By Sophia Lazar
Photo by Sophia Lazar
Summer is right around the corner, and with so much free time on your hands, it can be difficult to figure out what to do. Here are 10 activities that will occupy you for a day when you’re bored.
- Swamp tours
A classic Louisiana activity is swamp tours. Cajun Pride Swamp Tours offers boat tours as well as plantation tours, so that you can get the full southern Louisiana experience in one day. If you’re a bit more adventurous, New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours allow you to kayak through the swamps, giving you a more up-close, first-hand experience with some of Louisiana’s most beautiful nature. https://www.cajunprideswamptours.com/tours/. https://neworleanskayakswamptours.com/.
- Avery Island
Only a two-hour drive from New Orleans lies “The Home of Tabasco.” Tabasco was first created on Avery Island in 1868 and is still produced there today. Spend your morning touring the factory and exploring the museum. Make sure to take a lunch break at the official Tabasco restaurant before enjoying a relaxing walk through the Jungle Gardens and maybe even taking a cooking class to finish off the day. https://www.tabasco.com/visit-avery-island/.
- Baton Rouge
A great way to get out of New Orleans and have some fun is to go to Baton Rouge, which offers many activities, as well as dining options. Baton Rouge is home to both the old and new State Capitol buildings. If you’re a fan of history, tours of the old State Capitol are offered, where you can learn plenty of interesting information. Just down the street, within the new State Capitol, is an observation deck with beautiful views. https://www.visitbatonrouge.com/listing/louisiana-state-capitol/238/.
- Beaches less than two hours away
Summer is, of course, the perfect time to go to the beach, but traveling all the way to Alabama or Florida isn’t always possible. Louisiana has some great alternatives, such as Shell Beach, which is less than an hour south from New Orleans. Or go east toward Mississippi to Waveland where you’ll have a big section of beach all to yourself, or a few miles further into historic Bay St. Louis. If swimming isn’t your thing, there are plenty of restaurants and shops there to explore. You could also go west and play some beach volleyball at Coconut Beach in Kenner with friends.
- Trails in Fontainebleau State Park
Spend a nice, sunny day exploring the many activities Fontainebleau State Park has to offer! Go swimming at the beach, walk or bike through the many trails, and enjoy the beautiful, surrounding nature. If you’re into camping, they even have some cabins and campgrounds where you can spend the night.
- Strawberry farms
It’s almost summer, and you know what that means…strawberry season! Spend the day at a berry farm with friends or family, enjoying the sunshine and the delicious strawberries. Landry Poche Strawberry Farms is a great option, and you can pick as many strawberries as you want at very reasonable prices.
- Safari
If you’re an animal lover but are tired of going to the zoo, the Global Wildlife Conservation in Folsom, Louisiana is a fun, hands-on experience. They offer safari style tours, where you can feed and pet a variety of animals, including giraffes and camels. https://globalwildlife.com/tours-events/.
