Keisha Smith
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New Orleans is magnetic, but sometimes even the most devoted local needs a quick escape from the brass bands and bourbon. Luckily, within a 1- to 3-hour drive (or short flight) you’ll find beaches, pine forests, Cajun prairies, and historic small towns that feel worlds away. Here are the best weekend getaways from the Crescent City—tested, ranked, and updated for 2025.

This article will list some of the best weekend getaways within driving distance of New Orleans, Louisiana.

6 Cheap Weekend Getaways Near You

This article is going to show you some cheap places to travel for spring and summer this year. Let’s get started:

Atlanta

Mid March: Frontier Airlines: Airfare from $194

Atlanta skyline

You can visit Atlanta, Georgia, and take in all the fried chicken and sweet tea your tummy can handle. 

Top Atlanta events You Don’t Want To Miss:

  • One Music Fest
  • Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
  • Atlanta Food & Wine Festival
  • Sweet Auburn Music Festival

Check out these weekend events out in Atlanta.

Charleston

Late March: Breeze Airlines: Airfare from $168

Charleston is one of the best places to visit in the South
Photo credit: Dylan Mullins / Unsplash

Charleston, South Carolina is only a four-hour drive from Atlanta and it’s worth the ride. 

Top Charleston events this Year:

  • Charleston Bluegrass Festival
  • Low Country Cajun Festival
  • Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival

Savannah

Late April: Breeze Airlines: Airfare from $188

Savannah, Georgia - when to visit
Photo credit:
Jessica Furtney / Unsplash

Savannah, Georgia is only a four-hour drive from Atlanta and it’s worth the ride. 

Top Savannah events this Year:

  • Savannah Hemp & Arts Festival
  • Tybee Wine Festival
  • Savannah Jazz Festival

Check out this Savannah Activity Guide.

Houston

Mid May: Southwest Airlines: Airfare from $221

Hoiuston, Texas

Houston and Nola are sister cities in a way. Both of them are right off Interstate 10 and both are filled with people from New Orleans (a joke)!

Things To Do & See In Houston:

  • Houston Zoo
  • Galveston Beach
  • Museum of Fine Arts
  • Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
  • The Galleria
  • Sam Houston Park

Check out cool things to do in Houston.

Augusta

Late May: Delta Air Lines: Airfare from $325

Best places to visit in Georgia: Augusta
Photo credit: Todd Trapani / Unsplash

One of the most popular tourist spots in the South, Augusta has a rich music heritage (James Brown) and is known for cultural sports events (the Masters). 

Here are some things to do and see in August:

  • Augusta Craft Beer Festival
  • Elijah Beach
  • Hickory Know State Park
  • Papa Joe’s Banjo-B-Que Music Festival
  • Westobou Festival

Jacksonville

Mid April: Breeze Airlines: Airfare from $218

Jacksonville is one of the best vacation destinations for 2020
Photo credit: David Masemore / Unsplash

Jacksonville, Florida is a eight-hour drive from Atlanta. If you start at 1 p.m, you’ll be in city limits by 6 p.m., just in time for dinner.

Here are some things to do and see in Jacksonville:

  • Jacksonville Jazz Festival
  • Neptune Beach
  • Atlantic Beach
  • Summer Volksfest
  • Jacksonville Caribbean Festival

Final Word

Craving a break from the daily hustle? A treasure trove of cheap flights is waiting for you! The best part? You don’t have to jet off far to uncover incredible domestic destinations that’ll spark your wanderlust!

It’s not too late to get a really nice weekend getaway within driving distance or a short flight away. There are some affordable cities you can visit in the Southeast.

Just because the year is speeding along doesn’t mean you can’t find a nice weekend to travel. You might not know it but cheap flights are abundant right now with a little research, which we’ve done for you.

Once you pack your luggage, you should be ready for your trip. Make sure you have found the cheapest flights from New Orleans that are on sale.  And don’t forget to check Southwest.

New Orleans is one of the most convenient places to travel to and from. A large part of that is because Louis Armstrong International Airport is so accessible.

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