The Perfect Day Trip from New Orleans

New Orleans has incredible food, great music, and exciting people. Steeped in history and surrounded by over 40 percent of the nation’s wetlands, finding a day trip from New Orleans is easy.

Hands down, New Orleans is one of our favorite cities in the United States.

We joke that we know our way around the French Quarter better than Dallas! There is just something unique about the French Quarter and the city of New Orleans.

Full of amazing food, incredible architecture, and interesting history, the Big Easy is one of those places that just keep us coming back for more.

Whether you are knocking items off of your couple’s bucket list or just spending 3 days in New Orleans, you are going to have a great time in the Crescent City.

While being in New Orleans is excellent (and a great addition to any deep south road trip, it’s nice to escape and get out of the hustle and bustle for a day or two while you’re visiting.

The state of Louisiana has so many great places waiting to be explored. From learning about the state’s Cajun culture to exploring the wetlands and swamps, it’s easy to see why people love Louisiana.

Let’s dive in and see all of the great things to do near New Orleans so that you can design your perfect day trip.

*This post contains affiliate links. By purchasing through these links, we get a small commission at no additional cost to you. That Texas Couple is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. This is a sponsored post. Although Marty and I were provided free tours, all opinions are our own.

Louisiana Swamp Tour

One of our favorite day trips from New Orleans is to head into the Louisiana Bayou and explore the wetlands and swamps encompassing this area.

While you can quickly see some of this unique terrain by land, it is best to see it by boat.

The Louisiana swamplands are home to various flora and fauna; some species are even unique to this area.

The best part about a Louisiana swamp tour is the opportunity to see the wildlife in the area. Look carefully to find alligators, turtles, birds, and more!

It’s really an incredible feeling to be out on the waters of the swamp. There is a beautiful calm that surrounds you, and you feel engulfed in nature.

Numerous tours will guide you through the Honey Island Swamp, which is located about 30 minutes away.

The Honey Island Swamp covers almost 70,000 acres. Almost half of this land is part of the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area, making Honey Island a fabulous place to tour.

A swamp tour is an easy day trip from New Orleans as there are many to choose from in the area.

Visit the Great River Road

Venture just outside New Orleans, and you will find the Great River Road. This scenic stretch of road meanders and winds its way through the wetlands and countryside of Louisiana.

The Great River Road is famous for the former plantation homes that still line much of the route.

You can visit many of these former plantations to learn about the sugar barons that helped to build New Orleans.

Each plantation tour offers a there own take on the history of its property, and they include what they want you to know.

If choosing to participate in a day trip from New Orleans to one of the Louisiana plantations, please remember that these lavish homes were built for families who made their fortunes from slave labor.

Here is some River Road Plantation Tours to Consider:

Oak Alley Plantation & Airboat Swamp Tour

St. Joseph and Laura Plantation Tour

Whitney Plantation Tour

Oak Alley Plantation Half-Day Tour

Lake Pontchartrain

A fun and easy day trip from New Orleans is a visit to Lake Pontchartrain.

Lake Pontchartrain is the largest inlet body of water in Louisiana. This vast lake connects multiple bayous and rivers with the Gulf of Mississippi.

When we drive to New Orleans from Dallas, we love crossing the 23-mile Causeway Bridge that spans Lake Pontchartrain.

Lake Pontchartrain allows you to spend the day boating, fishing, and seeing the great sites of this gorgeous region of Louisiana.

Baton Rouge

The Louisiana State Capitol of Baton Rouge is about an hour’s drive outside New Orleans, making this getaway easy and fun.

Boasting a rich history (over 300 years worth), excellent museums, and some incredible Cajun cuisine, Baton Rouge is one of the best day trips from New Orleans.

Visit the tallest state capitol building in the United States before heading to one of the many museums in Baton Rouge. Some of the most noteworthy museums in the city include the Louisiana Art and Science Museum and the Baton Rouge African American Museum.

History lovers will definitely want to include the Audubon Historic Site and the USS Kidd on their itinerary. While outdoor lovers won’t want to miss the Louisiana State University’s Hilltop Arboretum during their time in Baton Rouge.

Houma

Houma is a stretch of swamps and wetlands that encompasses over 2,500 acres.

A visit to Houma allows you to explore the Cajun heritage of the area even more.

Take the Wetlands Cultural Scenic Byway and enjoy driving by the majestic cypress trees as you meander through the Houma area. Don’t forget to stop at some of the Cajun restaurants you will visit.

The area also offers guided boat tours and hosts several festivals throughout the year, including the Best of the Bayou Festival every September.

Atchafalaya National Heritage Area

One of Louisiana’s National Parks, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, makes for a great day trip from New Orleans.

The incredible landscape and scenery of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area immediately make you feel like you are in another world.

The land is home to some fantastic animals and vegetation. I especially love the cypress trees that stand tall in the swamp’s waters.

The 150 acres of land comprises swampland, rivers, prairie land, and marshes. Visitors here love exploring the area on foot, kayak, bicycle, or boat.

Some Ranger-led events and programs take place regularly, and several private companies provide guided tours of the area.

This is a great day trip to get up close and personal with Cajun country.

Avery Island

If you love hot sauce, you don’t want to miss this day trip from New Orleans!

Buckle in your taste buds and head for Avery Island, Louisiana. Located just over two hours from New Orleans, Avery Island is home to the world-famous Tabasco factory!

Tabasco Hot Sauce originated here and has been in production since 1868.

Visit the Tabasco Factory and Museum to learn all about the history of Tabasco Brand Hot Sauce, including how Edmund McIlhenny’s secret is still used today.

After the tour, visit the on-site restaurant and gift shop.

Natchitoches

One of the best day trips from New Orleans is to the Louisiana town of Natchitoches.

Established in 1714, Natchitoches is the original French colony in Louisiana. This French influence can still be seen around town today.

Today visitors come to Natchitoches to explore the city’s rich history, eat one of their famous meat pies, and enjoy the Natchitoches Christmas Festival, where the town comes alive with millions of lights.

Another “claim to fame” for Natchitoches is that the movie Steel Magnolias is based on people from the town and was filmed here also! You can do a self-guided tour of the Steel Magnolia filming locations during your visit if you would like.

When visiting, take time to visit the Cane River National Heritage Area and the Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District.

Honestly, this charming town is one of our favorites. We always spend the night in Natchitoches on our way to New Orleans.

Mandeville and Fontainbleau State Park

Founded in the mid-19th century, Mandeville is home to some fabulous historic houses and Fountainbleau State Park.

The Fountainbleau State Park is not only a recreational area, but it is also a glimpse into Mandeville’s past.

The historical evidence can be found in the crumbling remains of a sugar mill built here in the mid-1800s. The wealthy founder of Mandeville started this area as a sugar plantation in 1852 and named his land Fountainbleau after the beloved forest near Paris.

Today you can explore the 2,800-acre park on Lake Pontchartrain’s bank. Enjoy hiking, cycling, inline skating, or relaxing on the sandy beach.

While here, be sure to do some shopping in town, as there are numerous cute boutique-style shops to choose from. Of course, there are also several excellent restaurants in the area.

Mississippi Coast

beach with welcome to mississippi gulf coast written on it

If you want a real escape from the city, head for the beach! The Mississippi Gulf Coast is a short drive away, making it a perfect escape from New Orleans.

The Mississippi Coast is lined with charming small towns that are great to explore, especially considering that they have the beach on their doorstep.

These day trips from New Orleans are made for relaxing, so swim in the ocean and relax on the beach. That’s what you’re here for!

De Soto National Forest

Another one of America’s National Parks, De Soto, is 500,000 acres across the Mississippi state border.

A visit to De Soto allows you to enjoy many recreational activities. Visitors can do some hiking, cycling, canoeing, horseback riding, and more.

The Big Biloxi Recreation Area offers camping, picnic, and bathhouses for guests to use while staying along the Big Biloxi River.

This is one of the best day trips from New Orleans that is great for outdoor lovers.

Mobile, Alabama

Another coastal city, Mobile, Alabama, is about two hours away from New Orleans.

This port city has all of the makings of a big city but boasts an interesting history, making it worth visiting from New Orleans.

If you look at the brick buildings with the wrought-iron balconies dotted throughout the city, you might wonder if you have ever left New Orleans. That’s because Mobile was once the original capital of French Louisiana, so you see this influence in both cities.

History lovers will want to check out the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park and the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico. You can also check out the historic homes in the area that are now museums.

The city also hosts festivals throughout the year including Mardi Gras and the Azalea Trail Festival.

This is another one of the best day trips you can take from New Orleans!

Global Wildlife Center

Global Wildlife Center is a free-range animal preserve that houses over 4000 animals. And not just any animals, exotic animals also!

Visitors travel in old-style wagons through the park seeing zebras, giraffes, deer, kangaroos, and more. If the animals approach the wagon, you can also feed them.

This reminds us greatly of Fossil Rim Wildlife Center near Glen Rose, Texas.

The Global Wildlife Center is much bigger, though. This place is enormous!

Grand Isle

Grand Isle is a barrier island located off the coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico.

With impeccable views of the Gulf of Mexico and 7 miles of coastline, this is one of the best day trips from New Orleans.

Visitors can enjoy the day swimming, fishing, birdwatching, or just relaxing at the beach before grabbing dinner at one of the island’s restaurants.

At the island’s east end is Grand Isle State Park, and Elmer’s Island, a wildlife refuge, is located nearby.

Infinity Science Center

The Infinity Science Center is located about an hour’s drive outside New Orleans in Pearlington, Mississippi.

Offering visitors the opportunity to get hands-on while learning about the Earth, space, and science makes this a fun and easy day trip.

As the official visitor’s center for NASA Stennis Space Center, a rocket testing facility, Infinity Science Center is a truly unique experience.

The exhibits explore the interior of the Earth and the expansiveness of space and space exploration.

Lafayette, Louisiana

If you love all things Cajun, then you have to make a day trip to Lafayette.

Dive right into the Cajun culture at one of the local Zydeco dance halls while listening to live music before eating some delicious Cajun food.

You can learn more about the history of this culture by visiting Vermilionville and Acadian Village. Here you can learn about the French Canadians who called this area home in the 1700s.

To dive even more into the history and culture of Cajun country, check out the restored historic Creole cottage Maison Madeleine.

Abita Springs

Most famous for its artesian waters, Abita Springs is one of the best day trips from New Orleans if you want a lovely small town to visit.

The waters found in Abita Springs’s deep artesian wells are said to have healing powers and have drawn visitors to this small town for decades.

Today visitors still flock to the area to experience the water, especially the beer made with the water, Abita Beer.

You can also visit the Abita Brew Pub, a great Louisiana brewery serving traditional pub food alongside its fun and unique beer.

Abita Springs is located directly on the Tammany Trace Bike Trail, a 31-mile path along an abandoned railroad line, so visitors can enjoy exercising on the trail at their leisure.

A huge crowd comes to the annual Louisiana Bike Festival in this area.

While here, you can also check out the Abita Springs Opry to listen to some live music.

If you are a festival lover, Abita Springs has you covered there also, as this small town hosts numerous festivals throughout the year.

Lake Charles

About a 3-hour drive from New Orleans, Lake Charles is a little farther than the other day trips from New Orleans on our list but has lots to offer.

As the town border Lake Charles, you have an entire lake and the adjoining swamplands at your doorstep, just waiting to be explored. Enjoy fishing or boating for a day on the water while in Lake Charles.

If you are a Mardi Gras fan, you will want to visit the Lake Charles Mardi Gras Museum, the largest one in the world.

Lake Charles also has several attractions for those who like arts and culture. In addition to murals and street art, there are several galleries and theatres to visit.

You can learn more about the history of this area when you visit the DeQuincy Railroad Museum or the Imperial Calcasieu Museum. One of the things we enjoyed doing was following their self-guided tour around the historic homes in the city.

Lake Charles is also home to casinos, great restaurants, and a large number of festivals that it hosts each year.

Cruise the Mississippi River

steamboat and dock in New Orleans-one of the best day trips from New Orleans

You can take a day cruise on the Mississippi River in the heart of downtown New Orleans. Just hop on the Steamboat Natchez!

Seeing the area from the mighty Mississippi River gives you an entirely different perspective. Combine that with the fact that you are on a historical authentic steamboat and have the perfect day trip from New Orleans!

The Steamboat Natchez was one of the first steamboats to dock in New Orleans and has been here ever since. They have provided steamboat services on the Mississippi River to New Orleans since 1817!

Steamboat Natchez offers many different cruise options, some including food and live music (jazz bands)!

You can join Steamboat Natchez for a Sunday brunch or a daytime or evening jazz cruise with a meal.

As you are cruising with Steamboat Natchez, you will learn so much about the history of New Orleans and the surrounding area.

This is one of the most fun day trips from New Orleans.

Saint Bernard Parish

You will find Saint Bernard Parish, located about 30 minutes drive from New Orleans.

This Parish is most famous for the site of the Battle of New Orleans, Chalmette Battlefield.

For it was on this battlefield that the British were stopped and thus changed the outcome of the war and the course of history.

Chalmette Battlefield is not the only thing that Saint Bernard Parish has to offer. You can also learn about the history of this area and the Spanish colonists who settled here by visiting the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and the Los Islenos Museum & Village.

The Parish also offers several great restaurants, scenic byways, and multiple waterways to explore.

Bush

Now, I will include a wine town on my list of day trips! So, here you go…You’re welcome!

Bush, Louisiana, is home to the Pontchartrain Vineyards and Winery, the only winery in Louisiana producing wine from traditional grapes. This is the perfect place to snap some photos and pair them with our sunshine captions for your Instagram.

A visit to Bush allows you to visit Pontchartrain Vineyards and Winery and taste their delicious wines. They also have special events that run throughout the year.

Nearby you will also find another vineyard, LA Serendipity, open for weekend tastings.

If you want to make a weekend out of your visit, you will want to check out Splendor Farms. This bed and breakfast offers horseback riding with access to 250 acres of riding trails, a petting zoo, lawn games, a pool, and more.

This is one of the best day trips in New Orleans, in my opinion.

Final Thoughts on the Best Day Trips From New Orleans

No matter what you are in the mood for, chances are that you will find that one of the best day trips from New Orleans will fit your needs.

We hope you find the perfect outing to help you explore Louisiana even more. Here’s a summary of our day trips:

Louisiana Swamp Tour
Great River Road
Lake Pontchartrain
Baton Rouge
Houma
Atchafalaya National Heritage Area
Avery Island
Natchitoches
Mandeville and Fontainbleau State Park
Mississippi Coast
De Soto National Forest
Mobile, Alabama
Global Wildlife Center
Grand Isle
Infinity Science Center
Lafayette
Abita Springs
Lake Charles
Mississippi River Cruise
Saint Bernard Parish
Bush

Until next time, happy travels, friends!