Day Trips from New Orleans – Between 1 and 2 Hours

Best Day Trips from New Orleans | The Common Traveler | image: car along white sand beaches in Coastal Mississippi |New Orleans Day Trips by popular US travel blog, The Common Traveler: image of a white sand beach.
Photo by Charles McCool

Coastal Mississippi

Only one hour from downtown New Orleans is the start of one of the best US coastal scenic drives. Coastal Mississippi calls itself the Secret Coast and its Beach Boulevard / US 90 route is a memorable detour from the I-10 highway.

Start your Coastal Mississippi adventure in the hidden gem small-town Bay St Louis—where New Orleans’ residents escape for weekend getaways. Things to do in Bay St Louis include exploring local artisan shops, 100 Man DBA Hall, Ruth’s Roots, and restaurants Mockingbird Cafe, The Sycamore House, and Serious Bread Bakery.

Leaving Bay St Louis, continue east on Beach Boulevard, across the St Louis Bay Bridge. The 24-mile section of highway 90 from Henderson Point Beach to Biloxi Lighthouse provides nearly continuous uninterrupted views of the USA’s largest man-made beach and Gulf of Mexico waters. Convenient free parking along this portion dares drivers to stop. So do stop, often, to sink your feet into the brilliant, soft, white, sugar sand and savor phenomenal US Gulf Coast sunsets, sunrises, and views.

Return to Nola via I-110 in Biloxi but if you have time continue east, across Biloxi Bay Bridge, to the wonderfully cute town of Ocean Springs. Stroll the oak-covered streets of downtown Ocean Springs, visit more amazing artisan shops, splurge on a culinary masterpiece at Vestige or daily biscuits at The Greenhouse, and be awed by the artistry of local genius Walter Anderson at WAMA. Return to New Orleans on Beach Boulevard or I-10.

Recommended by Charles of McCool Travel

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