By Jeanni Ritchie
I usually think a good trip means doing everything.
Every attraction. Every restaurant. Every experience packed into a schedule so tight that I’ve left no stone unturned.
But a recent trip to the Gulf Coast reminded me there’s another way to travel.
An even better way, if your non-vacation hours are spent on the go. A laid-back beach vacay.
Just a short drive from Central Louisiana, the Mississippi Gulf Coast offers an easy escape—but what makes it special isn’t just the location. Or the 26-mile stretch of sandy beach along the Gulf—known as part of the largest man-made beach in the world. Rather, it’s the pace. The permission to slow down without feeling like you’re missing out.
For this trip, I stayed in an adorable blue cottage at Beachview Vacation Cottages of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. My days unfolded naturally instead of being planned down to the minute. Mornings started with a walk along the beach, or to one of the bright Adirondack chairs in the property’s green space overlooking the Gulf. Afternoons stretched into reading, music, and watching the tide roll in and out.
And somewhere in that rhythm, something shifted.
A laid-back vacay isn’t just about doing less—it’s about giving yourself permission to enjoy a lower gear.
You notice things.
You rest without guilt.
You stop measuring your trip by how much you accomplished and start measuring it by how you felt.
The beach itself makes that easy. It’s wide, welcoming, and unhurried—plenty of space to settle in and stay awhile. I made friends with the birds, saving crumbs for the seagulls who’d entertained me all morning. I napped to the soundtrack of waves and kids splashing in the water, and my breathing fell in rhythm with the waves.
Of course, Biloxi-Gulfport has no shortage of activities if you get a little stir crazy. From Paradise Pier’s Ferris wheel to shrimp boat tours, there’s something for everyone.
I left my Beachview cottage for two shows, a couple of experiences that only elevated the chill vibes I’d been looking for.
A Friday evening show at Beau Rivage starring LeAnn Rimes had me reminiscing over the past through her hits, and laughing along with others over the hilarious behind the scenes stories she told. She was a dynamic performer.
Saturday night brought my first official America 250 event: Mississippi Gulf Coast Symphony’s Beethoven and Blue Jeans at MGCCC.
Both performances added a cultural layer to the coast’s charm. But the beauty was in the balance—I could step into the activity and then step right back out.
No pressure. No rush.
Because some of the best moments aren’t planned at all.
A sunset that makes you linger.
A quiet porch with a Gulf breeze and nowhere else to be.
The birth of a teddy bear’s Instagram account.
For me, this trip wasn’t about checking boxes.
It was about remembering that rest isn’t something you earn after the trip—it can be the trip.
For more about Beachview Cottages, visit beachviewvacationcottages.com/
