Day Trips from New Orleans to Jazz Up Your Weekend

 
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Can’t figure out what to do this weekend? Why not travel?

If you’ve been itching to travel, a day trip is the perfect way to keep you satisfied until that next big vacation. Take an empty day to get out of New Orleans and have a fun adventure with friends or family. Dive into a town’s unique culture, try some new cuisine, and experience life from a new perspective – all without having to book a hotel. Here are some easy day trips within a few hours of New Orleans.

Lafayette

If you haven’t visited Lafayette yet, it’s a must-see location. Just over a 2 hour drive from New Orleans, this city is the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun country. Pick a nice day, and you can enjoy the outdoor Acadian Village – an authentic recreation of a 1700s Cajun settlement. You can also visit the stunning Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, which is right down the street from the unassuming Johnson’s Boucaniere – a fantastic stop for some of the best barbeque and Cajun classics around.

Hattiesburg, MS

If you’re looking for a nice retreat into nature, Hattiesburg, Mississippi is the perfect escape, located right next to De Soto National Forest. The coniferous forest has hiking trails of all difficulty levels, as well as ATV, horse, and bike trails. If you aren’t feeling the outdoors, don’t worry, Hattiesburg is home to the African American Military History Museum, which tells the stories of two Hattiesburg natives, Jesse L. Brown and Ruth Bailey Earl. While in Hattiesburg, you can stop for dinner at Cotton Blues, a restaurant with a menu as extensive as it is fresh. The best part about Hattiesburg – it’s under a two hour drive from New Orleans.

Gulfport, MS

Ready to hit the beach? Beautiful, sandy shores are just a 90 minute drive away in Gulfport, Mississippi. Spend a relaxing day on Gulfport Central Beach, or – if you’re looking for something more exciting – you can catch the ferry to Ship Island. Ship Island has its own store of things to do, including their own beaches, a Civil War era fort, and even snorkeling.

Need some help?

I love planning travel, no matter how small. If you want more advice on easy day trips from New Orleans, send me a message and we can chat!

Amina Dearmon