2025
Louisiana: New Orleans Mississippi River Levees & Tammany Trace Bike Paths (March 22-28, 2025) $1999
- Ride on two of the longest paved and most beautiful levee trails, while bicycling on the Mississippi River Levee Trails overlooking the largest river in the United States.
- Riding atop the levee you can watch the Mississippi River for almost the entire ride into or from New Orleans starting from the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans one day and riding on the opposite side - the West Bank - of the river ending in Algiers another day.
- Along the way watch the "mighty Mississippi" from behind your handlebars and also see the 1.5 mile Bonnet Carre Spillway. One of the nicest features of the levee trail is the very limited number of service roads along the route, so just pure bicycling at its best.
- One last item of note, these are some of the flattest trails you will ever ride!
- We stay close to New Orleans, but not too close so we can experience the wonders and sights of New Orleans, during the day and stay in the small town of Laplace (Pronounced la plan) at night.
- We will see and experience the French Quarter, Jackson Square and City Park.
- In addition, we will ride bike trails overlooking Lake Pontchartrain and bicycle the top-rated rail-to-trail paved bike path in Louisiana the Tammany Trace trail in Covington.
- One final note: USA Today named the New Orleans areas as one of the top 50 best cities for bicycling.
Day 1, Saturday
The entire area is best known for its great food scene and quirky/fun and unique shops. We will stay in Laplace "just up the road" from New Orleans and ride in, around and on the bike paths surrounding New Orleans. This is an amazing bicycling area and a must see for anyone, who bicycles the area. There is something for everyone. Check-in throughout the day and get assimilated to the laid-back atmosphere that is Louisiana. Meet around 4:00pm for welcome meeting and dinner.
Lodging:
Lodging:
Hampton Inn - Covington
Laplace, Louisiana
(Stay at the same hotel for the entire bicycle tour. Just unpack one time!)
- Internet
- Business Center
- HD TVs
- Fitness Center
- Coin Laundry
- Swimming Pool
Dinner:
Frenier Landin
Laplace, Louisiana
Entrée choices include:
- Crawfish or Shrimp Étouffée – Served over rice with French Bread
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Filet Mignon – Served with baked potato and vegetables
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Fish Tacos – Fried or grilled grouper dressed with the chef's special sauce and avocado. Served with sweet potato fries.
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Whole Stuffed Flounder – Fried and topped with crabmeat and crawfish cream sauce. Served with fresh vegetables.
Day 2, Sunday
New Orleans Levee Trail
We start our ride at the New Orleans Audubon Zoo. The zoo is located in New Orleans and cares for animals from around the world with engaging educational programs, and hands-on animal encounters. One of its most favorite adventures in this zoo is the Louisianna Swamp and Jaguar Jungle showcase the relationship between people and nature. We end our ride at the massive Bonnet Carre Spillway, a flood control operation in the Lower Mississippi Valley. It allows floodwaters from the Mississippi River to flow into Lake Pontchartrain and then into the Gulf of Mexico. in between the Zoo and the Spillway is flat riding with views of the Mississippi River all the way.
Breakfast:
Provided by hotel
Route: 26 miles, riding on the Mississippi River Levee Trail. (The route is flat.)
Dinner:
El Paso
Laplace, Louisiana
Entrée choices include:
- Fajitas: Chicken, Steak or Shrimp – Choice sizzling with onions and bell peppers, with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and guacamole. Served with rice and charo or refried beans. With corn, flour or wheat tortillas.
- Carne Asada –Served with rice and choice of charo or refried beans. With avocado salad.
- Bistec A La Mexicana – Grilled steak and onions, tomatoes, spices and flour tortillas. Served with rice and refried beans and guacamole salad.
- Taco Salad – With chicken, steak, beef or shrimp.
Day 3, Monday
Algiers/Hahnville Levee Trail
Today we start our ride from the rural Hahnville area and ride atop the levee to Algiers, following the Mississippi River. The Algiers historic neighborhood, though part of New Orleans is the only neighborhood of New Orleans that is east of the Mississippi River. The neighborhood is distinct from the rest of New Orleans with quiet and also tree-lined streets, giving it a small-town feel. While riding along the paved levee trail the skylines of New Orleans can be viewed for miles of riding.
Breakfast:
Provided by hotel
Bike route: 0 miles, staying at the hotel; 27 miles riding from Hahnville to Algiers on the West Bank Levee Trail. (The route is flat.)
Dinner:
On your own
Day 4, Tuesday
Lake Pontchartrain Lakefront Trail
Continue our biking journey on to the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Ride along the bike path adjacent to the shoreline while viewing the 630 square mile lake, technically an estuary, a brackish water coastal body.
Bike route: 0 miles, staying at the hotel; 21 miles riding the complete bike path and back. (The route is flat.)
Breakfast:
Provided by hotel
Dinner:
On your own
Day 5, Wednesday
Free Day or Cafe Du Monde New Orleans City Park & French Quarter
Start our ride today at world famous Cafe Du Monde City Park and then ride through the French Quarter and by Jackson Square. We will ride through the areas in the morning to give you a feel for the city without all the traffic (and people) that will be there later in the day and in the evening. In the evening you will have your night free to explore the French Quarter and all of New Orleans. We ride from and through "City Park" a 1,300 acre public park in New Orleans, Louisiana, is the 6th-largest and 7th-most-visited urban public park in the United States. Upon arriving at the park, make a quick stop before or after the ride (or both) at Cafe Du Monde and order three beignets for under $4.00! Take time to explore the park, including the New Orleans Botanical Gardens; New Orleans Museum of Art and Sculpture Garden; and the Train Garden, featuring typical New Orleans home and building architecture made with botanical materials, and replicas of streetcars and trains that wind around the track. In the evening, pick your favorite restaurant to visit on your own that your friends have told you not to miss.
Breakfast:
Provided by Hotel
Route: 0 miles, staying at the hotel; 9 miles riding through New Orleans starting and returning to Cafe Du Monde in City Park on bike paths and designated bike routes. (The route is flat.)
Dinner:
On your own
Day 6, Thursday
Tammany Trace Trail
We ride today on what was once the railroad and lifeblood of St. Tammany Parish. Now called The Tammany Trace, it is Louisiana's first and only rails-to-trails conversion. This multi-purpose public trail was created as a result of the Illinois Central Railroad corridor, meandering through pine trees, live oaks, and magnolias in Covington, Louisiana.
Breakfast:
Provided by Hotel
Bike route: 0 miles, staying at the hotel; or 28 miles riding the complete Tammany Trace Trail one way. (The route is flat.)
Dinner:
Pier 51
Laplace, Louisiana
Entrée choices include:
- King Crab - One cluster
- Blackened or Fried Shrimp - Served with French fries, coleslaw and garlic bread
- Tilapia or Bass Filet (grilled or blackened) - Served with mixed vegetables and garlic bread
- Grilled Pork Chops - Served with mashed potatoes & gravy with garlic bread
Day 7, Friday
Say goodbye to friends and start your journey home. Breakfast provided by hotel.
Please note all trip information is based on previous trips and/or contracted lodging and restaurants and is subject to change based on availability or specific trip needs.
Riding difficulty:
Riders who are comfortable riding at least 10 miles per hour should have an enjoyable trip. Most days are primarily or completely on bike paths. Of course, if a rider is tired or does not feel like riding, the SAG vehicle will transport the rider. All riders may ride at their own pace, slow or fast.
Arriving by automobile:
Drive to Hampton Inn Laplace, 4288 Hwy 51, Laplace, LA 70068
Arriving by Plane:
You can fly directly into New Orleans (MSY) and rent a car or take UBER/Lyft to the starting hotel
What is Included:
- Hotel lodging
- Ride Packets with Cue Sheets (directions)
- Garmin/GPS routes to download
- Google Maps routes for your iPhone or Android Phone
- Fully sagged including van transportation and rider assistance.
- Breakfast each morning
- Happy Hours (BYOB) on selected evenings
- Dinner with the group three evenings (see above)
- Great riding, scenery, fun and enjoyment!
Bicycles:
- Most participants bring their own bicycles
- To ship your bike, we would suggest using shipbikes.com or bikeflight.com for shipping. To ship your bike to the hotel: Hampton Inn Laplace, 4288 Hwy 51, Laplace, LA 70068
- If you fly, most major airlines including Delta, American, United and Alaska Air now waive the oversize fee for bicycles (sporting equipment) and just the standard luggage fee applies. Please contact your airline for all the details.
- Bike Rental: Bikes are available for rent in the Covington/New Orleans area. We suggest conducting a Google search to find the best place to accommodate your needs.
Deposit:
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$200 due to reserve your spot and the remainder due 45 days before the trip start.
Weather in March in the New Orleans area:
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Average High 73°F