Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge & Lakeview neighborhood is a popular day-trip destination from New Orleans!

Best Time To Visit Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge: I recommend visiting Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge on your trip to New Orleans, whether you’re going for Mardi Gras celebrations or sightseeing. So if you’re visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras or the Jazz Festival, you have to go during spring, Jan through May, which is also the peak season in New Orleans. However, if you’re going to New Orleans for sightseeing, you can travel anytime but keep in mind summers are extremely hot and humid in New Orleans. I recommend visiting Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge or any other attraction in Louisiana only outside the summer months.

Time Required At Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge: If you’re planning to just drive the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge, it shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours to get to the north shore and then driving back to the south shore, assuming you’re starting from New Orleans, located south of Lake Pontchartrain. However, I recommend visiting the vibrant lakefront neighborhood of Lakeview, on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain, when visiting the Causeway Bridge, which would take an additional two hours. 

Getting To Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge: The south end of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge is in the city of Metairie, about 10 miles from downtown New Orleans. The best way to get to Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge is by taking a direct flight to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, located very close to downtown New Orleans and then driving to the Causeway Bridge. Alternatively, you could also take an Amtrak train or a Greyhound bus to New Orleans and then drive to the bridge.

• Flight: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), New Orleans, Louisiana, about 15 miles from downtown New Orleans, is the closest major international airport to Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge. The other option is to fly into Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT), Gulfport, Mississippi, located approximately 65 miles from the north end of Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge in Mandeville, Louisiana.
• Train: The Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans is an Amtrak train station located on Loyola Avenue serviced by several Amtrak train services connecting New Orleans to other parts of the Nation.
• Bus: Greyhound offers bus services to New Orleans, with the closest Greyhound bus stop located on Loyola Avenue, in downtown New Orleans just 10 miles from Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge. 

Tolls For Crossing Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge: There’s a $5 toll if you pay in cash and a $3 fee if you’re using electronic toll tags, which is collected only on the north side of the bridge for southbound traffic. 

Other Attractions Near Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge: Downtown New Orleans definitely takes center stage in Louisiana! However, when visiting Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge, I recommend stopping by the Lakeview neighborhood on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain. The Lakeview community features a lakefront area with many restaurants, boat and yacht rentals, New Canal Lighthouse Museum, Treasure Chest Casino, and a bike path. Additionally, you could also visit Steamboat NATCHEZ, a cruise along the Mississippi River featuring onboard music and dining.

Hotels Near Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge: You don’t necessarily need to stay near Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge as it’s located just 10 miles from downtown New Orleans, where you will find some of the best hotels in Louisiana. However, if you wish to stay close to Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge, you will find quite a few good hotels and bread and breakfasts on the north and south shore of Lake Pontchartrain.

• New Orleans Marriott Metairie at Lakeway
• Residence Inn by Marriott New Orleans Elmwood
• Hilton Garden Inn Covington/Mandeville
• Holiday Inn Covington

Restaurants Near Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge: The best dining options are in downtown New Orleans, but if you wish to get away from the hustle-bustle of the town and grab something to eat by the shore, you must try the eateries in the Lakeview neighborhood. There’re several eateries in Lakeview, including Landry’s Seafood House, Russell’s Marina Grill, The Blue Crab Restaurant and Oyster Bar, and Lakeview Harbor. The other great and unique dining option is onboard the Steamboat NATCHEZ, where you could dine while enjoying the city vistas while sailing along the Mississippi River.