City Escape: New Orleans, Louisiana
The Big Easy is known for its nightlife, distinct music, and rich Creole culture. Visiting New Orleans is always exciting, and arriving via motorcycle takes things up a notch. This route is your chance to explore the Mississippi Gulf Coast, see scenic swamplands, and even go looking for gators.
Riding the coast offers beautiful unobstructed views of the beaches along the Gulf. There are plenty of places to stop for photos along this part of the route. After making your way inland, you will see swampland as you ride near the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge. The route is easy, as most of the roads are generally straight and scenic. This is a fairly long route, so an early start and a comfortable motorcycle are recommended.
Length
Approximately 240 miles
Lunch Stop
Parrish’s Restaurant & Lounge is an elevated (literally) restaurant overlooking the Long Beach Harbor. They are known for delicious, fresh coastal favorites and decadent desserts. Find it at 217 East Beach Blvd, Long Beach, MS, (228) 265-7086.
Points of Interest
Long Beach Harbor
Located just west of Gulfport, Long Beach Harbor is a small strip of land stretching into the Gulf of Mexico. You can ride to the end of the harbor, where a small pavilion stands offering protection from the sun to fishermen.
Kliebert & Son’s Gator Tours
The Kliebert’s gator farm, northwest of Lake Pontchartrain, is the first gator farm in Louisiana, opening to the public in 1984. It has passed down through a few generations, and is still run by the Kliebert family. They offer gator and turtle tours daily and sell fresh gator meat and souvenirs. Tour admission is $15. Find it at 40511 West I-55 Service Rd, Ponchatoula, LA, (985) 345-3617.
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
This 23-mile causeway is the longest continuous bridge over water in the world, crossing Lake Pontchartrain in southern Louisiana. Riding across the bridge feels like you are crossing the ocean, since you can’t see the other shoreline for a considerable amount of time.