Here’s a few things to do in whatever city you visit: • Explore downtown: Walk the main streets, browse local shops, and try to find murals! • Visit a museum (especially the children’s museum or science center). • Go to the zoo or aquarium: Look for discounted days, reciprocal memberships, or late-afternoon admission. • Find the best city parks: Think playgrounds, botanical gardens, and scenic overlooks. • Ride local transportation: If they have streetcars, a train, or even a downtown trolley, it can become an attraction for kids. • Visit a local farmers market: Let each kid get a treat to make it extra fun! • Find a quirky local landmark: Giant statues, unusual museums, roadside attractions, famous signs, historic buildings, or other “only in this city” stops… there’s some in every city! • Attend a local event: Festivals, outdoor movies, concerts, art walks, markets, and seasonal celebrations can make the trip feel much more magical and local. If you’re hitting the road from New Orleans, here are a few cities to consider: • Bay St. Louis, MS: (~1 hour) Trade the city for a laid-back beach day! Then play along the waterfront and stroll the shops and restaurants of colorful Old Town.
• Gulf Shores / Orange Beach, AL: (~3 hours) Sink your toes into Alabama’s famous sugar- white sand… and if you’re looking for fun activities, bike or hike through Gulf State Park, shop at The Wharf, go on a dolphin cruise, or race go-karts. • Houston, TX: (~5 hours) Blast off at Space Center Houston, spend hours exploring the Children’s Museum Houston and Museum District, play at Hermann Park, or explore the trails and waterways around Buffalo Bayou. • St. Francisville + Tunica Hills, LA: (~2 hours) Hike the rugged hills, bluffs and ravines of Tunica Hills WMA before heading into charming St. Francisville to browse downtown shops, see the historic West Feliciana Railroad caboose, or explore Audubon State Historic Site. Families can also visit Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site or add a little spooky history with a tour of The Myrtles. MAKE THE DRIVE PART OF THE FUN Spice up your drive with some car ride games, like fall road-trip bingo: See who can spot a pumpkin patch, red leaves, a scarecrow, cows, a roadside produce stand, etc. You can also throw in some fun pitstops along the way (I mean, who doesn’t love a Buc-ee’s moment?).
choose one stop. Other fun ways to embrace the fall season on your roadtrip is to create a fall playlist or listen to a spooky audiobook together (or a story set in autumn, like Rip Van Winkle ). You can also bring disposable/ instant cameras for older kids to snap pictures along the way, or have everyone vote on the best fall display they see. SPLURGE HERE, SAVE THERE Budget travel doesn’t mean saying no to everything—it’s about picking the one or two experiences that are actually worth paying for. For example:
SAVE: Pack sandwiches. SPLURGE: Stop at the famous local bakery.
SAVE: Choose a free hike. SPLURGE: Buy tickets for the scenic train.
SAVE: Skip the hotel. SPLURGE: Let everyone pick a souvenir.
It’s all about balance! Sometimes you have to say no so you can say yes. After all, you don’t have to travel far—or spend a fortune—to make a trip feel unforgettable. So fill up the tank, pack some snacks, and get ready to make a few fabulous fall memories— without emptying your wallet.
If you’re feeling really generous, let each child
NOLAFAMILY.COM | NOVEMBER 2026 17
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