Rolling Over to the Coast

As summer is upon us, Louisiana residents creatively coming up with ways to stay cool with their furry friends—no-flavor snowballs, ice baths in the kiddie pool, or throwing back a couple of cold ones (yes, they make beer for dogs and wine for cats now). If you have a car, you might try getting to the local water points, at the levee or bayou, but find these spots filling up during warmer months, especially at peak times. It can become time-consuming and stressful, driving across town for an hour or so of playtime only to bring your now filthy friend in the car home for a bath. The pandemic has been a years-long exercise in ways to get outdoors with our pets and loved ones to escape the cabin fever of being home more than ever before. Now that things have seemed to reach a new “normal,” many locals have been making more short trips to the Mississippi–Louisiana border for some fun with their pets for a day or weekend.

There are many ways one can make the trip, from an exclusively outdoor experience to a luxury casino getaway. Here are some recommendations if you are making the trip for the first time or looking for new things to do on your next jaunt.

If you are looking for a weekend of beaching, hiking and camping, there is Buccaneer State Park in Waveland, Mississippi. “The park has 206 premium campsites with full amenities … In addition to the premium sites, Buccaneer's … new campsite development is underway. These new Gulf View concrete campsites will feature water, sewer, 30/50 amp electricity, a large concrete patio area, lighted pedestals, and added space for parking.” For more information about availability, contact the park office at 1-(228)-467-3822. The trails welcome horseback riders, bicyclists and hikers, and dogs must be on leash in any shared area. If you are a biking enthusiast with a pet trailer, bring it on!

If camping is not your speed, there are plenty of pet-friendly hotels and B&Bs! Carroll House Cottage, Carroll House Bed & Breakfast, and The Bay Town Inn are just a few. The Bay Town Inn was named one of the ten best coastal small towns in America by USA Today.

“You can walk to everything that makes ‘The Bay’ so special. With its array of restaurants, cafes, shops, galleries and museums … On the grounds, they provide a hot, full breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays at The Oyster Bar next door. Fresh baked goods are provided on weekday mornings.… Guests of the inn enjoy free off-street parking, our cool saltwater pool, our luscious courtyard, and easy beach access. Bay Town Inn welcomes guests aged 15 and older (no infants) and provides limited dog-friendly accommodations.” There are also many lovely pet-friendly Airbnbs/Vrbo rentals to consider, with some just steps from the beach.

Bay St. Louis Beach, Waveland Beach, and Lakeshore Beach are all pet friendly, but remember to bring your leashes, trailers, bubble bags and pet strollers! Waveland Beach is roughly four miles long with lots of sand (instead of rocks) and is said to typically not be very crowded.

Off-leash dog parks of mention are Larroux Park, Waveland Bark Park, and Camillia City Bark Park in Slidell (for those who might be passing through). FYI, Waveland Bark Park is closed the first Wednesday of every month for maintenance, and Larroux Park has limited shade and no benches, but is great for getting those zoomies out.

If you are seeking a more glitzy retreat, Beau Rivage Resort and Harrah’s Gulf Coast Casino both welcome you and your pet friends. After a day on the beach, you and Fluffy can order room service, have a bubble bath and watch a movie. Then you can sneak out for some fun at the tables, spa and pool (sorry, no paws allowed in those areas).

When on the hunt for food, The Blind Tiger is a casual beach-front restaurant that serves up tacos, burgers, and Caribbean-style food. The owner, Thomas Genin, studied under Emeril Lagasse. For upscale beach dining, try 200 North Beach for their fresh raw and chargrilled oysters and sesame seared ahi tuna. When dessert comes, an extra serving of whipped cream for Fluffy will be due. The Buttercup is a beloved spot serving up traditional breakfast and coffee. Enjoy the chicken salad on a croissant or Eggs Bay St. Louis outside for people- and pet-watching. A personal favorite is the Mockingbird Cafe, which offers an extended menu of coffees, teas, hearty food and healthy options. Quinoa, yogurt parfait, gluten-free, and dairy-free might be some refreshing words for those who need a break from the stick-to-your-ribs choices of the coast. That said, they also do fantastic fried chicken and Belgian waffles…

Besides strolling the beaches with your pets, you can also stroll most of the Bay St. Louis historic district. Not only are there tons of restaurants that allow pets in Bay St. Louis, but a lot of shops and boutiques do as well. If your furry fam is visiting the Bay for the second Saturday of the month, be sure and do the Second Saturday Art Walk! “During the Second Saturday Art Walk each month in Old Town Bay St. Louis, you'll find cool deals, fresh meals, and lots of art and live music! Over the past 28 years, the monthly art walk has become one of the most popular events in the region. Old Town stays lively all day, with many merchants and restaurants offering specials. The pace picks up from 4–7 p.m. when gallery openings and live music keep the streets humming with activity.”

Saving the best for last, a truly selfless gift for Fluffy would be a visit to Café Bonjour Dog Bakery and Boutique! The owner, Roxanne DeNicola, has this to say about her shop: “As the owner of five dogs, I saw a need for a local neighborhood pet boutique on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. A place where our team of pet food foodies could offer our community healthy pet food, nutrition counseling, natural homemade treats and cakes (some made right in our store kitchen!), and all of our favorite pet products for your furbabies and the humans who love them. I have always fed my own dogs natural human-grade pet food with the knowledge and belief that feeding them RAW or high-quality kibble would prevent health care problems in the future. Locally owned and operated, I take pride in sourcing out the very best natural pet foods for dogs and cats, gourmet pet treats, toys, collars and gifts for pet lovers.” Café Bonjour is open 7 days a week!

As a reminder, always be sure to practice cleaning up after your pet everywhere you go, even on the beaches. Leash laws are different all over the state of Mississippi, but they are enforced on the coast. Bring extra water for the dog days of summer, and lots of extra towels for a visit to the coast.

And there you have it! An action-packed day or weekend with your pet is just a hop, skip and a romp away!