Closest Beach to New Orleans | A Beach Holiday Guide In Louisiana

Jan 17, 2025

Last Updated on: Jul 3, 2025

Travel Guides

The specific geographical location of New Orleans, especially the proximity to Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River, blesses the city with a vast coastal landscape. 

So, along with the local heritage and culture of the city, the beaches and beach activities on the Gulf Coast can be a prominent factor in boosting tourism here. 

From Bay Saint Louis, the closest beach to New Orleans, to more beautiful options like the Biloxi Beaches, await you with a lot of excitement!

No wonder people are opting for vacation rentals near the New Orleans beach locations and cruise trips in the Mississippi River. 

Adventure Life is such a service, organizing a Lower Mississippi River Cruise. You can contact them at +1.800.344.6118 to know more about the cruise trip. 

Along with these cruise trips, many other activities like fishing, nature strolls, hiking, and bird watching make the beautiful beaches in New Orleans a lot of fun! 

Charmed and impressed with these beaches, we have created a beach tour guide at Tour and Travel. Let’s explore the places! 

Closest Beach To New Orleans | Explore The Gulf Shores At Their Best 

Closest Beach To New Orleans Explore The Gulf Shores At Their Best

Summer days in New Orleans can be extra balmy. So, winter, especially January, is the ideal time to explore the beaches here. The average temperature in New Orleans ranges between 43-62 degrees F and rarely there is snowfall in the city.

All these weather conditions add to beach fun and vibe in New Orleans, and these are places you need to be at for some beach fun. 

1. Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi | The Closest Beach To New Orleans

Distance from New Orleans: 58.7 Miles

An hour’s drive from New Orleans will take you to Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi. The water here is shallow, but the peaceful ambiance and stretches of white sand more than makeup for it. 

Enjoy sunbathing and crabbing here on a sunny day, and let your kids build adorable sand castles. 

2. White Sands Lake Day Beach 

Distance from New Orleans: 74 Miles

Franklinton, on the north of New Orleans, has White Sands Lake Day Beach. This is a man-made and spring-fed lake that has become a popular tourist destination near New Orleans. 

The Aqua Park is the prime attraction here. Your little ones will love playing on the slides and with inflatable water toys here. You can even play beach volleyball, kayaking, and boating here. 

For a relaxing experience, you can even try full-day cooking. The entry fee to the Aqua Park is $18 for adults and $12 for children.

3. Biloxi Beaches

Biloxi Beaches

Distance from New Orleans (90.2 Miles)

The City of Biloxi has been one of the forerunners in restoring the beaches after the rampage of Hurricane Katrina. On its southern border, Biloxi is surrounded by a beautiful white sand beach, the Harrison County Sand Beach.

With a whopping 26 miles of shimmering white sand, the Harrison County Sand Beach is the largest man-made white sand beach in the world. You can take a stroll along the pedestrian pathway here and on your way, you will also find some magnificent sand dunes. 

The beach is also known for hosting special events. You can contact the Harrison County Sand Beach Authority at (228) 896-0055. 

Moreover, you can take a drive along Beach Boulevard to enjoy the sound of the Mississippi and meet the historic oak trees. You will even find the antebellum homes here. 

4. Grand Isle State Park

Distance from New Orleans (110 Miles)

Grand Isle State Park is next on our list of closest beaches to New Orleans. If you want to experience the coastal wildlife of Louisiana, there can be no better place than your destination. 

Nestled at the southeast corner of Louisiana, the Grand Isle State Park is accessible to visitors with an entry fee of just $3. 

Here, you can be a part of the deep-water fishing excursions and wildlife viewing. If you are here for fishing, don’t miss the longest fishing pier in Louisiana. It is 400 feet in length. 

Do you want to make the most of the Grand Isle State Park fishing experience? Why don’t you get in touch with the best fish charter services, like the Southern Angler Fishing Charters, and explore the options? You can reach out to them at +1 504-458-7328. 

Furthermore, this state park has a lot of hiking trails that you can explore. You will even enjoy birdwatching here with varieties like seagulls and pelicans displaying their prowess. 

5. Dauphin Island, Alabama

Dauphin Island, Alabama

Distance from New Orleans (148 Miles)

Dauphin Island on the border of Alabama and Mississippi, is a great spot for family vacation near New Orleans. This will be your ideal destination if you especially want to relax and have a low-key holiday. 

Like many other beaches in New Orleans or beyond, it does not experience a rush of visitors. However, if you want to know about the local history, you will love visiting  Fort Gaines here. 

This historical site has an association with the American Civil War. You must pay $10 for adults and $5 for children to visit this historical fort. 

Moreover, Dauphin Island is a wonderful location for avid birders. It is home to the Audubon Bird Sanctuary. Covering a span of 165 acres, this bird sanctuary will allow you to walk through the trails and meet winged wonders.

You will find osprey, gray catbirds, blue jays, and yellow-rumped warblers here. 

No wonder that the American Bird Conservancy has termed Dauphin Island as the “Globally Import Bird Area.” Dauphin Island is also “America’s Birdiest City.”

6. Orange Beach, Alabama

Orange Beach, Alabama

Distance from New Orleans: Around 200 Miles

Orange Beach, Alabama, is not the closest beach to New Orleans. However, covering the 200-mile distance between the two is worth it because of the pristine shores. Looking at the stretches of white sand shores is an experience in itself. 

Another major attraction on Orange Beach is the coastal cuisine. In fact, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism organized a specialized Foodie’s getaway for a gastronomic tour of the area. 

Further, there are dedicated food trails like the “Oyster Trail,” “Burger Trail,” “Shrimp Trail,” etc. The Mardi Gras Food & Drink trail is another attraction for food lovers here.

You can email Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism at Info@AlabamasBeaches.com to learn more about this food tour. 

You can even get real-time updates about the city of Orange Beach, Alabama, from the government website or by contacting the authorities at 251-981-6979.

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Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!

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Treat Yourself To A Wellness Retreat In Thailand

BY  Shahnawaz Feb 1, 2024

While going about our busy modern lives we have a tendency to push ourselves too hard, and then push ourselves some more! We feel we have to in order to keep up with the breakneck pace modern society runs at, as well as to meet all the financial demands it forces on us. It really can get to be too much, and we should remember to take a break once in a while before we suffer a breakdown! But how? Let’s learn more about Thailand’s wellness retreat and how you can satisfy your hunger for traveling. Relaxation Practices To Enjoy In Thailand One of the best possible things we can do for our physical and mental well-being is to go get away from it all, and I mean far away! How far?  Our top recommendation for the ultimate in self-healing and relaxation is for you to experience a wellness retreat in Thailand where you can rejoice and recuperate in peace and serenity while being pampered by the charming staff who know just what you need!  To entice you further, let’s take a look at some of the delights that await you on your personal journey to tranquillity! There is a wellness retreat for any need, so you can pick and choose what suits you the most! Yoga Practise–  Yoga is one of the most popular activities on offer at a wellness retreat, and there are many good reasons why!  This ancient Eastern tradition is quite at home in Thailand, where it is one of the most well-regarded methods for attaining a perfect balance of physical health and mental stability.  Yoga is very popular among world travellers because of a great many healthy effects associated with its practice- here are just a few to consider: Pain Relief – Yoga’s gentle stretching and healing poses are an excellent way to relieve the chronic pain in the back and neck we so often suffer from.  Physique Improvements –  The slow movements and deep breaths that yoga teaches us help to increase the flow of blood and warm up tight muscles, improving our flexibility while simultaneously giving us more stamina and building our strength. Healthy Heart – Practicing yoga has significant beneficial effects on the heart by reducing stress levels and decreasing inflammation. Yoga is a very efficacious tool in the prevention of heart disease. Increased Energy – Yoga gives us a refreshing feeling of increased physical and mental energy, as well as boosting our mood, helping us fight the ravages of stress and depression. Spa Treatments – No wellness retreat would be complete without enjoying the amazing relaxation and sense of well-being that spa treatments can provide! Here are just a couple of the many health-promoting pleasures that await you: Herbal Body Wrap – This soothing experience begins with the body being gently wrapped in towels, followed by a layer of herbal oil-infused linen sheets, topped off by a warm blanket.  As you rest in this heavenly healing wrap, your body will reap the benefits of these medical herbs, so you will emerge feeling refreshed with your energy replenished. Aromatherapy Massage – Of course, traditional Thai massage is rightfully famed as one of the world’s best and most effective examples of this ancient healing art, so take that and add the healing element of essential oils drawn from aromatic herbs to create a truly outstanding spa treatment!  The lovely scents of chamomile, lavender, mint, lemon balm, sage, lemongrass, basil, and more all work alone or together in combination to relax your body and soothe you through your sense of smell.  Tell your therapist what you wish to achieve, and they will provide you with the scent that fits you the best! Weight Management Program –  What better way to manage your weight than to do it while enjoying the peace and privacy that a wellness retreat provides? Here are some of the tried and true methods the weight management experts at your wellness retreat will treat you to: Healthy Menu –  Everybody hates to go on a diet, but you will hardly know you are on one thanks to the delicious, health-conscious menu of traditional Thai food that awaits you! You will feel fulfilled as you enjoy the great taste of these wonderful dishes, which will help you decrease that unwanted extra weight naturally! Physical Fitness Fun –  Why should exercise be drudgery? You will be able to engage in a variety of fun physical fitness techniques like beach volleyball, hiking, and swimming! Feeling great and getting fit has never been this fun! Reasons To Delve Into A Wellness Retreat In Thailand Now that we know the different ways to dive into Thailand’s wellness retreats, check out some reasons to do so. From physical to mental well-being, these relaxing spaces often immerse you in a different space.  Tranquil Beauty of Thailand Is there any question about the natural backdrop of Thailand? It is simply mesmerizing. Who doesn’t love to wake up to the pleasing sound of waves crashing to the coasts?  The best part about spending your resources on wellness retreats is that they give you a great sense of the tropical climate. You can exercise outdoor yoga that will strengthen your bond with the outside world.  Conventional Yoga Experiences Thailand offers you a surreal yoga experience that you get nowhere else. Due to its age-old tradition, the nation has been attracting people from all over the world.  With the help of experienced yoga teachers, you can learn multiple asanas that calm both the human body and mind. 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READ MORE things to do in chattanooga

Weekend Escapades: Things To Do In Chattanooga

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 19, 2023

This outdoor oasis in the South is a solid wanderlust attraction. A scenic city that is always on the move can be your next perfect weekend getaway. The city is bustling with energy, and on a typical afternoon, you will see its locals as well as weekenders venturing into the Tennesse River along with their boards and boats. The bikers go up and down the hilly streets through the town, running and walking down the pedestrian bridge and playing with frisbees in the numerous parks. The parks look neat, being hedged by bike lanes and carefully placed benches. Public art makes the town come alive with color and socio-cultural significance. The number of things that will stay with you long after you visit this town is too many, but one of them will be the food and the restaurants. There are also a lot of adventures to be had outdoors in this character-filled city. If you are looking for some weekend fun or a short trip to feel rejuvenated, this city is close by and has to offer a lot. This is going to be the best weekend spot for you, and we have brought you the best of it. Here are some of the most fun and memorable things to do in Chattanooga. Things To Do In Chattanooga hotels.com If you have thought about going away sometime and taking a break, but you can’t think of any place so far. Chattanooga could be a great option. Here are some of the best things things to do in Chattanooga that will stay imprinted on your memory. Tennessee Aquarium tnaqua.org One of the fun things to do in Chattanooga is visiting the aquarium. This aquarium maintains two buildings. There is River Journey which showcases the freshwater habitats from around the world, and Ocean Journey, where visitors are treated to the magnificent view of sea creatures and ocean life. It is recommended to spend at least three hours while visiting to take in a good fraction of the 10,000 animals that are here. If you are looking for things to do in Chattanooga with kids, they will love the adorable macaroni penguins and dreamy sea jellies. Try visiting on a weekday, as it gets busier on weekends, for a more authentic experience. If you are looking for free things to do in Chattanooga, the city also offers a free shuttle to get here, making the experience pocket-friendly. Lookout Mountain cntraveler.com There are three scenic attractions this mountain ridge has to offer. There is the Ruby Falls, Rock City, and the Incline Railway. The Ruby Falls is the United States’ deepest and tallest underground waterfall standing at 260 feet. Rock City is where one can see seven states from the iconic Lover’s Leap. And when you hop on the Incline Railway, you will be witnessing the steepest passenger railway on Earth. You need to spend a minimum of 4 hours at these mountains to gauge the highlights of the spot. Each of the three attractions has separate expenses, and the tickets are known to sell out fast. Raccoon Mountain Caverns wikimedia.org The Raccoon Mountain Caverns are located 1.3 miles off the I-24 at the Lookout Valley exit. It is less than 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga. This mountain offers views of a cave in its natural state that has thousands of diverse rock formations. There are stalagmites, stalactites, flowstone, delicate soda straws, rimstone pools, columns, draperies, natural bridges, and a rare shield formation. It also offers many wild cave “spelunking” expeditions for all those who want to go deeper into the caves and explore the mountain. An expedition to the waterfall dome allows visitors to get to the place with the view of the tallest underground, unassisted, naturally flowing waterfall. Walnut Street Bridge pickyourtrail.com This is one of the best examples of the Phoenix wrought-iron truss bridges dating back to the years between 1884 and 1923. Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum wp.com This nostalgic train trip will offer aesthetically restored vintage locomotives and passenger cars that encase the intricate craftsmanship of ages long gone. The ride will take you through the beautiful Tennessee countryside that has awe-inspiring views bound to make you reflect on the simpler times of the past. The museum’s exhibit has an impressive set of artifacts, old photographs, and other memorabilia that help bring the rich railroading history to life. The staff here are highly knowledgeable and will eagerly share information on railroad history while being dressed in period attire. The experience will provide you with lots of fascinating insights whether you are a history buff or otherwise. Ruby Falls simpleviewinc.com This one is the deepest and tallest underground waterfall that is open for public access in the States. There are guided tours such as the classic waterfall tour, the lantern tour, and the extended cavern experience tour. The tour will take you along its beautiful cavern trail to a gorgeous waterfall that is surrounded by old geological formations that took millenniums to form. There are also extensively picturesque views of the Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee Valley, and the Tennessee River from the top of the Lookout Mountain Tower. The tours fill up pretty quickly. You must purchase the tickets online in advance for increased availability. Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery chattanoogawhiskey.com One of the other things to do in Chattanooga for adults is visit the whiskey distillery. This distillery is the first ever to craft whiskey in Chattanooga in over a hundred years. It boasts over 100 different barrels that mature in an aging cellar. Each visit to the distillery is an ode to the past, present, and future of hand-made bourbon. You can reserve a tour & tasting trip to check out their latest craft. This can also be one of the things to do in Chattanooga for couples. You must be 21+ with a physical and valid ID. Creative Discovery Museum This museum is a hands-on children’s museum at the very heart of downtown Chattanooga. It is known to inspire children of all ages to innovate, explore, play, and create. The exhibits are designed to entertain as well as educate children on exploring the world around them. They are pushed to become inquisitive about art, science, music, water exploration, and dinosaur digging. It was rated number #7 by Trekaroo of the children’s museums in the U.S. in 2015. Wrapping Up Chattanooga sure has everything you could want for a short trip away from the hustle of the city. If you want to know about things to do in Chattanooga this weekend, we hope this article gave you a headstart. If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you! Read Also: You Won’t Believe The Best Things To Do When In Fiji! 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READ MORE most dangerous cities in california

Crime and Caution: Navigating the Dark Side of California’s Cities

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 23, 2023

A tour of Los Angeles will include a walk through a large, palm tree-lined cemetery. Tributes to Hollywood's dark past can be found lurking among the city's soiled streets, well-kept lawns, and dusty canyons. These include long-abandoned mansions and the famous Hollywood sign. The City by the Bay, San Francisco, is a tourist haven. San Francisco attracts nearly 15 million tourists a year with attractions like Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz tours, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Haight Ashbury. But this new American city is not without its dark side. It has a history of kidnapping, fraud, terrorism, assassinations, and serial killings. Here is a short dissection of the most dangerous cities in California. We are also including a few of the most well-known crimes committed in various parts of the state. Most Dangerous Cities In California The list below comprises the incorporated municipalities of California with some of the highest crime rates. These cities have a population of 50,000 at best. Here are the most dangerous cities in California: Stockton San Bernardino Oakland Compton Richmond Lancaster Vallejo Modesto Victorville Huntington Park Criminal History Of California America is a land of dreams for the biggest chunk of the global population. California is a hub of technological and social zenith. No one expects it to hold out on dark secrets and scandals. According to the FBI, the most dangerous cities in California have a lot of twisted history. Here are some of them. The Assassinations of Harvey Milk and George Muscone, San Francisco City Hall The newly appointed class of city supervisors in 1978 was the most diverse in the history of San Francisco. Dan White, a staunch conservative and former police officer and firefighter, and Harvey Milk, the freshmen supervisor and gay activist, were the two men in this class. Even though Milk and White had different political and lifestyle philosophies, they developed a cordial working relationship. But this relationship quickly turned deadly and hostile. With ten extra bullets and a.38 caliber handgun, Dan White entered City Hall on November 27, 1978, intending to confront Mayor Muscone face-to-face. Muscone shot him after he once more rejected to be reinstated. When White realized how much Harvey Milk had contributed to the incident, he went to his office and brutally murdered Milk. On that day, Dan White admitted to the crimes. The strategy employed by White's defense team during the trial was nearly as well-known as the crimes done. The "Twinkie defense" contended that White's extreme sugar and carbohydrate intake before the crime caused his mental instability. The narrative concludes where it started: after receiving his sentence, White went back to San Francisco and committed suicide. The Kidnapping of Patty Hearst, Hibernia Bank The Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) kidnapped 19-year-old Patty Hearst from her family's condo on February 4, 1974. Patty is the great-granddaughter of business tycoon George Hearst and the granddaughter of publishing mogul William Randolph Hearst. She and multiple other SLA members later pilfered a Hibernia Bank branch. Patty, brandishing an M-1 carbine, declared her membership in the SLA. A single innocent person lost their life, and the SLA fled with more than $10,000. Although Patty and her friends managed to get away, the FBI quickly found them. In 1976, Hearst went on trial. Attorneys for Patty contended that she developed Stockholm syndrome—a psychological reaction in which she started to feel sorry for her captors—out of fear for her life. Despite being found guilty, President Carter commuted her sentence in 1979. President Clinton fully pardoned Patty Hearst in 2001. Hearst continues to insist that she was brainwashed and that her crimes were those of a victim of the SLA's mental manipulation. Golden Dragon Massacre, Imperial Palace The Imperial Palace restaurant, formerly known as the Golden Dragon, is located in the center of San Francisco's Chinatown. One of the worst nights in San Francisco's history took place in this restaurant under this name. The organized crime networks that dominated Chinatown's underground market gave rise to two competing teenage gangs: the Wah Ching and the Joe Boys. The Golden Dragon presented the Joe Boys with a chance to assassinate the Wah Ching leaders. Eleven innocent people were hurt, and five innocent people died; neither gang member was hurt. The Washington Street restaurant is still marred by the aftermath of this tragic night. Three of the five Joe Boys members who were detained, found guilty, and sentenced to prison are still incarcerated. The Asian gang task force of the San Francisco police department was established because of the massacre. The Imperial Palace is still operational and offers delicious dim sum. USS Hornet A moored aircraft carrier at the Alameda Naval Base is among the world's most haunted ships—not a pirate ship sailing the high seas. Commencing in 1943, the eighth USS Hornet engaged in numerous combat missions throughout the Pacific. Over 300 people died on board during her 27 years of active duty, many of them from suicide. Although the ship is not in operation at the moment, both the crew and guests have paranormal stories about things moving, doors opening on their own, toilets flushing, and even spectral sailors prowling the decks. The Zodiac Killer The San Francisco area was the scene of one of the most well-known unsolved crimes in history. This crime scene single-handedly made every corner of the state dangerous. About 40 miles northeast of the city, on Lake Herman Road in Benicia, California, the infamous killing spree started. David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen, two high school students, were discovered dead next to their parked car on December 20, 1968. No witnesses were present. Darlene Ferrin and Michael Mageau were shot dead by an unidentified assailant in Vallejo, California, on July 4, 1969. Mageau lived, but Ferrin perished from her wounds. From a pay phone, the gunman called the police, boasting about his crime with pride. Three local newspapers received letters in their offices on August 1, 1969. The Zodiac Killer would become well-known for his trademark symbol, which was signed by all of the letters, which came from the same source, and all claimed to be the murderer. The murderer insisted on having his letters made public. That year on September 27, two more people came under attack. Zodiac moved his murderous rampage from Napa into the City of San Francisco on October 11, 1969. And Zodiac pulled over his taxi driver at the Presidio Heights intersection of Cherry and Washington Streets. Zodiac eluded capture by the police even inside the city. Zodiac persisted in his letter-writing campaign to the San Francisco media for almost ten years. There were many boasts and threats in each letter, but not all of them came to pass. He said he had killed seventeen people in one of his final letters. This killer's identity is still a mystery, and the crime is still unsolved. Wrapping Up The Hollywood sign, which once read Hollywoodland, is where aspiring starlet Peg Entwistle leaped to her death in 1932. (It's said that her ghost roams the trails in nearby Griffith Park.) Los Angeles feels somber, maybe because so many people come here with high hopes, and the city is hesitant to welcome every new face. The brief career of Ms. Entwistle as a siren and her premature passing at the age of 24 serve as a symbol of the peculiar contrast of the city: it is dazzling yet sinister, alluring yet menacing. There's dirt and secrets in the graveyard just beneath the shiny surface. If you know where to look, you can see the duality of glitter in the dark everywhere in the city, from Compton to Hollywood. Thankfully, a whole industry of tourism deals in the gritty side of the city for those who are interested in noir. If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask about the most dangerous cities in California, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!. Read Also: Heatwaves And Adventure: Traveling To The World’s Hottest Destination From Sunrise To Sunset: A Day’s Itinerary For Exploring Benidorm Hidden Gems: Unearthing The Best Things To Do In Nottingham