Famous Weekend Destinations & Getaways in New Orleans

We all seek a weekend getaway whenever we want to get rid of our daily life routine. This will not only refresh the mind but also gives you the leverage to spend your next week with enthusiasm. New Orleans is a city in the United States located on the shore of the Mississippi River. People knew New Orleans for its Creole cuisine, distinctive music, for its unique way of celebrating the annual day. The Mardi Gras is the celebration that people do before starting the fasting season of Lent

Initially, when you visit New Orleans, a rough thought will definitely pass your mind whether you will get enough things to visit here or you will run out of things within two to three days. But as you start to know the city from a little bit closer you will get to know about some unique weekend getaway places to visit in New Orleans. This party town also features some great casinos, beaches, lakes, resorts, and hill stations that are worth exploring. If you are in New Orleans then you should read this article to know about some famous weekend destinations near New Orleans.

List of Weekend Places to Visit in New Orleans

1. Biloxi

On driving 1.5-hour to the east of New Orleans you will reach Biloxi. If you are planning to spend your weekend on beaches in New Orleans then Biloxi can be the perfect destination. As this place is already located on the coastline of the Mississippi river hence you will get to see so many beaches and casinos along the shoreline. New Orleans natives often visit here to play casinos and capture beautiful pictures. Additionally, there are a variety of museums and art galleries in the thoroughfare where visitors spend most of their time.

Distance from New Orleans: 91.5 Miles

Places you can visit: Mardis Gras Museum, Lighthouse, Ship Island, Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum, and Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art.

2. Lafayette, Louisiana

Lafayette city in Louisiana is a 144 kilometer square of a land piece with diverse flora and fauna. This place serves various types of seafood, stews, and other authentic cuisines to the visitors. If you are an intense food lover then you should visit Lafayette. Lafayette is absolutely a paradise for food lovers. Apart from this, there are various beaches and lakes in the city that you can visit while having your meal.

Distance from New Orleans: 135.3 Miles

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3. Natchez, Mississippi

This beautiful city of Natchez is located on the southern banks of the Mississippi River and features some divergent cafes, museums, and beaches. This place is the best to plan a weekend with family as you will get to learn a lot about the culture and heritage of the city. There are so many antique stores on the street side from where you can purchase a token of remembrance for your loved ones.

Distance from New Orleans: 171 Miles

4. Lake Charles, Louisiana

Lake Charles city in southern Louisiana is very popular among youngsters as it features some exclusive gambling spots in the town. College students often come to Lake Charles to try their luck in gambling. If you are looking for a weekend getaway place near New Orleans to visit with your college buddies then Lake Charles can be an ideal location. You will get multiple activities to keep yourself engaged. In the evening you can visit the beaches and lake of Louisiana to know about the city from the vicinity. 

Distance from New Orleans: 206 Miles

Places to visit: Millennium Park, Golden Nugget Casino, Prien Lake Park, Lake Charles Visitor Center, USS Orleck Naval Museum

5. Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

Located along the Gulf of Mexico, Bay St. Louis is the most beautiful city in the United States. As this is located on a small piece of land near Mississippi hence people are not very much aware of this place. The place remains crowded with love birds throughout the year as visitors visit the beachside in the evening and run on the sandy beaches of South Beach Boulevard. If you are with your partner in Mississippi or New Orleans then make sure to visit this place on weekends. Also, Bay St. Louis is located at a distance of nearly one hour from downtown. So, you can easily head back to your residence in the evening.

Distance from New Orleans: 59 Miles

Places to visit: MS Gulf Coast Scenic Byways, Jourdan River, Buccaneer State Park, Waveland Beach, Bay Saint Louis Bridge

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6. Edgard, Louisiana

Edgard is a popular city in the United States near New Orleans that has its historical importance among natives. This place is located one hour away from downtown. People with a deep interest in knowing the history of Edgard city will get to know so many interesting things about the place. There is a catholic church every few meters on the street where natives offer prayer to Jesus Christ. 

Distance from New Orleans: 40 Miles

Places to visit: Bonnet Carre, Cajun Pride Swamp Tours, Gramercy Bridge

7. Honey Island Swamp, Louisiana

In central Louisiana, you will find exclusive Honey land Swamp boat tours to witness the panoramic view of the city. While your boat rides you will see a variety of marine animals like crocodiles, snakes, and turtles. Dodging your boat through these marine animals would be a thrilling experience for the visitors. So if you are looking for a thrilling weekend getaway place near New Orleans then have a visit to Honey Island. As we also told you that it is located in the vicinity hence you can easily find a public convenience to reach here. 

Address: 41490 Crawford Landing Rd, Slidell, LA 70461, United States

Distance from New Orleans: 36 Miles

8. Mobile, Alabama

Mobile is a famous city of Alabama known for its beautiful coastline view and cultural attractions. There are few cities in Alabama that attract visitors from other countries and Mobile is one of them. you must haven’t heard this name before as it is in a remote location in Alabama. But once you visit this place the beauty of it will keep you stunned. The encompassing view of the mobile river from the port is astounding. 

Distance from New Orleans: 145 Miles

Places to visit: Mobile port, Meaher state park, History Museum, Bellingrath Gardens, and home

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9. Grand Isle, Louisiana

Grand Isle in Louisiana is a collection of islands in the Gulf of Mexico. This place is listed among the most favorite weekend destinations near New Orleans. From sightseeing to marine activities this place features everything. You can stay in your room in sizzling afternoons, enjoy fishing in the morning and visit the beaches in the evening to capture some shots of nature. The oasis is also full of colorful flora and fauna that you will not see anywhere in the world. 

Distance from New Orleans: 108 Miles

Website: https://www.townofgrandisle.com/

Places to visit: Grand Isle beach, Isle Grande Terre, Isle Grande Island

10. Avery Island

Set aside a few minutes for a visit to Avery Island as you will find some really good hot sauce in this city. This place is located two to three hours from New Orleans. Since 1861, people call Avery Island the salt dome of the United State. Avery Island was founded by John Craig Marsh and is spread over 2200 acres of land. There are various bird sanctuaries and gardens where you will get exotic plants and animals. Also, there are various beaches and lakes on Avery Island. If you are looking to spend a peaceful weekend in New Orleans then put this place on your Wishlist

Distance from New Orleans: 138 Miles

We have formulated the list of top 10-weekend getaway destinations near New Orleans. All of these places are downtown or at a feasible driving distance from the town. Hence, it will take a maximum of 2 days to cover each of these places. 

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