A Louisiana road trip shows you all the fun things to do in Louisiana! Every Louisiana trip must include New Orleans and then add on visits to the Louisiana river road plantations and other road trips in Louisiana, such as to Louisiana Cajun country. When you road trip Louisiana, you will be assured of great food and music as well as a fascinating history. In addition, we also show you how easy it is to do road trips from Louisiana for example, a Louisiana to Florida road trip or a Louisiana to Texas road trip.
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Road trips in Louisiana: Louisiana River Road
One of our favourite Louisiana road trips was on the Louisiana River Road. Start in New Orleans and take Louisana Highway 18, aka the Louisiana Great River Road, for about 80 miles up to Baton Rouge.
The Louisiana River Road plantations start pretty much as soon as you leave New Orleans with Destrehan Plantation and Ormond Plantation. There are 10 River Road plantations to explore so choose the ones that interest you!
For example, we visited three river road plantations Oak Alley Plantation, Laura Plantation and Whitney Plantation – each of which was chosen for their diversity and family-friendliness. We felt our kids could visit a maximum of three plantations on the Louisiana river road before we faced rebellion in the ranks.
We stayed overnight at a cottage in the Oak Alley Plantation which was perfect. Not only was the cottage charming but we got to see Oak Alley in the early morning hours before the tourist hordes descended.
A map of the Louisiana river road plantations lining the Louisiana Great River Road
Road Trips From Louisiana
It’s easy to navigate road trips from Louisiana following along on the Gulf Coast for either a Louisiana to Florida road trip on the east or a Louisiana to Texas road trip on the west.
Louisiana to Tennessee
Luisiana to Tennessee makes a great North/South road trip because you can enjoy great food and music in both states!
Head north on a road trip from Louisiana with visits to plantations along the Louisiana Great River Road and ending up in Baton Rouge.
You have two options for Louisiana to Tennessee road trip destinations. One version uses part of our Alabama road trip itinerary as well.
- Go north from Baton Rouge to Birmingham Alabama with its civil rights history, Huntsville Alabama for its NASA space center and then Nashville Tennessee for its music and barbecue!
- Alternatively, music lovers will want to take a road trip along Route 61, aka The Blues Highway, from Baton Rouge to Memphis Tennessee.
This Louisiana road trip shows how easy it is to incorporate a Louisiana trip into a larger Southern USA road trip.
An old plantation bell on a Louisiana trip is a reminder of the conflicted history of this area.
Louisiana to Texas road trip
After Mardi Gras one year, we did a Louisiana to Texas road trip that took us through Louisiana Cajun country. We flew into the international airport in New Orleans and out of the international airport in Houston.
Some of the cool things you can do on a Louisiana to Texas road trip:
- visit Avery Island to see where Tabasco is made
- spot alligators on a swamp tour
- eat ice cream at Borden’s, a historic ice cream shop in downtown Lafayette
- chow down on great Gumbo and other cajun food
- learn about the diversity of Louisiana Cajun country at the Vermillionville living history museum
On this Louisiana to Texas road trip, you will encounter many things in Louisiana Cajun country that make a Louisiana trip truly different from visiting other American states.
Try something sweet in Louisiana Cajun country.
Louisiana to Florida road trip
We have not done the entire Louisiana to Florida road trip – just missing about a 150 miles on the Mississippi coast side. We know people, however, who have done this trip and they say its fabulous.
The distance from Orlando to New Orleans is about 650 miles. This Louisiana to Florida road trip can easily be a 12 hour drive so it makes sense to break it up into smaller sections. Moreover, there’s so much to do and to see along the way!
Road trip Louisiana with this guide!
Drive along the Gulf Coast and some of the things you will encounter are:
- beautiful Gulf Coast beaches and glorious sunsets
- Bilox Mississippi with its casino and fun atmosphere
- Mobile Alabama which will remind you they did Mardi Gras first
- tacky fun in Flori-bama
- small town charm at Apalachicola Florida
There are so many fun things to do in Louisiana that the party doesn’t need to stop if you head east on a Louisiana to Florida road trip.
Louisiana Road Trip Stops
We have asked these travel experts to tell us about their fun things to do in Louisiana. Incorporate these ideas into your Louisiana road trips to make your Louisiana trip truly unforgettable.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Most people who visit Louisiana head straight for New Orleans but just up the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge you’ll find a city marching to the beat of its own drum. Cajun and creole influences combine with a good dose of southern charm in Baton Rouge and here you’ll find a city that’s uniquely Louisiana.
Located 2 hours from New Orleans. Baton Rouge’s downtown is compact and very walkable. Start your visit taking in the views of the iconic Mississippi River before checking out the diverse collection at the LSU Museum of Art.
Most state capitals have one state building but Baton Rouge happens to have two with very distinct personalities. The Old State Capitol, built in 1852, is a Gothic castle overlooking the Mississippi River. Equal parts Willy Wonka and 19th Century Paris, the colorful interior makes it hard to believe that this was a place for government work.
A few blocks away the new State Capitol, an Art Deco masterpiece standing at 450 feet high, is the tallest state capitol building in the country where a rooftop viewing platform offers up sweeping views of the Mississippi.
Being in Louisiana, Baton Rouge is definitely a city that takes its food seriously. From classic Louisiana oysters to gourmet tacos White Star Market is a casual food hall with something to suit every taste, if you have a sweet tooth be sure to stop by Elsie’s Plate and Pie for scratchmade pies like coconut cream and smores.
– by Brianna Simmons at The Casual Travelist
Lafayette, Louisiana
There is something special about smaller towns – the charm, the food, and the sense of community. Lafayette, LA, is this and so much more. It’s unique culture, history, and delicious food makes it the perfect place to visit on a southern road trip.
Lafayette’s heritage is a combination of the arrival of the Acadians from Acadia, Canada in 1765, and the rich presence of the Native Americans and African Americans who already occupied the land.
In fact, they have two culture museums dedicated to their history- Vermilionville and Acadian Village. Both museums embody the life and culture of the individuals who lived in Lafayette during the 18th century. The museums include restored homes, historians detailing the history, and musicians performing local zydeco-style music.
If there is a love of water or nature, the Bayou Vermilion District has canoes and kayaks for rent. You can take a self-guided tour across the bayou or relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Similarly, the Lafayette area is surrounded by state parks that offers beautiful nature trails to explore. In fact, Louisiana State Parks offers glamping for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the parks overnight.
A trip to Lafayette is not complete without enjoying some of it’s amazingly delicious cajun food. Poboys are the quintessential sandwich of Louisiana. Therefore, Pop’s Poboys has to be on your food list. The food is well seasoned and the french bread is soft and fluffy. Similar to poboys, boudin and cracklins is a Louisiana staple. Don’s Speciality Meats makes the best.
No matter if history, nature, or food is your jam, Lafayette, a two-hour drive from New Orleans, makes the perfect visit on a Southern road trip.
– Marquita from Marquita’s Travels
New Orleans, Louisiana
United States is a huge country with plenty of diversity, amongst which the southern states holds its own. The weather is warm, the food is spicy, the people are known for their “southern” hospitality and there are some unique rituals and festivals that are not observed anywhere else in the country.
New Orleans, the major city of Louisiana, stands out on its own because of the French colonialism hangover. The creole-cajun food where African (much like other southern states, Louisiana too had African slaves employed on plantations and cotton fields) and French traditions meet, the strains of Jazz music and the crowd puller Mardi Gras are all nods to its checkered past.
There are so many reasons to visit New Orleans, be it to witness the frenzy of Mardi Gras or the liveliness of New Orleans Jazz fest or to taste the amazing diversity in southern food.
However, the one thing that you should not miss is the French quarter neighborhood or Vieux Carre, the oldest district of the city and built by the French in 1718. The architecture is distinctly European with slatted windows, beautiful courtyards and fountains. It is a bustling neighborhood with bars, pubs, restaurants and local boutique shops.
Bourbon street is the liveliest street which becomes the epicenter of drunken revelry during Mardi Gras while Canal street is where you get to see some of the best parades at that time.
The French Quarter is home to the famous Jackson Square, formerly known as the Place d’Armes and later renamed after Andrew Jackson, the hero of the battle of New Orleans. Close by is the iconic Cafe du Monde serving beignets and coffee 24/7 (cash only please).
The French Quarter is a must visit if you are in NOLA and you can further enhance your experience by joining one of the many walking tours offered in the neighborhood.
– by Paroma Chakravarty at Year of the Monkey
River Parishes, Louisiana
SPREAD THE WORD! PIN THIS TO YOUR TRAVEL PINTEREST BOARDS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!Located along the winding Mississippi River in Louisiana, Louisiana’s River Parishes are 120 miles of ancient southern live oaks, green sugar cane fields and stately plantation homes. This region is home to several noteworthy plantation tours of stately mansions and grounds that share the history and stories of their owners and former residents, many of whom were Black slaves.
The beautiful River Parishes make for an ideal day trip or road trip destination when visiting New Orleans. Here, prepare to be treated to serious southern hospitality, culture and culinary experiences. It’s impossible to set foot in this region and not appreciate the impact of African culture and the sacrifices of the enslaved. Their influence can be seen in the food, art, architecture, language, folklore and people.
Visitors should be mindful that the history of the area and its many fine plantation houses lining the river was once rooted in the business of sugar cane and slavery. For the most comprehensive understanding of how life was once lived by the enslaved, book a tour of the Whitney Plantation, the only museum in Louisiana that focuses exclusively on the lives of enslaved people. For an alternate perspective, tour the grounds of the colorful Laura Plantation, headed by a succession of strong French Creole women.
For a taste of the region, don’t a miss an unforgettable hands-on Cajun culinary adventure at Spuddy’s Cajun Foods in Vacherie, Louisiana. Prepare a roux for your jambalaya and learn make your own Andouille and smoked sausages, then sit down to Spuddy’s stories and a savory lunch.
– by Claudia LaRoye at Claudia Travels
Laura Plantation is one of the Plantations that run along River Road in Louisiana (Image credit: Claudia LaRoye)
Planning Louisiana travel? Lousiana travel road trips are a great way to see the diversity of Louisiana. Louisiana travel things to do include New Orleans, Baton Rouge Louisiana, swamp tours, Louisiana plantation homes, Cajun food and so many other things to do in Louisiana. A New Orleans trip is a must and other Louisiana travel things to do only make it better! You won’t be left wondering what to do in Louisian becuse It’s easy to see why Louisiana is on so many USA road trip bucket lists!
We did not receive compensation of any form, monetary or otherwise, from any of the products, services, hotels etc mentioned in this article.
This site generates income via partnerships with carefully-curated travel and lifestyle brands and/or purchases made through links to them at no extra cost to you. More information may be found on our Disclosure Policy.
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Natchitoches, Louisiana
Situated on the banks of the Cane River, Natchitoches is a city that you definitely be included on your list of places to visit on a southern road trip. As one of the oldest cities in Louisiana, Natchitoches is packed with history and small town charm.
Find your accommodations in the 33-block National Historic Landmark District at one of the many great bed and breakfasts located here like the Steel Magnolia House (where the movie Steel Magnolias was filmed) or the Sweet Can Inn. Both of these are located in the heart of the town where you will find great shopping and restaurants.
Be sure and make one of your restaurant stops Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant and try one of their famous meat pies.
History lovers are surrounded by history in Natchitoches. There are three plantations in the area that you can visit including Oakland, Magnolia, and Melrose Plantations.
In addition to the plantations, you can also explore Los Adaes State Historic Site and Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historical Site. Natchitoches is also home to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, so be sure to check it out during your visit also.
Come during Christmas to enjoy the famous Natchitoches Christmas Festival. The city is all lit up with more than 300,000 lights throughout the downtown district and around Cane River Lake.
There are really so many things to do in Natchitoches that you could stay busy for days, so grab your road trip essentials and head out to Natchitoches, Louisiana!
– by Michelle Snell of That Texas Couple
New Orleans, Louisiana
United States is a huge country with plenty of diversity, amongst which the southern states holds its own. The weather is warm, the food is spicy, the people are known for their “southern” hospitality and there are some unique rituals and festivals that are not observed anywhere else in the country.
New Orleans, the major city of Louisiana, stands out on its own because of the French colonialism hangover. The creole-cajun food where African (much like other southern states, Louisiana too had African slaves employed on plantations and cotton fields) and French traditions meet, the strains of Jazz music and the crowd puller Mardi Gras are all nods to its checkered past.
There are so many reasons to visit New Orleans, be it to witness the frenzy of Mardi Gras or the liveliness of New Orleans Jazz fest or to taste the amazing diversity in southern food.
However, the one thing that you should not miss is the French quarter neighborhood or Vieux Carre, the oldest district of the city and built by the French in 1718. The architecture is distinctly European with slatted windows, beautiful courtyards and fountains. It is a bustling neighborhood with bars, pubs, restaurants and local boutique shops.
Bourbon street is the liveliest street which becomes the epicenter of drunken revelry during Mardi Gras while Canal street is where you get to see some of the best parades at that time.
The French Quarter is home to the famous Jackson Square, formerly known as the Place d’Armes and later renamed after Andrew Jackson, the hero of the battle of New Orleans. Close by is the iconic Cafe du Monde serving beignets and coffee 24/7 (cash only please).
The French Quarter is a must visit if you are in NOLA and you can further enhance your experience by joining one of the many walking tours offered in the neighborhood.
– by Paroma Chakravarty at Year of the Monkey
River Parishes, Louisiana
SPREAD THE WORD! PIN THIS TO YOUR TRAVEL PINTEREST BOARDS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!Located along the winding Mississippi River in Louisiana, Louisiana’s River Parishes are 120 miles of ancient southern live oaks, green sugar cane fields and stately plantation homes. This region is home to several noteworthy plantation tours of stately mansions and grounds that share the history and stories of their owners and former residents, many of whom were Black slaves.
The beautiful River Parishes make for an ideal day trip or road trip destination when visiting New Orleans. Here, prepare to be treated to serious southern hospitality, culture and culinary experiences. It’s impossible to set foot in this region and not appreciate the impact of African culture and the sacrifices of the enslaved. Their influence can be seen in the food, art, architecture, language, folklore and people.
Visitors should be mindful that the history of the area and its many fine plantation houses lining the river was once rooted in the business of sugar cane and slavery. For the most comprehensive understanding of how life was once lived by the enslaved, book a tour of the Whitney Plantation, the only museum in Louisiana that focuses exclusively on the lives of enslaved people. For an alternate perspective, tour the grounds of the colorful Laura Plantation, headed by a succession of strong French Creole women.
For a taste of the region, don’t a miss an unforgettable hands-on Cajun culinary adventure at Spuddy’s Cajun Foods in Vacherie, Louisiana. Prepare a roux for your jambalaya and learn make your own Andouille and smoked sausages, then sit down to Spuddy’s stories and a savory lunch.
– by Claudia LaRoye at Claudia Travels
Laura Plantation is one of the Plantations that run along River Road in Louisiana (Image credit: Claudia LaRoye)
Planning Louisiana travel? Lousiana travel road trips are a great way to see the diversity of Louisiana. Louisiana travel things to do include New Orleans, Baton Rouge Louisiana, swamp tours, Louisiana plantation homes, Cajun food and so many other things to do in Louisiana. A New Orleans trip is a must and other Louisiana travel things to do only make it better! You won’t be left wondering what to do in Louisian becuse It’s easy to see why Louisiana is on so many USA road trip bucket lists!
We did not receive compensation of any form, monetary or otherwise, from any of the products, services, hotels etc mentioned in this article.
This site generates income via partnerships with carefully-curated travel and lifestyle brands and/or purchases made through links to them at no extra cost to you. More information may be found on our Disclosure Policy.
More Information
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Situated on the banks of the Cane River, Natchitoches is a city that you definitely be included on your list of places to visit on a southern road trip. As one of the oldest cities in Louisiana, Natchitoches is packed with history and small town charm.
Find your accommodations in the 33-block National Historic Landmark District at one of the many great bed and breakfasts located here like the Steel Magnolia House (where the movie Steel Magnolias was filmed) or the Sweet Can Inn. Both of these are located in the heart of the town where you will find great shopping and restaurants.
Be sure and make one of your restaurant stops Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant and try one of their famous meat pies.
History lovers are surrounded by history in Natchitoches. There are three plantations in the area that you can visit including Oakland, Magnolia, and Melrose Plantations.
In addition to the plantations, you can also explore Los Adaes State Historic Site and Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historical Site. Natchitoches is also home to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, so be sure to check it out during your visit also.
Come during Christmas to enjoy the famous Natchitoches Christmas Festival. The city is all lit up with more than 300,000 lights throughout the downtown district and around Cane River Lake.
There are really so many things to do in Natchitoches that you could stay busy for days, so grab your road trip essentials and head out to Natchitoches, Louisiana!
– by Michelle Snell of That Texas Couple
New Orleans, Louisiana
United States is a huge country with plenty of diversity, amongst which the southern states holds its own. The weather is warm, the food is spicy, the people are known for their “southern” hospitality and there are some unique rituals and festivals that are not observed anywhere else in the country.
New Orleans, the major city of Louisiana, stands out on its own because of the French colonialism hangover. The creole-cajun food where African (much like other southern states, Louisiana too had African slaves employed on plantations and cotton fields) and French traditions meet, the strains of Jazz music and the crowd puller Mardi Gras are all nods to its checkered past.
There are so many reasons to visit New Orleans, be it to witness the frenzy of Mardi Gras or the liveliness of New Orleans Jazz fest or to taste the amazing diversity in southern food.
However, the one thing that you should not miss is the French quarter neighborhood or Vieux Carre, the oldest district of the city and built by the French in 1718. The architecture is distinctly European with slatted windows, beautiful courtyards and fountains. It is a bustling neighborhood with bars, pubs, restaurants and local boutique shops.
Bourbon street is the liveliest street which becomes the epicenter of drunken revelry during Mardi Gras while Canal street is where you get to see some of the best parades at that time.
The French Quarter is home to the famous Jackson Square, formerly known as the Place d’Armes and later renamed after Andrew Jackson, the hero of the battle of New Orleans. Close by is the iconic Cafe du Monde serving beignets and coffee 24/7 (cash only please).
The French Quarter is a must visit if you are in NOLA and you can further enhance your experience by joining one of the many walking tours offered in the neighborhood.
– by Paroma Chakravarty at Year of the Monkey
River Parishes, Louisiana
SPREAD THE WORD! PIN THIS TO YOUR TRAVEL PINTEREST BOARDS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!Located along the winding Mississippi River in Louisiana, Louisiana’s River Parishes are 120 miles of ancient southern live oaks, green sugar cane fields and stately plantation homes. This region is home to several noteworthy plantation tours of stately mansions and grounds that share the history and stories of their owners and former residents, many of whom were Black slaves.
The beautiful River Parishes make for an ideal day trip or road trip destination when visiting New Orleans. Here, prepare to be treated to serious southern hospitality, culture and culinary experiences. It’s impossible to set foot in this region and not appreciate the impact of African culture and the sacrifices of the enslaved. Their influence can be seen in the food, art, architecture, language, folklore and people.
Visitors should be mindful that the history of the area and its many fine plantation houses lining the river was once rooted in the business of sugar cane and slavery. For the most comprehensive understanding of how life was once lived by the enslaved, book a tour of the Whitney Plantation, the only museum in Louisiana that focuses exclusively on the lives of enslaved people. For an alternate perspective, tour the grounds of the colorful Laura Plantation, headed by a succession of strong French Creole women.
For a taste of the region, don’t a miss an unforgettable hands-on Cajun culinary adventure at Spuddy’s Cajun Foods in Vacherie, Louisiana. Prepare a roux for your jambalaya and learn make your own Andouille and smoked sausages, then sit down to Spuddy’s stories and a savory lunch.
– by Claudia LaRoye at Claudia Travels
Laura Plantation is one of the Plantations that run along River Road in Louisiana (Image credit: Claudia LaRoye)
Planning Louisiana travel? Lousiana travel road trips are a great way to see the diversity of Louisiana. Louisiana travel things to do include New Orleans, Baton Rouge Louisiana, swamp tours, Louisiana plantation homes, Cajun food and so many other things to do in Louisiana. A New Orleans trip is a must and other Louisiana travel things to do only make it better! You won’t be left wondering what to do in Louisian becuse It’s easy to see why Louisiana is on so many USA road trip bucket lists!
We did not receive compensation of any form, monetary or otherwise, from any of the products, services, hotels etc mentioned in this article.
This site generates income via partnerships with carefully-curated travel and lifestyle brands and/or purchases made through links to them at no extra cost to you. More information may be found on our Disclosure Policy.
