9 of the Top Day Trips from New Orleans

If you can only visit one historic former plantation during your New Orleans visit, make it the Whitney Plantation Museum—one of the best day trips from New Orleans for American history buffs. While the architecture is certainly beautiful, what stands out is its focus on educating visitors about the harrowing history of slavery. Book a tour from New Orleans that handles round-trip transportation from the city, then lets you explore the plantation and its museum at your own pace.

Related: How To Choose an Ethical Plantation Tour in the US—and Why It Matters

Another former plantation in the New Orleans area, Oak Alley Plantation is known for its grand old home that's fronted by two rows of centuries-old oak trees that have grown together in such a way as to create a canopied alley—hence its name. Some New Orleans day tours combine a visit to Oak Alley with an airboat trip into the swamps of the Barataria Preserve—a great choice for time-pressed travelers who want a beyond-New Orleans experience.

While a boat ride in the bayou is one of the best ways to learn about one of Louisiana’s most significant ecosystems, most marshes don’t have their own cryptid legend. However, Honey Island Swamp isn’t like most marshes. According to locals, there’s a Bigfoot-like "swamp monster" (also called "Cajun Bigfoot" or "Rougarou") who lurks in these parts. Even if you don’t see any monsters, you can expect to spot all sorts of wildlife, including birds, alligators, and wild boar.

Enjoy a quiet day by the beach at Grand Isle, a mere 2-hour drive from New Orleans. If you’re looking for a quiet break from the city that’s still close enough to visit on a day trip from New Orleans, head to Grand Isle, a barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico. Most people come here for fishing and birding, thanks to its easy access to oceans and waterways and expansive marshes that attract migratory and resident birds. The beaches are great, too, if you’re in the mood for some quiet time down by the shore.

While New Orleans may be Louisiana’s cultural capital, the state’s actual capital, Baton Rouge, offers plenty of opportunities to learn about history and culture. Visit institutions such as the Capitol Park Museum - Louisiana State Museum and the LSU Rural Life Museum to learn about the state’s history and cultural traditions, or join a food tour to sample Cajun and Creole cuisine. Architecture fans won’t want to miss the city’s stand-out structures: the art deco Louisiana State Capitol and Louisiana's Old State Capitol, which resembles a medieval castle.

Don’t limit yourself to just Louisiana day trips while in New Orleans, as there are plenty of destinations beyond the bayou state you can visit in just a day. About a 2-hour drive away is Mobile, which is worth a trip to see beautiful architecture and many attractions. Highlights include Africatown Heritage House, an excellent spot to learn about Black history, and the Richards DAR House Museum, a gorgeous historic home built in the Italianate style. And don’t miss checking out the dining scene on Dauphin Street, one of the city’s most vibrant strips.

Dubbed the “Cajun capital of Louisiana,” Lafayette is an excellent place for a cultural day trip from New Orleans. Around a 2-hour drive from the city, Lafayette is famous for its great cuisine, with specialties such as jambalaya and boudin sausage. Must-see attractions include the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, an ornate Roman Catholic church built in the Romanesque revival style, and Vermilionville, a recreation of a 19th-century village with costumed guides who tell the stories of Louisiana’s many cultures.

Directly across Lake Pontchartrain, Abita Springs is the ideal destination for family-friendly day trips from New Orleans. It was a popular getaway spot in the Victorian era, when New Orleanians would head across the lake to take in fresh air, while today visitors flock here to dine, shop, and stroll. Abita Springs is also a good base for nature day trips from New Orleans, and you can participate in many water-based activities, such as fishing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.

Foodie travelers (and anyone with a penchant for hot sauce) will enjoy a day trip to Avery Island, where Louisiana’s most famous condiment is made. Take a self-guided tour of the TABASCO® Museum to learn all about (and sample) hot sauce, before heading to Restaurant 1868, where nearly everything on the menu contains Tabasco Sauce. The island is also home to Jungle Gardens, a large wetland area where you can spot all sorts of creatures, from alligators to egrets.