The new year often brings about feelings of exploration, and the yearning to try new things and explore the must-visit places in New Orleans. Why not combine the two and have your next year filled with memorable day trips in NOLA? We’ve got some incredible places to explore in New Orleans peppered throughout southeastern Louisiana that you’ll want to mark on your calendars. All of these attractions are within a 3-hour driving distance, making them the best day trips in New Orleans.

1. January: Walk or bike down the Tammany Trace
Tammany Trace - Covington Trailhead, 419 N New Hampshire St, Covington, LA 70433, USA
Rob User/All Trails
The Tammany Trace is Louisiana’s only rail-to-trail conversion, and boy is it a stunner. The 30+ mile trail will take you through five towns in St. Tammany Parish: Abita Springs, Covington, Mandeville, Slidell, and Lacombe. You can start or stop your journey at any of the trailheads, and the paved trail makes it great for bikers and rollerbladers, too. There’s also an equestrian trail that runs parallel to some parts of the trail, so you can bring along your gentle giant for an epic adventure through St. Tammany Parish.

Follow along on a bike ride along Tammany Trace:

2. February: Explore Louisiana’s Bayou Country
Houma, LA, USA
Faungg’s photos/Flickr
Houma is just about a 90-minute drive from the city and is ideal for anyone looking for a change of scenery. On February 25th, 2023, the annual Houma Cast Iron Cookoff returns to downtown Houma, and you won’t want to miss it. Over 40 teams will be out cooking some of their best dishes in their cast iron cookware, and you can taste everything and cast your vote for your favorite. There will be live music, games, booze, and more, so be sure to mark your calendars.

Take a drive through the quaint town of Houma:

3. March: Explore Baton Rouge and all our state’s capital has to offer
Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Charles-Louis21/Trip Advisor
Baton Rouge truly features something for everyone. Downtown Baton Rouge is easily walkable and is peppered with dozens of delicious restaurants, historic buildings, and unique architecture. Take a tour of the Old State Capitol, climb aboard the USS Kidd, or just walk along the river and take in the beautiful views of the Mighty Mississippi.
4. April: Get lost in the swamps and bayous of Barataria Preserve
Barataria Preserve Visitor Center, 6588 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072, USA
jmpnscu/Trip Advisor
Barataria Preserve is less than an hour away from New Orleans, but you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another world. The boardwalk and gravel trails will lead you on an emerald adventure through the preserve’s 30,000 acres of swamps, bayous, and forests. April is a great time of year to hit the trails at Barataria because it’s usually not that hot, the bugs are at bay, and you’ll still have an opportunity to see tons of wildlife including alligators, turtles, snakes, and birds.

Take a stroll along the boardwalks in Barataria Preserve:

5. May: Sample endless jambalaya at the annual Jambalaya Festival in Gonzales
Gonzales, LA 70737, USA
Gonzales Jambalaya Festival Association/Facebook
Gonzales is known as the "Jambalaya Capital of the World" and for good reason. The Jambalaya Festival returns for its 56th year May 26-28, 2023, and this year promises to be its best one yet. The three-day festival is jam-packed with local music, a carnival, cooking demonstrations, a car show, and of course, endless amounts of jambalaya made by some of the best chefs in the state.
6. June: Take a scenic drive down historic River Road
40100 LA-942, Darrow, LA 70725, USA
Oak Alley Plantation/Google
The Greater River Road area between New Orleans and Louisiana is peppered with history and scenic views. The 70-mile stretch is home to several historic plantations, like the Destrehan Plantation, San Francisco Plantation, Laura Plantation, Houmas House Plantation, and perhaps the most iconic, Oak Alley Plantation. For a picture-perfect day, stop off at any of these plantations along your drive to learn more about each of these plantations, take a tour, and maybe eat some lunch.
7. July: Experience the Tarpon Rodeo at Grand Isle
Grand Isle, LA, USA
Candice C./Trip Advisor
Every year, thousands of people head down to Louisiana’s only inhabited barrier island to take part in our nation’s oldest fishing tournament, the International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo. The dates for 2023 have yet to be released, but the event typically takes place in July, and even if you’re not a fisherman, it’s worth the road trip. Grand Isle also features several miles of beautiful beaches you can sink your toes into, as well as a state park that’s perfect for nature walks and birdwatching.
8. August: Visit the most haunted plantation in the country in St. Francisville
Saint Francisville, St Francisville, LA 70775, USA
The Myrtles Plantation/Google
St. Francisville is a sleepy little town just north of Baton Rouge with a historic plantation that might just make you sleep with the lights on after your visit. The Myrtles Plantation is known for being the most haunted home in the United States, and if you dare, you can rent a room and spend the night.
9. September: Get spicy on Avery Island
Avery Island, LA, USA
Randy2352/Trip Advisor
Home to Tabasco Hot Sauce, Avery Island is a picturesque little salt dome in Iberia Parish. Take a tour of the Tabasco factory to learn how this iconic little bottle gets made, and then be sure to pop into the restaurant where you can feast on delicious Cajun and Creole dishes, spiced up with that famous little bottle. Afterward, take a casual stroll through the Jungle Gardens, an expansive botanical garden, and be sure to check out Bird City, home to countless egrets, herons, and other migratory birds.
10. October: Watch a mesmerizing sunset at Cypremort Point State Park
Cypremort Point State Park, 306 Beach Ln, Cypremort Point, LA 70538, USA
Cypremort Point State Park/Facebook
Cypremort Point State Park is about a 2.5-hour drive away, but the sunset views will make it all worth it. This tiny but mighty state park is nestled against Vermilion Bay, making it an ideal spot for anyone looking to fish either from their own boat or the pier. After you’ve reeled in your catches for the day, take a seat on the little stretch of beach and be prepared to watch one of the most mesmerizing sunsets of your life.
11. November: Hit the trails of Tunica Hills
Tunica Hills, Louisiana 70775, USA
Justin P./Google
Tunica Hills WMA is a nature lover’s paradise. The wildlife area offers horseback riding, hiking, and biking trails that will lead you on an incredible journey. The rolling hills and varied terrain will have you second-guessing if you’re still in Louisiana, and if you do cross over to Mississippi, you’ll be treated to a rare site: a waterfall! The Clark Creek Natural Area isn’t far from Tunica Hills, and the opportunity to see the Clark Creek Waterfall is worth the extra effort.
12. December: Shop 'til you drop at the Denham Springs Antique Village
Denham Springs Antique Village, 100-230 N Range Ave, Denham Springs, LA 70726, USA
Denham Springs Antique Village/Facebook
As December rolls around, you’ll probably be in holiday shopping mode, and the Denham Springs Antique Village is just the spot to get all of your holiday shopping done. Located in the heart of Denham Springs on North Range Avenue, the village features dozens of antique shops, boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants.

Have you been to any of the locations of the best day trips in New Orleans? Planning on taking any of these day trips? Let us know in the comments! When you come exploring, check out some of the unique places to stay in New Orleans.

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More to Explore

Beautiful Day Trip Destinations in Louisiana

William Suphan | April 05, 2023

What are the best attractions for nature lovers in Louisiana?

The best attractions for nature lovers in Louisiana include:

  • Kisatchie National Forest. This 600,000-acre forest is perfect for camping and has trails for every level of hiking ability.
  • Briarwood Nature Preserve. This was the home of botanist Caroline Dormon, who gave this land to the public upon her death.
  • Bayou Vermillion Paddle Trail. Locals love to come here to kayak along this 10-mile water trail surrounded by lush trees.
  • The Creole Nature Trail. This trail consists of 180 miles of scenic roads where you can see a vast array of wildlife.

Discover more about the best attractions for nature lovers in Louisiana. 

What are some bucket list natural wonders in Louisiana?

Bucket list natural wonders in Louisiana include:

  • Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge has several habitats including marshes, rice fields, and coastal prairies.
  • Driskill Mountain. This is the highest point in Lousiana and while it only reached 535 feet, it is a wonderful place to hike.
  • Honey Island Swamp. This 70,000-acre swamp was named after honey bees that once populated this area, and it’s a serene, beautiful place to be.

Learn more about these and other bucket list natural wonders in Louisiana. 

What are the most incredible natural attractions in Louisiana?

The most incredible natural attractions in Louisiana include:

  • Barataria Preserve. There are boardwalk trails throughout the 20,000 acres of swampland and the views are spectacular.
  • Bayou Sauvage National Refuge. Wildlife lovers flock to America’s largest urban wildlife refuge to see gators, snakes, birds, nutria, turtles, and more.
  • Atchafalaya River Basin. This is the largest swamp in America and is riddled with cypress trees, Spanish Moss, and abundant wildlife.
  • Avery Island. This is a salt dome that has jungle gardens and a bird rookery and it has gorgeous landscaping. It’s also the home of Tobasco sauce.

Find out more about the most incredible natural attractions in Louisiana.

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