The kids are out of school, maybe you’ve got some time off work and you’re looking for some unique things to do in Louisiana. Well, we’ve got you covered! Here are some of the best day trips in Louisiana to make your summer spectacular. Whether you’re looking for day trips from Lafayette, LA, day trips from Shreveport, or anywhere across the state, we’ve gathered a list of plenty of fun things to do in Louisiana. Clear your schedule and gas up the car, because you’ll be wanting to make time for each of these exciting getaway spots.
1. Get lost on a back road
Sometimes there’s nothing better than hitting a back road with your windows down and the music turned up. We’ve got some beautiful scenic roads in Louisiana, and they’ll bring you down bayous, swamps, and historical plantations with oak-lined canopies.
2. Spend a day on the beach
Sure, we may not have the pristine white sand and turquoise water that Florida is known for, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have beaches… you just need to know where to look. There are several state parks in Louisiana that feature beautiful beaches and they’re a wonderful way to spend the day.
3. Zip-line over live gators
That’s right! Over at Gators & Friends, there’s a seven-part zip line that’ll take you through the trees, over the animals, and the last 720 feet you’ll be flying over a live alligator pond. Everyone should experience this thrill at least once, it’s the only place in Louisiana where you can zip-line over live alligators.
4. Drive Down The Creole Nature Trail
The Creole Nature Trail is one of the most scenic byways in Louisiana, featuring 180 miles of scenic highways known as the “Louisiana Outback.” You’ll experience the best of Louisiana on this drive, everything from bayous to beaches and everything in between.
5. Tour a winery
Landry Vineyards is located in West Monroe and it’s one of the most unique things to do in Louisiana. After all, we are known for bayous and swamps, not grapes and wine! Landry Vineyards offers tours Monday-Saturday, and you’ll learn about the history of this vineyard, and see the crushing pads and the bottling facility. You can even spend the night in one of its cozy Grape Escape cottage rentals.
6. Visit Poverty Point in Pioneer, LA
Built between 1650 and 1100 B.C., Poverty Point is still a bit of a mystery to historians and archeologists, but new clues are constantly being discovered. Since the original inhabitants left no written records of their day-to-day lives, historians have had to piece together their lives by what they’ve found at dig sites (arrowheads, clay objects, etc.) Poverty Point became a National Historic Landmark in 1962, and it’s worth a visit to learn more about this fascinating site. It’s one of the most underrated day trips in Louisiana, and worthy of a road trip, for sure. Not only will you get to view the artifacts that have been unearthed, but you can stroll down the nature trail and walk along the mounds.
7. Avery Island
Known as the home of Tabasco, but there’s so much more to Avery Island that you can easily spend a day there. Tour the Tabasco plant and then spend the afternoon in the Jungle Gardens, a massive 170-acre garden filled with indigenous and exotic plants. Don’t forget to check out Bird City, the huge rookery home to thousands of egrets! It’s truly a magical place.
8. Hit the trails
Louisiana has tons of beautiful nature walks and hiking trails scattered throughout the state. Each one offers a different scenery and level of difficulty, so you’ll never get bored.
9. Take a swamp boat tour
Explore Louisiana’s swamps and bayous with an expert and learn more about the importance of Louisiana’s wetlands and the wildlife that call the area home. You’re pretty much guaranteed to see alligators, turtles, birds, and maybe even a snake or wild hog.
10. Test your wits in an escape room
Grab some friends and test your skills in an escape room. Escape rooms are growing in popularity across the country, and we can see why. You and your team are locked in a room and must solve a series of clues to escape in the specified time frame. Trust me, they’re harder than they look. Escape rooms make for great team-building exercises and just a fun adventure with friends.
11. Visit a state park
With more than 20 state parks in Louisiana, you can bet you’re never too far from one. State parks make for wonderful day adventures. Bring your fishing pole and sit out on the docks or get lost in a nature walk. Some parks have swimming pools and splash pads which are great for the kids on a hot summer day.
12. Visit a plantation
Touring plantations is a great way to learn about our history and how it shaped our state. There are several plantations in Louisiana that are open for tours, each one different from the next and each one with a fascinating history behind it.
13. Float down a river
On a hot summer day, there’s nothing better than floating down a river while taking in the beautiful views. There are several rivers that are perfect for tubing in Louisiana, and the Bogue Chitto River is probably the most popular one.
Written by: Jackie Ann, www.onlyinyourstate.com