Last Updated on September 29, 2024 by Kristin
One of the most unique destinations in the U.S., New Orleans is home to a seemingly endless number of dining, nightlife and cultural attractions that keep visitors out and about until the wee hours of the morning. But it’s also a great starting point for some epic road trips. Here are the best road trips from New Orleans.
Fabulous Road Trips from New Orleans
Abita Springs
43 miles / 1 hr 3 mins.
About an hour across Lake Pontchartrain lies Abita Springs, a charming and historic small town known for its namesake brewery and spring waters. But one of the most scenic parts of this road trip is the journey across the nearly 24-mile long Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, which is one of the longest bridges over water in the world. Once in Abita Springs, explore a stretch of the 31-mile Tammany Trace biking trail and learn about history at the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum. Explore folk art at the Abita Mystery House, and then enjoy a pastry or piece of cake at the Maple Street Bakery & Café. Craft beer lovers should head to the nearby Abita Brewing Company for a tour.
Biloxi, Mississippi
90 miles / 1 hr. 36 mins.
For a quick trip to the coast, drive east to Biloxi, Mississippi. While this city on the Gulf of Mexico may be best known for its sprawling casinos, the area also offers family-friendly attractions including the Biloxi Lighthouse, Biloxi Beach and the Gulf Islands Waterpark in Gulfport. For an offshore adventure, take a ferry to Ship Island to try to spot dolphins and tour the Civil War-era Fort Massachusetts. The ferries leave from either Biloxi or Gulfport, depending on the season.
Grand Isle State Park
110 miles / 2 hr. 21 mins.
For a dose of Louisiana’s diverse natural landscapes, head south to Grand Isle State Park. This barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico has a variety of accommodations ranging from camping and glamping to quaint hotels. Here, outdoor enthusiasts flock to escape the city in favor of Grand Isle’s sandy beaches, plus opportunities for fishing, crabbing, hiking and boating. The park is known for its long fishing pier and warm waters for swimming, as well as the abundance of birds inhabiting the park’s marshes, forests and bays.
Orange Beach, Alabama
196 miles / 3 hr. 2 mins.
You’ll find a nicely low-key beach getaway in Alabama’s Orange Beach, with its miles of white sand and blue-green waters just west of the Florida-Alabama state line. The beaches here are known for being less crowded than some of their Gulf Coast neighbors. Plus, you’ve got other diversions, from Gulf State Park and the shops, restaurants and giant Ferris wheel at The Wharf. Orange Beach is a bit more developed than neighboring towns, but you’ll find affordable, family friendly options in the area. >> Recommended hotels in Orange Beach
Destin, Florida
250 miles / 4 hr. 10 mins.
Four hours east is beautiful Destin in Florida’s panhandle region. Destin and neighboring Fort Walton Beach make up part of what locals call the Emerald Coast, which gets its name from the hues of the sparkling Gulf of Mexico waters. Check out Henderson Beach State Park for a day of sand and surf, or the bustling Okaloosa Island. For great nightlife and dining, look no further than the Destin Harbor Boardwalk. This strip features not only places to shop and eat, but is a central place to set up paddleboard, jetski or parasailing activities. >> Recommended hotels in Destin
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
293 miles / 4 hr. 20 mins.
Tucked between Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, the northwest Florida town of Santa Rosa Beach offers beachy fun as well as access to three state parks and a state forest. This mellow area near Destin offers a good selection of hotels, too, including both boutique hotels and budget stays. >> Recommended hotels in Santa Rosa Beach
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