re: Is there anything worthwhile about Bay St. Louis?

Depends what you want. BSL is a super cool little town that really comes alive on the second Saturday thing every month. Outside of that, the shops on Main and restaurants are the top attractions. The beach is about the same all the way down the MS coast, depending on wind and weather though.

BSL has an Old Towne portion that I use synonymous with the BSL, but it has other seedier parts as well. Bars are better here I would say, restaurants are better here I would say, casinos aren't as good by a long shot I don't think. You can bike around BSL and hit breakfast joints, coffee shops, art galleries, beer bars, fine dining...tons of little antique stores and what not. I'd probably try to stay at the new B&B on the beach if you're not going to rent a house on vrbo. You can rent bikes and paddleboards/kayaks right on Main street.

https://baytowninn.com/
It's more of hotel/condo looking thing with a neat front house...but it's brand new and I've never been.

I don't venture East much. This weekend?