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OUTSIDE THE CITY THE REGION’S BEST ROAD TRIPS Venture beyond city limits for swamp adventures, historical sites, and some of the best fishing in the South. LOUISIANA CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL The 1950s and ’60s were a time of immense cultural change for Black Americans in the U.S. The scars of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and the rise of the Civil Rights Movement weren’t just in the headlines – they were taking place right here in Louisiana. The Louisiana Civil Rights Trail is a collection of sites honoring the activists who organized for, and dedicated themselves to, change. Learn about Ruby Bridges and the desegregation of New Orleans schools, citywide boycotts, and sit-ins to fight hiring discrimination. Discover Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, where the beloved late “Queen of Creole Cuisine” Leah Chase hosted and fed Civil Rights pioneers like Thurgood Marshall, the Rev. A.L. Davis, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Though Ms. Chase passed away in 2019, the restaurant remains in operation today by her family and is one of the most famous Creole restaurants in the country. WILDLIFE TOURS & FISHING Accessing the bayous of South Louisiana is easy with airboat, kayak, and zipline tours near the city. Nothing beats a high-speed ride in an airboat. Airboat Tours by Arthur L. Matherne and Swamp Adventures are great options west of the city, while Jean Lafitte Swamp & Airboat Tours and Airboat Adventures are solid choices to the south. For a more serene option, Cajun Pride Swamp Tours guides visitors through the mysterious and remote Manchac Swamp, where you can stop at Middendorf’s for famous thin-fried catfish. Cajun Encounters Tour Co., Beyond the Bayou Tours, and Dr. Wagner’s Honey Island Swamp Tours have small, flat-bottomed boats. For a high-flying adventure, don’t miss Zip NOLA in LaPlace, just a 45-minute drive from the city. It’s Louisiana’s only zipline over a swamp! Those wanting to do more than just look at wildlife can find inshore and offshore charter fishing nearby through Rojas Fishing Charters, Bourgeois Fishing Charters, and Southern Style Bowfishing. OTHER DAY TRIPS History, cute towns, the heart of Louisiana politics, and even a space center are all within a short drive from New Orleans. History buffs will love Chalmette Battlefield, site of the final land battle to ever be fought against a foreign entity on U.S. soil. Or you can explore the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. Be sure to save time to swing by LSU and see Mike the Tiger, the university’s living mascot. You can also explore the adorable waterfront towns of Mandeville and Madisonville, located just over the Causeway Bridge. (Fun fact: It’s the longest continuous bridge over water in the world!) While you’re on the Northshore, you can visit downtown Covington for exceptional eats, great shopping, and a wonderful weekend farmers market. Space and science enthusiasts will appreciate INFINITY Science Center, a family-friendly draw just 40 minutes away in Pearlington, MS. ROAD-TRIP WORTHY EATS! From authentic Cajun boudin and báhn mì to the thinnest fried catfish you’ll ever try, these meals are worth the drive. Just scan the QR code to learn more.
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