Four Mississippi Coast cities top Forbes list of best places to travel in the US

More and more people from across the country are finding out about the magical place that is the “Secret Coast” of Mississippi.

Four Mississippi Coast cities — Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Diamondhead and Ocean Springs — made the 2023 Forbes list of best places for travel in the United States.

Laura Begley Broom is a senior contributor for Forbes focusing on “how travel can change lives,” according to her byline, and added Mississippi to her list of places tourists should visit this year.

“The Magnolia State has everything a traveler could want in 2023, from a cutting-edge culinary scene to buzzing small towns to incredible natural beauty,” Broom said.

Here’s why each South Mississippi city made the list:

• Bay St. Louis was picked because of its quaint but buzzing downtown with art galleries and antique shops. Locals also love the food scene that includes the famous Mockingbird Cafe.

• Waveland got a shout out for having a unique rule that prohibits commercial buildings on the beachfront. Waveland’s beaches are some of the most underrated and serene on the Coast.

• Diamondhead was selected as having one of the best golf scenes in the area. The restaurant scene is also expanding in the growing Coast city, including the new Salt Pepper Oak on the backside of town.

• Ocean Springs was chosen by Forbes because of their food scene, particularly Vestige restaurant. The owners and chefs were recently named finalist for a James Beard Award. The Roost boutique hotel also got a shout out for their amenities and for being within walking distance of downtown.

• The Mississippi Coast Birding Trail was also suggested by Broom.

Broom also praised Hattiesburg, Jackson and the Mississippi Delta in her list.

Other cities selected by Forbes include:

• St. Petersburg, Florida

• San Francisco, California

• Savannah, Georgia

• Kansas City, Missouri

• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• Portland, Oregon

The full list is available online.