Temperatures are heating up and so are those summer travel deals.”Cruises out of New Orleans, the price point, you can’t beat,” Melinda Bourgeois with Travel Central Vacations said.Over the next few months, South Louisiana families will be flocking to the seas, beaches, mountains and other regional hot spots.Mark Romig, of New Orleans & Company, added, “We know that more than 50% of our visitors are going to come from a drive distance, a day’s drive at the max or an hour and a half flight.”It’s a similar mindset when traveling from the New Orleans area, so we’ve compiled the top five destinations many of you are targeting.”A lot of families use opportunities to get along the Gulf Coast, the I-10 corridor if you consider that was a way to experience the best of this part of the country, the southern hospitality, fresh seafood,” Romig said.From the beaches of Biloxi to Gulf Shores, Alabama, the salt life is a summer rite of passage, spanning generations. However, heavy demand has forced a rise in costs.”And of course, the Gulf Coast beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world. And they’re easy to get to, it’s a three to four-hour drive at the max. But just like everything, they’re popular. And so what we’re seeing is rates are going up,” Bourgeois said.The cruise line industry is also expected to bounce back this summer, approaching pre-pandemic numbers, and providing a boost for New Orleans ports with some 5-day cruises costing less than $100 a day.”I’m surprised by the new cruisers,” Bourgeois said. “The old cruisers just love cruising, they know it’s an easy way to go. All your food’s included, it’s simple you get on a ship, it takes you to the next port of call, so they’re very popular.”Perhaps that big city is calling your name, with Nashville and Memphis growing in both size and popularity. A Tennessee trip to Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains or the Ozarks offers majestic views.”Branson, Missouri, you can drive there,” Bourgeois said. “Memphis, you can drive there. And there’s tons of wonderful things. I mean Nashville is booming, and that’s an easy drive from New Orleans, great music, great country, great food. I definitely highly recommend.”Other hot spots this summer include big west: Alaska, Hawaii and wide-open spaces.But road trips and flights may not be in your budget this year. With the rising costs of gas, airfare and lodging, a staycation in New Orleans is also a great opportunity to immerse in history and beyond. “Riding the historic streetcar that we have,” Romig said. “Or going to the zoo or the aquarium, the National World War II Museum. Our parks, we’ve got wonderful parks and opportunities for people to be outside and outdoors with their family. And of course, the recreation that provides families along the Lakefront with Lake Pontchartrain for families, and there are a lot of educational opportunities families can have here together.”If you are headed out of town, book early, use those discount and promo codes like Triple-A, Costco or AARP, and consider flexible flight dates to lock in the best price. Other travel tips that may save you a few dollars: -Bundling your travel packages-Using group rates-Flying out on a holiday like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July or Labor DayYou may be able to save a few bucks and avoid the huge crowds on the actual holidays this summer.
NEW ORLEANS —
Temperatures are heating up and so are those summer travel deals.
“Cruises out of New Orleans, the price point, you can’t beat,” Melinda Bourgeois with Travel Central Vacations said.
Over the next few months, South Louisiana families will be flocking to the seas, beaches, mountains and other regional hot spots.
Mark Romig, of New Orleans & Company, added, “We know that more than 50% of our visitors are going to come from a drive distance, a day’s drive at the max or an hour and a half flight.”
It’s a similar mindset when traveling from the New Orleans area, so we’ve compiled the top five destinations many of you are targeting.
“A lot of families use opportunities to get along the Gulf Coast, the I-10 corridor if you consider that was a way to experience the best of this part of the country, the southern hospitality, fresh seafood,” Romig said.
From the beaches of Biloxi to Gulf Shores, Alabama, the salt life is a summer rite of passage, spanning generations. However, heavy demand has forced a rise in costs.
“And of course, the Gulf Coast beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world. And they’re easy to get to, it’s a three to four-hour drive at the max. But just like everything, they’re popular. And so what we’re seeing is rates are going up,” Bourgeois said.
The cruise line industry is also expected to bounce back this summer, approaching pre-pandemic numbers, and providing a boost for New Orleans ports with some 5-day cruises costing less than $100 a day.
“I’m surprised by the new cruisers,” Bourgeois said. “The old cruisers just love cruising, they know it’s an easy way to go. All your food’s included, it’s simple you get on a ship, it takes you to the next port of call, so they’re very popular.”
Perhaps that big city is calling your name, with Nashville and Memphis growing in both size and popularity. A Tennessee trip to Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains or the Ozarks offers majestic views.
“Branson, Missouri, you can drive there,” Bourgeois said. “Memphis, you can drive there. And there’s tons of wonderful things. I mean Nashville is booming, and that’s an easy drive from New Orleans, great music, great country, great food. I definitely highly recommend.”
Other hot spots this summer include big west: Alaska, Hawaii and wide-open spaces.
But road trips and flights may not be in your budget this year. With the rising costs of gas, airfare and lodging, a staycation in New Orleans is also a great opportunity to immerse in history and beyond.
“Riding the historic streetcar that we have,” Romig said. “Or going to the zoo or the aquarium, the National World War II Museum. Our parks, we’ve got wonderful parks and opportunities for people to be outside and outdoors with their family. And of course, the recreation that provides families along the Lakefront with Lake Pontchartrain for families, and there are a lot of educational opportunities families can have here together.”
If you are headed out of town, book early, use those discount and promo codes like Triple-A, Costco or AARP, and consider flexible flight dates to lock in the best price.
Other travel tips that may save you a few dollars:
-Bundling your travel packages
-Using group rates
-Flying out on a holiday like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July or Labor Day
You may be able to save a few bucks and avoid the huge crowds on the actual holidays this summer.
