Ready for a fun and exciting road trip?
Get ready to hit the open road as we journey from the bustling city of Houston to the lively and colorful New Orleans!
Picture this: a car packed with snacks, your favorite tunes blasting and the promise of unforgettable memories just around the corner.
We’re talking scenic lakes, charming small towns and the vibrant energy of the Big Easy itself.
Ready to go?
Trust me, you won’t want to miss a single mile!
1. Houston
Houston is the perfect starting point for our road trip to New Orleans!
Before hitting the road, take some time to explore the city’s top attractions.
Visit the Space Center Houston to learn about space exploration and see real life spacecraft.
Wander through the Museum District, where you can explore the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Museum of Fine Arts.
For some outdoor fun, head to Buffalo Bayou Park for a paddle, hike or a bike ride.
Don’t forget to check out the Houston Zoo which is home to over 6,000 animals.
Finally, don’t forget to try out Houston’s delicious food scene, with options ranging from Tex-Mex to Vietnamese cuisine.
2. San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site
The first stop on our road trip is the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site which is located just 30-minutes east of downtown Houston.
It’s famous for the Battle of San Jacinto, where General Sam Houston’s army won Texas’s independence from Mexico in 1836.
At the site, you can visit the impressive 567-foot San Jacinto Monument and take an elevator to the top for stunning views of the battlefield and Houston Ship Channel.
The San Jacinto Museum, located at the monument’s base, offers exhibits on Texan culture and history.
Don’t miss the nature trails and living history events that bring the past to life.
3. Sea Rim State Park
The next stop is Sea Rim State Park which is a 4,100-acre paradise located near Sabine Pass, along the Gulf of Mexico, just 1 hr 45 mins from San Jacinto Battleground.
It’s famous for its beautiful 5.2 miles of beach shoreline and vast marshlands.
At the park, you can enjoy fishing, kayaking, birding, camping and swimming, making it a perfect spot for outdoor adventures.
You can also stroll along the many boardwalks or just relax on the beach.
The park is also great for bird watchers, as it’s part of the Greater Texas Coastal Birding Trail and attracts many migratory birds.
For an extra fun experience, you can rent a cabin or camp right on the beach!
4. Port Arthur
Port Arthur is a charming city located near the Gulf of Mexico, just 30-minutes from Sea Rim State Park.
It’s known for its rich history in the oil industry, being home to many large oil refineries, and its unique blend of Texas and Cajun cultures.
One of the must-visit spots is the Museum of the Gulf Coast, where you can see exhibits on local legends like the singer Janis Joplin.
Don’t miss Pleasure Island, where you can enjoy boating, crabbing and even spot dolphins if you’re lucky.
The city also boasts a vibrant food scene with delicious Cajun cuisine that you won’t want to miss!
5. Beaumont
Beaumont is a lively city located in Southeast Texas, near the Louisiana border. It’s just 30-minutes from Port Arthur.
Beaumont is famous for the Spindletop oil gusher, which marked the beginning of the Texas oil boom in 1901 that changed Texas forever.
You can explore the Spindletop/Gladys City Boomtown Museum to learn about its exciting history as it features exhibits and reenactments showcasing the history of the oil gusher and the resulting boomtown.
Outdoor lovers will also enjoy kayaking on the Neches River or birdwatching at Cattail Marsh.
For some unique fun, head to Gator Country to hold a baby alligator!
Beaumont’s exciting arts scene, delicious Cajun food and historic sites make it a fantastic place to explore.
6. Sabine National Wildlife Refuge
It’s time to cross the border into Louisiana to visit the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge which is a beautiful 124,511-acre sanctuary located in Cameron Parish.
It’s just a 1 hour 15 minute drive from Beaumont.
It’s famous for being the largest coastal marsh refuge on the Gulf Coast of the United States.
You can enjoy a variety of activities like fishing, crabbing, hiking and wildlife observation.
The Wetland Walkway is a must-see, offering a 1.5-mile trail with an observation tower for stunning views of the marshlands and its wildlife.
You might spot alligators, wading birds and even playful river otters!
7. Lake Charles
Lake Charles is an exciting city located on the Calcasieu River, about 45 minutes north from the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge.
It’s renowned for its exciting establishments, lively festivals and delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine.
You can explore the Creole Nature Trail, a scenic drive through stunning marshlands and wildlife habitats.
Downtown Lake Charles offers a rich cultural experience with its historic Charpentier District and the Mardi Gras Museum.
For outdoor fun, head to North Beach which is the only white-sand inland beach in Louisiana, perfect for a relaxing day by the water.
8. Sam Houston Jones State Park
Sam Houston Jones State Park is a beautiful 1,087-acre park located just 20-minutes north of Lake Charles.
It’s known for its lush woodlands, scenic lagoons and abundant wildlife, including deer, alligators and over 200 species of birds.
You can enjoy hiking on one of the park’s five trails, including a historic stagecoach road, or playing a round of disc golf on the 18-hole course.
The park also offers great opportunities for fishing, kayaking and canoeing on the West Fork of the Calcasieu River.
For a more relaxing visit, you can rent a cabin or camp at one of the many campsites available.
9. Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge
The next stop is the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge which is a stunning 71,000-acre sanctuary located approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from Sam Houston Jones State Park.
It’s famous for its incredible biodiversity, including hundreds of thousands of migratory birds that visit each year.
While many areas are reserved for research and conservation, you can enjoy fishing, shrimping and crabbing at the East End Boat Locks and fishing docks.
The refuge also features Price Lake Road, a scenic drive that offers birdwatching and an observation tower for panoramic views.
Known for its pioneering research in alligator ranching, the refuge has played a crucial role in the recovery of the American alligator population.
10. Lafayette
The next stop is the lively city of Lafayette, located in the heart of Cajun and Creole Country, about 1 hour 45 minutes from the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge.
Known as the “Happiest City in America,” Lafayette is famous for its rich cultural heritage, delicious food and lively music scene.
You can explore Vermilionville, a living history museum that showcases life in the 1700s and 1800s.
If you love festivals, don’t miss the Festival International de Louisiane, a free event featuring world-class musicians and mouth-watering Cajun cuisine.
11. Lake Martin
Lake Martin is a beautiful lake located near Breaux Bridge, just a short 25-minute drive from Lafayette.
It’s famous for its stunning cypress-tupelo swamps and being one of Louisiana’s largest nesting colonies for water birds like Great Blue Herons and Roseate Spoonbills.
You can enjoy kayaking, fishing and taking swamp tours to get up close with the local wildlife, including alligators and turtles.
The lake is part of the Cypress Island Preserve, which offers scenic walking trails and a boardwalk for birdwatching and photography.
For a truly magical experience, you can paddle silently through the lake at sunrise or sunset to witness the serene beauty and diverse wildlife.
12. Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge is the state capital of Louisiana located along the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, just an hour from Lake Martin.
It’s known for its rich history, cultural heritage and stunning architecture.
You can explore the towering Louisiana State Capitol, the tallest capitol building in the U.S., and the historic Old State Capitol, which looks like a castle with its Gothic architectural style.
For a taste of naval history, check out the USS Kidd, a World War II destroyer turned museum.
The city comes alive with lively festivals celebrating Cajun culture, food and music, making every visit exciting.
Don’t miss the beautiful Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, where you can hike and spot local wildlife.
13. Oak Alley Plantation
Oak Alley Plantation is a historic site located in Vacherie, about an hour’s drive from Baton Rouge.
It’s famous for its stunning quarter-mile alley lined with 28 giant oak trees which creates a picturesque entrance to the mansion.
Built in 1839, the plantation offers guided tours of the “Big House,” where you can learn about its history and architecture.
You can also explore exhibits on the lives of the enslaved people who worked there.
Don’t miss the Sugarcane Theater, which provides information on sugarcane production, and the Blacksmith Shop, which showcases the history of metalwork on plantations.
After your tour, enjoy a delicious meal at the on-site restaurant and maybe even stay overnight in one of the charming cottages on the grounds!
14. Fontainebleau State Park
The next stop on our road trip is Fontainebleau State Park, a beautiful park located along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain near Mandeville.
It’s just 1 hour 30 minutes from Oak Alley Plantation.
It’s famous for its sandy beaches, lush pine forests and the historic ruins of an old sugar mill built by Bernard de Marigny in 1829.
You can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, fishing and picnicking in scenic areas.
The park also features lovely camping spots, including tent and RV sites as well as luxury cabins, perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in nature overnight.
With several trails and stunning views of the lake, it’s an ideal place to get lost in nature.
15. New Orleans
And the final stop on our road trip is the iconic city of New Orleans which is located around 50 minutes from Fontainebleau State Park.
Known for its vibrant culture, delicious food and lively music scene, there’s so much to do here.
Start your adventure in the French Quarter, where you can explore the historic streets, enjoy live jazz music and try beignets at Café du Monde.
Don’t miss the National WWII Museum, which offers a fascinating look at history and is one of the top attractions in the city.
Take a scenic ride on a historic streetcar through the Garden District to see beautiful mansions and lush gardens.
Finally, end your trip with a cruise on the mighty Mississippi River, enjoying the stunning views of New Orleans.
New Orleans is the perfect place to end your road trip!
Recap
- Houston
- San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site
- Sea Rim State Park
- Port Arthur
- Beaumont
- Sabine National Wildlife Refuge
- Lake Charles
- Sam Houston Jones State Park
- Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge
- Lafayette
- Baton Rouge
- Lake Martin
- Oak Alley Plantation
- Fontainebleau State Park
- New Orleans
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