Austin to New Orleans
Drive from Texas to Louisiana enjoying the music, culture & bayous of the South
Experience the heart and soul of the southern USA on this 12-night self-drive holiday from Austin to New Orleans. Begin in Texas’s dynamic capital — the “Live Music Capital of the World” — before exploring San Antonio’s River Walk and historic Alamo. Continue east through Houston and into Louisiana, where bayous, birds, and Cajun flavours await in Lake Charles.
Finish your journey in the unforgettable city of New Orleans. With its Creole cuisine, jazz-filled streets, and atmospheric French Quarter, it’s the perfect finale to your southern adventure. From honky-tonks to riverboats, this is a journey that celebrates the South’s rhythm, heritage, and hospitality.
Remember: We’re UK-based, and every holiday we create is fully flexible – you can add nights, upgrade hotels, or enhance your itinerary. We love designing tailor-made self-drive adventures just for you!
12 night self drive holiday from £2,049pp including flights, accommodation & car rental
Highlights
Discover Austin’s Music Scene with live music, unique culture, and the famous sunset bat flight at Congress Avenue Bridge.
Visit Historic San Antonio; explore The Alamo and stroll the scenic River Walk lined with shops and restaurants.
Tour Space Center Houston and explore the city’s theatre and museum districts.
Spot wildlife near Lake Charles before ending with jazz, Creole food, and nightlife in New Orleans.
Your itinerary
Days 1–3: Austin, TEXAS
Enjoy the perfect mix of music, nature, and southern charm at the Live Music Capital of the World
Fly into Austin, Texas, and pick up your rental car for a three-night stay in the state capital. Explore the city’s famous live music scene, enjoy a walk around Lady Bird Lake, and visit the Texas State Capitol. As the sun sets, watch over a million bats fly from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge — one of the city’s most iconic sights. With its quirky culture and friendly locals, Austin is an energetic and unforgettable introduction to Texas.
3 Nights in
Austin, TX
Arrive &
Explore
Days 4–5: San Antonio, TEXAS
Step back into Texas history at The Alamo and enjoy riverside dining on the River Walk
Drive south to San Antonio, a city rich in history and character. Visit The Alamo, where the fight for Texas independence was fought, then spend your evening wandering the River Walk, lined with lively cafés, bars, and shops. You can also explore San Fernando Cathedral or visit Market Square, one of the largest Mexican markets in the U.S. San Antonio’s mix of Texan and Mexican heritage gives it a unique and vibrant atmosphere.
2 Nights in
San Antonio, TX
80 miles
Days 6–7: Houston, TEXAS
Explore Space Center Houston and the heart of the Lone Star State’s biggest city
Head east to Houston, where science, art, and southern hospitality meet. Spend a day at Space Center Houston, the official visitor centre of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, or visit the Museum District for fine art, science, and natural history exhibits. In the evening, enjoy dinner in the lively Midtown or Theatre District, where you’ll find great restaurants and performances.
2 Nights in
Houston, TX
200 miles
Days 8–9: Lake Charles, LOUISIANA
Discover Louisiana’s wetlands, wildlife, and small-town charm
Cross into Louisiana for two nights in Lake Charles, where Cajun culture meets the wild beauty of the bayou. Take a guided swamp or wildlife tour to spot alligators, herons, and egrets, or explore the Creole Nature Trail, a scenic byway through coastal marshes. Visit the Charpentier Historic District to admire ornate architecture, and learn about the region’s festive spirit at the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu.
2 Nights in
Lake Charles, LA
145 miles
Days 10–13: New Orleans, LOUISIANA
End your journey in The Big Easy; birthplace of jazz and the soul of Louisiana
Drive to New Orleans, where you’ll drop your car off and spend your final three nights soaking up the rhythm and romance of this incredible city. Stay in the French Quarter, with its colourful Creole townhouses and vibrant nightlife. Visit Jackson Square, sample beignets at Café du Monde, and listen to live jazz spilling from every corner. Take a Mississippi River steamboat cruise, explore the Garden District, or join a ghost tour through the historic streets. Your overnight flight back to the UK will be on Day 14
3 Nights in
New Orleans, LA
205 miles
June - mid Sept: Many lodgings and transport links are only open during the Summer. Amazing wildlife including bears, bald eagles, whales, sea otters and seals can be spotted.
Daytime temperatures are usually cool but very comfortabl, generally in the 15-20°C range and even into the high 20s. Days are long during the with July being the peak month.
You’ll need a connecting flght from the UK, probably via Seattle or Vancouver, we highly recommend a couple of days to explore the connecting city. Alaska is 8 or 9 hours behind the UK.
Speak to a Travel Expert
Our team have travelled extensively across the USA & Canada to ensure that they can give first hand, unrivalled experience when discussing our holidays.
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