; 2 cities brimming with history, culture, and waterfront delights, but one of America’s trendiest states is the biggest surprise along the soon-to-launch Amtrak route.
Mississippi is giving credence to the saying “the South will rise again” as tourism records are being shattered in unsuspecting cities, posh hotel openings along the coast, and a surprising real estate boom for lesser-known shores and more bang for your buck.
But there’s one coastal stop travelers will surely fall in love with along Amtrak’s Mardi Gras journey: the white-sand beach town of Pascagoula.
More Than A Train Stop
If there’s any claim to fame for Pascagoula, it’s a funny word on a train route that people have no idea how to pronounce.
Let’s get this out of the way so you don’t put the emPHAsis on the wrong syllABLE — it’s Pas-ka-GOO-la.
Pascagoula is a rising star along, well, a rising coast, as we’ve recently unveiled numerous Mississippi gems like Ocean Springs, for example.
This beautiful town is off-path for most, but the return of the Mardi Gras route will certainly draw more attention, and rightfully so.
It seems like every traveler has a certain beach in mind when it comes to summer vacations, but oftentimes crowds ruin the picture-perfect image we had in our mind.
That’s the furthest thing you have to worry about here; the white-sand beaches are spacious, inviting, and shockingly pretty to the point you might ask yourself, “why has it taken so long for people to discover Mississippi’s coast?”.
You have multiple beaches to visit in close distance to each other, as well as the Pascagoula River, the largest free-flowing waterway in the lower 48, where you can freely fish, weave your way kayaking around untouched islands, and book a guided eco-tour from the Pascagoula River Audubon Center.
Factor in a delightfully charming downtown (especially The Flagship District), a treasure trove of historic sites, and Gulfside bliss, this affordable summer vacation spot is ready for the big stage.
The South’s Most Affordable Beach Escape?
Hey, don’t jump down my throat just yet. I’m just doing my journalistic duties, asking questions…
According to Realtor.com, Pascagoula was just crowned as the ‘most affordable beach town for homebuyers in 2025′.
Now, you probably haven’t scrolled down this far looking to purchase a house, but think about it — if Pascagoula is such a draw for people to move here and save money by the boatload, don’t you think that translates to travel expenses too?
Let’s take a look at hotels. Keep in mind Pascagoula is only home to about 22,000 people, so don’t expect a wide selection of accommodations.
That being said, there are some great options that caught my eye with attractive summer rates:
Hotel Whiskey – $109
Grand Magnolia Ballroom & Suites – $119
Hilton Garden Inn – Pascagoula -$123
Given Pascagoula’s old-timey charm, it’s safe bet to score even cheaper vacation rentals, including historic homes and prime real estate with scenic waterfront views.
Mississippi is one of the best places to indulge in seafood. Getting your bib dirty with Old Bay and butter backsplash won’t break the bank.
Put some South in your mouth at local favorite hole-in-the-wall Aunt Nita’s Seafood & Burger. A recent guest claimed they have ‘the best fried shrimp on the coast’, or play the scavenger hunt of finding the Turk & Son Smoked Fish House food truck behind an inconspicuous shopping mall for fresh catches smoked to perfection.
I teased historic attractions too. For sample size, visit Mississippi’s oldest standing structure for only $5 and the region’s famous Round Island Lighthouse is just $14.
Pascagoula’s Best Beaches
At Travel Off Path, we’re all about no fluff. So, before you pack your bags, you need to know there’s really only one Mississippi destination that even sniff’s Florida’s level up beauty and that’s Ship Island, an easy ferry ride from Gulfport.
The Gulf of whatever-you-decide-to-call-it isn’t known for vibrant hues of blue until you reach Alabama, but what vacationers have long been missing out on is Mississippi’s vibrant white-sand beaches.
In fact, Southern Living recently wrote a feature on that very topic for nearby Biloxi. As for Pascagoula, yes, the shores are luminous and eye-catching, but which should you visit?
Here are Pascagoula’s top 3 beaches to visit and why:
Pascagoula Beach Park – This 14-acre spacious park doesn’t have the whitest sand in town with a touch of golden hues, but it has a 1000-foot pier, scenic trails, and some of the Mississippi Sound’s calmest waters for swimming.
Buffett Beach – This small beach, seemingly hidden in plain sight, only has 7 Google reviews for a reason, but it’s one of the most gorgeous places in town to spend your beach day along gleaming white shores. Cap it off with an Instagram-worthy fiery sunset.
Round Island – This one is a bit tricky, but it’s a destination worth the journey. Round Island was home to the aforementioned Rock Island Lighthouse, which has since been moved to Pascagoula proper. The uninhabited is roughly 4 miles offshore with no tours, so you will need a boat (or a friend with a boat) to get here, but there’s some alleged risk involved. Dubbed ‘Quicksand Island’, in 2017 officials urged boaters not to visit due to dangers of quite literally falling through sand. Though in 2018, the Biloxi Sun Herald reported the island was ready to become ‘a recreational paradise’. Lastly, in 2020, Our Mississippi Home declared you can ‘take a beautiful day to go explore our heritage Round Island’ to ‘enjoy the sun and sand’.
In other words, make a pal at the marina and enter this untouched, white-sand paradise if you dare.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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