By Bobo and Chichi

Planning an incredible trip to the Big Easy and want to explore some of the best day trips from New Orleans during your visit?

With more incredible towns, cities, parks, and places to visit you can add on more incredible destinations to your amazing New Orleans trip either as a day trip from New Orleans or even an overnight trip. Most of our day trips from New Orleans are just a few hours drive, but some are a bit longer.

We recommend planning accordingly and leaving early enough if you plan on returning back to NOLA that night, or you can plan to take your time, and spend the night before returning home.

We’ve included the approximate driving time and distance for each of these day trips from New Orleans as well as why these are great options for where to visit in addition to your trip!

THE TOWNS OF COASTAL MISSISSIPPI

various towns, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes drive, 95 miles

Coastal Mississippi is my favorite day trip from New Orleans. While most people drive directly between Nola and Mobile, those who venture south of I-10 will discover the phenomenal Secret Coast (as Mississippi Gulf Coast now calls itself). And what a secret it is.

Bay St Louis is only an hour from the French Quarter and locals call it “where New Orleans goes for vacation.” Perhaps nowhere else in the US can you drive long stretches and see nothing out your window except water and sugar sand.

There’s an ample amount of FREE beachfront parking that begs for you to stop OFTEN and let your feet explore that clean and soft sand. Do it!

Biloxi is the seafood capital of America and you must try Gulf shrimp on your Coastal Mississippi road trip—try a banh mi po boy from Le Bakery Cafe or shrimp and grits from White Pillars.

Allow time to savor Ocean Springs, one of the most romantic towns along the US Gulf Coast. Stroll downtown among the magnificent live oaks, visit the extraordinary (and hidden gem) Walter Anderson Art Museum, treat yourself to dinner at Vestige.

Should you find yourself in Pascagoula—the birthplace of Jimmy Buffett—visit the Pascagoula River Audubon Center and explore the largest natural free-flowing river in the lower 48 states.

But whatever you do in Coastal Mississippi, make sure you are on a beach for an exceptional sunset.

 

INFINITY SCIENCE CENTER IN MISSISSIPPI

~ 52 minutes, 45 miles

Another great day trip from New Orleans if you’re looking for something not too far away but truly unique is visiting the Infinity Science Center in Mississippi. Just under an hour away from the heart of New Orleans, you can learn all about space, earth, and science programs in this amazing science center and museum!

Besides being an immersive space and science museum, this is also the official visitor center for the NASA Stennis Space Center, a rocket testing facility.

This day trip from New Orleans is fun and educational for people of all ages and great for families, or just adults too! 

Learn about the different discoveries on earth to space from exhibits like the Hurrican Prediction Lab, Carnivorous Plants Conservatory teaching you all about meat-eating plants, the kid’s exhibit Big Blue Blocks that teaches engineering, to the outdoor Biome Boardwalk that takes you through different natural habitats, plus more!

There are also other artifacts and exhibits here featuring past space missions.

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