Old Town on foot
Shops, galleries, the Depot District and dinner by the harbor, all in Old Town. Park once and explore on foot.
Old Town on foot
Old Town Bay St. Louis is compact, with independent shops and galleries on almost every block, so you can park once and spend the day on foot. The Hickory Cottage is in Old Town, and restaurants, galleries and shops are an easy walk away.
The Airbnb listing for the cottage notes about a 15-minute walk to McDonald Park and the Folk Art Museum. We have not measured every route, so we do not quote walking times to other places. The exact address is sent with your booking confirmation, and then you can check any walk in your maps app.
The cottage has free parking for 3 vehicles on the property, so you can leave the car at the cottage and explore Old Town on foot.
Old Town's shops, galleries, boutiques and antiques cluster around Main Street, Court Street and North Second Street, and Old Town centers where Main Street meets Beach Boulevard.
A walking day
A simple loop built from places in and around Old Town. Hours change, so check each place before you go.
Mockingbird Café on South Second Street serves coffee, tea, breakfast, brunch and lunch.
Browse Main Street, Court Street and North Second Street, then step into Shops at Century Hall, a multi-vendor shop on South Second Street with local artists and gift and home vendors.
The Arts, Hancock County runs its gallery at the Mamie Hillery Arts Center, 405 Blaize Avenue (its website lists Tuesday to Friday 10 to 5 and Saturday 10 to 3). The Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum at 220 Main Street has free admission and lists Monday to Saturday, 11 to 5.
The historic L&N Depot at 1928 Depot Way houses the Hancock County Visitor Center and the Bay St. Louis Mardi Gras Museum. Check the Visitor Center for current hours. Free printed copies of the self-guided Old Town and Depot District tour are available there and at many Old Town Merchants Association member shops, and the tour passes the Hancock County Courthouse, the Alice Moseley House and the Masonic Temple building.
Beach Boulevard and the harbor have several places to eat, including Trapani's Eatery & the Blue Marlin Bar, The Blind Tiger, 200 North Beach and Cuz's Old Town Oyster Bar & Grill. Trapani's website promotes the sunset view, and The Blind Tiger's website says live music plays on its patio on weekends.
The Bay of St. Louis Bridge has a pedestrian and bicycle path about 2.1 miles long, with bay views and bronze art plaques. We have not measured the walk from the cottage.
On foot, on a schedule
Two recurring events are easy to reach on foot from Old Town.
On the second Saturday of every month, businesses from Downtown to Depot Row offer special events, live music and festive shopping, presented by the Old Town Merchants Association. By that rule, the 2027 dates are January 9, February 13, March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13 and December 11. We calculated these from the “second Saturday” rule. Confirm what is planned each month with the Merchants Association. Some Second Saturdays are priced as special event dates on our rates page.
A free evening of local music, art and food on the Depot grounds, held on the third Wednesday of the month from April through November, typically 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The 2026 season runs through its finale on November 18, 2026. The 2027 dates have not been published yet, so expect them to follow the same pattern and check the organizer.
See the Bay St. Louis events guide for festivals through 2027.
Beyond walking distance
Prefer to ride? Golf carts are a popular way to get around here, and Quality Custom Carts is our preferred local rental vendor. It is an independent business and is not affiliated with us. No cart is provided with the rental, so reserve with the vendor directly and ask about their requirements. The City of Bay St. Louis says carts must be registered with the city and display its decal, and drivers need a valid license (city golf cart rules). More on the Explore page.
Stay in Old Town
The cottage sleeps up to 9, with 3 bedrooms, a full kitchen, a backyard with string lights, Wi-Fi, a washer and dryer, and self check-in with a smart lock. Checkout is 11:00 AM.
Facts on this page were checked against the sources below on October 28, 2026. We have no business relationship with the places or events mentioned and receive nothing for listing them. Hours, prices, routes and dates change, so please confirm with the organizer before you travel.
Pick your dates, see an instant estimate and send a request. No payment is taken online.
STR Permit 2026-137-STR · The Hickory Cottage, Old Town Bay St. Louis, MS · StayBSL.com