2026 Amazing Louisiana Road Trips

The Great Outdoors in Jefferson Parish

Jefferson Parish, just ten minutes from downtown New Orleans, welcomes visitors to its bountiful outdoors! Hike the nature trails along the hidden wetlands of the Barataria Preserve of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve or explore the culture of the people who settled the delta and their relationship to its unique ecosystem at the Lafitte Barataria Museum. Then, venture out on a bayou adventure aboard the Total Cajun Experience swamp tour in Jean Lafitte!

Anglers love Jefferson Parish for its plentiful, year-round access to freshwater and saltwater fish. Fish the bayous of Barataria or the beaches of Grand Isle.  Jefferson Parish will have you reeling ’em in.  The licensing, bait and tackle, charter captains, and even a fish fry with the day’s catch can be arranged! If a night beneath the stars is your ideal getaway, tent camping on the beach at Grand Isle State Park is where you want to be. Or bring your RV for a less rustic experience and head over to Elmer's Island Beach and see the largest single coastal ecosystem restoration, which includes miles of gorgeous white-sand beach.

Explore the great outdoors at www.visitjeffersonparish.com/outdoors.

The Tunica-Biloxi Cultural and Educational Resources Center

Unique experiences in the center of Louisiana, Avoyelles Parish

Avoyelles Parish is geographically located in the center of Louisiana. It offers many opportunities to experience unique attractions, local food, historical sites, and nature-based adventures. The Tunica Biloxi Nature Trail is adjacent to the Tunica Biloxi Cultural and Education Resource Center in Marksville. The one-mile trail is a raised boardwalk along the Coulee Des Grues waterway surrounded by natural beauty.

The parish’s culture centers around food; here, you can find Cajun classics such as boudin, sausage and cracklins. Avoyelles is also home to 2 Sisters Salsa and Broken Wheel Brewery.

The Bunkie Depot Museum

Located throughout the parish are historic homes and sites. The Adam Ponthieu Grocery Store is a country museum representing a time capsule of Americana between 1900 and 1950.  The store is located across the street from the Sarto Old Iron Bridge, built in 1916, it spans over Bayou des Glaises in Big Bend. It is the first bridge listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Louisiana.

While you are in Avoyelles, take a laid-back stroll down the charming main streets, where you will find friendly folk who enjoy telling stories of their heritage. The Bunkie Depot Museum, housed in the Bunkie Chamber of Commerce building, serves as a central stop along the Northup Trail, offering visitors both historical exhibits and key trail information.

To discover more about the center of Louisiana, visit travelavoyelles.com.

Ditch the beignets for the hot sauce in Iberia Parish!

Stay at Lake Fausse Point State Park, Cypremort Point State Park, Isle of Iberia RV Resort, KOC Kampground or Oak Village RV Park.

Visit attractions Avery Island’s TABASCO® Factory and Jungle Gardens, Jefferson Island Rip Van Winkle Gardens, Shadows-on-the-Teche plantation home, Konriko Company Store & Conrad Rice Mill or check out the Bayou Teche Museum and Jeanerette Museum.

Explore Acadian Odyssey Monument Park in Loreauville and read in French and English details of the 1765 odyssey that the Acadians endured. Go hiking at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park or fishing at Spanish Lake, or visit a Louisiana beach at Cypremort Point State Park. Iberia Parish has public boat launches and charter fishing.

Launch a kayak from Loreauville, New Iberia City Park or Jeanerette floating docks. Stop to browse art galleries, shops, 21 trilingual markers or get a snack from a downtown restaurant in the New Iberia National Register Historic District along the way. Or enjoy New Iberia’s Bike Trail, a 3.2-mile path that starts in Church Alley Park on East Main Street and crosses the Bayou Teche.

Plan your own adventure at IberiaTravel.com and experience the great outdoors in Iberia Parish—by land or water.

Louisiana’s River Parishes Road Trip: Where Stories Run as Deep as the River

Just west of New Orleans, Louisiana’s River Parishes invite road trippers to slow down and discover a stretch of the Mississippi River rich in culture, community, and unforgettable landscapes.

Drive the scenic Great River Road through New Orleans Plantation Country, where historic sites offer meaningful opportunities to reflect on the lives of those who lived, labored, and persevered here. Stops along the 1811 Slave Revolt Trail share the powerful story of one of the largest uprisings of enslaved people in U.S. history, a journey rooted in remembrance, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of freedom.

Beyond its history, Louisiana’s River Parishes are alive with natural beauty. Explore winding bayous in New Orleans Swamp Country, where cypress trees draped in Spanish moss frame encounters with wildlife and wide-open skies. Cast a line on Lac des Allemands or paddle peaceful waterways for a closer look at Louisiana’s wetlands.

Hungry? Follow the Andouille Trail to taste the region’s signature smoked sausage, crafted using time-honored techniques that reflect generations of culinary tradition.

For road trippers seeking authenticity, reflection, and true Louisiana flavor, Louisiana’s River Parishes deliver. Plan your journey at LARiverParishes.com.