Here we are again – more spots for you to consider when you’re feeling adventurous and ready to explore a beach that’s a totally new experience for you and your friends or family. CLICK HERE to read Where Can We Swim? Part One.

EIGHT

The UNO Aquatics Center, 6801 Franklin Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70122

This is where you’ll find a heated INDOOR 50-meter, eight-lane pool and a heated OUTDOOR 25-yard, six-lane pool all year-round. Pools are open from 10 am to 8:30 pm on Monday through Friday. On Saturdays the hours are 10 am to 5 pm. Day passes are available for $10. The entire pool is set aside for lap swims on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 to 10 am.

NINE

Beach Boulevard in Biloxi Beach, Mississippi

A little over 90 miles via 1-10E

This beach (Biloxi) is just under an hour-and-a-half from New Orleans. Or, if you’re in Pass Christian, drive 30 more minutes and you’ll hit it. Why not? Biloxi has more resort life and action than the charming, but peaceful, Pass Christian. Both resorts offer live entertainment plus casinos if you find you and yours in the mood for gambling. 

TEN

Dauphin Island, Alabama is 147.1 miles (2 hr 24 min) via 1-10E

 This is a 14-mile barrier island that’s located three miles south of Mobile Bay. You can take a scenic 40-minute ferry ride there or drive across the Dauphin Island Bridge. This is a quaint vacation spot with long stretches of pristine beaches, clear water and white sand. At the marina you’ll find an aquarium and an archeological site called, “Shell Mound Park.”

ELEVEN

Golf Shores, Alabama is 196.2 miles (3 hr 8 min) via 1-10E

There are lots of things to do in this friendly Alabama beach town. You can charter a boat to admire the sunset, watch leaping dolphins or even fish for pompano on the beach. For the young ones, there’s the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo where the kids can get up-close to touch, hold and do things such as: snap a picture with a baby red kangaroo and feed a goat or donkey.

TWELVE

Flora-Bama or Orange Beach, Alabama is 197.9 miles (3 hr 9 min) via 1-10E

The Flora-Bama Lounge is a beach bar whose claim to fame is that it is on the Orange Beach, ALABAMA and the Perdido Key FLORIDA state line. This honky-tonk joint has been a landmark since 1964. It’s a rite of passage for those from New Orleans who visit regularly. And, it’s been touted as “America’s Last Great Roadhouse.” Be sure and order a Bushwacker!  

THIRTEEN

The beach at Pensacola, Florida is 200.9 miles from New Orleans

This beach is roughly three hours away from New Orleans. It’s a popular tourist destination in the South. Yet it’s more peaceful than the larger beach towns such as Destin. There’s plenty to do here: the beach scene itself plus the Pensacola Boardwalk or Peg Leg Pete’s that’s described as: a pirate-themed seafood restaurant that features a kid’s play area and a raw bar.

FOURTEEN

The Grand Isle State Park in Louisiana is 110 miles via LA-1 

This is a great spot for sunbathing and fishing. And because you’re so close to where most of Louisiana’s seafood is caught – it’s a good idea to check out a local seafood restaurant – they’ll definitely have the freshest fish.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Check out the Coconut Beach Volleyball Complex at 100 Coconut Beach Ct in Kenner, LA – it’s only 25 minutes from New Orleans. This is exclusively for beach volleyball fans and features 22 courts, a bar and a grill.

WHY RATHBONE MANSIONS? Here’s an idea that works: book a room with us, stay for several days, then leave all your belongings behind in your room (except for a toothbrush and swimsuit) and take off for an overnight adventure that’s too far for one day – THEN RETURN to Rathbone and explore more of the Crescent City (my husband and I used to do this sort of thing all the time).

PLEASE CHECK THE WEB for any additional information you may need about the beaches, etc. that we’ve described in this blog.

Shaun Nelson-Henrick