Road Trip Destinations near Baton Rouge you Have to Visit
As the capital of Louisiana, Baton Rouge is an attractive city to ride around in. Our location along the Mississippi River, coupled with our unique architecture, makes for an interesting drive no matter where you are headed. That doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy a good road trip every now and then. Fortunately, we are located near some exciting destinations, including the following.
Homochitto National Forest
Less than two hours away in Mississippi, the Homochitto National Forest sits on over 191,000 acres that were reforested by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1940s. Today, this wooded paradise offers a plethora of outdoor activities such as boating, camping, fishing, canoeing, bicycling, and picnicking.
The forest spans more than seven counties in Mississippi and has its headquarters in Jackson. You can make the 90-mile drive in around an hour and 45 minutes.
The forest spans more than seven counties in Mississippi and has its headquarters in Jackson. You can make the 90-mile drive in around an hour and 45 minutes.
Avery Island
Avery Island is actually a salt dome created by layers of salt that have been buried underneath various types of sediment. The island sits in the Vermillion Bay of Iberia Parish, which is near the Gulf of Mexico. The island itself is most famous for being where the world-famous Tabasco sauce is produced.
It’s possible to reach Avery Island by car. The trip will take you around an hour and a half down Interstate 49 South and Highway 90 East. Before heading home, take a self-guided tour through the jungle gardens and snap a few pictures.
More than five generations of the same family have produced the hot sauce, and gladly welcome visitors to tour their factory and grounds. While here, you can learn how Tabasco sauce is made, sample a few dishes, and pick up some hot-sauce related souvenirs.
It’s possible to reach Avery Island by car. The trip will take you around an hour and a half down Interstate 49 South and Highway 90 East. Before heading home, take a self-guided tour through the jungle gardens and snap a few pictures.
Mobile Bay, Alabama
Alabama may be two states away, but the trip to Mobile Bay will only take fewer than 3.5 hours. Aside from its scenic location on the Gulf of Mexico, the Mobile Bay also has numerous attractions such as the Fort Morgan State Historic Site and the USS Alabama.
If you’d rather just take in some scenery, visit the Meaher State Park to enjoy some wetlands. Or cross the bridge into Dauphin Island, where you can spend some time swimming and surfing on the unspoiled beaches.
If you are lucky, you can experience the phenomenon known as Jubilee. That’s when crab, shrimp, and other sea life leave the deeper waters and head to shallower areas near the shore. During Jubilee, it’s possible to catch thousands of creatures simply by scooping them up. You can’t predict when Jubilee will happen. However, it is most likely to occur between June and September, with August being the most frequent month.
If you’d rather just take in some scenery, visit the Meaher State Park to enjoy some wetlands. Or cross the bridge into Dauphin Island, where you can spend some time swimming and surfing on the unspoiled beaches.
If you are lucky, you can experience the phenomenon known as Jubilee. That’s when crab, shrimp, and other sea life leave the deeper waters and head to shallower areas near the shore. During Jubilee, it’s possible to catch thousands of creatures simply by scooping them up. You can’t predict when Jubilee will happen. However, it is most likely to occur between June and September, with August being the most frequent month.
Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site
Located in St. Martinville, the Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site is Louisiana’s oldest state park. It’s a museum and living history plantation that showcases the cultural heritage of the state’s Bayou Teche region. It’s based on the classic poem Evangeline by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
The site hosts historic and nature programs, which are held in its outdoor classroom. Hiking trails and a picnic area are included in the grounds, as well. The historic site is around 60 miles from Baton Rouge and is an easy, one-hour drive down Interstate 10 West.
The site hosts historic and nature programs, which are held in its outdoor classroom. Hiking trails and a picnic area are included in the grounds, as well. The historic site is around 60 miles from Baton Rouge and is an easy, one-hour drive down Interstate 10 West.
Monroe/West Monroe
A city of just over 12,000 people, West Monroe sits directly on the Ouachita River and is directly adjacent to the larger city of Monroe, LA. It’s most famous for being the location where A&E’s top-rated reality series Duck Dynasty was filmed. On a visit to West Monroe, you can tour the Duck Commander warehouse and stop by other locations featured in the show.
Monroe and West Monroe both have plenty of unique shops and restaurants where you can enjoy shopping and fine dining. Some points of interest include the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum and the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo. Of course, there are plenty of spots for fishing, boating, and nature watching, as well. The trip to Monroe/West Monroe will take you just over three hours via U.S. Highway 425.
Monroe and West Monroe both have plenty of unique shops and restaurants where you can enjoy shopping and fine dining. Some points of interest include the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum and the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo. Of course, there are plenty of spots for fishing, boating, and nature watching, as well. The trip to Monroe/West Monroe will take you just over three hours via U.S. Highway 425.
The First Stop on your Next Road Trip
With so much nearby, the hardest thing about planning a road trip is deciding which destination to visit first. Fortunately, our relatively mild climate makes it easy to travel nearly year-round. The one thing you will need is a dependable vehicle, which is something we would be glad to assist you with. Stop by our dealership to take a test drive so that you will be ready for your next adventure.