Top Places to Visit in the Louisiana Coastal Region

 

With the Exception of New Orleans, not many people go below the heavily traveled Interstate 10 traversing Southern Louisiana. This area is made up of mostly marshlands with a few awesome places scattered throughout.

After many trips to this coastal region, I have found places that are unique and find myself visiting often. I am sharing a few of my favorites below. 

Beaches

 Louisiana has beaches? Yes!!! Most people do not know that Louisiana has miles and miles of sandy coastline.

Holly Beach, Little Florida, and Mae’s Beach are located to the far west.

These beaches located in Cameron Parish were once referred to as the “Cajun Riviera”. Due to many unlucky hits from hurricanes over the years, the beaches and water are not as clean as they once were. Buildings and houses are few and far between.

This area is a great place for shell collecting and camping on the beach. My favorite thing about this area is that you will most likely have it all to yourself.

Address:

Located along HWY 82 in Cameron Parish

Admission:

Free

Cypremort Point Beach 

  This half-mile stretch of sandy beach, located in Cypremort Point State Park is perfect for swimming, kitesurfing, and fishing.

Address:

306 Beach Lane Cypremort Point, LA 70538

 

Admission fee:

$3 per person

Free for seniors (62 & older)

Free for children (3 & under)

Grand Isle Beaches

See below

Rip Van Winkel Garden 

The Rip Van Winkle Gardens, located in New Iberia, is twenty-five acres of semitropical Balinese style paradise that surrounds the Joseph Jefferson Home.

Address:

5505 Rip Van Winkle Rd, New Iberia, LA 70560

Admission:

Home Tours: 10:00 am-4:00 pm. Tickets: $12.00 Sr. & Groups $10.00

Avery Island

 Avery Island is best known for the Tabasco factory and Jungle Gardens

The Tabasco factory

Take a tour to see how the famous Tabasco sauce, that has been around since 1870, is made.

 

Jungle Gardens

This bird watcher’s paradise is also a 170-acre botanical garden located on Avery Island.

 

Address:

32 Wisteria Rd, Avery Island, LA 70513

 

Tabasco factory & Jungle Garden Admission:

$12.50 Adults

$9.50 Children (4 and under are free)

Grand Isle     

Grand Isle is a coastal town located on a barrier island with the same name. Located about a two-hour drive from New Orleans, this quite fishing town is the perfect place to get away from it all.      

While there, dine on Fresh seafood at one of the small local restaurants, spend the day catching Mahi Mahi with Captain Danny, enjoy birdwatch, or stroll along the ten-miles of coastline.

Be sure and check for updated status before going since the damage from Hurricane Ida was extensive and businesses may still be closed.

New Orleans

New Orleans, known as the "Big Easy," is one of the most popular destinations in the United States. It is known for vibrant nightlife along Bourbon Street, spicy creole cuisine, Carriage Rides, the French Quarter, and the legendary Mardi Gras festival.

 Fontainebleau State Park

Located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, Fontainebleau State Park is an old sugar mill plantation turned into a beautiful park with sandy beaches, hiking trails, and a massive fishing pier.

Address:

62883 Hwy. 1089

Mandeville, LA 70448

Admission:

$3 per person

Free for seniors (62 & older)

Free for children (3 & under)

Happy Travels!