15 Best Things To Do In Grand Isle, Louisiana

1. Swim across the enchanting Grand Isle Beach

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

When you think of Grand Isle, attractions such as beaches and other natural spots first come into mind. Hence, don’t miss the chance to drop by Grand Isle Beach. It offers a panoramic view of the sea and fine sands. You can have fun here by swimming, sunbathing, or simply walking along its shores.

And as the day comes to an end, you can also check out Sun & Sand Cabins and Wine Down, two nearby accommodations within walking distance from the beach if you need to settle down for the night. You can also drop by Hurricane Hole, a food establishment that serves seafood treasures.

Grand Isle Beach

Address: Grand Isle, LA 70358, United States

Opening hours: Open 24 hours daily

Price: Free entry

2. Have fun over some drinks at Cisco's Hideaway Lounge

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

After spending the entire day exploring Grand Isle, activities and tours can exhaust you. Thus, why not take a moment to relax and have fun? There are numerous bars in the area that you can check out, but Cisco’s Hideaway is one of those flocked by drinkers. It offers alcoholic beverages perfect for casual night outs with friends. It also hosts parties in seasonal events throughout the year.

Cocktail lounges are also available for a cozy experience. It has a pool table and arcade if you want to have fun with locals and other visitors.

Cisco's Hideaway Lounge

Address: 251 Oak Ln, Grand Isle, LA 70358, United States

Opening hours: 9am - 2am (daily)

3. Enjoy the beautiful beach ridge at Grand Isle State Park

The beach ridge of Grand Isle State Park was formed by the tides of waves that invaded the gulf. Today, the state park is used as an attraction that hosts fishing events and several other water sports. This park is a place you should visit if you love fishing, swimming, birding, hiking, boating, or just want to enjoy the beautiful views of the beach while taking the time to relax. The park also allows people to camp near the beach and make use of certain facilities that can aid you when preparing for your hikes and other activities.

Grand Isle State Park

Address: 108 Admiral Craik Dr, Grand Isle, LA 70358, USA

Website: Grand Isle State Park

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 8am - 5pm; Fri - Sat: 8am - 10pm

Price: 3 USD

4. Savor delicious dishes at Starfish Restaurant

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

With the variety of available activities and sports venues, Grand Isle is a place where you will want to get a taste of the culinary scene. Starfish Restaurant is a place where you and your family can savor fresh food while enjoying the beautiful beach of the isle. Not only do you get great-tasting fresh food, but you also help the local community by patronizing their local fishermen who produce the fresh ingredients that the restaurant serves to their customers. Some of their popular dishes that you should try out would be Bowl of Seafood Gumbo, Seafood Platter, Oyster Platter, Soft Shell Crab Platter, Buffalo Wings, and Stuff Crab Platter.

Starfish Restaurant

Address: 3027 LA-1, Grand Isle, LA 70358, USA

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 7am - 10pm, Fri - Sat : 7am - 11pm

5. Visit Louisiana Department of Wildlife Fisheries

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you are visiting Grand Isle for the sole purpose of hunting and fishing, then you should first try to visit Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Department. There you can get information that can help you with your hunting and fishing sports. If you plan to have your boat in the Isle, then they can help you with licensing permits, and also give crucial advisories to help you with your activities later on. If you are looking for any sort of information about hunting, fishing, or boating in the area, then Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Department should be the first place you should visit.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife Fisheries

Address: Grand Isle, LA 70358, USA

Website: Louisiana Department of Wildlife Fisheries

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

6. Go fishing and enjoy the view with Calmwater Charters

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Wondering what to do in Grand Isle? If you’re into exciting adventures, then Calmwater Charters is something you should check out. The place offers various activities such as inshore fishing trips, kayak fishing trips, boat tours, bull red fishing trips, and fly fishing trips. With these trips and activities, you will also have a licensed Coast Guards Captain to help you with your activities by sharing his vast amounts of experience to you. Whether you are a first-timer or an experienced fisher, Calmwater Charters is sure to help you enjoy your time in the waters.

Calmwater Charters

Address: 1618 LA-1, Grand Isle, LA 70358, USA

Website: Calmwater Charters

Opening hours: 24 hours open (daily)

7. Grab a drink at Artie's Sports Bar

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Artie’s Sports Bar is one of the best bars you can visit at Grand Isle. They offer a good assortment of cold drinks and food while being accompanied by great music. In the summer they also host live band performances with promos. The bar is also popular for having the largest topless deck in the state. If you love socializing with other people or just want to chill and enjoy a few beers, then Artie’s Sports Bar is a cool place you will certainly enjoy with friends.

Artie's Sports Bar

Address: 3162 LA-1, Grand Isle, LA 70358, USA

Website: Artie’s Sports Bar

Opening hours: 11am - 2am (daily)

8. View wildlife in their natural habitat at Elmer's Island Wildlife Refuge

If you care about wildlife and would love to have a casual stroll along the beautiful beach and with the lovely animals, then you should save some of your time to visit Elmer’s Island Wildlife Reserve. There you will be greeted by saltwater marsh, beaches, coastal dunes, and of course, wildlife such as several species of birds. If you feel like you want something more immersive to do while at the reserve, they also allow visitors to fish and participate in beach sweeps.

Elmer's Island Wildlife Refuge

Address: Elmer’s Island Rd, Grand Isle, LA 70358, USA

Website: Elmer’s Island Wildlife Refuge

9. Enjoy the beach at Bridge Side Marina

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Being the most popular marina in Grand Isle for more than 40 years, the Bridge Side Marina is a place that specializes in family services. They offer fully equipped cabins, private beaches, well-lit piers as well as full-service facilities to help you in your fishing and boating adventures. With fully equipped facilities, Bridge Side Marina offers boat launch, pressure washing system, barbecuing pavilion, seafood boiling area, baits, fishing equipment, and charter services. If you love the waters and are visiting with the family, Bridge Side Marina is the best place in town for you and your family to relax and enjoy the beaches in luxury.

Bridge Side Marina

Address: 1618 LA-1, Grand Isle, LA 70358, USA

Website: Bridge Side Marina

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 5am - 8pm, Fri - Sat: 5am - 9pm

10. Visit Fort Livingston

Do you want to visit a historic place in Grand Isle that was essential to the town’s defense? If yes, then you should take some time to visit Fort Livingston. The fort was a 19th-century coastal defense that was named after Edward Livingston who was the mayor at the time the fort was constructed. Today, Fort Livingston is registered as a National Historic Area where guests can visit and learn about its history. Although the place is isolated by the waters and is only accessible by boats, Fort Livingston is certainly a place where anyone interested in the history of the place should visit.

Fort Livingston

Address: Grand Terra Island, Grand Isle, LA 70358, United States

11. Gorge on delectable food at Yum's

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you are visiting Grand Isle with the family, you should try out Yum’s Cafe. They specialize in serving groups of customers such as families. The place is great if the kids are with you as they have made a separate menu made especially for kids. Some of their popular dishes would be the Surf and Turf, Soft Shell Crab Poboy, Double Decker BLT, Roast Beef, and Bacon Cheeseburger. If you love a straightforward meal for the whole family, then Yum’s Cafe is a place you should try out.

Yum's Cafe

Address: 3059 LA-1, Grand Isle, LA 70358, USA

Website: Yum’s Cafe

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 7am - 9pm, Sun: 7am - 3pm

12. Buy souvenirs at Blue Water Souvenirs

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Grand Isle is a haven for water sports, fishing, wild game, camping, and many fun and engaging activities. With such great memories, you should go out and purchase some souvenirs to remind you of your awesome trip at Grand Isle. Also, it would be a nice gesture to bring some souvenirs to your family back home to show that you remembered them on your trip. Blue Water Souvenirs is an awesome place where you can find souvenirs such as t-shirts, shorts, swimsuits, hats, caps, beach chairs, bags, towels, wind chimes, and purses in great varieties.

Blue Water Souvenirs

Address: 3011 LA-1, Grand Isle, LA 70358, USA

Opening hours: Tue, Thu - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon & Wed)

13. Gorge on the freshest seafood at Camardelle's Seafood

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Looking for the best boiled crabs in Grand Isle? Camardelle’s Seafood is a restaurant that serves the freshest local seafood. They are known for serving the highest quality of local crabs, shrimps, and crawfish. Enjoy your meals while enjoying the view of the beach. You can even specifically select the crabs, shrimps, and crawfish before they boil it for you. If you want the best boiled seafood in town, Camardelle’s Seafood Restaurant is a place you should visit.

Enjoy the freshest of seafood at Camardelle's Seafood

Address: 1018 LA-1, Grand Isle, LA 70358, USA

Website: Camardelle’s Seafood

14. Beat the heat and try out Meagan's Sno-Balls

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Grand Isle is a sunny place where you can enjoy your days boating and catching fish. However, if you find out that the sun may be too much for you in a prolonged amount of time, why not treat yourself and your family at Meagan’s Snowball Stand? They serve ice creams and other cold delights that you will surely enjoy on a very sunny day. Although simple, sitting at the cool shade of the stand while enjoying some sno-balls is simply a great solution to the hot summer heat.

Meagan's Sno-Balls

Address: 2952-2986 LA-1, Grand Isle, LA 70358, USA

Opening hours: 10am - 9pm (daily)

15. Go bird-watching at Grand Isle Birding Trail

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Grand Isle Birding Trail is a place where you and your family can enjoy nature while hiking the landscapes and appreciating the beautiful birds that populate around the areas. The birding trail consists of five bird-watching locations for ease of viewing the birds without disturbing them. Enjoy the relaxing 2-mile (3.2 km) hike of the area while being amazed at the birds and their daily interactions with nature.

Grand Isle Birding Trail

Website: Grand Isle Birding Trail

The simple life in Grand Isle

Grand Isle is a haven to the people who are looking to de-stress and unwind in the heart of nature. Here you will be able to appreciate nature at its purest. You are allowed to fish, swim, boat, hunt, and partake in many of the water sports that the town is known for. Many people have visited Grand Isle all worn out and stressed and managed to get out full of life and with a great appreciation of the surroundings, and so can you. Enjoy a simpler life with nature at Grand Isle!

Editor’s update: Grand Isle survived the devastating Hurricane Ida that occurred between August 26 - September 4, 2021, but with immense damages. The town is unable to provide adequate services to the community or host travelers at the moment. Keeping the town and its people in our prayers, so they’re able to overcome this natural disaster and emerge stronger as a community.