VOTE NOW: Bay St. Louis vying for title of “Best Coastal Small Town” from USA Today

BAY ST. LOUIS, MS (WLOX) - USA Today is looking for the Best Coastal Small Town, and Bay St. Louis is in the running. As of Friday at noon, Bay St. Louis was #14 on the leaderboard, but your online votes could move it into the top ten.

The category shines a spotlight on friendly and affordable seaside areas across the country. The city is one of 20 nominees in USA Today’s annual TEN BEST awards.

The publication highlighted popular areas like Main Street, where people can spend time exploring art galleries and antique shops.

“In the last several years, two to three years, it’s really become one of the major cities to come to," said Ronnie Vaughn, Bay St. Louis Resident.

Michael Cochran with The Blind Tiger said, “It’s like a mini New Orleans.”

Being so close to the gulf means fresh seafood, which is a big draw for restaurants like the Blind Tiger. Workers say Bay St. Louis is a prime location.

Cochran continued," Way safer, way more laid back, you can take you drink down to another bar in a plastic cup.”

Kristen and Brandon Warren chose to spend their first day as a married couple dining in the Bay.

“There’s always something to do, there’s always something going on. Shopping, Second Saturdays, the Blind Tiger," said Kristen.

USA Today says Bay St. Louis is a small town seaside escape. Over the weekend, plenty of people were out relaxing on the Mississippi Sound..

People come here just to enjoy the water, the harbor, the fishing," Ronnie Vaughn stated.

Across the pier, Daniele Patton celebrated her 15th birthday with her family and friends on the beach. We’ve always had our birthday parties here or at an amusement park," she explained.

She said events like Crabfest and Second Saturdays gives Bay St. Louis a distinct energy.

Patton added, “We all like to get together and have a good time. I’ve never really been to other towns that do what we do and it’s really fun living down here.”

To cast your vote, and look through the other nominees, visit https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-coastal-small-town-2019/

You can vote for your favorite once per day until the polls close on Monday, May 6 at 11am central. The winners will be announced on Friday, May 17.

Twenty small towns were nominated for the award, each with a population of fewer than 25,000 people as of the last census. According to USA Today, they each “offer uncrowded, unpretentious and affordable seaside fun in small packages that prove bigger isn’t always better.”

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