This week I’m virtually road-tripping around the South with a whole bunch of great bloggers for The Great Southern Road Trip. We will be linking up all sorts of fun southern-inspired posts for y’all to enjoy, sip and savor.
So, grab your cocktail of choice and let me take you on a tour of my favorite beach town, Grand Isle, LA.
Grand Isle is 7 miles of sun, fun, and sand. Louisiana's only inhabited barrier island, Grand Isle is best know as a fisherman's paradise. Surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and Barataria Bay, Grand Isle is a habitat for crabs, shrimp, and many species of fish.
I have been going to Grand Isle since I was born. Though it does not possess the crystal blue water and white sands of Florida, Grand Isle holds a special place in my heart. The people and the food are outstanding.
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| Ron and Monique, Grand Isle, circa 1974 |
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| Ron & Monique 1974 |
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| Ron 1974 |
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| Monique, Honey, Ron 1976 |
Located just two hours south of New Orleans, take LA 1 for as far south as you can drive.
TO DO:
Beaches
Seven miles of white sand beaches are open to the public via 12 crossovers. Parking is also available.
Butterfly Dome
Featuring native butterflies and plants, the Butterfly Dome offers a glimpse into the habitat of these winged insects. The Dome is maintained through private donations and features guided (advance scheduling required) or self-guided tours.
Monday-Sunday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
2757 LA Hwy. 1, Grand Isle, LA 70358
985-787-2229
2757 LA Hwy. 1, Grand Isle, LA 70358
985-787-2229
Grand Isle State Park
At the east end of the island, Grand Isle State Park features pristine beaches, a 400-ft. fishing pier, nature trails and overnight camping.
Admiral Craik Drive, Grand Isle, LA 70358
985-787-2559 or 888-787-2559 toll free
Admiral Craik Drive, Grand Isle, LA 70358
985-787-2559 or 888-787-2559 toll free
Wake Side Water Park
Wake Side is Louisiana’s first and only salt water cable park. Located at the west end of the island at the foot of the Grand Isle Bridge across LA 1 from Bridge Side Marina. Participants are pulled by rope attached to a cable system that provides a constant pulling speed. The run is about 600 feet long and will include two jumps and a water obstacle. Each ride lasts 10 minutes, which can be up to 5 laps for those that are skilled. The system can tow anything from skis to wakeboards to inner tubes.
For more information:
985-309-6030
For more information:
985-309-6030
Grand Isle Birding Trail
The Grand Isle Birding/Nature Trail consists of five bird-watching locations, including the best remaining tracts of oak-hackberry forests on the island. Locations are either owned and operated by the Nature Conservancy or owned by locals. A round trip of the birding trail is approximately two miles. Look for trail markers, educational kiosks and parking areas.
Grand Isle Birding Trail
Birding Trails of Barataria-Terrebonne
Preservation of Migratory Bird Habitat on Grand Isle
Grand Isle Birding Trail
Birding Trails of Barataria-Terrebonne
Preservation of Migratory Bird Habitat on Grand Isle
Fishing
With more than 280 species of fish and four seasons of fishing, Grand Isle invites anglers of all ages and skill levels to cast their line in the abundant, surrounding waters.
Whether you are fishing from the beach or pier…brought your own boat or decided to hire an expert charter fishing company…Grand Isle is a fishing paradise.
Whether you are fishing from the beach or pier…brought your own boat or decided to hire an expert charter fishing company…Grand Isle is a fishing paradise.
You can check out the Charter Fishing options HERE.
DINING:
There are several dining options on the island offering locally caught seafood. My favorite happens to be Hurricane Hole. The views from the rear porch are phenomenal.
| Bridge Side Marina Deli 1618 Hwy 1, Grand Isle – by the Grand Isle Bridge 985-787-2419 Breakfast and Lunch for your fishing trip. |
| Jo Bobs Gas and Grill 3365 Hwy 1 Grand Isle 985-787-3707 the old Conoco Service Station Fried Chicken, Plate Lunches, Pizza and More. Open 7 days a week |
| Lighthouse Restaurant 116 Chighizola Lane 985-787-3331 Seafood patters, Prime Steaks, Pasta, Full Bar Open Evenings year round and for Lunch starting in March |
| Hurricane Hole 1851 Hwy 1 Grand Isle 985-787-3663 Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings, 4:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. |
| Starfish Restaurant 3027 Hwy 1 985-787-2711Yums 3059 Hwy 1 (985) 787-2995 Open daily for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinne Fish, Burgers, Shrimp and Oyster Poorboys STAY: I suggest you rent a camp (beach house) on the water by contacting the camps/rentals HERE. Grand Isle is a remarkable island filled with many memories. I look forward to making many more.  
Check out more about Grand Isle: HERE
THE GREAT SOUTHERN ROAD TRIP ITINERARY
Southern State of Mind {Atlanta, GA} | Restless Arrow {Belton, SC}
Southern Hospitality {Marietta, GA} | Our Southern Home {Caswell Beach, NC}
TUESDAY ROUTE:
Unskinny Boppy {Birmingham, AL} | Maison de Pax {Austin, TX}
Atta Girl Says {Greensboro, NC} | 3 Little Greenwoods {Aiken, SC}
WEDNESDAY ROUTE:
Dixie Delights {Savannah, GA} | Slightly Coastal {Fernandina Beach, FL}
Uptown Acorn {Grand Isle, LA} | The House of Wood {Nashville, TN}
THURSDAY ROUTE:
11 Magnolia Lane {Southern Pines/Pinehurst, NC} | The Turquoise Home {Huntsville, AL}
Duke Manor Farm {Pendergrass, GA} | Domestic Charm {Charlotte, NC}
FRIDAY ROUTE:
Our Fifth House {Charleston, SC} | At Home with the Barkers {Greenville, SC}
Simple Stylings {Mount Pleasant, SC} | Refresh Restyle {Bishop, GA}
See you in Grand Isle, y'all! |
cheers to you Ron! what a great recap of Grand Isle. wowza that water park is amazing. i have never seen anything like that. hope you are enjoying your summer!
ReplyDeleteGrand Isle certainly looks like a special place. It looks quite unspoiled which is so nice these days. Thanks for sharing, Ron.
ReplyDeleteWow! Grand Isle looks amazing! The pictures of you as a kid are priceless. That just looks like good memories. Thanks for the tour.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Good afternoon, Ron! Grand Isle is such a special place--I have fond memories of going there when the Barker family had a camp on the beach. Sadly, Hurricane Betsy blew it away. I haven't been there in years, but I still miss going there. It sure has developed in good ways. Cheers! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWell, what a beautiful place. I have never been, but I see I am missing a lot. Thanks for taking me along on a beautiful tour. It was sweet seeing your younger self. It looks like you are really enjoy the summer. Great tan too. xo
ReplyDeleteI'm having so much fun reading about all these lovely places. My must-visit list has grown so much this week! Thanks for sharing Grand Isle with us, Ron.
ReplyDeleteHi Ron, Grand Isle is new to me, I enjoyed your tour. We were neighbors in ATL, I lived in DuPont Commons, we've talked about this before. Now that I've retired, we've moved to Blue Ridge, GA...lovin' it!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Lori in Blue Ridge, GA
This was a great trip down memory lane! We visited Grand Isle often as I was growing up and have so many fond memories of family, food, and fun. Family members owned a camp in the area behind the school(I think) and I recall walking to the the little store for snacks and searching for fiddler crabs with the scent of oleanders wafting on the warm breeze. Thanks for the trip :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun trip down South.
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing the pictures of you as a young boy. Great tour.
ReplyDeleteOur next door neighbors have a camp in Grand Isle and we go very often to visit them during the summer! Like you said, the beach isn't like the ones in FL, but it is still beautiful and fun for the family!! We also love to go down the last weekend in July to the pavilion to see all of the fish as they come in from the Tarpon Rodeo! A few years ago, we got to see that giant marlin that was brought in! It was beautiful! I have many similar pictures as yours of myself (and of my own son) on the beach in Grand Isle! What a great post!
ReplyDeleteMy family and I stayed at Camp Cher as my father worked with the man who owned it. $10 a night for a week! The bedroom facing the gulf had 3 twin beds with trundles, so that's where my 3 brothers, 2 sisters and I slept and the baby slept in the room with my parents. I have great memories of fishing on the bridge with lanterns at night, fishing from the jetties early in the morning, walking to the Sunflower grocery store for snacks, going to the shell shop, chasing ghost crabs on the beach at night, floundering on the beach at night, crabbing from the jetties, surf fishing and even picking up shrimp on the beach as the waves washed them up. We did not have to eat out as we ate fresh seafood at every meal. Even though we were only two hours from home, those vacations hold a special place in my heart. It's all about being with family and spending time together and Grand Isle was the perfect vacation for a large family.
ReplyDelete