Overnight in Pass Christian, MS
About Pass Christian, MS
Pass Christian aka “The Pass” is a small town on the coast of Mississippi. Between Bay St. Louis and Gulfport, it can be easy to miss. Pass Christian is the perfect retreat for a relaxing weekend. The quaint town is lined with beautiful oak trees and looks across the coast. It’s casual and carefree with small restaurants and shops.
Don’t miss it on your trip down the MS coast. Need help planning your trip? Check out my recommendations below. ⬇
Where to Stay:
Where to Eat:
Bacchus on the Beach - This cajun steakhouse is a great stop for lunch or dinner. If the weather is nice, check out their outdoor bar
Cat Island Coffee Shop - Love coffee and a quick bite? This coffee shop may be the cutest you’ve ever been in. Filled with books and overlooking the ocean, Cat Island Coffee is a must
Whiskey Prime - across the street from Hotel Whiskey, Whiskey Prime is a great intimate steak house and the more upscale option for The Pass
Fill-Up with Billups - If you love breakfast, you will love this stop. Need I say more?
Shaggys - If you are familiar with the MS coast, you know about Shaggys. There is almost one on every corner. Shaggys is perfect for a casual lunch or dinner where you can get almost any seafood or a classic burger. It’s also great if you’re looking for a beach drink or a fun place to take the kids.
What to do:
Walk around the small town
Walk along the coast
Shop Olive Oils at Pass Christian Olive Oils and Vinegars
Find a new book at Pass Books/ Cat Island Coffee
Pass Christian Downtown Shopping District
My Trip:
Something I like to preface people with when planning a trip to the coast is, you are not going to the beach, you are going to the coast. Coastal Mississippi is beautiful if you appreciate it for what it is. You don’t go there to swim and spend your time lounging on the beach. You can, but I don’t think it’s the place for that. The MS coast is a coast, it is most enjoyed on a boat or by the marina. You can get wonderful seafood and enjoy the views. It’s incomparable to the panhandle because it’s not in the same category. Some of the things the coast is known for are: shrimp boats, fishing trips, wildlife, island ferry, Walter Anderson, casinos, and more.
Now that I got my rant in, here’s what I did on my trip:
I came in peak season for the coast, being Mardi Gras. If you didn’t know, Mardi Gras is celebrated in southern Mississippi just as much as Louisiana. Each of the small towns have their own traditions and parades. The cajun cuisine is also continued here.
While in Pass Christian, I stayed at Hotel Pass Christian. It is a quaint boutique hotel with only 12 or so rooms. I stayed in a suite room which was very spacious. I had a living room, small kitchen, bedroom and large bathroom. The building is a little dated but full of character. I had a balcony that overlooked the coast, as well as, the restaurants below.
My first meal was Bacchus on The Beach, right across the street from my hotel. The great thing about The Pass is that you can walk everywhere. At Bacchus, I sat inside, but they have a massive outdoor bar and patio. I had the Creole Club, filled with country ham, smoked gouda, applewood smoked bacon, chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato, and pickle all on marble rye bread… delicious. I’m a sucker for a good sandwich especially at lunch, but Bacchus had some other great options, like, full oyster bar, Mardi Gras jalapeño poppers, fried green tomatoes, crab croquettes, blue crab melt, poboys, fresh fish, and more.
Before making my way to my first Mardi Gras parade, I had to refuel with coffee. Cat Island Coffee/Pass Books is a coffee shop and bookstore. It may be the cutest place I’ve ever been to. The small house like building stands alone off the highway overlooking the unobstructed coastline. Inside, the store is swarming with books and big windows. The light coming in, with the smell of coffee and pastries, fills you with delight and relaxation. In the front of the shop, there’s a spiral staircase that takes you to the loft. The loft is full of Mississippi books. It’s amazing. The railing overlooks the busy baristas below. I could’ve sat there all day just watching them make coffee. Between the delicious coffee with crafted latte art and wonderful curation of books, the owners have made an oasis in this small town. Side note: the latte art may have been the best i’ve ever seen
Everything you will want to see in Pass Christian is in walking distance. It’s all along this little strip. Towards the end, there is a small little olive oil shop. Even if you don’t cook, still go. Who knew there were so many options for olive oils and vinegars. I come from a cooking family, so I had to stock up. I got two bottles, black truffle oil and Espresso Balsamic.
Later that night, I did a MS coast favorite, Shaggys. You can find at least one Shaggys in every coastal town in Mississippi. We have one in Jackson and there’s one in Pensacola as well. It is your classic beachside restaurant. The food and drink options are limitless. Burgers, tacos, sandwiches, fish, frozen drinks, beer, you name it. I’ve been to Shaggys many a times, so this time a had a simple crab chowder and it hit the spot.
The next morning, I woke up early for the sunrise and it was so worth it. I watched it rise from my balcony and then quickly hurried back to the coffee shop from the day before. It wasn’t even a half mile away. I ordered my coffee and sat on the patio. There is something so special about drinking coffee and watching the sun rise over the ocean. It may be one of my favorite things.
Coffee only holds me over for so long before I get really hungry. My next stop was the Fillip with Billup. This is your all American all day breakfast joint. It is right next door to the hotel, so super easy. I will say, it is a lot of food, so go hungry. They have a lot of great options but I will forever be a breakfast taco girl. They were delicious and massive. Some of their other options include, beignets, biscuits and gravy, crawfish etoufee and grits, and chicken and waffles.
If you have time, try neighboring towns like Bay St. Louis or Gulfport. Biloxi and Ocean Springs are a good bit away but also a great time.
Pass Christian is the perfect spot for an easy going, relaxing getaway. It’s casual and breezy. The food is good and time is slowed down.
About Me:
Alex is a photographer and artist based in Jackson, Mississippi. She works in Marketing/Communications, specifically, with social media and content creation.
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