Sun and fun are on the menu, and these Gulf Coast Summer Weekends are stocked to the brim with good times to be had by all!
Scarlet Pearl Casino
If you’re dreaming of your next unforgettable getaway, let Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort bring it to life. Indulge in world-class elegance inside our stunning all-glass, 300-room tower, where sleek, modern design meets exceptional service and spa-inspired bathrooms designed for total relaxation.
 Step into paradise at Lava Links Golf Club, a dazzling 18-hole experience surrounded by tropical gardens, cascading waterfalls, and our signature erupting volcano. As the sun shines down, cool off with a handcrafted gourmet ice pop from Pop Brothers, bursting with refreshing, all-natural flavors in a lively setting filled with music and vibrant energy.Â
From lavish accommodations to thrilling gaming and unmatched amenities, Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort is your premier destination on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
 For details and pricing, please call 888-752-9772.
762 Lakeview Coffee + Cocktails
Mambo’s Restaurant and Rooftop Bar, founded by Morton Bader, is the only rooftop restaurant on Bourbon Street, offering panoramic views, balcony seating, fresh seafood, and savory Cajun Creole cuisine. With space for events up to 500 guests and front-row views of Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve fireworks, it’s a premier destination for dining and celebrations in the heart of New Orleans.
762 Coffee and Cocktails, founded by Raquel Zar, the owner of Lakeview Barbershop, blends the worlds of artisanal coffee and cocktail mixology in a warm, stylish setting. Featuring healthier menu options, gluten-free choices, a welcoming patio, and private event space, 762 offers the perfect atmosphere for everything from casual mornings to lively evenings.
Mississippi Children’s Museum Â
 Make your summer road trip count with a stop at the Mississippi Children’s Museum – Meridian—a nationally recognized destination for hands-on family fun. With 9,500 square feet of indoor exhibits and 25,000 square feet outdoors, MCM-Meridian brings learning to life through immersive experiences rooted in Literacy, STEAM, Health, Cultural Arts, and Mississippi History.
Step into storybook magic with Goodnight Moon and The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, take the stage in Our Lady’s Playhouse, or climb inside a giant brain. Soar into discovery in the Wings of Wonder gallery while learning about the historic Key Brothers. From climbing to the clouds to stepping into a jet cockpit and defying gravity on the Bernoulli table, hands-on learning takes flight in fun and exciting ways. Outside, My Fantastical Backyard invites children to unleash their imagination in the vibrant open-air setting filled with whimsy and wonder.
Named the Top 5 Children’s Museum by USA Today, it’s the ultimate summertime pit stop for play. Plan your visit today at mcmmeridian.org! Â
Walk Through Montgomery. Leave Forever Changed.
 An easy drive from New Orleans, Montgomery, AL invites travelers to experience the heart of America’s civil rights story, and its continued pursuit of equal justice. For an enriching long summer weekend, walk through powerful landmarks from the Equal Justice Initiative, including the Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice, along with Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, Rosa Parks Museum, and Freedom Rides Museum, all within a walkable, welcoming downtown rich with history and culture.
 A new addition to EJI’s powerful sites, Montgomery Square invites visitors to walk in the footsteps of those who marched from 1955 to 1965, with outdoor exhibits, art, and storytelling that bring this pivotal decade vividly to life. Just steps away, the Elevation Hotel and Convening Center offers a stay with purpose, blending design, art, and reflection. Plan a meaningful getaway that stays with you long after you return home at ExperienceMontgomeryAL.org.
LSU Online & Continuing Education  Â
At OLLI at LSU, lifelong learning is about connection, curiosity, and new experiences. Designed for adults 50 and over, OLLI at LSU offers a welcoming environment with no tests, grades, or pressure — just the opportunity to keep learning and stay engaged.
Members can explore a wide range of subjects, including history, art, literature, wellness, culture, technology, and more, with flexible options offered in person and online options to fit a variety of schedules and preferences.Â
Through OLLI at LSU’s four chapters across South Louisiana, Lagniappe (Baton Rouge), Crescent City (New Orleans & Metairie), Camellia City (Slidell & Convington), Felicianas (St. Francisville & New Roads), participants can learn close to home while building new friendships and meaningful connections.
Beginning June 8, adults 50 and over can register for an OLLI at LSU annual membership. The $50 membership is valid from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and provides access to offerings across all four chapters. Individual class, field trip, and event fees vary by offering. Learn more about membership and upcoming opportunities at ce.lsu.edu/olli. Â
  French Market District  Â
The historic French Market District is where community and history come alive. Whether you are visiting or live just down the street, the food, the music, and the fun of the French Quarter are waiting for you to join in the magic that only New Orleans can truly offer.Â
 The French Market District offers cooking demonstrations every Thursday and Friday. These Market Morsels events provide a culinary presentation that combines food and storytelling in an interactive experience that beats with the lifeblood of the city. On Saturdays, Sundays, and alternating Mondays and Wednesdays throughout the month, live music fills the streets and the stalls of the Farmer’s Market, making for a jazz-tactic time. And for those hoping to get a start on their finest Summer look, there are free yoga classes every Wednesday at Oscar Dunn Park across from Jackson Square.
 These weekly offerings, including the upcoming 40th annual Creole Tomato Festival, are ready and waiting at the French Market District.Â
 Come on by for a bite and learn more at frenchmarket.org. •
